At 37, Roger Federer Secures Mythical 100-Title Milestone in Iconic Dubai Run
© KARIM SAHIB / AFP
In 2019, at 37 years old, Roger Federer had nothing left to prove. His record speaks for itself. Yet, his thirst for records remains intact.
More than a specific record, it was especially a symbolic milestone that captured all his attention: the 100 career titles, a mythical bar that only Jimmy Connors, at the time, had managed to surpass in men’s tennis history.
And what better place than Dubai to try to enter even further into legend? The Dubai ATP 500 is one of the tournaments that has suited the Swiss best over the years. The 2019 edition was therefore particularly special and will remain forever etched in tennis history.
Very few players can hope, once their career is over, to reach such a height. 100 titles won on the ATP circuit is an exceptional achievement, reserved for an absolute elite.
At the dawn of the 2019 season, one name still dominated this dizzying statistic: Jimmy Connors. An iconic figure in tennis from the 1970s and 1980s, the American built his record of 109 titles thanks to exceptional longevity.
Meanwhile, the Big 3 members continue their pursuit. While Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are also in their thirties, Federer stands out with his incredible return to the top starting in 2017.
That year, and in 2018, he racked up eleven titles, an impressive performance at an age when many are already in decline. These successive successes positioned him, at the start of 2019, ideally to target that famous 100th trophy.
But following his surprise elimination in the fourth round of the Australian Open by Stefanos Tsitsipas, Federer arrived in Dubai with a clear goal in mind: claim that 100th title on one of his favorite stops on the calendar.
“The draw is tough, I haven’t played in a few weeks”
© WILLIAM WEST / AFP
If grass-court events like Halle or Wimbledon are often associated with Federer’s exploits, Dubai holds a special place in his early-season schedule. Year after year, the Swiss has found an ideal setting there to launch his campaign, with playing conditions perfectly suited to his game.
On February 24, 2019, when he arrived in the United Arab Emirates for his first press conference, Federer was fully aware that this 100th title, which had eluded him since the end of the previous season, was on everyone’s minds.
“We’ve been talking about these 99 titles since Basel, at every tournament I’ve played. There’s nothing new. Of course, coming to Dubai, where I’ve had so much success, makes you want to believe it could happen here.
But the draw is tough. I haven’t played in a few weeks, so it’s back to square one, prepare for the first round and hope everything clicks again here in Dubai.”
DUBAI, A SYMBOLIC SETTING FOR A HISTORIC TITLE
Founded in 1993, the Dubai ATP 500 holds a special place in Roger Federer’s career. Far from being just another calendar stop, this tournament is one of those that, over the years, helped shape his status as a tennis legend.
The Swiss’s first appearance in Dubai dates back to 2003, at a time when he hadn’t yet won a single Grand Slam title. As the top seed, Federer capitalized on a favorable draw to claim victory on Emirati soil. In the final, he dominated Jiri Novak (6-1, 7-6) and thus launched a long series of successes in the Middle East.
He confirmed in the following years by winning the tournament in 2004 and then 2005, before seeing his hegemony interrupted by Rafael Nadal in 2006. Far from marking a negative turning point, this episode was followed by a fourth title in 2007.
Three titles in the 2010s
© RYAN LIM / AFP
The following year, however, Federer suffered a disappointment: eliminated in the first round by Andy Murray, he endured his very first opening-round loss in Dubai after six appearances.
It would take four years, until 2012, to see the Swiss return to success and lift the trophy again at a tournament that retains its prestige over the years. Two more titles would then enrich his tally, in 2014 and 2015, bringing his total to seven on Emirati soil.
It was thus with this privileged relationship with Dubai that Federer arrived in 2019, nearing 38 years old, with a symbolic and historic goal in sight: claim the 100th trophy of his career.
Favorable playing conditions
If the Dubai tournament has smiled on Roger Federer so much, it’s also thanks to the particular playing conditions it offers. The outdoor hard court, relatively fast, allows the Swiss to fully express his aggressive game, built on taking the initiative, regular net approaches, and a serve that has become, over the years, a formidable weapon.
But beyond the court’s characteristics, it’s also the atmosphere on site that has often favored Federer. After a first participation in 2002 ended with a second-round exit, the Swiss gradually turned Dubai into much more than a simple calendar stop: it became a true anchor point during the season.
“Dubai is ideal for recharging batteries”
He regularly chose the city as a base for his training blocks, strengthening his bond with the tournament and the United Arab Emirates over time.
“Dubai is an ideal setting for doing training blocks in peace during the season. It’s also a place to recharge your batteries. The big advantage here is the anonymity I enjoy,” he explained to the Khaleej Times.
This reassuring and familiar setting thus greatly contributed to the Swiss’s multiple successes on the Dubai court.
Top favorite for the 2019 edition?
© PAUL KANE / GETTY IMAGES ASIAPAC / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
When he arrived in Dubai for what would be his final career appearance there, Roger Federer was the No. 2 seed in the draw, just behind Kei Nishikori.
But given the field, his most dangerous opponent appeared to be Stefanos Tsitsipas, against whom he had lost in Melbourne. In the wake of his Australian Open semifinal, the Greek headed to Marseille, where he claimed the second title of his young career.
It was thus in great form and full of promise that Tsitsipas would make his mark throughout that week in the United Arab Emirates as well. But of course, all eyes would be on one man alone.
Clear lack of match rhythm
For his opener, Federer drew an opponent he knew well: Philipp Kohlschreiber. The German is past his prime, but remains dangerous on a good day. He had notably upset then-world No. 1 Andy Murray on the same Dubai court in 2017.
