Federer believes he could have been a footballer

Tennis ace Roger Federer can never forget his other childhood sporting love of football, with the Swiss reportedly ready to fly to Manchester this week to watch home club Basel face mighty Manchester United.

The match at Old Trafford could well be a possibility for Federer, who is taking some time off from the game and is most likely expected back at the Swiss Indoors in Basel in a month.

British tabloids report that football-mad Federer believed he could have made it on the pitch had his iconic tennis talent not burst to the fore as a youngster. Despite dedicating himself to a history-making career on the court, the beautiful game has never been far from his thoughts.

"I'd like to think I could have been a footballer. I was an attacking midfielder or striker. I was a good leader and I think I could have made a good captain," Federer has said in reference to his football interests.

"My first heroes were Italian players like Roberto Baggio and Toto Schillaci. After that I used to love watching Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane.

"Tennis took over really for me when I was 12. My tennis schedules were so busy that I couldn't combine them with other sports, including football. I'd like to think I could have been a footballer if I hadn't had to give up."

Date: 27.09.2011

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Roger Federer withdrew from Shanghai Rolex Masters

After consultation with my team, I’ve unfortunately decided to pull out of the Shanghai Rolex Masters in order to take some necessary time to rest and recuperate after a long summer. I have some nagging injuries that I need to address and I look forward to returning to the ATP World Tour as soon as possible. I have very fond memories of Shanghai so I will miss this amazing tournament and all my loyal Chinese fans, but I look forward to returning to China next fall.


Yours,
Roger

Date: 23.09.2011, Source: RF Official

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Federer is world’s most respected & trusted athlete

Roger Federer’s reputation as a respected, admired and trusted personality is second only to that of former South African president Nelson Mandela, a new global study of more than 50,000 people in 25 countries shows.

Federer finished ahead of the likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey and Bono in the 2011 Leader RepTrak, which assesses the reputations of the world’s 54 most visible public figures in politics, business, culture and sports. Derek Jeter was the second highest-rated athlete on the list at No. 16, while David Beckham finished at No. 24, one place behind LeBron James.

“The results of Reputation Institute’s study confirm that people respect leaders that participate in philanthropic activities outside of their own celebrity,” said Reputation Institute Chairman, Dr. Charles Fombrun. “The public’s top two on our list, Mandela and Federer, have emotional ties to South Africa, and donate both time and money to the betterment of the region and its people. They get praise for their efforts.”

The 30-year-old Swiss, a winner of a record 16 Grand Slam titles, has been actively involved in charitable activities on the ATP World Tour - including the Rally For Relief to support Queensland flood victims earlier this season - and through his own foundation. The Roger Federer Foundation supports education and sports projects in Ethiopia, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Switzerland.

Rank	Name	RepTrak Pulse
1	Nelson Mandela	78.5
2	Roger Federer	72.1
3	Bill Gates	71.7
4	Warren Buffett	69.7
5	Richard Branson	68.3
6	Steve Jobs	68.3
7	Oprah Winfrey	67.7
8	Bono	67.7
9	Ratan Tata	66.3
10	Elizabeth II	64.9

Date: 20.09.2011, Source: ATP and  Reputation Institute

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Switzerland placed in the 2012 Davis Cup World Group

Stanislas Wawrinka earned Switzerland’s place in the 2012 Davis Cup World Group when he returned Monday to complete a 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3 victory over Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Wawrinka had been leading Hewitt 5-3 in the fifth set after almost four hours of play, when bad light suspended the tie-deciding rubber on Sunday evening. Hewitt had saved four set points in the fourth-set tie-break at 3-6 and 6-7. Wawrinka broke Hewitt's serve for the fourth time in the match at 2-2 in the fifth set.

At the resumption at 11 a.m. local time Monday, Hewitt squandered a 30/0 lead on serve, including committing two double faults, and Wawrinka reeled off four straight points to clinch victory before celebrating with his teammates, including Roger Federer who was courtside. The 26 year old improved to a 14-10 Davis Cup singles record, while Hewitt suffered only his 11th defeat in 48 Davis Cup singles matches.


