Lot Essay
“Sampras was one of my favourite players of all time and Borg. To be in that group is very special. I hope it's not going to stop at three." (Roger Federer, The Guardian, 2005)
At the end of the 2004 season, Roger became the first player to win three Grand Slams in the same calendar year, together with the end of season ATP Masters title, where he once again defeated Lleyton Hewitt in a showpiece final. At the beginning of 2005, the tennis world was waiting to see what highs Roger could reach and whether he could prevail on clay, which was the only surface which he seemingly had yet to master.
With this challenge at the forefront of his mind, Roger hired Tony Roche as his coach, having been without a full-time coach since he had parted company with Peter Lundgren in 2003. By the time Wimbledon came around, Roche’s influence was evident in a further seven titles (in Doha, Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Hamburg and Halle), although without further Grand Slam success. Roger was defeated by Marat Safin in a five-set thriller in Melbourne at the Australian Open, losing the final set 9-7 after having failed to convert a match-point earlier in the contest. There was also further disappointment at Roland Garros, where he lost to the young sensation Rafa Nadal in the semi-finals.
A return to the All England Lawn Tennis Club in 2005, coincided with a return to the Grand Slam winners’ circle. Nicolas Kiefer proved the only player able to snatch a set from Federer’s grasp, as Roger's imperious grass court form from 12 months earlier resurfaced. Roger would once again face Andy Roddick in the final, with the American close to his peak form. Commentators were forecasting a tough battle, however Roddick was unable to trouble him as he had done in the previous year, losing 6-2, 7-6, 6-4. With this Wimbledon victory, Roger preserved his amazing record of only ever having lost one set in a Grand Slam final.
At the end of the 2004 season, Roger became the first player to win three Grand Slams in the same calendar year, together with the end of season ATP Masters title, where he once again defeated Lleyton Hewitt in a showpiece final. At the beginning of 2005, the tennis world was waiting to see what highs Roger could reach and whether he could prevail on clay, which was the only surface which he seemingly had yet to master.
With this challenge at the forefront of his mind, Roger hired Tony Roche as his coach, having been without a full-time coach since he had parted company with Peter Lundgren in 2003. By the time Wimbledon came around, Roche’s influence was evident in a further seven titles (in Doha, Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Hamburg and Halle), although without further Grand Slam success. Roger was defeated by Marat Safin in a five-set thriller in Melbourne at the Australian Open, losing the final set 9-7 after having failed to convert a match-point earlier in the contest. There was also further disappointment at Roland Garros, where he lost to the young sensation Rafa Nadal in the semi-finals.
A return to the All England Lawn Tennis Club in 2005, coincided with a return to the Grand Slam winners’ circle. Nicolas Kiefer proved the only player able to snatch a set from Federer’s grasp, as Roger's imperious grass court form from 12 months earlier resurfaced. Roger would once again face Andy Roddick in the final, with the American close to his peak form. Commentators were forecasting a tough battle, however Roddick was unable to trouble him as he had done in the previous year, losing 6-2, 7-6, 6-4. With this Wimbledon victory, Roger preserved his amazing record of only ever having lost one set in a Grand Slam final.