Federer aims to finish year at World No. 1; Ready for Shanghai challenge

Roger Federer admitted at the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday that he hopes to finish the year at No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

“I hope I will finish World No. 1 at the end of the year,” said Federer, who is competing for the first time since the US Open. "For me it's about trying to play well here in Shanghai and go from there. If everything would have been totally focused on World No. 1, I would have gone to Tokyo or Beijing, most likely, and all those things."

"I've already reached my goal by getting back to World No. 1 in the summer. That was for me the goal, getting back there and winning a Grand Slam, particularly Wimbledon, plus the Olympic medal is a big thing for me as well."

"I feel very much at peace and I'm happy. I always have to look 12 months ahead, as well, making sure I stay injury free, that I stay hungry for more. This is where if it works out, great, and if it doesn't, someone else plays better. I am here, so I'll give it the best shot I can and we'll see how it goes.”

Federer also believes US Open champion Andy Murray – who is also bidding to capture a third straight Shanghai title this week – has a shot at becoming World No. 1 over the next 12 months.

“He's saying the right things,” said Federer. “He has results that back up his chances to become World No. 1, maybe even at the end of the year, maybe at the beginning of the next year. If not then, he's got a shot till next year's Wimbledon almost if he were to win there. His next nine months are going to be extremely interesting to follow.”

“I think he's done so well, I said it right off the bat, his reaction was amazing right after not winning Wimbledon against me, then coming back and winning the Olympics, still battling it out through Toronto and Cincinnati, then bringing the victory home, his first Grand Slam, at the US Open. I’m very impressed, it was great to see. I hope for him he can achieve it eventually.”

This week, Federer is hoping to win a record 22nd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown. The 2010 Shanghai runner-up is set to play Chinese wild card Ze Zhang or a qualifier in the second round.

“I love playing here in China,” he said. “I've had some amazing weeks here in my life. I do appreciate all the support I get here. I didn't want to miss it.  I really tried to keep my schedule as flexible as I could so I could come to Shanghai. I'm very relieved and happy now that I'm here. I want to play well and go deep into the tournament. The focus is clearly on the first round, making sure I find my way into the tournament first.”

Date: 7th October 2012, Source: ATP

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Federer, Hewitt visit The Bund in Shanghai after draw ceremony

World No. 1 Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt both took part in the Shanghai Rolex Masters draw ceremony on Saturday morning.

Afterwards, Federer was taken to the Rolex Boutique on The Bund, while Hewitt walked along the waterfront area in the centre of the city, lining the Huangpu River.

“I am very happy to be back in Shanghai,” said Federer, who walked around the Rolex Experience exhibition, which features some of his Wimbledon memorabilia.

“I have a lot of fans here. I have not been here for two years because so many things in my life have changed, like having a family. I decided five days ago that I was ready to play here and I discussed it with my wife Mirka, because it’s important to have a happy wife. I am very happy to be back here, where I have had a lot of success in the past.”

Both Federer and Hewitt have had success in Shanghai, winning the Tennis Masters Cup, the former name of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, which was held in the city in 2002, 2005-’08.

Federer won two Tennis Masters Cup titles at Shanghai Qi Zhong Stadium in 2006 (d. Blake) and 2007 (d. Ferrer). He was also runner-up in 2005 (d. Nalbandian).

Ten years ago, former World No. 1 Hewitt won Tennis Masters Cup title in Shanghai, having beaten Federer in the semi-finals.

• Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012 photo gallery

Date: 6th October 2012, Source: ATP

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Roger Federer targeted by Chinese death threat

Shanghai Masters organisers have tightened security around Roger Federer after the top-ranked men's tennis player was targeted by an online death threat, a report said on Thursday.

Extra precautions for Federer, who has arrived in Shanghai with his family, were taken after an unknown blogger said he planned to "assassinate" the player, in a bizarre posting on a popular Chinese website.