On Sunday, Swiss No. 1 Federer had levelled the play-off tie at 2-2 with a 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win over Australian Bernard Tomic. Federer, who hit 15 aces and 61 winners, has a 30-6 singles record in the competition.

Date: 19.09.2011

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Switzerland vs Australia goes into fourth day

The deciding rubber between Australia's Lleyton Hewitt and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland will resume at the Royal Sydney Golf Club at 11 a.m. local time on Monday, after darkness suspended play on day three.

Wawrinka was leading Hewitt 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-4, 5-3 after almost four hours of play, when bad light suspended the tie-deciding rubber. Hewitt had saved four set points in the fourth-set tie-break at 3-6 and 6-7. Wawrinka broke Hewitt's serve for the fourth time in the match at 2-2 in the fifth set.

Earlier on Sunday, Swiss Roger Federer levelled the play-off tie at 2-2 with a 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win over Australian Bernard Tomic. Federer, who hit 15 aces and 61 winners, has a 30-6 singles record in the competition.

"It was tough conditions today, but I really had a pleasure coming down here and playing; we'll see how it all works out in the fifth rubber," said Roger after the mtach.

Federer said the match could have been suspended earlier.

“It’s a tough call,” Federer said. “I’ve lost some big matches in the past due to darkness, and I always have the feeling that referees leave it a bit too late. They try to squeeze in another couple of games, so should they have stopped at two-all (in the fifth set)? Probably, that’s my guess.”’

AUSTRALIA 2, SWITZERLAND 2

Date: 18.09.2011

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Guccione - Hewitt surprise Swiss in Sydney

Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione teamed up for Australia for only the second time to defeat Switzerland's Olympic doubles gold medallists, Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(5) to give the host nation a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup World Group play-off at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

"Federer was too good for me yesterday but doubles is a different competition," Hewitt said afterwards. "There's something special about team competition. For me I leave all my passion out here."

Guccione and Hewitt recovered from losing the 31-minute first set, when they won just 17 points, and went on to hit 10 aces and 67 winners overall for victory in two hours and 17 minutes. "At times I thought we were playing Patrick Rafter at the net, he [Hewitt] was volleying so well," Federer commented.

Australia will need one more victory in the remaining two singles rubbers on Sunday to return to the World Group for the first time since 2007. Bernard Tomic will take on Federer while Hewitt will play Wawrinka.

Date: 17.09.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer beats Hewitt to level the tie

Roger Federer recorded his 40th Davis Cup rubber win for Switzerland on Friday in Sydney, when he beat fellow former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-3 to level the World Group play-off tie at 1-1. Federer, who hit 22 winners for victory in two hours and 50 minutes, has a 40-11 record in the international team competition (29-6 in singles).

Federer, who arrived in Sydney on Wednesday after reaching the US Open semi-finals, admitted, "It's been a long trip for sure. This was a different type of challenge playing Australia which has such a great Davis Cup tradition. It's nice to see Lleyton, who's the same age, still playing as well."

Earlier in the day, World No. 59 Bernard Tomic kept his extended his unbeaten record to 4-0 for Australia. The 18-year-old Gold Coast resident defeated No. 19-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 on the grass of the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

"In the first set I was [nervous]," said Tomic. "Having Roger watch you is difficult. It's a bit difficult when you look up to your idol. But it's a good thing I got the team off to a good start."

Roger and Stan will play Chris Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt in tomorrow's doubles.

Date: 16.09.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer ready for Davis Cup

Roger Federer has shrugged off the effects of his flight from New York and the disappointment of a U.S. Open semifinal loss to be ready for Switzerland’s Davis Cup playoff against Australia starting Friday.

The No. 3-ranked Federer, who arrived in Australia on Wednesday, will play three matches in the Davis Cup, starting with a singles match against Lleyton Hewitt, followed by a doubles pairing with Stanislas Wawrinka.

Wimbledon quarterfinalist Bernard Tomic will face Wawrinka in the opening singles match, while Hewitt will join Chris Guccione in doubles.

Federer will play Tomic for the first time in Sunday’s reverse singles, while Hewitt meets Wawrinka.

The winner advances to the Davis Cup World Group for 2012, while the loser will have to take part in zonal qualifiers next year.

Despite a busy schedule and just two days to prepare for the grass courts at Royal Sydney Golf Club, Federer said Thursday he had a good feeling about the upcoming matches.

