Roger Federer was crowned as the “Sportsman of the Year” by the journalists of the Gazzetta dello Sport, the famous Italian sports newspaper. The 19-time Grand Slam champion won the traditional end-of-year poll for the fourth time in his career after claiming the top spot for three consecutive years in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
During his successful come-back season Federer won his fifth Australian Open title and his eighth Wimbledon crown, the so-called Sunshine Double double in Indian Wells and Miami, his third Masters 1000 title of the season in Shanghai, his favourite grass tournament in Halle and a record eighth title in his hometown city Basel beating Juan Martin Del Potro in three sets.
Federer took the first place in the ranking ahead of Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and Uefa Champions League and Ballon d’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. King Roger is just the second tennis player to win the “Gazzetta Sportsman of the Year Award” after Stefan Edberg, who triumphed in 1990.
Federer posted a video message to thank the journalists of the Gazzetta dello Sport, who voted him.
“I want to thank all of you, who have voted for me and chose me as the Sportsman of the Year. Something very special happened in 2017. It was my best season considering my age. This award means a lot for me”, said Federer.
Federer will make his debut in the Hopman Cup in Perth where he will team up with his compatriot Belinda Bencic. This traditional team event was a springboard to a very successful Australian Open, where he collected his 18th career Grand Slam after beating Rafael Nadal in a fantastic five-set match.
“I have to keep my body healthy to continue my career. I relaxed during the off-season with my family before starting my training for the Australian Open. I did the same last year but in 2017 I did not know what to expect. I have high expectations for 2018 but I am aware that it will not be easy to repeat the same results I achieved in 2017”, said Federer.
Federer and his Spanish rival Rafael Nadal shared the top position in another end-of-year poll conducted by the French sports daily L’Equipe. The popular French newspaper granted the “International Sportsman of the Year” award to two sportsmen for the first time in 42 years. Only two other tennis players Guy Forget and Henri Leconte were awarded together as the best French sportsmen in 1991, when the French team won the Davis Cup. Federer win the Equipe award for the fourth time after 2004, 2005 and 2006. Nadal won this award twice in 2010 and 2013.
Federer was interviewed by l’Equipe in Dubai before starting his Australian campaign.
“Someone will say it is right for me to share the award with Nadal. Someone will say no. I think you can view our seasons the way you want. Both of us did something amazing. He ended the year as number 1. He is the oldest player to end the year at this position, which I was not aware of. It is something that nobody did before, so from that side, he must be given credit. He made a comeback like me. I am five years older than him, which makes things even more complicated. I beat him every time. We can combine all the things the way we want, but I perfectly agree”, said Federer.
Roger beat Rafa four times in all their four head-to-head matches at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami and Shanghai. Nadal led 3-1 in the fifth set in the legendary Australian Open final but Federer made an incredible come-back to lift his fifth Australian Open trophy after being sidelined for six months.
“It’s a little bit exaggerated to say that coming back from 1-3 in the fifth set in Melbourne was decisive for the whole season but it’s true. In that moment I showed that I can play fabulous tennis forever. I played very well. It was a great moment for the whole season”, said Federer.
Federer also won three ATP Awards (Fan’s Favourite, Stefan Edberg Sportmanship and Comeback of the year) and won the Swiss Sportsman of the year Award for the seventh time in his career.