TBT: In 2006, Roger Federer won his hometown title for the first time

Consider a players' local professional tennis tournament. This is where the sport first gets imprinted on the mind—the sights, the sounds, the raw power and refined skills of the world’s very best, on display front and center. It’s visceral, meaningful and enduring.

Certainly that was the case for Roger Federer when it came to the event that had been played in his hometown of Basel since 1970. It was always a big week for Federer, highlighted by the two years he spent as a ball boy.

“I loved being a ball boy here,” Federer said in 2019. “I was able to see the best players in the world firsthand and see how they would prepare, how they would sweat, how they deal with the pressure. They’re good moments for me.”

One such moment came in 1993, when the 12-year-old was handed a medal by tournament winner Michael Stich.

In 1998, a few months after winning the boys' title Wimbledon, Federer was ranked No. 396 in the world and given a wild card into Basel. In the first round, he faced a Top 10 player for the first time—none other than the formidable Andre Agassi. As anticipated, Agassi won, 6-3, 6-2.

“The road is long,” Federer said following the match, “but I’ve learned a lot in these last few months.”

Eight years later, the student was now the master. In October 2006, Federer arrived in Basel having won nine Grand Slam singles titles. But the Swiss had yet to win Basel—his best efforts a pair of runner-up runs in 2000 and 2001.

Federer’s campaign began with two routine wins, but then it all got much tighter. In the quarterfinals, he fought past the paragon of persistence, David Ferrer, 6-4, 7-6 (14).

You read that last number right.

Federer’s semifinal was even more challenging. Against the streaky Paradorn Srichiphan, Federer found himself down 5-3 in the third-set tiebreaker, but rattled off four straight points.

“It was unbelievable,” said Federer. “I’ve played him a few times now so I knew he was a good player but I definitely needed a bit of luck today.”

In the final, Federer faced seventh-ranked Fernando Gonzalez. Federer had won all eight of their previous meetings, including one a week prior in the final of Madrid. On this day in Basel, Federer sparkled. In 15 service games, he hit 14 aces and lost a scant 17 points. One minute shy of two hours, Federer won the best-of-five-set final, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (3).

“It’s a dream come true to finally win my home tournament,” said Federer. “This is an exciting moment and one of the nicest titles of my career.”

Federer’s victory triggered two Basel rituals. He’s since gone on to win the tournament nine more times. But also, well aware of his roots, upon winning his first Basel title, Federer treated all the ball boys and ball girls to a post-tournament pizza party. That, too, has become a tradition.

“I guess it means I am still a ball boy too,” said Federer last year, “because at heart, I’m always gonna be a ball boy.”

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