Roger Federer earned US$3.2 million for his victory at the Australian Open on Sunday. Swiss fans also ended up with a little extra cash in their pockets. To celebrate Federer's 20th Grand Slam title, the country's only tabloid newspaper, Blick, slashed its price on Monday from 2.50 Swiss Francs to just 20 rappen. The cover had Federer’s face mocked up on a coin.
So when Federer arrived back home in Switzerland on Tuesday, fans had extra reason to smile as they greeted him with great fanfare at Airport Kloten in Zurich. Holding the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup under his arm, the Swiss signed autographs for fans and posed for photographs on Tuesday as he made his way through the concourse.
The 36-year-old is now just 155 points behind Rafael Nadal, who is currently No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, following his 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 final victory over Marin Cilic in Melbourne.
[ALSO LIKE]In the immediate aftermath of the final, Federer received a congratulatory phone call from Switzerland’s President Alain Berset.