Roger Federer struggled to hold back tears after clinching the Swiss Indoors title for a record-extending 10th time with another Tennis master class against a young Australian Alex de Minaur. Federer, the owner of 20 Grand-Slam titles and multiple records to his name, brushed aside his young and ambitious opponent 6-2, 6-2 to add another fresh feather in an already illustrious hat. The title at his hometown of Basel – where Federer was once a ball boy – took his overall tally of career singles titles to 103 just six short of Jimmy Connors’ all-time record. And it wasn’t surprising to see the Swiss Maestro reduced to tears at the presentation ceremony of the very tournament where he worked as a ball boy but has now conquered it 10 times.

Young De Minaur came into the tournament having won all of the three finals he has played in 2019 but at Basel – where Rafael Nadal once said the crowd saw no one but Federer – the 20-year-old Australian was no match for his great rival. Federer did not drop serve in the 63-minute contest and converted four of the 10 breakpoints to create history again. In the entire tournament, he hadn’t dropped a single set.

When Roger Federer Wept

“I would have never thought to win here 10 times, not even one, so it‘s very special,” an emotional said Federer struggling to control tears at the trophy presentation ceremony. “Thank you, everyone, hope to see you all next year!” The next best winner at Basel is Stefan Edberg, whose three titles at Swiss Indoors, explain the magnitude of Federer’s achievements.

Basel a Legacy

His family, including his four children, watched from the supporters’ box as Federer lifted the trophy for the 10th time and basked in the applause of a stadium filled crowd. "It was fast but very nice, I think I played a great match. But what a moment for me to win my 10th here in my hometown of Basel,” said Federer perhaps recalling the two years he spent at the very court as a ball boy decades ago.

10 It is!!

It was Federer’s Federer's fourth singles title win in 2019 following victories in Halle, at Miami Masters and in Dubai. The Halle Open is another tournament Federer has won at least 10 times.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2019 01:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).