Paris: Only a short time after reaching yet another tennis milestone, Roger Federer was stumped.
He had just won his 233rd match at a Grand Slam tournament, equaling the Open era record set by Jimmy Connors, and he couldn't remember who he beat to get that first victory.
"Well, I should (know), shouldn't I?" Federer said after defeating Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 Monday in the first round of the French Open. "I know it was in Australia, but I can't remember who I was playing."
He was then reminded that it was Michael Chang.
"Oh, was it?" Federer said, a bit surprised. "Well, that was a beautiful victory, then."
Whether it was or not, it started Federer on a career that has seen him win a record 16 Grand Slam titles and garner a slew of other records along the way.
And he's only 30.
"I obviously love the big tournaments," Federer said. "I have been so successful for such a long time and to already tie that record — 30 years old is pretty incredible, so I'm very happy."
For Federer, this year's French Open is his 52nd major tournament, and 50th in a row. Just more stats to show how long the Swiss star has been around the game in his 30 years.
"When you look at the tournaments like this and you step back, you realize you have been playing for quite a long time," Federer said. "When I started, I loved playing against those famous players I used to see on TV. Now I'm playing against younger players, a new generation. It's also very nice."
On Monday, Federer wasn't perfect, but he didn't struggle, either.
He was broken once in each set, including while trying to serve for the match at 5-2 in the third. He also piled up 47 unforced errors, 16 more than Kamke.
"They're never easy, those first rounds, you know. Last thing you want is to go down a set or getting in a tough situation, but I was able to stay ahead in the first set. Had bits of ups and downs on my serve," Federer said. "But overall, I'm happy I'm through. That's what I look at in the end."
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