Rome Memories: One of Roger Federer's chimeras

One of Roger Federer's chimeras is undoubtedly the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The tournament in Rome gave the Swiss Maestro great emotions, but he never managed to win the title. A curse that also applies to another ATP Masters 1000: the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

The ancient and prestigious tournament on the Rome clay-courts has an important and glorious history, which has lasted since 1930, the year of its first edition won by Bill Tilden. Federer played a total of four finals on the Central Court of the Foro Italico. The first was 2003 final, lost to Felix Matilla in three sets, with the final score of 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(8). A month later Federer won his first Slam in Wimbledon.

In 2006 he had a great chance against Rafael Nadal: the two rivals played an epic match, won by the Spaniard in five exciting sets, for 6-7, 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5). That was perhaps Federer's biggest chance of victory to date. In 2013 he lost his third final, again against Nadal, this time with the final score of 6-1, 6-3. That was one of the worst seasons of the Swiss, on all playing surfaces.

In 2015 he challenged Novak Djokovic (a challenge that highlighted the whole season). The Serb won in two sets, for 6-4, 6-3. A few weeks later, Nole was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final, while the Serb then defeated Roger Federer in the Wimbledon and US Open finals.

This is one of the memories of past days as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the season's suspension over time. The tournament will not be relocated this season, but it will be played directly in 2021, not following the line of other events such as the French Open that has been rescheduled for the second half of 2020, after the US Open.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2zOuHnj