Federer pulls out of ATP Finals with back injury

In a potential blow to Switzerland's Davis Cup ambitions, Roger Federer pulled out of the ATP World Your Finals less than one hour before his title match against Novak Djokovic on Sunday, handing a third straight title at the year-end event to the top-ranked Serb.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion said he hurt his back in the nearly three-hour semifinal win over Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka on Saturday night in which Federer saved four match points.

"Unfortunately, I'm not match fit to play the match tonight," said Federer on court. "Clearly I wish it wasn't so. I tried all year to be ready for the ATP World Tour Finals, and I didn't want it to end this way. I tried everything I could last night, also today - painkillers, treatment, rest, so forth, warm-up, until the very end - but I just can't compete at this level with Novak. It would be too risky at my age to do this right now and I hope you understand.

"I wanted to come out personally and excuse myself. It's been a great week for me. I played some great tennis and I love coming to The O2 and to London, and there's been so many great memories for me here. Congrats of course to Novak, who’s played an amazing season, and an amazing tournament here as well. I hope we can play some more great matches, hopefully next year.

"Thanks to all you guys for making it special to come out and play tennis all around the world. I know you guys travel, as well, and spend a lot of money on tickets and so forth. We really, really appreciate it - me in particular. It keeps me going, it makes me tick, especially at this age. Hopefully, I can come back next year and get another chance to compete for the title here. So thank you very much and I'll see you soon. I appreciate it."

It is only the third time in Federer’s career that he has been forced to withdraw, each time due to a back injury - also walkovers at 2008-Paris QFs vs. Blake and 2012 Doha SFs vs. Tsonga.

Fans appeared to be supportive with applause for Federer when he spoke.

The Swiss is set to play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup final against France, starting Friday. If he recovers in time, Federer will be chasing the only major trophy still eluding him. France hosts the match in the northern city of Lille and has opted for clay, a slow surface that could further thwart Federer's chances to perform well.

''I don't think he was calculating and trying to save his body for Davis Cup final,'' said Djokovic. ''This is probably the biggest match of the season next to the final of a Grand Slam. I spoke to him, it's a question mark for the Davis Cup final as well.

''You never like to win, especially these big matches against big rivals, with the retirement,'' said Djokovic.

"I feel sorry for Roger. I've been in tennis 10 years and I know Roger and Rafa have been the biggest competitors and always give their 100 percent. If Roger could have come out and played he would have played," said Djokovic when he was presented with the trophy.

"I wish him all the best for his recovery, he has an important week ahead of him with the Davis Cup final."

Following back problems that ruined his 2013 season, Federer enjoyed a superb resurgence this season, losing to Djokovic in an epic Wimbledon final and adding five new titles to his collection.

Federer, the most successful player at the ATP Finals with six wins, also made it to the semifinals at the Australian Open and the U.S. Open and won his 23rd Masters title in Shanghai last month. He remained on course for the year-end No. 1 spot until this week and had dropped just one set on the way to the final.

''I think you have some recurrent things coming back from time to time,'' the second-ranked Federer said. ''It's not that much of a surprise. I must say I've been feeling really good for over a year now, which has been not a surprise, but it's been very nice. So this back spasm, whatever it might be, it's just not a fun thing to have during the day. It's just uncomfortable. But I'm positive and I'm hopeful that it's going to go away very soon.''

To appease disappointed fans, home favorite Andy Murray, thrashed by Federer in the week, agreed to play Djokovic in a one-set exhibition match, before partnering John McEnroe in a doubles game against Tim Henman and Pat Cash.

Federer now faces a battle to be fit for the Davis Cup final against France which starts in Lille on Friday.

Along with the Olympic singles title, the Davis Cup is the major honor which still eludes the 17-times grand slam champion, with Switzerland's hopes resting on the shoulders of him and Wawrinka.

"The way I feel right now there's no way I can compete at any level really," Federer said. "Probably in a few days it's going to be better."

Date: 16th November 2014, Source: AP and Reuters

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Federer saves 4 M.P. to set up Djokovic final

Roger Federer won the match of the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals on Saturday night, saving four match points in a pulsating comeback victory, to keep alive his hopes of clinching the season finale title for a record seventh time.

Federer, who will play year-end ATP World Tour No. 1 and two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday's blockbuster final, came back from the brink of defeat to beat his Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka, the third seed, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(6) in two hours and 48 minutes at The O2 in London.

“I thought it was a very exciting match, to say the least,” said Federer, at his press conference close to 1 a.m. local time Sunday. “I think the crowd got really into it. “I really didn't think I was going to turn it around anymore because Stan looked very good for a long time, was able to win the second set somehow by hanging around. Then in the third, I think he played very well. Maybe a serve let him go a little bit when he needed it the most.

“I was frustrated being down in the third… I clearly got lucky tonight. There's no doubt about that. But you've got to keep believing that maybe there is a slight chance that you are going to be able to turn it around somehow. It happened today. I'm very pleased. It's very hard, obviously, against Stan.”

It marked the third time Federer had saved match points and won at the season finale. The Basel native saved three against Andy Roddick in 2006 and two in a win over Andre Agassi in 2003. He would go on to win the title both years. Federer hopes his latest escape act will be a good omen once again as he eyes a seventh crown at the year-end championships.

Heading into a record-equalling ninth season finale, World No. 2 Federer leads Djokovic 19-17 in their ATP Head to Head series. But Djokovic is unbeaten in his past 31 indoor matches.

