Roger Federer's Amazing Run to First Masters Title! | Hamburg 2002

Including victories over tennis greats like Gustavo Kuerten & Marat Safin, this was a huge milestone in the career of Roger Federer...
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[@tennistv]

Gustavo Kuerten was a 3-time Roland-Garros winner by this stage, and both he and Safin had been as high as no.1 in the world 😳

[@MgoUmk]

people constant remind the victory of Kuerten over N1 Roger on French Open 2004 but never this relatively "new" Federer vs an already king of clay Kuerten

[@dipp2021]

Guga was far from his best here, after the first surgery on the hip 3 months prior to this tournament. Still showed some real talent on the 2nd set coming from a bagel. He mentioned this match in a recent live with Roger. Worth seeing.

[@cineastik8220]

Federer was presumed to win at least a slam in 2002 (maybe even in 2001), but then lost in the first round of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, also in the first round of Roland Garros 2003, and then we all know what happened, but before his first slam, many experts were talking about Federer‘s so called “Grand Slam Blockade“...

[@cieloinunastanza6854]

To be honest... Hamburg was not exactly clay. The conditions were very fast, very close to hardcourt. Federer also beat Rafa at Hamburg. Anyway, he was a beast. At his peak (2004-2007) on fast surfaces nobody can beat him in Slams.

[@santiagoponce3528]

​@@cieloinunastanza6854bullshit

[@AnxiousJoe]

Interesting how everyone talks about how Thiem’s first Masters title was on hard while no one talks about how Federer’s first was on clay

[@ketan6182]

Thanks, I'd never given this a thought!

[@MultiShawn222]

Federer as always been a great clay player tho, he made the French Open final 5 times

[@MgoUmk]

Ljubicic and Soderling best Grand Slams Results were on French Open 😳

[@danielmartchek3989]

Definitely an fun piece of trivia, given Federer's career dominance on grass and indoor hard courts. Also strange: Thiem won 11 tournaments (8 clay, 2 hard, 1 GRASS?!?) before his first Masters 1000, and Federer won only TWO (1 Hard, 1 Carpet)!!! He went on to win 12 in the next 24 months....and so on and so on....

[@sh0001]

Maybe because Thiem was known to be a clay court specialist (now he has improved a lot on hard courts) but no one sees Federer a grass court specialist only.

[@christhealmighty2206]

Even back then Federer showing true emotional happiness when he won, one of the many reasons why people love him

[@Stewwwwww]

This guy is going to be good

[@refercodehuib1988]

Roger is one of the most underrated clay court tennis players

[@monstermichaeltoad5705]

he is the second best clay court player of all time

[@DrHarvey909]

People fail to notice that although he lost 4 RG finals he reached 5 finals...not many players including Djokovic have played 5 French open finals... That is why Federer is the GOAT. Greatest Grasscourt player in history, Greatest Hardcourt player in history & 2nd best clay court player in history

[@gregorsamsa555]

What I really don't like is when Rafa and especially Novak's fans claim Roger would NEVER win Roland Garros if Soderling didn't beat Rafa in 2009

[@SimonJack94]

@@DrHarvey909 But he always loses to Djokovic on hard court these days?

[@refercodehuib1988]

@@gregorsamsa555 They can't say that.. cause then they will be faced with the fact that djokovic FAILED to win in 2015 after beating A TOTALLY OUT OF FORM NADAL and won in 2016 BECAUSE NADAL HAD WITHDRAWN DUE TO INJURY

[@ivantomych]

Beginning of the era u will never forget The One and Only - Roger Federer

[@EhDewd]

Gustavo Kuerten? Still blows my mind how many generations Roger has been playing tennis against and how long he's been in the game.

[@pablotupone4190]

You re right!!! Remember Roger played Michael Chang 5 times!!! Chang had played against Lendl, Mc Enroe, Wilander, Connors....

[@jeffhermida4788]

crazy how ppl can say federer was in a weak era when you got kuerten, safin, hewitt, ferrero, roddick, nalbandian, ferrer, and blake. Federer is the only one still playing from this group.

[@apoorvyadav4502]

Don't forget about Davydenko!

[@monstermichaeltoad5705]

nadull and djokovic tards love "Schrodinger's Federer"- Roger is a weak era champion when he wins but then all of a sudden he is the GOAT at 35+ when nole and rafa beat him. Will they admit novak almost lost to 38 yr old weak era champion at wimbledon? nope

[@user-wethe9]

you compare kuerten and safin to djokovic nadal and murray? Get a life dude

[@fearsomebunny]

I don't know who says that but I often thought how many players would have been #1 in the world if it wasn't for Roger/Nadal...

