Top Moments of 2019, No. 4: Federer's rousing French Open reception

In a decade to remember, 2019 didn't disappoint as the closing act. Click here to review the Top 10 moments from the final season of the 2010s.

Roger Federer hadn't been to the French Open in a while, but they still hadn't forgotten who he was.

"Roger, Roger,'' went up the chant from the 15,225-seat stadium as Federer walked on court for his first match.

It was a highly-anticipated re-appearance by the former tournament champion. In 2016, he had to withdraw with back problems and lingering knee issues, and then skipped clay for the next two seasons. But he decided to return this season, greeted with roars in Madrid and Rome, and then a especially rousing reception in Paris.

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A quiet exit to Rafael Nadal in the semifinals followed, but a loud ovation from the crowds on the windswept day.

"Roger, Roger,'' went up the chant again as he walked off the court.

As striking as their reaction was, it would become familiar. The crowds were similarly thunderous at Wimbledon, his hometown in Basel—obviously—and the ATP Finals. Perhaps the loudest cheer, simply by sheer size, was the one he received walking on court for an exhibition in Mexico in front of 42,517 spectators—a tennis record.

He won't forget them either.