“There are encouraging defeats. “It’s hard to find more cliché than that in high-level sport. However, the expression here fits the situation perfectly. Apart from Nadal and Wilander, crowned from their first participation, many champions started their adventure at Roland Garros with a setback. Like a certain Gustavo Kuerten or a Yannick Noah.
In the spring of 1999, this is the case of a young Swiss aged 17, beaten in four sets (5-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2) by the Australian Patrick Rafter, ranked 3rd. world and double winner of the US Open. Roger Federer, a fresh junior world champion, is playing his first Grand Slam match there. He won the first set before faltering under the blows of one of the best forwards on the circuit, and this serve-volley that so amazed the teenager from Basel.
“I was fine, I was very happy to play Rafter, who was for me one of the most popular players on the tour. He had that cool, cool guy “aura”. I had loved facing him on the Lenglen and not losing on court 23 in front of 100 people, confided the Swiss in 2019. At the time, I remember that we still had the bonus points: in Grand Slam, if you beat the world number 1, it was 100 points and Rafter was in the 5 (…). It was like the carrot with the donkey (laughs). You knew the ranking would go up a lot if you did the feat or if the guy twisted his ankle (to laugh). It didn’t happen, but it was a good experience. “
“Roger’s biggest handicap was his mental maturity”
No injuries during this duel, but already a few strokes. With a set everywhere, Federer succeeds in particular with a magnificent winning smash back to the net (from one minute in the video below). “This is why this player is going to be good for the game”, then rejoices a commentator.
“Since I didn’t know his game, it took a little while for me to adjust to him. That’s why I lost the first set. Roger’s biggest handicap was his mental maturity, he was only 17 years old. This is one of the reasons why I was able to come back and win, ”explained the Australian tennis player in 2018.“ Pat ”Rafter is one of the few players on the circuit who has never bowed in his career. against Federer.
Before retiring, stopped by repeated injuries, he dominated him two more times. The last of which was snatched on June 15, 2001 in Halle (Germany). “At this point, it was clear that he was going to break through soon,” rewinds the Australian. Soon indeed. Two weeks later, the Swiss will take out legend Pete Sampras in the round of 16 at Wimbledon in their one and only encounter. His birth certificate.