“I’m not sore, sorry to disappoint you,” the 16-time Grand Slam winner told Australian reporters. “I’m feeling good, really good actually.”

Federer has won 17 of his 25 matches against Hewitt, but Hewitt did get a victory in their last match on grass last year in Halle, Germany.

Hewitt, who sat out the U.S. Open with a foot injury, said he was fit and looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Federer.

“It’s been what I’ve been working towards in terms of getting my game up to scratch and my body as close to 100 percent right to take on one of the greats,” Hewitt said.

“It’s going to be a tough match. Hopefully Bernie can get us off to a good start against Stan on the grass tomorrow, and then I can go out there and take Roger on.”

Hewitt won the previous time he played Federer in a Davis Cup match in Australia, a grueling five-set win that gave Australia a 2003 semifinal win over Switzerland.

“I still believe it was one of my toughest losses I ever had as a player,” Federer said, placing it even above his five-set loss to Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows last week.

“People might think Djokovic was rough, but for me that was nothing compared to the Lleyton loss back in ’03 just because I felt I should have won so bad,” he said. “I am not 22 years old any more, I am 30, so I take losses much easier, but back then it was a very tough loss for me.”

Swiss captain Severin Luthi backed star man Federer to cope with the short preparation time. "He's a great champion, we know that, and for sure it's always better if you have more days, but I'm sure that he can handle this and be ready on Friday," Luthi told reporters.

Schedule

Friday
Match 1 : Bernard Tomic (Aus) v Stanislas Wawrinka (Sui)
Match 2:  Lleyton Hewitt (Aus) v Roger Federer (Sui)

Saturday
Match 3: Hewitt / Guccione (Aus) v Federer / Wawrinka (Sui)

Sunday
Match 4: Bernard Tomic (Aus) v Roger Federer (Sui)
Match 5: Lleyton Hewitt (Aus) v Stanislas Wawrinka (Sui)

Date: 15.09.2011, Source: AP

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Federer is a 'Superman' says Hewitt

Lleyton Hewitt is preparing to produce another lion-hearted performance to inspire Australia to victory in this weekend's Davis Cup tie against a Swiss team led by the player he regards as "Superman" -- Roger Federer.

The prospective clash between Hewitt and Federer will stir memories of their last Davis Cup duel in Australia, an epic semi-final match in Melbourne in 2003 where Hewitt came from two sets down to win and propel Australia into the final.

Both countries have fallen from those heady heights and are scrambling for scraps, a return to the world group, after falling out of the top tier of the competition.

On paper, it should be Switzerland's weekend, with two players ranked in the top 20 in No 3 Federer and No 19 Stanislas Wawrinka, compared with Australia's two singles players ranked No 59 (teenager Bernard Tomic) and No 199 (Hewitt after an injury-marred year).

But circumstances, and the Australian team's decision to put the tie on grass, are conspiring to put the two teams on even ground. Federer will arrive in Sydney only this morning, giving him just two days to prepare after playing a five-set thriller in the US Open semi-final with eventual winner Novak Djokovic.

That alone won't give Australia an advantage, according to Hewitt.

"For a freak like Roger it doesn't matter," he said. "I haven't seen a lot that Roger isn't able to do, he's as close to Superman as they come."

But Wawrinka, the man the Australian team has targeted as the weak link on grass for Switzerland, announced yesterday that he was recovering from a leg injury and was not certain to play.

Meanwhile, Hewitt declared that the foot injury that ruled him out of both the French and US Open this year was not bothering him on the grass at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

He expects it to stand up to the rigours of two singles matches, and doubles if required.

"I've done everything right and so far it's been pretty good," he said.

"It was disappointing to miss basically the whole hardcourt season and the whole claycourt season this year, but I feel like I have committed myself pretty well to Davis Cup and done all the right things, and hopefully it pays off for our country."

Hewitt said he would take confidence from his form at Wimbledon, where he returned from foot surgery to push world No 5 Robin Soderling to five sets in the second round.

"If I can play with that kind of form and intensity over three days, then I really think I can give both guys a run for their money," he said.