[@gregorsamsa555]

Nowadays the competition for Đoković and Rafa are "old GOAT" Roger, inconsistent Wawrinka, always injured Del Potro, "waiting to do breakthrough" Thiem, and some young guns which obviously don't have what it takes to win Grand Slams despite all of talent they have. What a competition!

[@morgannimmo6519]

Federer soon became the most dominant player ever. Year after year after year of winning 2 or 3 slams in each season. He still plays amazing today but scary to think he used to be even better and more consistent.

[@nirs635]

the goat in action

[@ethan.milavsky4516]

people dont realize that Federer was so good on clay as well....only person that could beat him on clay was Nadal. got to a bunch of French Open finals and clay masters finals

[@starllama2149]

Only casuals don't realize that. That or kids who just started watching.

[@MgoUmk]

he wasnt so good on clay before 2005

[@monstermichaeltoad5705]

Federer is the second greatest clay court player of all time.

[@kirby4599]

True, Fed is actually very competent on clay...

[@kakashihatake1029]

@@monstermichaeltoad5705 except he's just not. Even Djokovic is statistically better as he has won more masters on clay than Federer

[@arielperetz5085]

Federer is my favourite player

[@revathij7804]

Ya me to

[@52Ryano]

12:04 outrageous. Thought only Nadal could do that on clay!

[@theaviator1152]

DAMN what a shot!

[@kirby4599]

??

[@dabassboss4734]

11:02 and 12:00 are literally hidden gems, outstanding shots

[@theaviator1152]

YES. I had never seen those before and I’m amazed!!

[@dabassboss4734]

@@theaviator1152 Yeah I was like what??? How could they go under the radar?

[@danielmartchek3989]

We should crowdfund someone to watch every Federer match and compile an "unseen genius" highlight reel. I imagine it would take a week to watch.

[@danielmartchek3989]

@TH4U that was hyperbole.

[@Man_008]

Federer elevated the baseline art and magic (chess in motion) to a new level, then Rafa and Novak successfully continued with that glorious path. Thanks for the push in the right direction.

[@sexyfatz]

Wow this is quality content. I remember years ago when this channel was new, videos were 1-2 mins long and there was a period where videos were just set points, match point, handshake. Nobody would pick their videos over the youtube highlights creators who did admittedly violate copyrights in the process. I think one of the win/win solutions suggested then was to hire one of said creators and give them access to the video archives. I hope that's what happened because this seems like an example of what would be produced if it did.

[@SARYM911]

Yeah the quality has definitely improved during this year since all we have had is to look back on the past

[@allyoucanhorror262]

Roger is and will always be my idol and true inspiration! The guys is a class act and true champion!

[@udupashashank]

LEGENDERER!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@endorstoi863]

Just passing through on my journey to watch every Federer match.

[@masters.1000]

Finally, great work.

[@hongrui_ray]

Back to the good old times of Fed-clay dominance when Nadal was not in the pro tour...

[@jonathanterrett]

He still lost early In the next 3 French opens and that without Nadal 2...

[@SJ-di5zu]

I wouldn’t say clay dominance, but Federer did very well at Hamburg even once Nadal entered the tour. His first win over Nadal on clay was actually at Hamburg, and the next year he gave Nadal a tough match there again.

[@masters.1000]

@@SJ-di5zu Hamburg should have stayed being M1000 instead of Madrid...

[@theaviator1152]

Well, Federer got beaten pretty straightforwardly by Guga in the 2004 French Open, that was his chance to win but he blew it. Don’t ask me how he managed to bagel Guga two years earlier, I have no clue. And he lost in the first round of the *2003* French Open to a man who never even stepped foot into the top 30. Federer was very good on clay for his age, but unfortunately his game was still a tiny bit too unbalanced to beat the defending champs and more experienced Top Ten contenders. By the time his clay game was fully developed to be more well-rounded, Nadal was there. Ever since, Federer has never been able to get more than one set against Nadal at Roland Garros and Nadal has been undefeated against Federer on clay since Federer’s prime. I say all this as a Federer fan. Federer is an extremely gifted clay courter, but is second best simply because of the way Nadal plays. I don’t know, maybe on clay Federer should try to play *like Nadal* and whip his forehand as much as he can... I mean, if I was a coach, I would try to be teaching my students to play like Federer on grass, Djokovic on hard, and Nadal on clay.

[@AnxiousJoe]

The AViator It’s not really realistic for a player to be able to change his playstyle like that on different surfaces lol

[@chnops-6]

brilliant. So many great shots by Federer. Some of them I saw the first time.

[@tennisfan2032]

5:46 Nishikori’s new coach !

[@sybersecurity277]

As a Sampras fan I watched this match and realized that this was the most talented player I've ever seen. This version of Roger would give the todays Nadal and Djokovic still handful to do.

[@pkoppula]

Memories ❤️😍

[@Pablanz]

He has always been such a sentimental guy offcourt, but at the court he is so coldblooded, gotta love him, so gifted. An honor to have born and see him playing.