"On October 6, I plan to assassinate Federer for the purpose of tennis extermination," read the message, posted under the name 'Blue Cat Polytheistic Religion Founder 07' on baidu.com.

The user also posted a doctored image showing a decapitated Federer on his knees on a tennis court, with a masked executioner dressed in black and holding an axe posing next to him.

Police and other government agencies have been contacted to increase security around Federer, an official with the tournament's organising committee told the Shanghai Youth Daily.

"We hope that it was an oral threat only, and the fan won't take substantive action. However, we have to take it seriously," Yang Yibin was quoted as saying.

"We have contacted the local police and we will upgrade the level of security for Roger. Meanwhile, we will also protect other players' security."

Yang gave few details of the extra security, but he said Federer's arrival time was not disclosed to media and that he and his family were ushered through a VIP channel and driven straight to their hotel after flying in to Shanghai.

Attacks on tennis players are rare, but in 1993 Monica Seles was stabbed by a deranged fan during a match in Hamburg.

In the 2009 French Open final, a fan invaded the court and tried to put a beret on Federer, before being tackled by security officials.

Date: 4th October 2012, Source: AFP

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Federer confirmed Shanghai Masters participation

World No. 1 Roger Federer has confirmed his participation in 2012 Shanghai Rolex Masters in China. He posted a confirmation message on his Facebook page that he will play in Shanghai Rolex Masters on next week from 7th October to 14th October 2012 in Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, China.

"Looking forward to going back to China and playing in the Shanghai Rolex Masters. I have always enjoyed China and I can't wait to see my great chinese fans again. See you soon!" Federer said on Facebook.

“It will be fantastic to return to Shanghai and the Shanghai Rolex Masters,” Federer said. “I love the city and especially the fans. I've enjoyed great success at the tournament, dating back to the Tennis Masters Cups. I hope all the fans will come out to enjoy the matches.”

“Shanghai is one of my favorite cities in Asia, and I look forward to getting back to the Shanghai Rolex Masters. I love the passionate fans, and the facilities and tournament are amazing.”

The draw for 2012 Shanghai Rolex Masters will be released on 6th October. Federer will receive a first round bye.

Date: 2nd October 2012

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Roger Federer's Nike Outfit for 2012 Shanghai Masters, Basel and Paris Masters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roger Federer will use this indoor hard court outfit for 2012 Shanghai Rolex Masters, Swiss Indoors Basel and Paris Masters. For ATP World Tour Finals at London O2 Arena he will be wearing the purple coloured same outfit.

Date: 30th September

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Gillette Federer Tour pre-event shoot

Roger Federer is pulling out all the stops in support of his scheduled exhibition in Brazil. ”The Gillette Federer Tour”, which will be played in Colombia and Brazil, will be in São Paulo on 2012 December 6th - 8th. Joined in Brazil by Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Thomaz Bellucci, Bruno Soares, Marcelo Melo, Mike and Bob Bryan, the series of exhibition events will mark the first time Federer has played in South America.

So what better way to prime the pump for crowd support than to don the Brazilian national team uniform and give the locals a glimpse at how natural an athlete Roger would have been regardless of what spot he played.

 

Date: 28th September 2012

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Federer to begin training ahead of Shanghai Masters

17-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer is going to begin training on hard courts, before heading into the 2012 Shanghia Masters next month at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai.

World No. 1 Roger Federer will return back to the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, where he has withdraws from the last year’s tournament with injury. Swiss Maestro said he is very excite to be back to Shanghai and hopes to give best performance to lift the title, before heading into the Paris Masters.

Federer, who has missed the Shanghai Masters in 2009 and 2011 season with knee injuries and coming back to Shanghai along with his wife Mirka Vavrinec twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva soon.

"I enjoy each time I play in Shanghai, a city I like very much. I am very glad to meet my passionate fans again this year," he said in the press conference on Monday.

The Shanghai Masters will run from October 7th to October 14th at the Shanghai Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Minhang District. A draw to decide the tournament's schedule will be held on October 6th.

