Roger Federer is the absolute crowd puller at the 40th edition of the
ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Thedefending champion from Switzerland
arrived on Saturday in Ahoy Rotterdam and has a busy schedule. A brief
summary of the Monday of Roger Federer:
10.00: A quiet morning in his room in The Manhattan Hotel. It is calm
before the storm. A busy day awaits the number two of the world.
14:00: For some weeks now, an immense racket decorates the Hofplein in
the centre of Rotterdam. A photo opportunity of Roger Federer and
tournament director Richard Krajicek seems only logical. On location the
Swiss regularly blows in his hands to stay warm. When the photographers
are ready, he quickly gets back in the car; it's a cold Monday
afternoon in Rotterdam.
14.15: A short drive to the Boompjes. There are some banners on the
banks of the Maas river. On behalf of the municipality of Rotterdam
Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb and sports Alderman Antoinette Laan reward
Federer, as winner of last year’s edition, with a flag.
14.42: Arrival at the players entrance of Ahoy Rotterdam. Federer makes
a quick visit to his dressing room and comes out with his sport clothes
and bags. He takes them upstairs, because a press conference with the
international press is on the programme.
15.07: "Hello everybody.” Roger Federer greets his friends of the
press. He is, like always, friendly to the media: "I feel at home in
Rotterdam. This is one of the best indoor tournaments in the world with a
very strong field and always lots of spectators."
16.00: Court 1 is almost completely surrounded by fans. 1,600
spectators are waiting for Roger Federer, who is going to train with
David Goffin. The Belgian player is right on time and waits in the back
with his coach. They are not alone. There is a queue of hundreds of
people, who want to see the tennis legend.
16.33: Roger Federer enters Court 1. He is followed by camera crews and
photographers. Goffin and Federer are exchanging balls in a relaxed
manner. A record number of photos is taken. Nice memories for the fans.
17.47: The muscles are warm after a tough workout. On his way to the
players lounge Federer lets some fans take a picture with him. In the
lounge the Swiss meets Frenchman Benoit Paire. Federer congratulates him
with his place in the final in Montpellier. His tennis outfit goes into
the laundry basket and after a refreshing shower he pulls on some
classy clothes.
18.30: A short visit to the ABN AMRO lounge where he is invited as a guest of the sponsor.
18.40: His first autograph session during the tournament. On Tennis
Plaza hundreds of spectators are waiting for a signature of the best
player in history.
19.22: The official opening of the tournament on the centre court with
Esther Vergeer and Roger Federer. An impressive video with all of
Federer’s Grand Slam victories is displayed. Vergeer and Federer slam
some tennis balls into the audience. The Swiss remains modest: "I hope
to win some matches this week."
19.59: Roger Federer leaves the catacombs of Ahoy Rotterdam. "It was a
busy day, but that’s fine with me. Otherwise I might have done nothing.
I'm glad I could help promote the tournament. I’m very flexible, it's no
problem for me to do everything in one day.”
Date: 11th February 2013, Source: Rotterdam
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