"I will have to play a lot better than my ranking. Roger is the main guy in the tie and he's the guy with the most form and best form coming in."

Date: 14.09.2011, Source: The Australian

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Federer arrives in Australia for Davis Cup playoff

Roger Federer has arrived in Australia to join the Swiss team ahead of the Davis Cup World Group playoff starting Friday.

The 16-time Grand Slam winner arrived Wednesday, later than his Switzerland teammates after his grueling five-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals Sunday.

After stopping over in Dubai for one night, Federer has just two days to adjust to the grass courts at Royal Sydney Golf Club before his first match of the tie against Australia.

“Well, usually we never have that much time to get used to the grass anyway, so that’s kind of how we have to do it every year for the grass season, anyway, so I’m kind of used to it,” Federer said. “The grass (here) is pretty good.”

Federer, who spent around one-and-a-half hours practicing with his teammates on an outside court, is expected to play two singles matches and may partner Stanislas Wawrinka for Saturday’s doubles.

Swiss captain Severin Luthi said he was keeping an open mind about whether to use the 30-year-old Federer in doubles as well as singles.

“I’m sure that he can go three days if he has to, but we like to have different possibilities,” Luthi said. He said he was confident Wawrinka would be fit to play Friday, despite a niggling leg injury the world No.19 picked up at the U.S. Open.

Date: 14.09.2011, Source: AP

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Federer suffers more US Open heartbreak

Roger Federer had a dream run at Flushing Meadows from 2004-2008, winning five consecutive titles, but  the past three years have seemed more like a nightmare for the 16-time Grand Slam champion. On Saturday, for the second consecutive year, Federer failed to convert two match points against Novak Djokovic in the fifth set of their semi-final, falling to the World No. 1 after squandering a two-sets lead as 7-6(9), 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 5-7. And in 2009, Federer came within two points of claiming a sixth consecutive US Open title before eventually falling to Juan Martin del Potro. For a man who has proved himself to be one of the greatest clutch players of all time, the near misses have been hard to stomach.

"It's awkward having to explain this loss because I feel like I should be doing the other press conference," said Federer. "But it's what it is. It's the obvious, really. He came back; he played well. I didn't play so well at the very end. Sure, it's disappointing, but I have only myself to blame. I set it all up perfect, but I couldn't finish it.

“That's why we all watch sports, isn't it? Because we don't know the outcome and everybody has a chance, and until the very moment it can still turn. That's what we love about the sport, but it's also very cruel and tough sometimes. It got me today. It hurts, but it's fine. Could be worse. It could be a final.”

In a strikingly similar situation a year earlier, Federer had held two match points when Djokovic trailed 4-5, 15/40 in the fifth set, and was unable to convert. It was the first time since 2003 he had not reached the US Open final.

Against del Potro in the 2009 final, Federer had seen his 40-match winning streak in New York come to an end in a contest where Federer had led two-sets-to-one and was two points from victory in the fourth set.

In Saturday afternoon’s match, the Swiss suffered only his second defeat from a two-set lead in a Grand Slam match. He had commanded a perfect 178-0 record when winning the first two sets in Grand Slam matches, until he was defeated by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Wimbledon quarter-finals this year. His record now stands at 182-2.

Defeat for Federer also means that 2011 will mark the first year since 2002 that the 16-time major champion has not won at least one Grand Slam championship. He last major title came at the 2010 Australian Open (d. Murray); he was beaten by Rafael Nadal in this year’s Roland Garros title match.

Indeed, the Swiss’ title haul in 2011 has been stuck on one since his victory in Doha (d. Davydenko) at the start of the year. Since then he has finished runner-up in Dubai (l. to Djokovic) and Roland Garros. It is his lowest tally since 2001.

"I definitely had some serious chances to do a bit better [at the slams this year], and I still made semis, finals, quarters, semis,” reflected Federer. “But I think in a few of them I could have gone all the way, if not a step or two further. It's a tough year in terms of some tough losses at some crucial stages of the season.

"Sure you always feel like what an opportunity, what a pity, because you got to wait for a year till the US Open rolls around. But then again, the season is not over yet. I'm looking forward to what's still to come.

