5 reasons Federer winning the Australian Open could be the biggest story of the year

By Anuradha Santhanam
Modified Jan 17, 2017 12:50 GMT
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland kisses the winner's trophy after winning his Gentlemen's Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

He is the fans’ favourite player

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 14: Roger Federer of Switzerland signs autographs for fans in the crowd at the fifth annual Kids Tennis Day ahead of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Fans turned up in droves at the exhibition Hopman Cup, Federer’s first tennis appearance in 2017

Federer has always been one of the most-loved players on the circuit, and fans have awaited every match the Swiss has announced in the past year since his hiatus at Wimbledon.

Tickets to every Roger Federer tie at the Hopman Cup early on in Perth, Australia sold out a month before the tournament began; the Swiss decided, then, that he would open up all of his practice sessions to the public in Australia.

Those sessions were also completely packed, with fans thronging to watch the Swiss former No. 1 in hitting practice as well.

The Swiss has been voted on consistently by viewers as a ‘fan favourite’, and is amiable and one of the most fan-friendly athletes on Tour – little wonder, then, that crowds throng his matches constantly.

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