He is the former top 100 player who was Roger Federer’s first-ever opponent on the ATP Tour

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Roger Federer has gone down in sporting history for his achievements in tennis, which include over 100 ATP Tour titles.

And that list includes 20 Grand Slam titles, with only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal ahead of Federer in that regard.

The Swiss legend also managed to reach number one in the ATP rankings during his career, with his debut rise to the top lasting for a record 237 weeks.

Much to the disappointment of tennis fans, Federer brought the curtain down on his glittering career following the 2022 Laver Cup.

But there was much less fanfare surrounding his ATP debut, which was understandable given nobody could predict just how much success he would go on to achieve.

He was Roger Federer’s first-ever opponent on the ATP Tour

Federer’s ATP debut arrived back in 1998, when the future world-beater played on home soil in Gstaad, Switzerland.

But his first tournament ended as quickly as it started, with the 16-year-old losing in the round of 32 to Lucas Arnold Ker.

READ MORE: The advice Jim Courier gave John Isner before he beat Roger Federer at the 2012 Davis Cup

The Argentine won their match on the outdoor clay 6-4, 6-4, in what was his only career meeting with Federer.

A lucky loser at the tournament, Ker was rewarded with a second round tie against top seed Marcelo Rios for knocking out Federer.

The Chilean triumphed 6-4, 6-1, but it was Spaniard Alex Corretja who ultimately lifted the trophy in Gstaad that year.

Who is former ATP number 77 Lucas Arnold Ker?

Ker had the bragging rights over Federer in Switzerland and indeed in their brief head-to-head, but it’s fair to say the latter has had the last laugh.

The latter went on to enjoy stunning success in tennis, although the former was a much more accomplished doubles player.

Ker reached as high as 77 in the ATP rankings in singles, winning zero titles, but climbed to world number 21 in doubles, winning 14 titles.

The Argentine managed to reach the third round of the US Open singles the same year he beat Federer, while he reached the semifinals in French Open doubles the year before.