Triple Success For Roger Federer At The ATP Awards - UBITENNIS
ATPLatest news

Triple Success For Roger Federer At The ATP Awards

By Adam Addicott
5 Min Read
Roger Federer (zimbio.com)

Roger Federer’s 2017 comeback from injury has helped him secure a trio of trophies at this year’s ATP Awards launch party. Held at the Tower of London.

The Swiss 36-year-old was sidelined from the tour for six months last year due to a knee injury before returning in January. Later that month he defied the odds at the Australian Open by defeating current world No.1 Rafael Nadal in the final. Since then, he had won an additional six titles. Including three at Masters level as well as a record 19th grand slam title at Wimbledon.

Federer, who has risen from 17th to second in the Emirates rankings since the start of the year, has defeated Nadal to be named the ATP Comeback Player of the Year. Becoming the second Swiss player to get the honour after Marco Chiudinelli in 2009. Nadal was in the running for the award after his return from a wrist injury. The Spaniard has also won two grand slam titles in 2017.

For the 15th consecutive year the 36-year-old has been voted the ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite. Since 2000, Marat Safin and Gustavo Kuerten are the only other players that have managed to triumph in the category. In the doubles equivalent, the Bryan brothers won the award for a 13th year in a row.

Among players, Federer was selected to receive the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship award. An accolade that recognizes the ‘highest level of professionalism and integrity’ of players on the tour throughout the year.

The hat-trick of awards brings Federer’s record-breaking trophy tally at the annual event to 36.

Shapovalov, Anderson triumph

Another winner on Wednesday night was Denis Shapovalov, who was named the most improved player in 2017. The 18-year-old has risen up the rankings by 200 places with the help of two titles on the Challenger tour. Then, during the American hard-court swing, he reached the semifinals of the Canadian Masters followed by the fourth round at the US Open. His season came to a close on Wednesday at the Next Gen finals after losing to Andrey Rublev.

Neville Goodwin has been voted by his peers as coach of the year. Goodwin guided South Africa’s Kevin Anderson to his first major final at the US Open. Anderson, who has won 3 ATP titles so far in his career, was the first South African finalist in New York since Cliff Drysdale in 1965.

“I’m honoured to receive this award, especially since it was voted for by only my fellow coaches,” Said Godwin.
“There were so many amazing stories on the tour this year, and I’m privileged to have been a part of it.”

Doubles specialist Horia Tecau has been recognized for his role in promoting healthcare and education for children in his home country of Romania. In April he was appointed a national ambassador for UNICEF. Last year he published a 110-page book called ‘Life in the rhythm of tennis’ to emphasise the importance of sports and reading for children.

“Horia Tecau is more than a world tennis champion, he is also a champion for the children. He has been campaigning for many years for children and their access to quality healthcare and education,” UNICEF representative in Romania, Sandie Blanchet, told atpworldtour.com.

Finally, tournaments in three different continents were voted events of the season.

TAGGED:
Leave a comment