[@MrCWL]

Favourite platform stance serve vs favourite step up stance serve 🤩

[@emilychiriboga4425]

3:07 Thast shot is underrated

[@tadficuscactus]

awesome watching young Federer.

[@lakshmananr6068]

The GOAT was born finally...

[@alvamass7449]

Que torneo! Estaba en otro nivel! Iluminado

[@MaymoonaNizami]

A versatile player!

[@MarceloRodrigues-ch1lv]

The Federer-Kuerten match was brilliant from both

[@ketan6182]

Is it just me, or even the clay courts were faster back in the day?

[@diddominicthiemwintoday6731]

Ketan Kunkalikar they were and Hamburg was typically the slowest in my opinion.

[@xaviermill7440]

No it was Fed that who was most faster and agile in his youth.

[@sperrotta91]

You can't tell me Federer isn't just beautiful to watch when he's on it. Just divine.

[@ferguson7128]

Top notch tennis.

[@VVS167]

Roger’s first ATP title and the legendary JOHN BARRETT calling it...MAGNIFICENT COMBO❤️

[@lyttlefat3393]

somebody there at that moment would have told him, he'll get more like 100 titles including 20 grand slam titles

[@wangkevin8744]

Dream start

[@galactus5344]

The 🐐

[@TWFEDERER]

Stay healthy my man👍

[@andrewnguyen4913]

Ironically enough, this is one of the clearest televised clay court matches I’ve seen.

[@arturobaixoclero6527]

It's so weird to look at it after all this time. I remember when Federer was just a promise, today it's imposssible not to think of what was to come.

[@twr7009]

2:40 amazing backhand angle by Kuerten and 3:04 incredible get by Federer

[@brayanpardoperez9024]

Mirnyi in a clay semifinal of masters 1000 is a bit curious

[@TheSupinesmokey]

he had power on both his forehand and backhand its a faster court so attacking tennis works well there

[@dusanstanisic7567]

mirnyi was top 20 in singles and a doubles specialist as well. Also the highlights don't tell the full story mirnyi played a great match and would have probably beaten a lot of players he wasn't in the semis by accident. Roger really played excellent this tournament though.

[@ReuvenF957]

Okay. The gets: he was only 20. But, his backhand was ALREADY that good?!

[@vintagetennisracquetsandso4618]

Phenomenal Racquet - 85sq.inch Hypercarbon is sniper :) :) :) serve and volley Federer is classic- beauty for the eyes

[@mrhatman675]

Wow clay back then played like todays hard and grass courts

[@theyoutuber273]

This kid has a future

[@mos.5171]

Nice

[@iskodu4568]

Roger is the best player ! Like if you agree 👍👍👍

[@ciprianghenghea7779]

Comment if you disagree

[@metalgearsolidsnake6978]

Beating Kuerten on clay is not easy thing, Federer deserves this

[@superawesomevideos8572]

If I am not mistaken FED was already using a 97 SQ

[@pedrodytzmarin5698]

I'm gonna say one think, Guga played 40% of what he could on clay

[@deavei9543]

Yes, he was recovering from hip surgery

[@bhuvanesh0115]

Those days: What's your kit bag consists of? •Other players:Required no. of Racquets,Drinks,Towels,Shoes,spare shirt. •Federer:Required no. of Racquets,Drinks,Towels,Shoes and my wardrobe❤ Missing those days🤭

[@SK_Krypton_BS]

GG

[@antoniotomassini5757]

Just clarifying that Guga wasnt in his prime anymore... post hip injuries and surgery, if only he could have stayed healthy

[@theaviator1152]

Tell that to the 2004 French Open

[@gregorsamsa555]

@@theaviator1152 That was Guga's last BIG win, let's hope Roger has one more big win at Grand Slam against Rafa or Novak in him

[@silentquartz1124]

I just realise roger federer serve stance here is different

[@wikingwarrior8859]

Nice, he was actuallty pretty good in 2002. But his career was yet to pick up!

[@finalnarutosy]

I didnt know Willem Dafoe had a Tennis career -> 1:57

[@soevjaanoemar2761]

RF is the GREATEST ALL THE TIME

[@noelleeve4087]

Love this commentator, but can never find out who he is. Anyone know please?

[@shervvvv]

John Barett

[@hugokloeppel3596]

His hardest game was against guga

[@JohnDoe-wx1tj]

Yeah right...but head to head Kuerten wins without losing a set including a major (French Open 2004) where Guga was way past his prime...nough said.

[@chamindujanith6337]

Kuerten 3 RG semi finals. Federer 8 RG semi finals. Kuerten is not even close to Federer on clay. Kohlscreiber straight setted Djokovic at RG 2009. These upsets can happen. Kuerten is a very good clay court player though. His victory over Federer at RG 2004 proves it.

