Federer dives into pizza after eighth Basel win

By Nina Pantic Oct 31, 2017
Lifestyle

Game, Set, Recharge: Frances Tiafoe talks hoop dreams and sleep hacks

By Stephanie Livaudais May 08, 2025
Style Points

Outfit of the Day: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova designs Agassi, Serena-inspired denim in Rome

By David Kane May 08, 2025
Style Points

Lacoste honors Novak Djokovic's "undisputed GOAT status" with golden net cape

By Baseline Staff May 08, 2025
Social

Quote of the Day: Maria Sakkari sees you watching her matches

By David Kane May 07, 2025
Social

No days off for Aryna Sabalenkaā€”not even on her birthday šŸŽ‚

By David Kane May 07, 2025
VIP Tennis Lounge

Carlos Alcaraz may be running out of room for his sneaker collection

By Tennis Channel May 06, 2025
Style Points

PHOTOS: Serena Williams feels like "modern day Cinderellaā€ in showstopping Met Gala look

By Stephanie Livaudais May 06, 2025
Lifestyle

When in Rome: Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek want to check in on the Vatican's papal conclave

By Associated Press May 06, 2025
Social

Alex De Minaur grow vintage car collection, talks Fiat, Ferrari in Rome šŸš—

By David Kane May 06, 2025

Federer dives into pizza after eighth Basel win

The former ball boy has kept up the tradition for over a decade.

ByNina Pantic

Published Oct 31, 2017

Every time Roger Federer reaches a final in Basel (11 times and counting), the ball kids are in for a treat. The Swiss, a former ball boy himself, celebrates with pizza for everyone.

After beating Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday for his eighth Basel crown, Federer also handed out the medals to the astute youth.

Advertising

It's an honor he received in 1993 from Michael Stich, when he was just a giddy ball boy himself.

Advertising

Federer says he still has that ball boy medal, and a lot more.

"I still get them today from the ball boys and ball girls when I have pizza with them at the end of the tournament,"Ā Federer said. "I guess it means I'm still a ball boy, too, because at heart I'm always going to be a ball boy."

Federer has kept the pizza party tradition alive for years, bringing out the cheesy goods each time he has reached a final in Basel.

The 36-year-old pulled out of the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris this week, all but guaranteeingĀ that Rafael Nadal secures the year-end No. 1 ranking.