Roger Federer: “99 is a huge number, and ninth title in Basel is crazy”

The Swiss icon won in his hometown of Basel against Romania’s Marius Copil yesterday to become the most successful player in the event’s history with a 7-6, 6-4 triumph. Federer feels confident after this triumph. “I’ve played well, but at times also I didn’t play as well, so it’s nice to come back to winning ways. Now we’ll see what happens next. But obviously getting 99 is a huge, huge number for me. “Getting nine here in Basel is crazy. I can’t believe it. It’s a major week for me in terms of all the records, so it’s great. For many years, I don’t know if every title I win might be my last. I don’t know. “I’m not saying I’m celebrating like it is my last, maybe I should… Here it’s always emotional, seeing the faces of the ball kids. Seeing myself in their shoes is very touching for me. Getting the standing ovations from the fans touches me a lot as well.” Federer added: “Walking out for a Basel final was always my dream, or just playing on the centre court was a thrill 21 years ago for the quality. So when you sit there and the trophy ceremony is starting and the ball kids walk out, I remember being in their shoes and [it being] me walking out.”

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