Roger Federer wins 100th career title in Dubai

Roger Federer wins 100th career title in Dubai. March. 04, 2019 07:26. by Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com.
Roger Federer (38) of Switzerland was all smiles expressing satisfaction upon receiving the sailboat-shaped trophy, his 100th career title at the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Tour. “It’s been a long, wonderful journey. Reaching 100 is an absolute dream come true for me. We’ll see how much more I have left in the tank,” Federer said in expressing joy.

Federer, ranked seventh in the world rankings, beat Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 2-0 (6-4, 6-4), ranked 11th, in the men’s singles final of the Dubai Tennis Championships, which took place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

Federer thus acquired his 100th career title in his 19th season after winning his first title at the Milano Indoor championships at age 20 in February 2001, when Tsitsipas was only 30 months old.

Watchers say that Federer has demonstrated both quantity and quality with his 100th career victory. He has won a title in 15th consecutive years from 2001 to 2015, which is a tying record in terms of the duration of title-earning years. He has been stronger in major events as evidenced by his winning 20 titles in major championships, the most for a male tennis player. Banking on thorough self-management, he has won as many as 33 titles in the tour since his 30th birthday.

Attention is now focusing on whether Federer will break the record of 109 wins set by Jimmy Connors. Considering his stellar performance in recent years, it will not be an unachievable milestone.

Federer, who won seven titles in the 2017 season when he made comeback, acquired four championships last year. “Welcome to the 'Triple Digit' tournament victory club," Connors said in a Twitter post to Federer, "I've been a bit lonely -- glad to have the company!!!.”