In windy conditions, Federer came close to a scare but prevailed. In three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, the Swiss advanced to the second round. The legend admitted he was still far from his best rhythm:
“The first two sets, especially the first set and a half, were very tough in terms of rhythm. I really struggled to get going and find my feelings.
I just had to hang in there. Find a way to get through without losing. The wind was swirling, everything was tricky. I’m very satisfied to have found a solution. I actually thought I played a very good third set.”
The second round was no walk in the park either. Facing Fernando Verdasco, an opponent he had always beaten up to that point (six wins in six matches), the Swiss dropped a set—the only the second one the Spaniard had taken in their head-to-head.
That wasn’t enough to turn the tide, however: Federer ultimately prevailed in three sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-3).
This match nevertheless confirmed one thing: Federer was still in a tuning phase. He was searching for his rhythm, and for now, the start of this quest for the 100th title was rather shaky.
Power surge confirmed in semis
In the quarterfinals, Márton Fucsovics, then world No. 35, stood in his way. Once again the favorite, Federer had to dig deep, saving two set points in the first-set tiebreak before taking definitive control in the second.
His victory (7-6, 6-4), earned in nearly two hours, illustrated his ability to grind out key moments. Despite resistance from his opponents, the Swiss always seemed to find the resources to make the difference.
On court, into the mic, he acknowledged the difficulty of the conditions and was above all satisfied to have advanced:
“There were several rain delays, it’s not easy to come back on court like that. I’m happy to have gotten through.”
After that, Federer didn’t waver. He dismantled Borna Coric in the semifinals (6-2, 6-2), just as he had a few years earlier (6-2, 6-1 in 2015) when the Croat, still a novice on tour, had surprised everyone by reaching the final four.
A quick win, secured in 1h07, that put him one step away from the famous 100th title and an eighth in Dubai.
“I hope to play better than in Melbourne”
© KARIM SAHIB / AFP
Of course, the final matchup was mouthwatering for fans. Federer would face Stefanos Tsitsipas, just one month after their Australian Open clash that had favored the Greek.
A heartbreaking loss for fans of the Swiss icon, which could be quickly forgotten if he prevailed in this ATP 500 and made history.
“I’m looking forward to playing him. He had a tough match against Monfils yesterday and he won in Marseille last week, so he’s on a great run. I hope to play a bit better than in Melbourne, but it’ll be tough. Stefanos is full of confidence right now.”
A one-sided final
On paper, though Federer remained the favorite given his finals experience (it was his 152nd career final) and gargantuan Dubai record, Tsitsipas had all the tools to topple the master.
The match would undoubtedly be, in addition to his semifinal the day before, the most complete of his week. To start the final, the Basel native broke his opponent’s serve right away. He fended off danger by saving two break-back points at 5-4, before taking the lead on the scoreboard (6-4) on his fourth set point.
In the second set, Federer, hardly troubled, broke Tsitsipas at 4-4 before closing out the match with a love game. It was on this Saturday, March 2, 2019, that the Swiss, a living legend of tennis, joined Jimmy Connors by reaching the 100-career-title mark.
“I’m happy, really very happy”
An accomplishment, a reward for his longevity. Emotion was present and Federer could finally express his relief after a week when everyone hoped to see him triumph:
“I think this title brings a deep, immediate satisfaction because I know what it means. To be honest, I love these kinds of numbers, this type of record. A lot of people focus mainly on the Grand Slams and all that.
I play on the ATP circuit. That’s where I’ve won a ton of tournaments. I’ve been there a very long time. And no, I don’t rest between Grand Slams like some think. This number proves it. That’s probably why this week was so exciting for me.
I didn’t come here thinking I was going to win, to be honest. I hadn’t played since Australia. I’m just very satisfied with how my game evolved, how I played in the final, and then there’s everything else: the eighth title here, the 100th of my career… So many magical things were happening. Yes, I’m really, really happy.”
At 37, Roger Federer bolstered his status as a universal champion, appreciated beyond the tennis world, with this title. An icon of world sport thanks to his on-court elegance, as well as his exemplary conduct and fair play, ‘RF’ continues to thrill his fans despite his advanced age.
THREE MORE TITLES IN 2019
© AFP
After this 100th title claimed in Dubai—which would remain his last there—the Swiss didn’t stop and continued to further enrich his record.
A few weeks later, he claimed a 28th Masters 1000 title in Miami, played for the first time at Hard Rock Stadium. He even came close to the Sunshine Double, falling just short in the Indian Wells final days earlier to Dominic Thiem.
In June, he won his pet grass event one last time in Halle, securing a symbolic 10th title. He then capped the year in style, in front of his home crowd, winning Basel once again for a 10th title there too.
Djokovic joins the 100 club in 2025
With a career total of 103 titles, Roger Federer thus concluded an exceptional trajectory, a number that his Big Three rivals have not (for now, with Djokovic still active) managed to match.
Novak Djokovic did join the 100-title club in May 2025 by winning in Geneva, before adding a 101st trophy in Athens at season’s end. But nearing 39, the Serb’s chances of piling up more trophies are dwindling.
Rafael Nadal, whose career ended in 2024, stayed at a distance from this symbolic bar, with “only” 92 titles.
A FORM OF FULFILLMENT
This 100th career title earned by Roger Federer in Dubai is more than just another line in an already monumental record. It rewards, in a way, an exemplary, legendary career that has thrilled millions of fans around the world.
And at 37, the Swiss also proved he was still capable, despite his advanced age, of competing with the next generation.
Dernière modification le 28/02/2026 à 20h22
