This week, the Fergana Challenger celebrated its 20th edition on the ATP Challenger Tour. On Sunday, its champion reveled in a milestone of his own.

Emil Ruusuvuori etched his name in the history books with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 12th seed Roberto Cid Subervi, earning his maiden title. He is just the fourth player from Finland to capture a Challenger crown in the last 30 years and the first since Jarkko Nieminen in 2013.

The Nordic nations are making a splash on the #NextGenATP scene, with 20-year-old Ruusuvuori joining Norway’s Casper Ruud and Sweden’s Mikael Ymer as recent Challenger champions. The Helsinki native is now the highest-ranked Finnish player, rising to a career-high No. 300 in the ATP Rankings.

It was an impressive week for Ruusuvuori on the hard courts of Fergana, in just his 10th Challenger appearance. After rallying from a set down to upset top seed Pedja Krstin, he needed a deciding tie-break to defeat home hope Khumoyun Sultanov in the semis, before streaking past Cid Subervi in one hour and 21 minutes on Sunday.

Finland has been in search of a new standard bearer in singles ever since former World No. 13 Jarkko Nieminen retired in 2015. Henri Kontinen is leading the charge in doubles and Ruusuvuori is hoping to join his countryman in flying the Finnish flag.

Youngest Winners In 2019

Moreover, Ruusuvuori is the fifth-youngest champion on the Challenger circuit this year, joining Ymer, Jannik Sinner, Corentin Moutet, Ugo Humbert, Jay Clarke and J.J. Wolf as #NextGenATP winners.

ATPChallengerTour.com spoke to the flying Finn after his victory in Fergana…

Emil, congrats on winning your first Challenger title. How does it feel to lift the trophy?
It feels amazing. I didn’t expect it to go this well, but everything worked from the first match and I’m just really happy to win my first title.

To win your first title is never easy. What was the key this week?
It’s of course very challenging mentally, especially the last few matches. There’s a lot of pressure and nerves, but you just have to keep focusing on your game and play your best.

Take us through the final. Did you feel nervous today against Roberto?
Of course, in a first Challenger final you’re going to feel extra nervous. But I still played good tennis and I think it was a good quality final.

How important is a week like this as you’re transitioning from Futures to Challengers?
It’s really important, since there’s a lot of points at stake. It helps my ranking a lot so I can enter Challengers more easily now, and is just important with everything I’m pushing for.

You haven’t played many Challengers. Did you expect this success to come so quickly?
Well, maybe I didn’t expect to win the title, but I’ve been improving a lot in the last few weeks. I don’t set any limits for myself, so I know my level. I’m happy with this.

As you’ve moved from juniors to pros, what have you learned about your game at this level? How has your game grown?
It’s really challenging at this level and everyone plays so well. It’s all decided by the smallest of things. A few points here and there can make the difference. I have to play closer to the baseline and be more aggressive. Just do everything better [than in juniors].

You are just the fourth player from Finland to win a title in the last 30 years, and the first since Jarkko Nieminen. How special is that? Do you hope to inspire your country to play tennis?
I actually didn’t even know that. It’s great to represent your country. That’s good to hear. I hope this drives the kids to start playing more tennis. We don’t have too many players at the moment, so I hope there will be more in the future.

Finnish Challenger Champions (since 1990)

What did you enjoy most about your time in Fergana?
I didn’t see much outside of the courts and the hotel, but everything here was great. The facilities are good too and everyone working here has done an excellent job. I have nothing to complain about.

For those of us who don’t know much about you, what do you enjoy doing off the court?
Pretty simple. If I’m at home in Finland, I like to just hang out with friends and go fishing. And of course watch ice hockey.

After undergoing hip surgery in January, Andy Murray considered it a victory to not have pain when he played with his kids. On Sunday, he recorded one of the most meaningful wins of his career by teaming with Feliciano Lopez to take the doubles title at the Fever-Tree Championships.

“I just won the doubles with Feli, with a metal hip. It’s mental, really,” said Murray. “That’s a cool thing to be able to have done just because of where I was a few months ago. I wasn’t thinking about this… I was really happy to be pain-free and enjoying life, literally just doing normal things. It’s really special. It’s more special than a lot of the singles tournaments that I’ve won for a lot of different reasons.”

