In which tournament did Roger Federer make his ATP debut in 1998?

Roger Federer made his ATP debut at the 1998 Swiss Open Gstaad. The tournament was played on outdoor clay in Federer’s home country of Switzerland, where he entered the main draw as a wildcard shortly after winning the Wimbledon boys’ singles title.

Federer was only 16 when he faced Argentina’s Lucas Arnold Ker in the first round. He lost 6–4, 6–4, but the appearance marked his first ATP Tour-level event. The tournament was then known as the Rado Open, and its modern name is Swiss Open Gstaad.

A common mix-up is Basel, Federer’s hometown tournament. He did play there later in 1998, receiving a wildcard into the Swiss Indoors and losing to former world No. 1 Andre Agassi. His first ATP match victory came later that year in Toulouse against Guillaume Raoux.

Federer finished 1998 ranked No. 301 and went on to become one of tennis’s most successful players, winning 20 Grand Slam singles titles.