From ball boy to an all-time legend: A look at Roger Federer’s Basel pizza party over the years

Roger Federer won yet another title at the Swiss Indoors, his seventh at the tournament at his hometown Basel in Switzerland. And after lifting the trophy, he continued his tradition of having a pizza party with the ball-kids for yet another year. Hailed by many fans as one of the nicest off-court traditions in modern tennis, Federer has continued the pizza party tradition, irrespective of win or loss. And on Sunday, Federer had more reason to celebrate as he defeated his arch rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the final. Basel is where it all started for Federer who famously served as a ballboy at the tournament when he was 11 years old. But he hasn’t forgotten his journey from Basel ball boy to global tennis legend, and makes it a point to spend time with the Swiss ballkids. “That’s how it all started with me. I would ride my bike from home – about five to 10 minutes away – and I was a ballboy here all day long and would go back home and do it again the next day. So I always have a tradition where everyone has a pizza with me after the final. It’s been 11 times now. I do it win or lose, regardless," he was quoted as saying after his win in 2014. The party itself is adorable with Federer serving pizza to the children and makes for a wonderful photographs. Have a look at the various Federer pizza parties at Basel over the years, including the most recent one. [caption id=“attachment_2491870” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”] 2015: Roger Federer hands out pizza as he celebrates with the ball kids after winning the final match of the Swiss Indoors against Rafael Nadal. Getty Images[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2491868” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”] 2014: Roger Federer hands out slices of pizza to the tournament’s ball boys and girls after he won his final match against Belgium’s David Goffin at the Swiss Indoors. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2491866” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”] 2011: Roger Federer offers slices of pizza to boys and girls pick after the final match he won at the Swiss Indoors beating Japanese wild card Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-3. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2491864” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”] 2010: Roger Federer enjoys some pizza with the ball kids after defeating Novak Djokovic in the final of the Swiss Indoors. Getty Images[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2491862” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”] 2008: Roger Federer hands out pizza to the ball boys and girls after winning the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel. Getty Images[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2491860” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”] 2006: Roger Federer enjoys pizza with the ball children after winning the Swiss Indoors Tournament in Basel. Getty Images[/caption]