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Federer wins 10th Basel title

Roger Federer won his 10th Swiss Indoors Basel title, defeating Alex De Minaur 6-2, 6-2 to secure what the Swiss legend described as "an unbelievable" success at the home-town tournament.

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Federer to play 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Roger Federer will go for gold in 2020. The Swiss star confirmed that he will compete for Switzerland at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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Federer wins 10th Halle title

Roger Federer made history in Halle, defeating David Goffin 7-6 (2), 6-1 to win a record 10th Noventi Open title. It is the first time that Federer has earned 10 crowns at one tournament.

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Federer wins fourth Miami Open title

Roger Federer produced a championship masterclass under the Florida sun, dominating reigning champ John Isner 6-1, 6-4 to win his fourth Miami title.

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Federer makes history in Dubai, wins 100th title

Roger Federer made history at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, defeating reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 to win his 100th tour-level title.

Fans break down in tears when meeting Federer

In an interview with Tages Anzeiger, Roger Federer discusses how overwhelmed certain Brazilian fans have been when meeting him on his exhibition tour of the country.

“I met more fans that collapsed in tears than elsewhere,” he said. “It was amazing how many were shaking, had great joy and began to cry, so I take to practically take them in [my arms] and had to say: ‘It’s okay, it’s okay.’ I’m sure they are glad to see me, it’s probably a certain euphoria…I have to constantly remind myself again about where I come from, and tell myself who I am. I also like the normal life still - back to reality, family, friends, just quiet, please. And then, sure, sometimes I dip into the other incredible life I have.”

Federer did not put Davis Cup or his hometown tournament in Basel on his 2013 schedule, which has caused a stir in certain circles of Switzerland.

“I’m not be afraid to make unpopular decisions,” he said. “I plan long term and hope to play Davis Cup maybe in two, three, four years. But no one thinks, because everyone is so overtaken by the moment. And they do not understand what I’ve been through everything. In some countries Davis Cup is not important and for others it’s very important. Such decisions I don’t make from my gut, but weigh them over months. Now I came to the conclusion that for me it was probably the only right decision is not playing against the Czech Republic in early February. I could have played Davis Cup but then I would only have scheduled four or five Masters 1000 tournaments instead of eight or nine.”

Federer’s biographer, Rene Stauffer, conducted the interview, and believes that the 17-time Grand Slam champion will eventually work something out with the Basel tournament and play it in 2013. Federer says there have been communications issues with the tournament, and the decision does not rest on how much of an appearance fee he will be paid.

I’m aware that from both sides the good will is there and that it will also come out well in the end,” said Federer. “Ultimately, however, it was presented as if I do not know everything and my home tournament was no longer important. That is absolutely not true.”

Federer, who is said to earn over $50 million a year off court and is estimated to being paid around $12 million for his tour of Brazil, believes he is not being overexposed. He recently signed a new contract with Moët & Chandon.

“It is important that I’m not omnipresent, especially in Switzerland,” Federer said. “I don’t want to have Federer-overkill and therefore I say: less is more.”

Date: 27th December 2012, Source: Tennis.com

Swiss Athlete of the Year 2012

Roger Federer has been elected Swiss Athlete of the Year 2012 at the Credit Suisse Sports Awards gala. It is already the fifth award for Roger after having won it in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

"There is nothing more wonderful than receiving standing ovations in Switzerland. I do hope I can continue to spark emotions," Roger said to a thrilled audience.

"I have to practice immediately now and that’s why I have to go right now again. I want to practice very hard over Christmas and New Year and then I’m going to Australia really soon. This year was full of emotions, especially with the Olympics. I was able to show that it isn’t over yet and that I can still play good tennis. Many Swiss people were very happy for me that it went so well during the summer with Olympic silver, Wimbledon and the World No.1. I really appreciate this a lot and am grateful for it."

It was the first time since 2005 that he was able to personally attend the gala as Switzerland was an ideal stop-over between the Gillette Federer Tour through South America and his next stop Dubai.

