Asked at the beginning of this year to pick one high from an astonishing 2017 season that delivered two Grand Slams among seven titles, Roger Federer named his Australian Open victory.
“Especially with that epic five-setter with Rafa (Nadal) in the final,” he smiled. “Being 3-1 down in the fifth set, being in my third five-setter of the championships and coming through nearly five years without a Slam, made it the highlight of my year.”
In Australia, and talking to an Australian, this might have been another example of Federer’s famously impeccable manners. At the same time, there is no question of what this tournament has come to mean to the defending champion.
With a first victory at Melbourne Park in 2004, the then-22-year-old first rose to the world No.1 ranking. As he went on to claim five titles – and finish once as the runner-up – over the next 13 years, the contented champion also gifted the Australian Open with its ‘Happy Slam’ moniker.
It was particularly happy for the Swiss when he returned to Grand Slam heights for the first time in almost five years, and immediately after an extended absence with injury the previous season. Pushed on whether that could have made AO2017 as the best of the record 19 major titles he’s won across 14 years, Federer thought for only a moment.
“Maybe No.1 having won a Grand Slam at my age, it came so unexpected,” the 36-year-old responded. “Also, after the 2016 season I had, with seven or eight months out injured. So, it could be my No.1 … definitely top five.”
But as he returns to a semifinal at Melbourne Park for the 14th time in his career, Federer faces an opponent who has also developed a special relationship with this tournament.
Hyeon Chung, ranked No.58 and contesting only his eighth Grand Slam main draw, has progressed to a first major semifinal with wins over No.4 Alexander (Sascha) Zverev, six-time champion Novak Djokovic and the emerging Tennys Sandgren.
“I beat like Sascha, Novak, the other good players,” beamed the 21-year-old from South Korea. “I never play(ed) in the second week in (a) Grand Slam, so I’m really surprised.”
In another special link, it was while watching Djokovic win the Australian Open final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008 that the Serb became his idol.
“Novak, Roger, Rafa, they’re all my role models, my idols,” Chung said after his straight-sets win over Djokovic in the fourth round. “I’m just happy to play with Novak again. I’m just honoured to see him again on the tour. Today my dreams came true.”
As his milestone victories added to Chung’s developing bond with the Australian Open, the sentiment became mutual. Thrilling a growing fan base as he executes his electrifying style of tennis, Chung has also enamoured crowds and media with candid and charming interviews, in which he has discussed everything from his glasses (prescription, not a fashion statement), his nickname (‘The Professor’) and introduced his player box.
Even Federer can appreciate the excitement. “I think it’s a good thing. They’ve got to make a move,” the Swiss told the media of the semifinal breakthroughs of Chung and Kyle Edmund, aged 21 and 23 respectively, whom he has never competed against on tour. “I like it because it’s really something totally new to me, and to some extent for you guys, too.”
It’s hardly surprising that Federer sounds like such an elder statesman in his assessment, given the 15 years that separate him from his semifinal opponent. In fact, Chung was just seven years old when the Swiss claimed his first Australian Open title.
Not that the lack of experience detracts from the 21-year-old’s credentials. “I’m very excited to play Chung. I thought he played an incredible match against Novak. I mean, to beat him here is one of the tough things to do in our sport,” said Federer.
“To bounce back from a Novak match and just somehow get it done (in the quarterfinal) that's tough. That shows that he's had good composure, a great mindset. Also, physically he must have recovered because Novak is going to give you a bit of a workout.”
Federer couldn’t quite say how he’d approach his new opponent aside from the “one thing I know is I'm going to be playing aggressive.”
Chung was similarly uncertain as he considered his most high-profile assignment. “I’m just trying to do my best,” he surmised.
That’s worked perfectly for the exciting new star so far in Melbourne. And whether he can claim an upset win over Federer or not, you suspect that like his opponent, he’ll depart with his love for the Australian Open inevitably strengthened.