The Baseline Top 5: Dad moments on the ATP Tour
Stars past and present have celebrated the joys of fatherhood.
Sunday marked Father’s Day in the U.S., a time for celebrating the most special man in many people’s lives. Over the years, a number of players past and present on the ATP Tour have been able to experience the joy that comes with being a dad, and here’s a look at some of those memorable occasions.
1
A Renaissance Made Even More Special
Going into 2017, many an observer of the men’s game cast doubt over whether Roger Federer would ever win another Grand Slam again. The Swiss great shattered that notion by winning the Australian Open that year, then followed it up with a Wimbledon title a few months later. It was a win that meant the world to him with his children—daughters Myla and Charlene and sons Leo and Lenny—in the stands.
2
Always There, Win or Lose
At the French Open the past two years, Nicolas Mahut’s son Natanel has stolen the show. Last year, as his father and Pierre-Hugues Herbert delighted their compatriots by winning the doubles title, Natanel was there for the celebration. This year, when Mahut suffered a gut-wrenching third-round singles loss, his son rushed to his side to console him.
3
Haas Hangs On
In a career plagued by injuries, former world No. 2 Tommy Haas consistently battled on with a fighting spirit that twice earned him the ATP’s Comeback Player of the Year award. Toward the end of his playing days, a huge part of his motivation was to compete long enough so his daughter Valentina could recognize what he did for a living. In 2013 in Miami, the 2-year-old came onto the court after Haas’ win over Alexander Dolgopolov.
4
Scissor-Kicking in Dad’s Footsteps
Former ATP star Petr Korda and his wife, former WTA standout Regina Rajchrtova, have seen their two daughters, Jessica and Nelly, rank among the best in the world, in golf. Their son, Sebastian, has been the one to pick up the racquet, and last year—two decades after his dad won the Australian Open men’s title—he won the junior title in Melbourne, celebrating with an homage to Petr.
5
A NextGen Standout
Norway hasn’t produced many players that have made an impact on the men’s tour, with only one in history cracking the Top 40 in the world: Christian Ruud. It looks, though, that his career-high No. 39 spot is going to be eclipsed sooner rather than later—by none other than his son Casper. The 20-year-old Ruud has been shooting up the rankings and currently sits at a career-high No. 59 in the standings, with his dad by his side as his coach.
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