Photo Gallery: Swiss Athlete of the Year 2012

Link: http://www.sports-awards.ch/

Date: 17th December 2012, Source: RF Official

Roger wins last match on the Gillette Federer Tour

Roger's last match on the Gillette Federer Tour was packed with great tennis and laughs as he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 in Bogotá. Both players proved great acting talent, making the crowd roar and cheer along.

Roger played a total of six matches on the Gillette Federer Tour, stopping in São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Bogotá. Our champ booked four victories and was defeated twice.

Now Roger can enjoy a short break before getting back into action Down Under as the Australian Open starts on January 14 and opens his 2013 season.





Full match:



Date: 16th December 2012, Source: RF Official

Federer: "The reception was amazing in South America"

Roger Federer, after his arrival in Bogota, said he did not understand why he is so well received in South America. "It's amazing," he said Federer, who will close his tour this Saturday against Tsonga.

"The arrival in South America has been spectacular, amazing. Had already been like 15 years ago, but not the same. And really do not know why I'm so well received, perhaps because I am Swiss that is neutral," he said.

Roger Federer said in Bogota that he is happy with the generation that has had to play, because he has been a kind of transition between an Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras and that of a Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.

"Surely if I had not played with Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic would be playing with others like them. But really I've played in a transitional generation, because I got to play at the end of Sampras, and I'm still active" charismatic player said at a press conference in Bogota.

"Maybe it would have been good to play on Rod Laver era that was very nice. Nevertheless, I am happy to play in this generation of players super strong, because there are more physical, more vital and more professional, so I'm happy the generation I was born." he added.

Federer, who will play this Saturday an exhibition match against Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga in the Coliseum El Campin in Bogota, also said he does not understand why he is so well received where he goes, and especially in Latin America where he visited Argentina and Brazil in addition too.

"For example to get to countries that had not visited before and Colombia, I think that people know exactly who I am and what I do and it surprised me positively," he added.

Federer who is considered the best tennis player in history also referred to comments heard for several years on his retirement. "For now I have not planned to retire and look to silence this many people, but those rumors are from three years ago, and are the comments that you should not pay much attention. Equal happened to Nadal and he intended he is retiring soon, "he said.

The possibility of returning to the world number one is not concerned about the Swiss, but acknowledges that if he wins two Grand Slam and five major tournaments certainly do it. "For about eight years my goal is to win the big tournaments, two at least and five or six major tournaments, "he said.

At 31, Roger Federer is still playing because it continues to motivate him to travel around the world and will always be better. "It motivates me to travel the world, be here for example in Colombia, and also have the desire to remain just played as a child I dreamed," he said.

Date: 15th December 2012, Source: ESPN

Roger Federer nominated for Credit Suisse Sports Awards 2012

The Credit Suisse Sports Awards 2012 will take place in Zurich on this coming Sunday and will be broadcast on SF 1 from 20:05. Our champ has already been honoured as "Swiss Athlete of the Year" four times (2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007). He now has the chance to be awarded the title for the fifth time. If so, he would equal former ski racer Vreni Schneider's record.

The other nominees:
Fabian Cancellara (cycling)
Dario Cologna (skiing)
Didier Cuche (skiing)
Beat Feuz (skiing)
Steve Guerdat (show jumping)
Matthias Kyburz (orienteering)
Iouri Podladtchikov (snowboarding)
Nino Schurter (mountain biking)
Thabo Sefolosha (basketball)

Members of the public may telephonically participate in the voting during the evening of the event. The numbers will be displayed on screen during the live broadcast on SF 1 from 20:05.

Vote for Roger and help him clinch his fifth title!

Date: 14th December 2012, Source: RF Official

Gillette Federer Tour Argentina 2012 round-up

After finishing his Gillette Federer Tour exhibition matches in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the tennis legend Roger Federer traveled to Argentina for another couple of exhibition matches with Juan Martin Del Potro.

Here is the picture of Federer standing near Iguassu falls in the border of Brazil and Argentina:




Press Conference before exhibition matches:


"I am very happy to be here. Long ago I wanted to come" said Federer.

