roger federer
Reliving Roger Federer’s first ATP Tour title 25 years later
In 2001, the Swiss star defeated Ivanisevic and Kafelnikov to win the first trophy
February 4, 2026
ATP Tour/Getty Images
On February 4, 2001, Roger Federer won the first of his 103 tour-level titles in Milan.
Sam Jacott
A quarter of a century has passed since 19-year-old Roger Federer lifted his first ATP Tour trophy, a moment that marked the beginning of his historic career. Long before records, competition and reverence, Milan existed, the city where Federer first experienced what it felt like to get the job done.
When the 19-year-old Federer arrived in northern Italy in February 2001, he was no longer just a promising teenager trying to break through. Last season, he reached two ATP Tour finals in Marseille and Basel, but failed both times. These failures stung, but also served as an education. Ranked in the top 30, Federer feels closer than ever to a title and it’s no longer a question of if he will win it, but when.
Milan’s draw was anything but forgiving. Federer’s path to the final included wins over Goran Ivanisevic and Evgeny Kafelnikov, names synonymous with big glory and big tournament experience. It was a severe test of faith for a young player still learning to manage expectations and nerves.
Federer defeated Rainer Schuettler and Cyril Saulnier in his first two matches before defeating Ivanisevic in straight sets in the quarterfinals. A few months later, Croatian Ivanisevic won Wimbledon.
Standing between Federer and his third tour-level final is Kafelnikov, who arrives in Milan ranked seventh in the PIF ATP rankings. On paper, former world No. 1 Kafelnikov appears to be the favorite among the remaining semifinalists, which also includes Julian Bout and Greg Ruseski.
“Of the four in the semifinals, I feel like the championship is in my hands,” Kafelnikov told ATPTour.com.
Kafelnikov had beaten Federer in all three previous Lexus ATP encounters, but recalled that even then the sense of anticipation surrounding the young Swiss was impossible to ignore.
“We all knew Roger was the best junior out there,” Kafelnikov said. “I remember the first time I played him in Rotterdam when he was 18. It took me three sets to get past him. I knew all he needed at the time was someone who could lock him down when he was really focusing on tennis.
“[He was] Play PlayStation with a coach. He’s less focused than he was at 22, when he started to truly believe he could be No. 1 in the world. He has the ability to be the best player in the world, we all know that. “
Federer also confirmed this belief on the court, defeating Kafelnikov 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3, earning his first victory against a member of the ATP No. 1 club and ensuring his place in the Milan finals. Waiting for him in the championship is Frenchman Bout, who is participating in a tour-level final for the first time.
Federer won the first set 6-4, but Bout pushed him to the brink in a tense tie-break in the second set, and the Frenchman won 9/7. It’s a familiar moment of danger for a teenager still chasing his first title. Federer didn’t hesitate and started over. He calmed down his emotions, trusted his instincts, and finally won his first ATP Tour trophy with a score of 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-4.
“I really want to win my first ATP Tour title,” Federer once told the ATP. “It was a big week, beating Bout in the final. It felt like there was pressure on me because maybe I went into the final as favorite. But it’s fast indoors and Bout is a big server, so you never know what’s going to happen.
“I think it was more of a relief than joy or happiness. I think the feeling started 24 hours later. I remember thinking, ‘At least I have one.'”
This victory is a milestone for many years. Federer won his first ATP Tour event in Toulouse in 1998, three years before Milan, and steadily climbed the rankings.
“I had very little room in Federer’s career,” Bout said. “I was the first one to lose to him in the final, but there were a lot of people like me.”
In hindsight, Milan was a decisive early chapter rather than an isolated success. Federer went on to win 103 tour-level titles, including 20 Grand Slam titles, with his last victory coming in Basel in 2019.
