Libema Open Tournament Director recalls funny chat with Roger Federer
In an exclusive interview with Tennis World USA, the 's-Hertogenbosch Libema Open Tournament Director Marcel Hunze recalled when Roger Federer last played the tournament losing in the semifinals in 2002 losing to as a world No. 9. The previous year Federer had upset Pete Sampras in the 2001 Wimbledon fourth round. "In 2002 Roger said, The only good thing I lost is that I am going to Wimbledon soon because the event used to take place prior to Wimbledon. He was a more controversial player but he was already in the top ten. We expected him to turn that successful because we talked a lot to people who were following the details and the player was already seen by several people. The success he has now, nobody could expect it but that he would become one of the real top players, was something that a lot of people told so it was not a surprise. He did not comeback anymore, so we still hope that one day we would see him but I am not too optimistic", recalled Hunze.
Last year after winning in 's-Hertogenbosch, Richard Gasquet joked a bit that he did not play in Stuttgart because Roger Federer was committed there, and the Swiss actually eventually won the title. "I did not hear that but I can understand it", Hunze added. "I did not know that. I heard from some players that they like to play in 's-Hertogenbosch because courts are great, they are quite similar to Wimbledon."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2ZGLMbl
No comments