"There is no doubt that the fact of playing against Juan Martin has been one of the incentives for my trip. Long ago I had planned this trip, but South America is just around the corner. "

"Normally the Argentines have to travel to see me, but now I traveled to see them"

Replying to a question where he was equated with Messi and Maradona, he said he was glad to be in the lot with them. "I know that athletes are usually seen as superheroes, it's fun, but I'm a normal person, I'm A terrestrial being"

Roger Federer: "Messi and I showed that despite being good guys we can be successful. And, along the way, we can enjoy life more."

He then said that Del Potro could be No. 1 and went on to give him some advice , "I was four, seven, still there is simpler to become number one. We must take into account details, make sacrifices every day of the year and deliver the best. It is a work of 365 days, with practice, rest, adaptation and travel. Trying to be in good mental and physical shape,doing the right things. Juan Martin has a very good team and it can work harder now, is a true professional."

"I consider Roger as my friend." said Del Potro.

Del Potro: "I would like to have Roger as coach." Federer smiling: "I’m a good player but a bad coach."

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner met Roger Federer:


President of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner met Roger Federer before she leaving for Garín, where she inaugurated a Sinergium Biotech laboratory.

He gifted one of his tennis racket and shirt to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

"I met Roger Federer, the cute boy, but he's now 31 & married with two twins, I say that to the girls". said Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.



1st exhibition match: Roger Federer suffered a 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 defeat against Del Potro.

Playing football in Boca Juniors La Bombonera Stadium: "It's a football temple as San Siro in Milan."



2nd exhibition match:


Roger made up for previous defeat against Juan Martin Del Potro, beating the Argentinian 6-4, 7-6 (1) in their second match of the Gillette Federer Tour in Argentina.

Roger will now head to Bogotá, Colombia's capital, where he will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last match of the Gillette Federer Tour through South America.

Date: 14th December 2012

Victory against Haas and now on to Argentina

Roger Federer ended the Gillette Federer Tour in Brazil with a victory in straight sets. He defeated Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-4 in a highly entertaining match between the two friends.

After having played Bellucci, Tsonga and Haas in Brazil Roger's tour of South America will now take him to Argentina. He will play Juan Martin Del Potro in Buenos Aires on December 12 and 13 at 8:30pm (local time) - watch the matches LIVE on YouTube!

Full match of Roger Federer vs Tommy Haas in Gillette Federer Tour, Sao Paulo, Brazil:



Federer and Haas playing football during the exhibition match:


Date: 10th December 2012, Source: RF Official

Roger Federer meets Pelé in Brazil


On earlier before the second Gillette Federer Tour exhibition match Roger Federer met the legendary footballer  Pele.

Roger Federer: Had the incredible honor today to meet the great legend Pele. He was so nice and his energy is amazing!!!!


Pele: I love to play tennis, and today, one of the greatest in the sport stopped by to say hello. Roger Federer, you are a true champion on and off the court.

Pele presented his Brazilian National Football Team shirt that he weared in the 1958 FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Sweden that took place in Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden on 28 June 1958. Brazil won the World Cup by defeating Sweden as 5-2, and thus won the trophy for the first time. Pele scored twice in that match.





Roger Federer booked his first victory on the Gillette Federer Tour in Brazil today. He defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6, 6-3 in a spectacular match full of fun such as a little dance with the mascots.

Roger will play Tommy Haas in São Paulo on 9th December 2012 at 6:00 pm (watch live on YouTube) before moving on to Argentina.

Full match of Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga:



Date: 9th December 2012

Federer hopes to play 2016 Games in Rio

Roger Federer says he won't play as often in the next few years but wants to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The 31-year-old Swiss star intends to be more mindful about the tournaments he plays to make sure he can keep playing at a high level.

''I have to make sure that I take care of my schedule, of my body, of my mind,'' he said Thursday. ''Hopefully, I can still stay on tour for many more years and hopefully play the Olympics here in three and a half years or so, so I have to look far ahead and not just the next six months.''

The winner of 17 Grand Slams is in Sao Paulo for exhibition matches involving Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tommy Robredo, Tommy Haas and Thomaz Bellucci. The Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, are also participating.

Federer has competed in four Olympics, winning a doubles gold in 2008 and a singles silver this year. He would love to make it to the Rio Games.

''There is a lot of passion for sports here,'' he said. ''It's a hot place to play tennis right now.''
Federer, who ended the season ranked No. 2, said this year was difficult because of additional commitments that kept him from practice and his family.

