Homecoming pressure for Federer

Roger Federer (left) and ladies singles champion Serena Williams pose with their trophies in London Keystone

Swiss tennis hero Roger Federer won’t have much time to rest on his laurels.

Just two days after winning Wimbledon, the 21-year-old from Basel is due back on court on Tuesday at the Swiss Open tournament in Gstaad.

Despite being known locally as “the Wimbledon of the Alps”, the Gstaad tournament often struggles for attention, coming so soon after the Grand Slam event.

But with the newly-crowned Wimbledon champion now set to celebrate his homecoming in the Bernese Oberland, organisers are already feeling the Federer effect.

“We’re very happy that Roger has finally won his first Grand Slam,” Swiss Open director Jacques Hermenjat told swissinfo on Monday.

“And the fact that he did it at Wimbledon is just perfect, because it means that we can enjoy watching him the week after his biggest success.

“This morning we had lots of requests for tickets. In fact the ticket agency we use has never had so many calls for any sporting event in this country.”

Federer fever

Federer fever has been further fuelled by Switzerland’s newspapers which battled with each other on Monday for the most fitting headline.

The Lausanne-based “24 Heures” and the German-language tabloid “Blick” both looked to Wimbledon’s royal heritage for inspiration, respectively proclaiming Federer as “Federer the First” and “King Roger I”.

Concentrating on the stylish play which saw Federer sweep aside Australian opponent Mark Philippoussis on Sunday, the Basler Zeitung hailed its local hero as a “genius” who has “changed the world of tennis forever”.

The tears with which Federer expressed his title joy also received several mentions, particularly in the international press. Britain’s Daily Mirror went the furthest, picturing an overwrought Federer beneath the headline, “It’s Roger Blubberer!”

But after earning Switzerland it’s first ever Grand Slam title in the history of men’s tennis, Federer seemed happy to take all the media coverage in his athletic stride.

“I would rather have seen some more pictures of me lifting up the trophy or celebrating the winning point,” Federer said on Monday. “But it doesn’t bother me to see so many pictures of me crying. I’m not ashamed of my emotions.”

Gstaad encounter

Tuesday’s opening round encounter in Gstaad against Spanish qualifier Marc Lopez is likely to test Federer’s emotions once again, with the Swiss public sure to express their appreciation for the homecoming hero.

And it seems Federer will be as keen to see the crowd as they are to see him.

“I want to enjoy the tournament and of course win as many matches as possible,” Federer grinned. “But I’m also looking forward to the reaction of the people in Gstaad and to meeting up with lots of my friends.”

Despite the expectations raised by Federer’s latest triumph, Swiss fans in Gstaad will do well to remember that their hero doesn’t have the best of records at the Swiss Open.

Twelve months ago, he did manage to make it beyond the first round for the first time in five attempts but then crashed out in the second round.

The transition from grass to clay, not to mention the media glare, won’t make things any easier for Federer.

Not that the tournament officials want to play down his chances too much.

“Maybe it’s better like this,” suggested Hermenjat with a laugh. “Two years ago, the Czech Republic’s Jiri Novak came here after playing on the last Sunday at Wimbledon – in the doubles final.

“He turned up here without any practice on the clay and went on to win the tournament. So of course I’m hoping that Roger can do the same.”

Hermenjat added that the tournament organisers would be doing all they could to help Federer, both in regards to his schedule and in dealing with any excessive media interest.

And having now made the transition from Swiss pretender to international sports star, Federer is likely to appreciate some of those home comforts.

swissinfo, Mark Ledsom

Key facts

Federer is due to face Spanish qualifier Marc Lopez in the opening round in Gstaad.
The Swiss star doesn’t have a great record at the Swiss Open, having won just one singles match in five years.
Since winning Wimbledon Federer has climbed in the ATP ranking to number three in the world.