“I will be extremely hungry going to Australia next year,” declared Federer. “It's clear and obvious, and I know if I keep on working hard now that I'm feeling so good right now it will all pay off. I know it. I haven't felt like this in a long time, so this is a good time.”

Date: 11.09.2011, Source: ATP

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Roger vs. Roddick 2012

Roger will be squaring off in an exhibition match against Andy Roddick at Madison Square Garden on March 5th, 2012. The two will be facing against each other in a match over three sets, which has been part of the annual BNP Paribas Showdown exhibition.

Both players have clashed 25 times in past with Roger leading the contest 22-3 against the American former No.1. They have battled four times in grand slam finals, three in Wimbledon and one at the US Open, with our 16 times champ winning all four encounters. The best grand slam final encounter between the two goes back to Wimbledon 2009, where Roger defeated Andy in a thrilling tie set victory 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6 and 16-14.

Earlier in the evening of March 5th the crowd will be able to enjoy an exhibition-match between Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki.

Tickets will be on sale from October 3rd 10:00 am. See www.thegarden.com for more information.

Date: 09.09.2011, Source: RF Official

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Sweet revenge for Federer; Faces Djokovic next

Roger Federer maintained his scintillating form at the US Open as he exacted sweet revenge on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over the Frenchman in Thursday night’s quarter-final. Tsonga had won their past two encounters, including rallying from a two-set deficit in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

"I played great," Federer said. "I'm very happy with the way I'm playing and the way I'm moving. I'm enjoying myself out on the court. Being here in New York and having the support of the crowd is an amazing feeling. I've been here for many years and all of the hard work seems to be paying off."

Federer, who dismantled Juan Monaco for the loss of just three games in his fourth-round match on Monday, goes on to face World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the 2010 semi-finals. On that occasion, Federer squandered two match points in a five-set defeat, but has since beaten the Serb in their most recent meeting in the Roland Garros semi-finals.

"I'm looking forward [to facing Djokovic]," said Federer. "He's the biggest challenge in tennis right now and I'm up for it. I'm playing well and I'm really looking forward to playing him."

World No. 3 Federer made a strong start to his match with Tsonga, their fifth meeting this year, breaking to lead 2-1. However, just two games later there was a familiar sight as umbrellas were raised and a light drizzle suspended the match for nearly 90 minutes. At the resumption Tsonga was able to get the break back and level at 3-3. However, a poor game from the Frenchman at 4-4 proved costly and Federer broke serve before closing out the 37-minute first set with an unreturned serve.

Federer again dominated in the second set, quickly establishing a 4-1 double break lead as Tsonga struggled to find his best tennis. The Frenchman managed to recoup one of the service breaks, but Federer raised his level again to break in the ninth game and secure a two-set lead. The Swiss then broke through decisively in the eighth game of the third set, courtesy of a double fault from Tsonga, and served out victory in one hour and 53 minutes.

The 30-year-old Federer is through to the US Open semi-finals for the eighth year in a row, equalling Ivan Lendl’s mark. The Basel native is bidding to set an Open Era record by winning the title in New York for the sixth time; he was the champion five times between 2004 and 2008, and finished runner-up to Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.

The 16-time major champion is yet to win a Grand Slam championship this year. Should he fail to win the US Open, it would be the first time since 2002 that Federer has not won a major title. He was beaten in the Australian Open semi-finals by Djokovic, and fell to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros final.

Date: 09.09.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer - Hewitt set for Davis Cup clash

One of tennis’ most enduring rivalries of the past decade will reignite in a week’s time in Sydney, where Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt are due to square off in Davis Cup action. Australia plays host to Switzerland in the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie, to be held on grass at Royal Sydney Golf Club from 16-18 September.

Federer takes in a commanding 17-8 career lead over Hewitt, but it was the Australian who won the pair’s last meeting, in the grass-court final at Halle in 2010. The two contested a memorable Davis Cup clash in the 2003 World Group play-offs in Melbourne, when Hewitt rallied from two sets down to defeat Federer in five sets. However, he would go on to lose his next 15 matches against the Swiss.

The two have had quite different lead-ins to the tie. While Federer is preparing to contest the US Open quarter-finals in New York, Hewitt was forced to miss the final Grand Slam of the year due to the foot injury that has sidelined him for much of the season and seen him slip to World No. 188.

