The biggest crowd at an officially sanctioned tennis match gathered 12 years ago to watch Roger Federer play in the Davis Cup Final.
On November 23, 2014, a total of 27,448 fans attended the converted Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille to watch Federer take on Richard Gasquet during Switzerland’s tie against France.
The Davis Cup fixture boasted various high-profile names, including Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.
Switzerland were vying for their first Davis Cup triumph, while France were hoping to win their 10th.
Which nation would emerge triumphant from this clash of the titans?
Switzerland won their first-ever Davis Cup title
The opening two singles matches were split, with Stan Wawrinka defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Federer suffering a shock loss at the hands of Gael Monfils.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion recovered spectacularly.
Federer and Stan Wawrinka, doubles champions at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, defeated Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
The Swiss outfit had snatched back control of the tie, and Federer would not let this chance slip from his grasp.
Federer defeated Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, clinching Switzerland’s first Davis Cup title in front of the biggest crowd ever recorded at an officially ratified match, before sending a classy message to Stan Wawrinka.
The only major trophy to evade Federer during his career had finally been captured, confirming his status as one of the most accomplished players in tennis history.
‘One of my favourite memories’
Speaking to the ITF in 2023, Stan Wawrinka reflected on sharing the court with Federer during the 2014 Davis Cup Final.
Wawrinka said: “Playing with Roger was special of course.
“Special player, special person, and to achieve what we achieved, to win it finally together, will always be one of my favourite memories.”
Wawrinka is still competing on the ATP Challenger Tour at the age of 40, most recently reaching the final in Rennes, France, before losing to Hugo Gaston.