[@KM-kr7zx]

Fed's shoes?

[@noorangadsingh1746]

how ironic that his first ever master's title had to be on clay

[@Monkey_D_Kuzey]

Just admit it, Federer is the goat.

[@reactions4u438]

Probably, but what's it based on? Slams? Nadal has the most clay slams with 12, djoko has 11 hard court slams, Federer has 8 grass slams

[@ketan6182]

Come to think of it, Federer and Djokovic are tied at 11 hardcourt slams!

[@reactions4u438]

@@ketan6182 exactly!

[@Monkey_D_Kuzey]

@@reactions4u438 By everything.

[@reactions4u438]

@@Monkey_D_Kuzey that's fair, but look at the last decade, djoko and Nadal completely dominated it

[@stanman7827]

Federer isn't a bad clay court player. He just not as good as Nadal.

[@queensblvd86]

If this kid keeps at it, he'll probably break a few records.

[@Alllllllex]

not first

[@YolandaSaldivar4eva]

Why didn’t Federer play guga this way at the 2004 French? He would’ve rolled to the title if he got past guga

[@smashthestateX]

10:56 the neo nadal forehand . fed was first to do it.

[@akhatiunusov8734]

first

[@drnirmalraj2456]

Bagelled him on clay??

[@felixy23]

Setting : Easy Medium Hard Very hard Djocovid Nadal Impossible Miracle Federer

[@Rohit-yb5nf]

Djocovid 😂😭😂🤣

[@sunflowersofinferno7904]

Frauderer comes before the easy level.

[@marcob2250]

@@Rohit-yb5nf Novaxx Djocovid

[@user-gl8xw1wm6d]

You mean Frauderer

[@thomasbrunkle8389]

Amazing what Federer can do when there is no Djokovic

[@matteovitali9315]

Amazing what Djokovic can do when Federer is older and Nadal is tormented by injuries.

[@nenadrajic3852]

@@matteovitali9315 So Federer is called old since he turned 29 but Rafa with 34 and Novak with 33 are not old. This age thing is just an excuse for Federer fans when he loses. If Federer won Wimbledon last year everybody would be like "he won it with 38 years, simply tge GOAT" but he lost and of course it's because of said age. Just stop with this age excuse please, it is just stupid.

[@ScottH-ot8id]

Matteo Vitali federer had it easy early in his career nadal and Djokovic will go well clear of his achievements in the next couple of years.

[@gregorsamsa555]

I'm still waiting Novak to beat Rafa in Roland Garros final, Roger had 4 chances. I'm pretty sure Novak can't beat Rafa in Roland Garros final, 1/4 final, maybe semis YES, but in final, HELL NO

[@matteovitali9315]

@@nenadrajic3852 I replied to a stupid comment with a stupid comment. I was ironic. But you can't deny that Federer has been declining in terms of stamina since 2013 aproximately, exactly when Djokovic took over the rankings. Federer was considered old even in 2009, because there was a different mentality, but his mentality and will to adapt to the game that is constantly changing is what made it possible to win slams at 35 years old. Tennis changed so much in the last 15 years. He set the benchmark for the future generations to come, who at the time were Djokovic and a few others. Rafa and Nole are not considered "old" because of what Roger has shown to them. It is possible to be relevant, even at 39 years old. Last year's Wimbledon was a mix of bad luck, Djokovic's mental strenght and physical and mental breakdown by Roger. He played a semifinal against Nadal and then a final against Djokovic at 38 years old, which is not an excuse, but you can understand that after 10 hours of playing tennis at that level against people who is 5/6 years younger is demanding, very demanding. And he eventually accused it. He almost got it, that's why I admire him so much and people should do that too. He's been doing stuff that has not to be taken for granted. He's the main competition for Nole for the past 7 years even though the serb has been in his prime and more consistent. Federer is not, he's surviving thanks to skill and experience. That's all.

[@fg92626]

weak era hero

[@udupashashank]

I am glad that I am watching this way before Novax DjoCovid fans come here to vomit.

[@paulthomas7720]

40-15 still making you cry? 😂😂

[@arvidl5666]

Rent free

[@ferguson7128]

Works in all directions to be fair, but Djokovic fans are definitely the worst.

[@mattgagi4347]

Get a life hater🖕🏻

[@ciprianghenghea7779]

@@ferguson7128 No way they're worse than fedtards .And you feel it Fergi.

[@tennisgenius4850]

And again Federer beating weak era players.

[@alanmartinez7122]

Guga was a weak player?

[@matteovitali9315]

You clearly don't know what you're talking about.

[@vijayendranvijay4538]

And djocovid beating corona virus.. He is the greatest virus era champ

[@LordOfTheDrinks01]

first

[@lejonas29]

Congrats mate