Date: 25th September 2012, Source: Live Tennis Guide and Sina

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Roger Federer completes 15 years in ATP Rankings

Roger Federer completes 15 years in ATP World Tour Rankings as of today (22nd September 1997 to 24th September 2012). Federer got his very first ranking points on 22nd September 1997 and ranked at  803 when he was a 16 year old boy.

He played football until the age of twelve when he decided to focus solely on tennis. At fourteen, he became the national champion of all groups in Switzerland and was chosen to train at the Swiss National Tennis Center in Ecublens. He joined the ITF junior tennis circuit in July 1996. In 1998, his final year as a junior, Federer won the junior Wimbledon title and was recognized as the ITF World Junior Tennis champion of the year. As well as winning the under 18's category at the prestigious Orange Bowl.

Some of memorable moments:

• In July 1998, Federer joined the ATP tour at Gstaad.
• In April 1999, he debuted for the Swiss Davis Cup team against Italy and finished the year ranked World No. 66. During that time, he was the youngest player in the top 100.
• Reached semi-finals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
• First ATP tournament victory came in February 2001 where he defeated French player Julien Boutter in the final of the Milan Indoor.
• Reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, as the No. 15th seed, defeating four-time defending champion and seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras 7–6(7), 5–7, 6–4, 6–7(2), 7–5 in the fourth round in an epic five-set match. This defeat ended Sampras' 31-match winning streak in the tournament.
• Won the first ATP Masters 1000 in Hamburg 2002.
• In 2002 he qualified for the first time in the year-ending ATP World Tour Finals.
• Won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon 2003.
• Won his first  ATP World Tour Finals in 2003.
• Won his first Australian Open in 2004.
• Became World No. 1 on 2nd February 2004.
• Won his first US Open, defeating Lleyton Hewitt 6–0, 7–6(3), 6–0 in the 2004 final.
• Won 12 titles in 2006, which included 3 Grand Slam titles and 4 ATP Masters titles with 92 - 5 match wins/loss.
• 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles (2003 to 2007).
• 5 consecutive US Open (2004 - 2008).
• Won Olympic Gold Medal in doubles in Beijing 2008.
• Won his first French Open in 2009 (Equals Pete Sampras' 14 Grand Slams).
• Won his fisrt Grand Slam as a father in 2010 Australian Open.
• 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinal (2010 Australian Open).
• Won his 5th title at Basel, Switzerland in 2011.
• Won a record 6th ATP World Tour Finals title in 2011.
• Won a record 7th Wimbledon title with 17 Grand Slams in total.
• Won Olympic Silver Medal in Singles in London 2012.
• 76 Career Singles titles.

Holding the number 1 position for 297 weeks overall (as of today) ; 237-consecutive-week stretch at the top from 2004 to 2008; winning 17 Grand Slam singles titles; reaching the finals of each Grand Slam tournament at least five times (an all-time record); and reaching the Wimbledon final eight times. He is one of seven men, and one of four in the Open Era, to capture the career Grand Slam, and one of three (with Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal) to do so separately on clay, grass, and hard courts. Federer also shares the Open Era record for most Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open with Agassi (4 titles), at Wimbledon with Pete Sampras (7 titles) and at the US Open with Jimmy Connors and Sampras (5 titles). Federer's ATP tournament records include winning six ATP World Tour Finals, winning 21 ATP Masters 1000 titles (a record shared with Rafael Nadal), playing in the finals at all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, and, matching Agassi, winning seven.

Federer has won the ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favorite Award a record nine times straight (2003–2011) and the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (voted for by the players) a record seven times (2004–2009, 2011). In 2011, in a South African poll, he was voted the second most trusted and respected person in the world, next to Nelson Mandela. He was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record four consecutive years (2005–2008).

Several sports analysts, tennis critics and former and current players consider him to be the greatest tennis player of all time.

