Federer’s Tennis: What He Doesn’t Need to Win

Analyse

As in the past two years, record winner Roger Federer has promised a visit to Wimbledon. But the sport now shows that it can be done without him – even better than ever.

Simon Häring / CH Media

A murmur will spill over the facility in the southwest of London, the cell phones are pulled out, and the photographers are positioned if Roger Federer Wimbledon should pay a visit these days, as he has done in recent years.

Roger Federer 2024 at Wimbledon.Bild: www.imago-images.de

With his eight titles, he is still a record winner in singles, with his former rival Novak Djokovic undertaking the next attempt to obtain him in this ranking. The Serb is currently seven wins.

Federer enjoys his retirement

It has been almost three years since Federer ended his career. He played his last game in Wimbledon almost exactly four years ago, on July 7, 2021, when he lost to Poland Hubert Hurkacz in three sentences in three sets. The Basel bidder lost the last round with 0: 6.

After everything you know, Federer enjoys his retirement. Recently, he said that he wanted to play more tennis again in the future, but the tournaments, the associated pressure, the trips, but above all the physical stress – he doesn’t lack all of this.

His supporters miss him, of course. For many, a chapter in their life ended with his career, in which they defined themselves as fans through their existence.

Visitor records at Grand Slams

Others worried about the future of tennis when Federer also stopped his former rivals. Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray did this last year. Only Novak Djokovic plays from the glorious quartet. The question arises: how long?

Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.Bild: www.imago-images.de

Already now it can be said with certainty: the tennis is dazzling. No: even more than ever.

The Grand Slam tournaments report visitor records. The Australian Open came 1.2 million when Federer last started there in 2019, it was only 800,000. The US Open recorded more than a million visitors for the first time last year – a third more than six years ago at Federer’s last appearance in New York. The French Open and Wimbledon also increased, albeit a little more moderate.

Enthusiasm for Alcaraz and Sinner

The four major tournaments also increase an increase in sales, from the combined 1.2 billion in 2019 to CHF 1.6 billion in CHF 2024.

Even the ratings in the otherwise declining linear television are extremely stable. Over two billion people in 200 countries follow the games. In France, 5.5 million switched to the French Open men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Like the last of four Paris finals between Nadal and Federer 14 years ago.

Borg and Mcenroe, not Federer

The Wimbledon final with the best switch-on rate at the British BBC also took place without a Federer. In 1980 17.3 million stuck before TV when Björn Borg John Mcenroe defeated. At least 16.9 million watched in 2012 when Federer Andy Murray defeated.

Björn Borg defeated John Mcenroe in 1980.Bild: keystone

A final with the participation of a British, of course, ensures more audience. In 2023, when Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic, as many people did not switch on as in Murray’s second victory in 2016. So more than in 2019, when Federer lost to Djokovic after not being able to use two match balls.

Glossy numbers in streaming

Tennis obviously also succeeds in renewing yourself. All Grand Slam tournaments have been more than tripling in the past three years, i.e. since Federer’s resignation. The same applies to access via the social media, especially popular with the younger target group.

The Grand Slam tournaments are a sure-fire success, which does not apply to smaller tournaments, including the Swiss Indoors Basel. They are much more dependent on the success of local players. In the worst case, they disappear from the calendar, which usually remains an isolated event.

Billions thanks to Saudi Arabia

Because the professional organization of men ATP is also well equipped for the future. In 2023, sales were CHF 260 million, almost 50 percent more than two years before. In 2025 it should grow to over 300 million. One of the reasons for this is a lasting strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, which was reported at the end of last year. Up to 9 (!) Billions are to flow into the men’s tennis via the PIF state fund.

As a study shows, 100 million people occasionally played tennis and thus more than ever before. Most in the United States (23.8 million). In the UK, more than one in ten uses the racket regularly. At the last measurement in 2019, “only” 84 million tennis players were counted.

China, Brazil and India in sight

The potential is far from being exhausted. The populated countries of China, Brazil, India and Indonesia are considered to be growth markets. Together, these 3.4 billion inhabitants count, which corresponds to more than a third of the world’s population.

Roger Federer celebrated success for decades. With his game and charisma, he enchanted people all over the world. But the tennis will also be happy, writes new stories without him. Today, tomorrow and next year. Also in Wimbledon.