''I've played a lot of tennis. It's been a big challenge, especially with the Olympics and the Davis Cup this year,'' he said. ''I found my way back to world No. 1 and it took a lot of sacrifices. I'd like to be home a little bit more often and in a relaxed fashion.''

Still, he said it was a rewarding season.

''I'm very happy that I'm still playing at a very high level,'' said Federer, who won six titles this year, including Wimbledon. ''I had one of my best years on tour this year, and one of the most emotional ones, of course. Next year tournament victories will probably be more important than the rankings, that's why I need to make sure I practice a lot next year.''

Federer played 19 tournaments in 2012, two more than top-ranked Novak Djokovic. No. 3 Andy Murray also played 19 and Rafael Nadal, nursing a knee injury, played only 11.

''I'm not going to play 25 tournaments, but every tournament that I will be playing I'll be emotionally attached to it because I either won there before or because I've been there many times or because I love the city or the country and the fans,'' he said. ''Today I've reached a point in my life that I can pick and choose where I want to play and how much I want to play.''

One of the tournaments he left off his 2013 schedule was Miami, the Masters event in March he has played since 1999 and won twice.

''Miami was a tough decision for me,'' he said. ''But I have to take some time off, first of all, but most importantly, I need to practice. This year I couldn't practice at all. Something had to go in the calendar and that was Miami, unfortunately.''

Federer said he thinks he will need two Grand Slams and five to eight titles in other tournaments to get back to No. 1.

''It's difficult,'' he said. ''But I'm happy to set that challenge and I'll give everything I have.''

Date: 7th December 2012, Source: AP

Federer lost the 1st exhibition match in Sao Paulo

Roger Federer lost to Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci for the first time in his career on Thursday, falling 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in an entertaining exhibition match.

World No. 33 Bellucci delighted his home fans, who provided a carnival atmosphere by chanting and singing throughout the duel.

After taking a tense first set by holding serve in the 12th game, Bellucci conceded the second set and went a break down early in the third.

But he responded by breaking back before holding serve in the 10th game to spoil Federer's hopes of winning his first match in Brazil.

"It's always great to play in front of a full house," Bellucci said after the match. "It's a special feeling to play this guy here. He is the best of all time and it was a pleasure to share the court with him."

Federer thanked fans for their support and praised the treatment he had received since arriving in Brazil.

"I am very happy to be here. It took me a while to finally come to Brazil," Federer said. "Everybody has been really good to me and I thank you all enough for showing your support."

Roger Federer vs Thomaz Bellucci full match from Roger Federer's YouTube Channel:



Roger will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on tomorrow (not before 9:30 local time), don't forget that this match - like all the others of the tour - will be broadcast live on his YouTube www.youtube.com/RogerFederer

Date: 7th December 2012

Gillette Federer Tour on live stream

In a move to provide greater access for all you fans, we have launched a new YouTube Channel in partnership with YouTube that will kick off by broadcasting live all matches in the upcoming Gillette Federer South American Tour.

Starting on December 6, fans around the world will be able to watch all 6 matches in the Gillette Federer Tour as they occur when Roger visits South America for the first time as a professional. The matches will be streamed live on https://www.youtube.com/user/RFtennischannel/

The match schedule is as follows:

Sao Paulo December 6 @ Not Before 9:30pm vs Thomaz Bellucci
Sao Paulo December 8 @ Not Before 9:30pm vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Sao Paulo December 9 @ 6:00pm vs Tommy Haas

Buenos Aires December 12 @ 8:30pm vs Juan Martin Del Potro
Buenos Aires December 13 @ 8:30pm vs Juan Martin Del Potro
Bogota December 15 @ 6:00pm vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Roger said: "I am very excited to launch my new YouTube Channel and be able to deliver to my loyal fans exciting programming that they might not otherwise have an opportunity to see. It is wonderful that we can start this initiative with these great exhibitions and I hope to be able to deliver additional events, programs and original content on my channel in the future. These are exciting times in the social media and digital world and I want to be able to provide my fans with more cool content they can find in one convenient place."

