2010 Flashback: Federer Draws Level With Sampras, Lendl

Roger Federer was at his magnificent best in November 2010, when the Swiss superstar captured his fifth Nitto ATP Finals crown, to draw level with the title hauls of Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl.

One of the sport’s greatest indoor players beat five of the Top 7 players for his fifth title of the season, leaving the Swiss superstar clearly delighted. “I’m really thrilled the way I played all week,” said Federer. “To win a fifth time is obviously amazing, for the third time in a different place [also Houston and Shanghai]. I’m just really happy the way I was able to finish the season in style, playing some of my best tennis, really saving the best for last.”

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On a cold week in London, Federer beat World No. 1 Rafael Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in one hour and 37 minutes for the 66th tour-level trophy of his career. In their first meeting in London since their 2008 Wimbledon final, Federer’s victory ended Nadal’s run of seven victories in eight previous matches.

Nadal, who had beaten Andy Murray over three hours in the semi-finals a day earlier, praised Federer, saying, “At the beginning he was unplayable. I don’t want to say I lost because I was tired. I lost to a very good Roger Federer. I had chances but it was not enough.”

Federer served immaculately against Nadal in the first set, but then lost his only set of the week. He broke Nadal with relative ease in the anti-climatic decider for his fifth year-end championship crown (also 2003-04, 2006-07). In a year when he experienced 13 losses and became the first father to win a Grand Slam title since Andre Agassi at the 2003 Australian Open, Federer completed his ninth final of 2010 for his 65th victory.

“As long as I can, as long as I’m healthy, eager, motivated, which I clearly am, [I will continue to play],” said Federer. “I’ve played 10 full seasons. Nine of them I made the [Nitto ATP] Finals, so I’ve always had long and exhausting seasons. But I seem to enjoy it. I take pleasure out of travelling the world, playing against the best, challenging myself.

“So it’s been an amazing career for myself. At the moment I have no plans at all of stopping, quitting, whatever you want to call it. I hope I can play for many more years to come. It’s a goal anyway. I think it’s possible.”

Federer dominated throughout the week, taking a 4-0 lead in just 15 minutes against David Ferrer en route to a 6-1, 6-4 victory in their opening round-robin match. The Swiss then earned a 6-2, 6-2 win over Murray and went on to extend his FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Robin Soderling to 15-1 with a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory. His ball striking was equally as assured in a routine 6-1, 6-4 semi-final win over Novak Djokovic.

In 2010, Federer finished in the Top 2 of the ATP Rankings for a record eighth straight season.

The Nitto ATP Finals is celebrating its 10th edition at The O2 in London from 11-18 November 2018.