Federer's ATP Debut at Swiss Open

Roger Federer made his ATP debut at the Swiss Open Gstaad, marking the beginning of his professional tennis career. At nearly 17 years old, he faced Lucas Arnold Ker, who was ranked 88th in the world. Despite the loss in the first round, this match was a pivotal moment in Federer's journey as it introduced him to the competitive landscape of professional tennis. Following this debut, Federer continued to develop his skills and gained valuable experience on the ATP tour. Later that same year, he achieved his first ATP match victory against Guillaume Raoux in Toulouse, which helped build his confidence and establish his presence in the sport. Additionally, he received a wildcard entry to the Swiss Indoors in Basel, where he faced the challenge of competing against former world No. 1 Andre Agassi, although he lost in the first round. By the end of the year, Federer had finished ranked 301st in the world, a starting point that would eventually lead to his rise as one of the greatest tennis players in history.