“It's a very unlucky draw for us,” said Federer who is set for a fast turnaround to get to Sydney if he is to reach the final at Flushing Meadows. “Sure, Australia is one of those great nations and I enjoy watching them play Davis Cup.  So that's obviously what's very intriguing playing against them.

“But for us it was tough now to sort of pack our bags, pay a lot of money for flights and hotels. So the Federation is not happy.  At least the minimum we can do is try to win that tie and get back in the World Group. We'll see how it goes. I hope I can get there and play against the Aussies.”

Australian Davis Cup captain Patrick Rafter confirmed that Hewitt is on course to be fit for the tie. “Lleyton missed the US Open and has arrived in Sydney nice and early to get the best possible preparation," Rafter said. "He is a fighter and I am confident he will get his body right for the tie. We want to get them on the grass, in front of our home crowd and fight like hell to win this tie.”

Federer is supported in the Swiss squad by Stanislas Wawrinka, while No. 1 Australian and Wimbledon quarter-finalist Bernard Tomic also features for the home side.

Date: 08.09.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer surges into Quarter-finals

Five-time champion Roger Federer sent out a powerful message to his US Open title rivals on Monday night as he thumped Juan Monaco 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 in a fourth-round match that finished at 1:13am in New York. It was 11:50pm by the time Federer and Monaco were eventually able to start their match, and it took Federer just 82 minutes to surge into the quarter-finals.

"It's happened often to me that I've had to wait a long time," said Federer. "I had to wait maybe two hours more than usual. It is quite crazy how our schedules change all the time as tennis players and it makes it extremely difficult to be on your A-game every single day.

"I'm extremely pleased with my reaction out there. I played really well and I felt fantastic. From the baseline I had the upperhand the whole time. In the three main areas of the game I was superior, and that made the outcome pretty straightforward."

Signalling his intent from the first ball, Federer needed just 12 minutes to race to a 5-0 lead. Six minutes later he had wrapped up the first set, having won 26 of the 35 points, including hitting 10 winners.

Monaco had no chance to settle as Federer broke immediately in the second set when the Argentine hit a forehand wide. The Swiss then broke again in the seventh game before serving out the set having hit a further 19 winners.

Federer saved some of his best tennis till last, drawing gasps from the Arthur Ashe crowd with an awesome display of power and accuracy from the baseline that utterly smothered any attacks from Monaco. Indeed, the Tandil native managed just four winners in the entire match before Federer wrapped up his 60th career win at Flushing Meadows (60-6 record). In comparison, Federer hit 42 winners.

The 30-year-old Federer will look to take that standard of play into his quarter-final clash, which sees him once again come up against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Federer lost to the Frenchman in the Wimbledon quarter-finals two months ago, and again in the third round of Montreal.

"I'm just excited to play against him, to be honest," said Federer. "He's a nice player to watch and so to play against him is very interesting. I thought we had a great match at Wimbledon, which unfortunately I ended up losing. He came back and proved it in Montreal how good he's playing right now. He's definitely on a good streak, so I hope I can stop him this time."

Sixteen-time major champion Federer is bidding to become the first man in the Open Era to win six titles at the US Open, having triumphed from 2004-2008; he also finished runner-up to Juan Martin del Potro in the 2009 final. He is yet to win a Grand Slam title in 2011 and will look to rectify that in New York to extend his record of winning at least one major trophy every year since 2003.

Date: 06.09.2011, Source: ATP

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Roger Federer Twins play in Central Park, NYC

 

Roger Federer spoke about the twins’ playtime after his match yesterday:

Q.  Your girls are two now.  What’s it like to see them pick up a racquet and imitate dad?

ROGER FEDERER:  They’re not quite there yet.  And they don’t try to imitate me either, or it doesn’t look like it.  They try hard, but they get discouraged after 30 seconds.  They just, okay, pick up the doll that’s in the room instead.  I’m happy about that. But who knows?  Maybe in the next six months I think there’s gonna be a lot of changes, they going to get much more into activities.  They love their swimming and so forth.  I’m happy to seeing them, you know, enjoying the sports.

