Roger Federer reminisced about his younger years in playing professional tennis as he geared up for his 16th appearance at the ATP Swiss Indoors in Basel. Federer, one of the greatest tennis players to go down in the history books, recalled how his approach in playing tennis changed as he went through the experience of winning and losing tournaments.

Federer, who was born and grew in Basel, recounted how he used to play soccer and do his duties as a ball boy in his hometown. The 17-time Grand Slam winner joined his first Basel tournament in 1998 and lost to Andre Agassi in the first round. Federer confessed that during those times, he was just content in advancing from the first round matches of tournaments.

“[At first], let's say winning maybe five or six games in the first round was going to be a good result,” Federer said via the ATP World Tour’s official website. “Then it was maybe if you win a set, it would be great. Winning a round would be great. Next thing you know, I was defending titles.”

Due to the experiences he gained in his 18-year tennis career, Federer said he has become less nervous and less anxious during match games. However, the Swiss player admitted that he was always nervous on court during his younger years because he wanted to perform well in front of his hometown.

Federer settled for a runner-up finish at the Swiss Indoors in 2000 and 2001 before returning to competition in Basel to win his first title against Fernando Gonzalez. In 11 of the Swiss indoors matches since 2001, Federer has won six titles, including back-to-back wins in 2010 and 2011 against Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori, respectively.

Federer has won 87 titles since his breakthrough career in 2001, which includes 17 Grand Slam victories, 24 Masters titles, and six ATP year-end Final titles. Even at this stage of his career, the Swiss Maestro proved he can overcome his age, becoming the third player in the Open Era to record 1,000 singles match wins.

With a sixth ATP World Title of the season on the line and the chance to play in his own country, Federer will surely start as the “firm favourite” to win the tournament, according to Sky Sports’ Barry Cowan. Federer has already won 21 indoor titles in his illustrious tennis career, but Cowan believes the Swiss is on the move to win another one and end the season on a high note.

Federer won his opening match at the Siwss Indoors Basel, beating Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1 6-2 in 55 minutes. After a shocking first round exit against Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, Federer vows to bounce back and finish the year strong as he tries to reclaim his World No. 2 spot from Andy Murray in the Emirates ATP rankings.

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