'I was lucky enough to play Roger Federer once', says ATP ace

Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer did not participate in this edition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Both their physical problems and the difficult pandemic situation in Tokyo have totally changed the plans of Switzerland, which has undoubtedly started the Olympic Games with less hope of success. Expectations, on the other hand, were better than expected with Switzerland winning the women's medal. If in doubles she had to surrender in the final to the Czech Republic, Belinda Bencic achieved a great feat and became the first Swiss tennis player in history to win a gold medal. A wonderful week of consistency and playing to the maximum in the decisive moments (and in the decisive sets) have given Bencic the gold medal, thus entering the history of her country. This is the third tennis gold medal in the history of Switzerland: the first came in Barcelona 1992 with Marc Rosset and the second in Beijing 2008 in the doubles formed by two champions of this sport such as Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka. Now world number 12 Belinda Bencic has rewritten history again during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The hard-fought final victory in three sets against the Czech Marketa Vondrousova will remain in the annals and several teammates and compatriots congratulated Bencic. Among these could not miss the Swiss tennis legend and his great admirer Roger Federer who created a publication on social networks to celebrate the victory of his compatriot. In the message, Federer wrote "Story" to celebrate Bencic along with the Swiss flag and a medal emoji. In addition to this, the twenty-time winner of Grand Slam tournaments attached the message by writing: "Every day is a good day to make your dreams come true" The 24-year-old tennis player dedicated the victory to all her compatriots and especially to her idols Martin Hingis and precisely Roger Federer: "This medal is also for Roger and Martina, I won it for them," concluded Belinda.

Casper Ruud opens up on Roger Federer

Casper Ruud came under the limelight after his victory at three events in three consecutive weeks. He has mentioned his tennis idols in an interview with ATP. However, he does believe he can beat his idols, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. “Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It was more looking up to them. When you are young it is tough to believe you can be there yourself and beat them. They are more like an inspiration, but the older you get, the more you start to believe, and you get to practise with them sometimes. They are obviously better than you, but maybe not as much as you would maybe think,” said Ruud when asked about his dream victories. Casper Ruud described his experience of playing against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic previously. However, his attitude was professional back then as well, and he had the hunger to win. “I was lucky enough to play Novak Djokovic and Federer once, when I went onto the court I went to try and win. You have to try and look at them as just another player you want to beat,” said Ruud.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3xs60VP