Date: 6th December 2012, Source: RF Official

Roger Federer Foundation to fight against poverty

Last year, in a study by the US-based Reputation Institute, Roger Federer was named second on a list of the world's most respected people. Behind him were Bill Gates (third) and Ban Ki-moon (11th), ahead of him only Nelson Mandela. It's fair to say the Swiss tennis star has a reputation to maintain.

With that in mind, there's a lot riding on the Roger Federer Foundation (RFF). The organisation, which partners local NGOs to support education projects for children living in poverty, was founded in 2003 – the year of Federer's first Wimbledon victory – because his parents felt it was important to give back.

Many find it unthinkable that a high-profile sportsman like Federer would pursue such a project for reasons other than PR, or to maximise sponsorship returns. Yet, as the world's sixth most marketable athlete – and fifth highest paid – the Swiss seems beyond such concerns. If anything, says the foundation's CEO, Janine Händel, Federer's altruism potentially jeopardises the very thing that puts him in a position to make a difference in the first place – his standing.

"If you do charity and you're a prominent person, it's very important you do it right," she argues. "It's a reputational risk you are taking."

Händel is in London for a panel debate about whether tennis and its richly remunerated practitioners do enough to help society. While her fellow participants – former tennis players Pat Cash, Justin Gimelstob and Ion Tiriac – chew the fundraising cud, she insists what the world needs is not more money but better invested money.

"Philanthropy is not just about money, it's about quality, how you invest in social issues, the impact you have in the field," she says. "My ambition is not to take $1 and have $1 impact. If I worked like that, I would do a bad job. My ambition is to take $1, invest it in the field, and have a $10 impact."

For 54,000 children in Malawi who will benefit from an early education initiative run by the RFF, that is good news. The project, which began in 2010 in partnership with Credit Suisse and is being implemented in conjunction with ActionAid Malawi, will run for a decade. Its aim is to harness the potential of 80 community-based childcare centres in six districts of Malawi, where almost a quarter of a million children aged six to 11 fail to enrol in school (and only about 40% of those who do complete their primary education).

Nationwide, 8,000 such centres were built in the 1990s. But education was not among the government's key development priorities for much of the following decade, and now less than 20% are functional. In keeping with the RFF's philosophy of helping communities to become self-sufficient, support is provided to locals, who carry out improvements themselves. In addition, about 800 volunteers are being trained as early childhood educators, with the emphasis on quality of learning.

One of the problems in Malawi is the quality of schooling is not developing at the same speed as access, says Händel. "There's a huge gap. That's why we focus on the quality of education." In practice, this means combining traditional academic skills with learning about social, environmental and healthcare issues.

Many people are sniffy about high-profile figures entering the humanitarian arena, but Händel is not among them. "If the money comes from sports, or from an actress, I couldn't care less," she says. "You just have to understand your role. Roger decides whether to invest in health, education or something else … but what exactly you do in education is a technical, professional decision that I can advise him on."

Händel points out that Federer understands the realities facing poor countries. "Poverty for him is something he faced as a child, because he spent his holidays with his mother's family in South Africa," she says.

Personal experience tends to shape the philanthropic activities of tennis players – think Nevada-born Andre Agassi's education foundation in Las Vegas, or the Guga Kuerten Institute, which works with disadvantaged children in the former world No 1's native Brazil – but a packed year-round schedule leaves few opportunities to visit developing countries.

It doesn't help that so few tournaments are staged in poor countries. Change, though, is problematic. "It comes down to what's viable commercially, what fits in the calendar, and what the appetite for tennis is in a given region," says Gimelstob, a player representative on the ATP World Tour directors' board, who described a summer visit to the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto as "heartbreaking and inspiring". "How do you tie the facility in Soweto to the opulence of the US Open? How do you manage those opposite forces?"

In the absence of easy answers, the ATP is focusing on supporting the efforts of individual players, which only adds to the importance of organisations like the RFF. In addition to the flagship Malawi project, the foundation works in Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Switzerland. The plan is for Federer to become more hands-on following retirement.

"The foundation has a long-term vision and there will be a time when Roger will become much more involved," says Händel.

Date: 1st December 2012, Source: Guardian