Murray arrived at The Queen’s Club with no expectations for results or performance. But the Brit was on song from the first ball as he and Lopez defeated top seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in the opening round. Another major victory followed in the semi-finals over third seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers before they won the final over Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.

Even though his game proved good enough to beat the world’s best doubles teams at an ATP 500 tournament, Murray believes his form can improve even further.

“In terms of how I was hitting the ball, I think I did okay,” said Murray. “There’s things I can do better. I think a lot of it is positioning on the court, like where to stand after Feli has hit a return or where to position ourselves at the net.

“But one of the things that’s quite difficult with doubles is that you’re never going to find the partner who has everything, and you yourself don’t have everything. I have flaws in my game and Feli will have weaknesses in his game. But we used our strengths and complemented each other very well. You need to be able to do that and not get frustrated with yourself.”

Murray’s competitive streak never wavered throughout the week, but he also displayed a more relaxed attitude by smiling after great points and laughing with Lopez during changeovers. His fans are hopeful that the successful doubles run will lead to a quick transition back to singles, but the Brit is content to enjoy the ride for now.

“I’m happy with playing tennis and training and having no pain anymore. If I keep progressing, I would like to try to play singles,” said Murray. “My schedule could potentially be a bit different. I might not play three weeks in a row or two weeks back-to-back, for example. But I’m just quite happy doing what I’m doing now and just taking each week as it comes.”

Even if Murray’s hip doesn’t allow for a singles comeback, it may not mean the end of his career. After picking up his first ATP Tour doubles title in eight years, he said focusing solely on doubles is an option for his remaining years on tour.

“I didn’t see that as being something I would do [in January] just because I got zero enjoyment out of playing tennis then,” said Murray. “It’s fun for me to play doubles this week and just hit tennis balls and have a good time on the court again. I hope to get back to playing singles again, but if not, it’s probably something I’d consider.”

Shortly after defeating David Goffin to claim a record 10th NOVENTI OPEN title on Sunday, Roger Federer took to social media saying that it’s, “Good to be 10 again”. Coincidentally Federer’s twin daughters, Charlene and Myla, turn 10 in exactly a month.

“I turned 10 before them, they are turning 10 in July,” Federer told media in Halle, cracking a laugh. “I feel young again. Anyway, on the flight and then at home later tomorrow morning, when I wake up, I’ll feel old again. But for now I feel young.”

Federer is 37, but he isn’t playing like it. This is the first time the Swiss star has claimed 10 titles at one tournament, and it’s his third triumph of the year, giving him a total of 102 tour-level trophies.

“Obviously it feels really good. When it was all over… it was the first time I really thought of how it felt winning because I didn’t think I was visualising, imagining how it would feel to win my 10th here,” Federer said. “All of a sudden I was at match point. I wasn’t even really nervous because I felt I had been playing good, I’ve been so balanced that I was just at a good place. Then, when it was all over, I was just happy.”

It wasn’t an easy run for Federer, who needed three sets to beat former World No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round and seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarter-finals. So he was fully focussed on each match in front of him, and he is only first processing the history he made at this ATP 500 tournament.

“It’s just a really good feeling to have and obviously now with a bit more reflection I think it’s a special moment in my career to win a title for the 10th time,” Federer said. “Especially one where I’ve been coming here for so long and have had so much success, the most success of any tournament actually that I’ve played. It feels great. So I’m very, very happy clearly.”

It has been a tremendous year for Federer, who is the first player to claim three tour-level titles in 2019. He also owns a 32-4 record, and his 88.9 winning percentage is the best of anyone on the ATP Tour.

Read More
A History Of Roger’s 10 Halle Titles
Federer’s My Story: When Roger Knew His Knee Might Not Be The Same
Watch Roger’s Post-Win Interview

That puts Federer in a strong position heading into Wimbledon, where he owns a record eight titles. The Swiss is not thinking that far ahead yet, though.

“First I want to enjoy this one. I want to take a couple of days off. I’ll speak to the team to hear if they want to have one day, two days or three days off, or another day off during the week,” Federer said. “I’m aware that usually when it went well for me here in Halle I’ve also had very successful Wimbledons. I’m not sure if every time but this definitely sets it up nicely and next to winning I also feel good physically.