Q.  If they want to become tennis players, are you gonna say yes to that?

ROGER FEDERER:  I won’t say no.  We’ll see how it’s gonna go.  I have no idea.  At the moment, they’re not gonna be, but who knows?

Date: 05.09.2011

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Federer survives Cilic challenge; Qualifies for ATP World Tour Finals

Five-time champion Roger Federer defeated No. 27 seed Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday for a fourth round berth at the US Open.

The Swiss superstar's victory ensured he became the fourth player to qualify for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at London in November. The 30-year-old Swiss native will be making his 10th straight appearance in the season finale, where he is a five-time champion. He won successive titles in 2003-04 when the tournament was held in Houston and in 2006-07 in Shanghai. He is the third player to qualify for the season finale for 10 or more consecutive years, joining Ivan Lendl (12) and Pete Sampras (11).

"It feels great to qualify once again," said Federer, who has a 34-7 career record in the season-ending championship. "I had a great week at The O2 last year so I look forward to defending my title. The atmosphere there is incredible."

Federer improved to a 59-6 match record at Flushing Meadows with victory in two hours and 40 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 30 year old hit 31 winners and six aces, winning 23 of his 32 approaches to the net.

"I'm on track because I'm in the tournament," said Federer. "That's the most important at the end of the day. I seriously don't care how I'm playing. I wish I play my best every single time and feel amazing.  That's not reality. That's what the beauty is of this game, trying to find a way to win when you're not feeling great. That's what I was able to do today. As long as I'm in the tournament I know I have a shot, and that's what it's about right now."

Cilic, currently No. 28 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings, turned the match around by converting his second of two break point opportunities in the 10th game of the second set.
The 22 year old double faulted at 4-4 in the third set to hand Federer an opportunity to serve out the set.

World No. 3 Federer then opened up a 3-1 lead with an unreturned serve in the fourth set. The pair traded game points on Cilic's serve at 2-4, before the Croatian missed a forehand to be broken again. Minutes later, Federer improved to a 45-11 match record on the season.

"I thought it was a tough match," reflected Federer. "Coming in I knew it was going to be tricky, and I'm happy that I was able to counter his pace and his good play. It was a tricky match, especially at one-set all. In the third set in the beginning I thought that was a key moment because he had momentum on his side. I was not returning and serving exactly the way I wanted, but I was able to turn it around and finished strong in the set. Then in the fourth things were a bit easier."

The third seed will next play Argentinean Juan Monaco in the fourth round. Federer is looking to equal Andre Agassi's Open Era record of 46 career hard-court titles.

Date: 04.09.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer races into third round

Five-time champion Roger Federer needed just one hour and 17 minutes to record a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Israeli Dudi Sela on Thursday at Flushing Meadows. Federer hit 31 winners and broke Sela five times from 11 opportunities.

It was Federer's 225th match win in Grand Slam action, moving him ahead of Andre Agassi into second place for most Grand Slam wins in Open Era history. He now trails only Jimmy Connors with 233 match wins.

The 30-year-old Swiss is attempting to match two other Agassi feats this fortnight. He is looking to become the first player aged 30 or over to win a Grand Slam tournament since the American won the 2003 Australian Open, as well as tie Agassi's record mark of 46 hard-court titles.

Despite being tested by a difficult wind, Federer said that he never felt threatened by Sela. "Not much trouble on my serve, and from the baseline I also thought I had the upper hand," Federer said. "When it's like that, obviously it's tough for the opponent, but I just think I was superior today. It was a good match for me in breezy conditions.

"I did struggle a little bit with the rhythm just because it was quite breezy. On the one end, on the right hand side of the umpire's chair, you had sort of an uphill match, with strong winds against you. From the other side you barely touched the ball and it would fly on you. That's why you would make sometimes big errors of 10 feet and so forth."

Federer takes a 2-0 career lead into his next match with Croatian No. 27 seed Marin Cilic, who enjoyed a commanding 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 victory over upcoming Australian Bernard Tomic. The 22-year-old Cilic, who reached the US Open quarter-finals in 2009 (l. to del Potro), hit 34 winners to just nine from Tomic and benefitted from 34 unforced errors off his 18-year-old opponent, who made his breakthrough with a quarter-final run at Wimbledon.

Date: 02.09.2011, Source: ATP

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