Federer was selected by his peers as the winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for a ninth time and by fans as the ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite for an 11th straight year.
On receiving the Sportsmanship award, Federer said, “It is very special as Stefan Edberg was my hero growing up, when all I wanted to do was play on the ATP World Tour. So to follow in his footsteps is wonderful and I hope I can be a role model for players growing up.
“It’s all a bit overwhelming to be honest,” admitted Federer, when he received the Fans' Favourite award. “I have been around a long time, so I guess that helps. I appreciate all the fans turning up to stadiums around the world. You (the fans) keep me working hard. I am forever grateful.”
In addition, the 32-year-old Swiss was named the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year for a second time (also 2006) in recognition of his foundation’s support of children in Africa and Switzerland. Since 2003, Federer has won a record total of 27 ATP World Tour Awards.
“It is something very personal on many levels,” said Federer. “I never thought that it would be possible as a young boy to establish a foundation. Arthur Ashe and Andre Agassi inspired me by their example.
“It is 10 years since we established the foundation. We hope to touch one million lives by 2018. It is an honour to receive this award for a second time.”
Andre Silva, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Tournament Director, presented Federer the three awards, which were crafted by Tipperary Crystal.
(voted by fans)
Roger Federer: The Swiss has been voted ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite presented by Moët & Chandon for a record 11th straight year, receiving 56 per cent of all votes cast. Rafael Nadal finished second, followed by Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro.
Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award
(voted by ATP players)
Roger Federer: Fellow players voted the Swiss as the winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for the ninth time and third year in a row. He also won the award six straight years from 2004-09. Juan Martin del Potro, David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal were also nominated in this category.
Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year
(awarded by ATP)
Roger Federer: The 32 year old becomes just the third person to be named the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year for a second time, joining Andre Agassi and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Federer, who previously received the award in 2006, supports children in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa and Ethiopia and his native Switzerland through the Roger Federer Foundation, established in 2003. This past February, Federer visited the Hlukani and Govhu crèches in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, which have been supported by Foundation partner READ Educational Trust since 2010.
Date: 6th November 2013, Source: ATP
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