Roger Federer is looking forward to returning to the ATP World Tour Finals after he booked his spot in the top-eight season finale for a record 13th consecutive year thanks to his stellar showing in Cincinnati.
The Swiss star captured his third title of the season and 80th trophy of his career with a battling 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 victory over Spaniard David Ferrer in the Cincinnati final on Sunday – the first ATP Masters 1000 final to be contested by two players over the age of 30.
It was Federer’s sixth triumph in Ohio (he is 6-0 in finals there) and it took his record against Ferrer to 16-0 lifetime.
The 33-year-old is now an impressive 49-9 this season and his three title successes in eight finals in 2014 means he has joined Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the season-ending tour finals at the O2 Arena in London.
Federer is the most successful player to compete at the ATP World Tour Finals, compiling a 44-11 record and claiming a record six titles in 2003-04, 2006-07 and 2010-11.
He broke the record of consecutive years qualifying for the championship – a mark he previously shared with Ivan Lendl (1980-91).
“It’s always one of the big goals I set myself at the beginning of the season,” said Federer, a 17-time major champion.
“It’s always an absolute honour being part of the best eight.
“Getting a chance to win an extra trophy at the end of the season – which is so prestigious, one of the biggest ones we have in the game and one I’ve done so well at – is a great feeling.
“Returning to the season finale is something I’ve been a part of since 2002.
“So to do it again is a privilege and I will try to play my very best there. I hope I can save some of my best for last.”
Cincinnati was Federer’s fourth consecutive final in as many events, dating back to Halle early June.
Following Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from next week’s US Open, Federer will now be seeded second at the final grand slam of the season and he says he’s feeling good about his game heading to New York.
“Especially now I come in with great confidence,” he said.
“I can really rest now, rather than having to work on stuff, so it’s just about maintaining. That’s also really good for the mind.
I know my game is where I want it to be. It’s about just keeping that level up right now.”
Stat attack
80 – Federer joins Jimmy Connors (109) and Ivan Lendl (94) as players to clinch 80 or more titles in the Open Era.
300 – Federer became the first player to claim 300 ATP Masters 1000 match wins when he beat Vasek Pospisil in the second round in Cincinnati.
13 – Federer is the only player to qualify to the ATP World Tour Finals for 13 straight years.
22 – Federer is second behind Rafael Nadal (27) with 22 ATP Masters 1000 trophies.
49 – Federer leads the ATP with the most wins this season, 49. This time last year he had just 32.
8 – Federer has reached 8 finals in 12 tournaments he entered this season.
