Roger Federer helps Switzerland win Davis Cup for the first time

The world number two defeated Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the important singles match on Sunday night, November 23, thereby contributing greatly to his team's 3-1 victory over host France in the final.

“This is a historic victory for all Swiss men, not just for me. I played for my teammates, because I have won all kinds of awards in my career. I am happy to be able to contribute to this historic moment for everyone in my country,” Roger Federer said in tears after the match on Sunday night.

The 33-year-old also praised his junior Stan Wawrinka, who won his opening singles match and then won his doubles match with Federer. “Stan has put in a lot of hard work and dedication for Switzerland over the years and he played a great game this weekend. It was an opportunity for me to take advantage of and win the title today,” Federer added.

Federer finally got the rare notable title missing from his collection. Photo: Reuters.

The finals concluded Sunday night with two singles matches. Roger Federer played the key match, winning convincingly in three sets against world number 26 Richard Gasquet. In front of an estimated 27,500 spectators at the Stade Pierre-Mauroyto, a new Davis Cup world record, the 17-time Grand Slam champion controlled the proceedings and did not face a break point throughout the match, which lasted about an hour and 42 minutes. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was supposed to represent France in the crucial match, but he suffered a recurrence of an arm injury.

The world number two's victory meant that the scheduled fifth match between Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils was not required. Switzerland became the 14th team in history to win the Davis Cup, with a 3-1 aggregate result. This was the first time the Swiss had reached the Davis Cup final since 1992. They had never previously won the prestigious men's team tennis tournament, which has existed for 115 years. Meanwhile, with another defeat this year, France have not won the Davis Cup since 2001. In Roger Federer's great trophy collection, this is the only notable title he has previously missed.

Federer has not stopped being hungry even though he is 33 years old. Photo: AP.

Earlier, in the singles match on the first day of the final on clay in Lille, Roger Federer suffered a three-set defeat to world number 19 Gael Monfils, with a score of 1-6, 4-6, 3-6. This result helped the French team level at 1-1, after world number four Stan Wawrinka put Switzerland ahead with a four-set victory 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the opening match.

The second day of competition on Saturday night featured only one doubles match. The Wawrinka-Federer pair helped Switzerland return to a 2-1 lead with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over the Julien Benneteau-Richard Gasquet pair.

Gasquet could not stop Federer. Photo: AFP.

According to VNE