WATCH: Roger Federer makes a stunning return to Halle as the 10-time champion as the tournament celebrates the ‘Roger Federer Day’

Roger Federer makes a superhero return at the Halle Open as the tournament honors him with the 'Roger Federer Day'.

WATCH: Roger Federer makes a stunning return to Halle as the 10-time champion as the tournament celebrates the ‘Roger Federer Day’

Roger Federer walks to a rousing reception at the Halle Open 2023 (Credits: ATP Tour)

It was a glorious evening at the Halle Open in Germany. 10-time former champion Roger Federer returned to one of his favorite venues. The Swiss maestro won a record 11 titles at the ATP event. His trophy cabinet included 10 titles in singles and a solitary one in doubles partnering compatriot Yves Allegro. Halle boasts of one of the biggest trophies on the Tour in terms of size and Federer made it a habit to lift it.

Having said goodbye to the sport during the 2022 season, Federer was invited by the tournament organizers for a special ceremony to honor his glorious career. Dressed in a white t-shirt with a black coat and sporting white sneakers, he was welcomed with a standing ovation amidst loud cheers from the fans in the stands.

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A long collage of Federer was also displayed with photos of his lifting the trophy every year he won. Nearly every spectator was seen filming the moment when one of the greatest grass-court players ever returned to the court in Halle. The organizers played Tina Turner‘s ‘The Best’ song as Federer made his way across the court waving and applauding the spectators for their reception to him.

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The former World No. 1’s dominance at the tournament was unmatched. While he boasts of 10 singles titles, the next best is Yevgeny Kafelnikov with three followed by Tommy Haas with two. No other player on the Tour has won the event more than once. Roger won four consecutive titles from 2003 to 2006. He won a hat trick of titles again from 2013 to 2015. His win over David Goffin in 2019 was his tenth and final title at the tournament.

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Halle Open celebrates ‘Roger Federer Day’

Roger Federer
Roger Federer poses with his 10th Halle Open trophy won in 2019 (Credits: Eurosport)

The celebration at Halle today was to mark 30 years of the tournament. With Roger Federer being one of their most beloved champions, he was extended an invitation to be in attendance. The tournament also announced that this year’s 21st June will be celebrated as ‘Roger Federer Day’ in honor of the 20-time Major winner.

“I’m looking forward to returning to one of my absolute favorite tournaments on the ATP Tour. It’s an honor to come and help the tournament celebrate this important anniversary in Halle,” Federer had announced in a press release following the tournament’s invite to him.

The tournament director honored him saying, “The rise of our tournament to a world-class level is closely associated with Roger. He has acted as an outstanding ambassador for us over all this time and produced headlines around the globe.”

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