World number two Roger Federer proved that he still has what it takes to reclaim the top ranking after beating current world number one Rafael Nadal to clinch his fifth year-end event title at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday. The gripping finale took three sets with the Swiss star emerging as the winner 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Federer won the year-end championships in 2003 (defeated Andre Agassi); 2004 (defeated Lleyton Hewitt); 2006 (defeated James Blake) and 2007 (defeated David Ferrer) and finished runner up in 2005. He became the third player in the 41-year history of the tournament to have won the title five times (with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras).
Federer received 1,500 ranking points after winning the title and being undefeated throughout the tournament, he received the maximum prize money of $1.63 million.
“I always believed in a plan from start to finish. Like at the first match I came out and played against [David] Ferrer, I think I always stayed true to how I wanted to play. It was the same thing today. Even though I lost the second set, I’m really happy the way I stayed positive throughout the match today. I thought it was clearly a very high level. I don’t know if I could have played any better, so I’m really pleased,” Federer said.
“It was interesting the way he played. But I stayed offensive. I knew in the long run that could be vital, which it was at the end, so I’m very happy,” he added.
“He played unbelievable. He was unplayable I think in this first set. I just can congratulate him for his victory and another great tournament for him. He played unbelievable during all the week without losing a set, being in the final. So his level was very high. I tried my best this afternoon, but he was better than me,” Nadal said.
The Centre Court at The O2 Arena in London was filled to the rafters with 17,500 spectators watching the exciting Federer vs Nadal finale match. Celebrities were also seen in the venue with the likes of Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey and football legend Diego Maradona.
The total attendance for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals reached 253,123, one of the best records to date.
