Six years after making his debut in the event as a precocious blond-haired teenager, Roger Federer finally triumphed at the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam on Sunday to restore his dented reputation.
The blond hair is long gone but his win over Ivan Ljubicic helped the Swiss silence any detractors who might have thought 2005 would prove to be a season of anti-climax following his shock loss to Marat Safin at last month's Australian Open.
"I was aware that if I lost a very close match again, losing in the breaker, people would have been quick to say 'he's lost his invincibility'," said Federer after beating the Croatian 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 in the final.
"I was playing for a lot today and I'm very happy I came through because it's a crucial victory for the future."
Federer went down to Russian Safin in the semi-final at Melbourne Park despite holding a match point.
He was aware he could not afford to slip up again if he is to hold on to the aura he has built around himself after claiming 11 titles, including three Grand Slams, during 2004.
Sunday's triumph also extended his winning streak in finals to 15, his last defeat coming in a title match back in July 2003 in Gstaad.
It is a feat he is extremely proud of and one he wants to extend for as long as possible.
"I don't know where the secret of winning comes from," said the top seed.
"Suddenly you're on a streak and everybody talks about it. The more you talk about it, the more you worry it won't last.
"Of course, every time I win a semi-final, I put myself under pressure because I'm putting that record on the line," he added with a wink.
PAINFUL MEMORIES
As he has done for almost two years, Federer had entered the Rotterdam final as the favourite. When the players entered into the third-set tiebreak, however, painful memories of a final four years ago came flooding back for the Swiss.
On that occasion, the Swiss master came agonisingly close to winning the title in Rotterdam, only to be denied by maverick Frenchman Nicolas Escude 7-6 in the decider.
"It would have hurt me today to have lost 7-6 in the third again," conceded Federer.
"It wouldn't have been the first time in my career to lose a final like this as I've lost a few close ones over the years.
"But I think this is the first time for me to win a final 7-6 in the third.
"I was nervous going into it. I just tried to hold the record of mine, you know the previous finals I've played, in my eyes. I just said I have to win this but I was a little worried.
"I've won the doubles twice before so I'm happy to have finally won the singles today."
Having added his name to the impressive billboard of champions that circles the Ahoy arena's centre court, Federer revealed a little known fact about his first visit to the Dutch port city.
"When I was here in 99, I had blond hair but things have changed since," he said.
"I think I also had a beard before ... I'm now on centre court rather than on the outside court and, oh, more people recognise me."
