Renaissance man Roger Federer makes winning start to new campaign and reflects on his great year
After winning two grand slam titles in 2017, the world No 2 returns to the Hopman Cup, where his unlikely comeback started a year ago
Swiss master Roger Federer began his new campaign in style, winning his first match at the Hopman Cup in Perth against Japan’s Yuichi Sugita before reflecting on his phenomenal year, which he described as an “absolute dream run”.
Federer, who turns 37 in August, won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017 and the Hopman Cup was the tournament that started his great comeback after six months on the sidelines following knee surgery in 2016.
After defeating Sugita 6-4, 6-3 in his first match after his winter break, the 19-time grand slam champion was pleased to get off to a winning start at the Perth Arena.
“It’s tennis time next month and I’m happy to be here to kick it off,” he told spectators after his straightforward victory against the Japanese world No 40.
“It’s been an absolute dream run,” said the world No 2. “It’s gone by too fast ... while you’re having fun. What a year it has been. I couldn’t be happier. It was such a huge surprise and I’m healthy and I had a great off season. I’m so pleased to have had the year I had and hopefully I will get another good one this year.”