ATP Finals: Can the “hungry” Federer strike again?

He is also the record holder with six titles, and Novak Djokovic could catch up with him with a triumph. But Federer first has his sights set on the first hurdle, the Austrian Dominic Thiem on Sunday.

Federer traveled to London as a ten-time Basel winner. The Swiss skipped the Masters 1000 tournament in Paris-Bercy and gave his body the break it needed before the end of the season in the O2 Arena. Federer has no physical problems, he announced before the start of the tournament, and feels “totally motivated and hungry”.

Long dry spell Eight years ago, Federer won his last title at the “Masters”, after which he lost three times in the final (2012, 2014 without a fight and 2015) against Novak Djokovic. This time the duel against the Serb will take place in the “Björn Borg” group. Depending on the performance of the two in the first group game on Sunday, the big group hit will be played either on Tuesday or Thursday. It will also be revenge for the Wimbledon final at the other end of the city last July, which Federer lost after two match points. Had a spectacular final: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer © APA/afp / LAURENCE GRIFFITHS

Federer is perhaps a bit stronger in the hall, as his first opponent on Sunday, Dominic Thiem, had already stated after the draw. Federer looks back fondly on his Masters appearances. “It almost makes me a little nostalgic,” explained the 20-time Grand Slam champion. “I had my first successes indoors, I always feel comfortable here.” Thiem is an endurance test But Federer doesn't really want to talk about that yet, after all, he has to succeed against the five-time season tournament winner Thiem. “He is number 5, has had a wonderful year and beat me twice,” warned Federer about Thiem. Nevertheless, the slightly faster conditions in the impressive hall are an advantage for Federer, who has a 2:4 record against Thiem.

In the final in Indian Wells, Thiem won twice by the skin of his teeth with 4:6, 6:3, 7:5, and in the quarterfinals in Madrid on clay with 3:6, 7:6, 6:4. While Federer opens against Thiem on Sunday evening, his great adversary Novak Djokovic will open the singles games against ATP Finals debutant Matteo Berrettini at 15.00 p.m. CET. Daniil Medvedev is the secret favorite. © APA/getty / Mike Stobe

In the “Andre Agassi” group it doesn’t start until Monday: newcomer and secret favorite Daniil Medvedev will initially play in a duel between two other debutants against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas; in the evening session it is eagerly awaited whether Rafael Nadal will even arrive. The 19-time major winner was recently ailing and questionable. If he is fit, there will be a duel with the German defending champion Alexander Zverev. Otherwise, Roberto Bautista Agut will take his place.

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ATP Finals: Can the “hungry” Federer strike again?

Roger Federer is taking part in the ATP Finals for the best eight players of the year for the 17th time. And even at 38 years old, the living tennis legend is still an absolute contender for victory.

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