“So that’s also a big week and it’s always important at my age I think to prove myself that I can last five matches in six days and tough ones along the way and actually feel the best on Sunday. So from that standpoint I think it’s very positive.”

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on 4 May 2018.

17 October 2002. That date will always be etched into my mind. I close my eyes and I can still put myself there. The memory of my first Mutua Madrid Open back in the Rocódromo in Casa de Campo has not gone away, and I don’t think it ever will.

I was just 21 years old and in only my second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. But I was digging deep against one of the best players in the sport: Andre Agassi. Although I didn’t manage to win the three-setter, it was a magical defeat and one of the most special days of my career. The atmosphere was unbeatable and the emotions incomparable. That day, I knew that I was ready to compete with the best in the world.

^{Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images}
It’s been 16 years since legend Manolo Santana gave me that opportunity to fulfill a dream, and my journey continues with a challenge that I am eager and excited to face. In 2019, I will become the new tournament director at the Mutua Madrid Open.

It is a grand responsibility to succeed a legend of Spanish sport like Manolo. He has been an indispensable symbol, bastion and guide for the establishment of this tournament in Madrid, responsible for its annual success and for its integration into the culture of the city.

My admiration for Manolo goes beyond the tennis courts, too. We met when I was just 13 years old. When I started to stand out as a junior, he followed my development and contacted my father. Since then we have maintained a great relationship. He has always looked out for me and showed great interest in my career.

And like he has been a role model for me, he has been a role model for all of Spanish tennis. Manolo became a pioneer for our country by winning Wimbledon in 1966. Simply playing on grass was unthinkable for any Spanish player, let alone winning a title on it. He also won the Coupe des Mousquetaires at Roland Garros in 1961 and 1964, as well as the 1965 US Open. His accomplishments speak for themselves.

I have been lucky enough to share a fantastic relationship with him. Manolo has been the tournament director in Madrid since 2002, and it was not surprising at all that he was quick to lend me a hand, once again, throughout this transition as I succeed him in his role starting from next year’s edition of the event.

Taking on this position is special to me for many reasons. The first is because it is an honour to take over from the man who will now become the event’s honourary president.

But he is not the only member of this community I am thankful for. From helping out over the years I have always felt like I’m part of a big family in Madrid — from Ion Tiriac to Gerard Tsobanian and Alberto Berasategui, whose role deserves special recognition.

^{Photo Credit: Denis Doyle/Getty Images}
I wanted Alberto to be the player liaison at the Mutua Madrid Open. I knew he was the ideal person because he has been a friend, colleague and training partner since I was a kid. We shared the same coach and, later on, he became my coach. Berasategui has been a very important person in my sporting life and I knew that he would suit the profile perfectly. 

All in all, this is a great opportunity at the end of my career. Tommy Haas laid the foundation for players fresh off the Tour to make such a switch by doing it at Indian Wells, another ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. I’m simply lucky that my name came up from among all the candidates in Madrid.

I think it is a great idea to get behind active or recently retired players moving into such a role, as I believe we can really contribute to these elite tournaments. We know the Tour as well as anyone and live alongside the players every day, which is important for knowing the feeling in the dressing room and what everyone expects of a tournament.

I know there will be plenty of learning for me throughout this next year to prepare myself for what will be a challenge — one that I’m excited for. But first I want us all to celebrate Santana’s 80th birthday on Thursday, 10 May, and pay homage to him on the day his name will become eternal in the Caja Mágica. We have planned it this way with a transition toward 2019 in mind. 

^{Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images}
Something I will always remember is that there is a reason this event has been well received from the very beginning. Madrid longed for a world-class tennis tournament and it was successful from its time at the Casa de Campo to the Caja Mágica, a facility that was born of Madrid’s Olympic candidacy. The change only brought good news: a tournament with more days of competition, men’s and women’s draws, and much more. But the most important thing was its identity; it now forms part of the city. This tournament is a part of Madrid.

Thousands of people await with anticipation May each year so they can attend and enjoy a day out with their family. And to give those people what they deserve takes a lot of time and dedication from the team that has worked hard for all these years to achieve it.

The Mutua Madrid Open is a lot more than just a tennis tournament — it’s a festival of sport and culture. My goal, as tournament director will to do everything I can to help the Mutua Madrid Open continue forming part of the city’s DNA.