Date: 24th September 2012

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Roger Federer wants rest after exhausting season

Fresh from powering Switzerland back to World Group Play, World’s no.1 Roger Federer is yearning for an extended rest to better prepare him for the season-ending grind in November.

Federer, who booked a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Robin Hasse to give Switzerland the victory against the Netherlands in their Davis Cup World Group playoff Sunday, admitted he is tired and needs some rest after exhausting but productive 2012 tennis season.

“I’m wounded. I’m tired. I’m exhausted, so I need some time off right now and then see where I go from here,” Federer told reporters following his Davis Cup victory.

“Nothing’s been decided yet for the rest of the year even though there’s a plan in place. That plan might change I just have to now go back to the drawing board and decide what’s important, what’s most important and what’s really important so we’ll see what happens,” the Swiss Maestro added.

Asked about his participation in the Davis Cup, Federer said he’s glad to join the Swiss team and help them back in the world group.

“For me it’s more about taking part with my team-mates, I enjoy being with them, and that’s about it really. I have a good time and my team-mates are all my best friends – I don’t see them regular basis on tour and we have a great friendship and it’s always a lot of fun.”

Federer is currently leading Serbia’s Novak Djokovic by 1335 points in the ATP world ranking. Federer has to defend 3000 points in Basel, Paris Masters and ATP World Tour Finals. He did not played in last year's Shanghai Rolex Masters, so he can grab some points from Shanghai before he head to Basel.

Nevertheless, Federer has come up with a stellar year at the age of 31, winning the Wimbledon, Indian Wells Masters, Cincinnati Masters, Madrid Masters, a silver medal in the London Olympics, Rotterdam and Dubai Championships.

Date: 18th September 2012, Source: Student News ie

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Federer retains Switzerland's World Group status

Roger Federer beat Robin Haase emphatically as 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 to put Switzerland 3-1 up against Netherlands and secure his country’s place in next year’s World Group of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas.

Federer has a 32-7 mark in singles rubbers since his debut in 1999.

Any Dutch hopes that Haase might be able to build on Saturday’s impressive doubles victory over Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka appeared to be dashed from the get go. Federer broke the Haase serve at the first opportunity and went up 3-0 in a matter of minutes. A completely one-sided affair it was not; Haase had a break point in the third game and three consecutive break points at 4-1, only to see Federer blasting five big first serves to go 5-1 up, then taking the set as 6-1.

“The first set actually on the score looks the easiest but could have been one of the tougher ones”, Federer said. “The result doesn’t always show how tough it was. But I was in control most of the time.”

The third game of the second set saw Federer breaking Haase’s serve. The Dutchman got two chances to break back immediately, but again Federer's serve got him out of jail. And that seemed to be that. From that point, the home crowd seemed content enjoying the silky skills of the world No. 1, with a brilliant half volley crosscourt dink to go up 4-2 standing out in particular – cue several oohs and aahs. Federer held onto the break to take the second set as 6-4.

A slight lapse of concentration gifted Haase a breakpoint early in the third - but once again, Federer came to his own rescue with a monster second serve that drew a Haase error. Federer then broke Haase's serve in the fifth game and cruised to a comfortable victory.

Haase said he hadn’t played his best tennis, which was necessary if he was to have any chance at all in his first match against Federer.

So what was it like playing him? “Incredibly difficult. It’s the spin and speed he puts on the ball that stand out. I can hit a ball ten centimetres from his baseline and he gets it back deep into my court, with no trouble at all. When he hits the ball ten centimetres from my baseline, it’s a totally different shot and I’m barely able to keep the ball in play."

“It’s a joy to watch, really. Unless it’s you on the court.” said Haase.



The Securitas Swiss Davis Cup Team meets the Swiss Supporters after their victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka and Severin Luthi express their thanks to the fans, the whole team sings the Fan song and signs autographs.

Date: 16th September 2012, Source: Davis Cup

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