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Roger Federer To Face Son Of 1999 Roland Garros Rival At French Open
Casper Ruud's father Christian reached the third round of Roland Garros in 1999 when a 17-year-old Roger Federer made his main draw debut.
Agence France-Presse
Updated: 30 May 2019 11:57 IST
Casper Ruud was just five months old when Roger Federer played in Paris in 1999.© AFP
HIGHLIGHTS
Ruud's father Christian reached the third round of Roland Garros in 1999 when a 17-year-old Roger Federer made his main draw debut.
Federer lost to Pat Rafter in his first round match.
Christian Ruud's last career tournament was the 2001 French Open where he retired in the first round against Sargis Sargsian.
Had Ruud defeated Sargsian, he would have faced Federer in the second round.
Instead Federer came from two sets down to beat Sargsian 9-7 in fifth set to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
"I knew he was in the draw back then," said Federer.
"I know the guys I played before. It was different times back then. It makes me happy that I had the chance to play that generation of players, because they are still very different to the guys that are playing the ball nowadays."
Casper was just five months old when Federer played in Paris in 1999.
Christian never faced the man who would go on to win 20 Grand Slam titles.
"They practiced together," said Casper.
"So I think I remember I thought it was cool, but I was young when he told me. I didn't realise how big of a player and champion Roger was at the time.
"But, you know, I don't think he had won any Slams at that point when my father practiced with him, so I don't think my father put too much into it himself.
"He was a youngster and he was a good youngster. I think he was number one in the world juniors, so my father knew that."
As Ruud tries to reach the third round of a Slam for the first time, he probably won't be over-awed by the occasion.
"I will be the first Ruud to say that I was able to play him, so that's a bit funny. But I've been a little bit more of a Rafa fan and Rafa guy," he admitted.
Federer, playing in Paris for the first time since 2015 when he made the quarter-finals, hailed the fans on Court Philippe Chatrier, two of whom carried a bedsheet with 'Federer forever' painted on it.
"Thanks to the fans, a thousand times thanks."
Federer saved all four break points he faced against Otte.
"The Grand Slams are incredible. You can meet a player who qualified who (you) have not heard of before," said the 2009 champion.
"It was difficult, he really played a great match.
"Happily for me, he helped me with some mistakes at the end of the sets."
Roger Federer To Face Son Of 1999 Roland Garros Rival At French Open
Casper Ruud's father Christian reached the third round of Roland Garros in 1999 when a 17-year-old Roger Federer made his main draw debut.
Agence France-Presse
Updated: 30 May 2019 11:57 IST
- 0SHARES
Casper Ruud was just five months old when Roger Federer played in Paris in 1999.© AFP
HIGHLIGHTS
- 1Roger Federer reached the third round of Roland Garros on Wednesday
- 2Christian Ruud's last career tournament was the 2001 French Open
- 3Christian never faced the man who would go on to win 20 Grand Slam titles
Ruud's father Christian reached the third round of Roland Garros in 1999 when a 17-year-old Roger Federer made his main draw debut.
Federer lost to Pat Rafter in his first round match.
Christian Ruud's last career tournament was the 2001 French Open where he retired in the first round against Sargis Sargsian.
Had Ruud defeated Sargsian, he would have faced Federer in the second round.
Instead Federer came from two sets down to beat Sargsian 9-7 in fifth set to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
"I knew he was in the draw back then," said Federer.
"I know the guys I played before. It was different times back then. It makes me happy that I had the chance to play that generation of players, because they are still very different to the guys that are playing the ball nowadays."
Casper was just five months old when Federer played in Paris in 1999.
Christian never faced the man who would go on to win 20 Grand Slam titles.
"They practiced together," said Casper.
"So I think I remember I thought it was cool, but I was young when he told me. I didn't realise how big of a player and champion Roger was at the time.
"But, you know, I don't think he had won any Slams at that point when my father practiced with him, so I don't think my father put too much into it himself.
"He was a youngster and he was a good youngster. I think he was number one in the world juniors, so my father knew that."
As Ruud tries to reach the third round of a Slam for the first time, he probably won't be over-awed by the occasion.
"I will be the first Ruud to say that I was able to play him, so that's a bit funny. But I've been a little bit more of a Rafa fan and Rafa guy," he admitted.
Federer, playing in Paris for the first time since 2015 when he made the quarter-finals, hailed the fans on Court Philippe Chatrier, two of whom carried a bedsheet with 'Federer forever' painted on it.
"Thanks to the fans, a thousand times thanks."
Federer saved all four break points he faced against Otte.
"The Grand Slams are incredible. You can meet a player who qualified who (you) have not heard of before," said the 2009 champion.
"It was difficult, he really played a great match.
"Happily for me, he helped me with some mistakes at the end of the sets."
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