Wawrinka appeared on course to cap a career-best season with a spot in his 17th tour-level final, but he could not convert four match point opportunities in the deciding set at 5-4, 40/30 and two at Ad In; then a fourth at 6/5 in the tie-break. Federer converted his first match point chance at 7/6 with a drop volley to improve to 15-2 lifetime against his Swiss friend.

Federer has won five titles in 10 finals this year.  The 33-year-old superstar is five victories shy of becoming just the third player (after Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl) in the Open Era to record 1,000 career match wins.

Wawrinka dominated the opening exchanges, breaking Federer's serve in the fifth and seventh games, and controlled baseline rallies. Although Federer got one break back, at 2-5, Wawrinka kept his nerve. He won all 10 of his first service points to clinch the 35-minute opener.

The pressure fell on Wawrinka in the second set, when he served second. Federer pressed hard, yet he could not convert three break point opportunities at 3-2. Wawrinka’s unforced error count soared to 28 in their 17th meeting. At 5-6, Wawrinka hit two groundstrokes and one smash into the net to drop his serve to love.

In the first game of the third set, Federer did not clearly register the score. When 0/40 was called, he questioned the chair umpire. He thought it was 15/30, thinking an earlier call had gone his way. Wawrinka capitalised to break and, despite saving two break points at 4-3, 30/40 and Ad out, looked set to cling on and maintain the advantage to record his 39th match win of the season. But Federer was not finished.

Wawrinka could not convert his first match point opportunity at 5-4, 40/30, when, out of position, he came into the net only to see Federer rifle a forehand winner down the line. Wawrinka then saved a break point, after a lengthy rally, with a backhand crosscourt winner. Controlling his nerves, he kept coming forward. But once again he could not convert his second match point chance, backhand volleying into the net. A third chance came and went, with Federer ruthlessly striking a short forehand winner. Ultimately, after 11 minutes of play, Federer got the break when Wawrinka hit a backhand into the net after a long rally.

Federer rallied from 15/40 at 5-5, but Wawrinka regained his composure. In the tie-break, a fourth match point went begging for Wawrinka at 6/5 when he mis-timed a backhand. Federer, under the guidance of former serve and volley master Stefan Edberg, kept the points short by attacking the net. Ultimately, the match clincher, for his 72nd victory of the season, came within feet of the net.

Wawrinka is now 8-3 this year against Top 10 opponents in the ATP Rankings. He ends the season with a 38-17 match record, highlighted by his first Grand Slam championship title at the Australian Open (d. Nadal) in January.

Wawrinka found himself on the losing end of the semi-finals for the second straight year, having fallen to Djokovic in 2013. The World No. 4 had nothing but praise for his compatriot following the match.

“It's always difficult for me not only because he's the best player ever,” said Wawrinka. “He knows how to play. He's playing really well at the end of the year. Because of his game, but also mentally, he's been there for so many years. I was happy the way I was trying to push him, trying to be real aggressive, not let him come to the net too much, trying to be the first there. But sometimes you lose a match like that,” said Wawrinka.

“For sure that game at the end I was nervous. It was not easy to play from the baseline. He was normally just pushing his slice backhand return. I was like, ‘Okay, I'm going to try to take it, try not to wait for a mistake, try to go for it."

“I think there were only few points that made the difference. I was playing great tennis. I was really happy with the way I was playing. But I had some big opportunities in the third set. I should have taken them, especially serving for the match with two match points.”

Next week, Federer and Wawrinka will join forces for Switzerland against France in the Davis Cup final in Lille.

Date: 16th November 2014, Source: ATP

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Federer happy Murray avoided 'double bagel'

Roger Federer was two points away from beating one of his fiercest rivals without dropping a solitary game but said he was happy not to beat Andy Murray 6-0, 6-0 on Thursday.

The Swiss great was leading 6-0, 5-0 and 30-0 on the hapless Murray's serve when he missed a routine volley and the Briton dug deep to register on the giant scoreboard at the O2 Arena.

Federer completed the demolition in the following game for a 6-0, 6-1 victory that sealed top spot in the group with the Swiss having already booked a spot in the last four of the ATP World Tour Finals for the 12th time in 13 appearances.

Anyone who witnessed the way he dismantled Murray, a player he shared an 11-11 career head-to-head with prior to Thursday's clash, would tip him to claim a seventh year-end title.

Federer said it was an almost perfect performance, but he was not too upset at losing the penultimate game.

"Yeah, not so cool because I wouldn't want to be in that position," the 17-times grand slam champion told reporters.

"I was happy to get it done. At the end I was happy I didn't win the second to last game to be quite honest.

"It's uncomfortable. I don't know. I don't like it."

Needing to beat Federer in straight sets to reach the last four, Murray knew he was out of the tournament after going down 6-0 in the opener in just 23 minutes.

"I don't think Andy played his very best," added Federer, who now leads their head-to-head 12-11. "It wasn't a finals. It was a round robin. I had already qualified after the first set. He was already out. The circumstances were not quite the same.

"Nevertheless, it's a big opportunity, huge arena, with a very even head‑to‑head. We've had tough matches in the past. It's a match you don't want to lose. That's why I kept pushing for it and tried to get to the finish line as quick as I could."

He added: "I definitely was able to play on my terms. For me, things went very well. I was able to put Andy under pressure very often, and I think the match couldn't have gone any better for me really."

Federer is the only player to win 6-0, 6-0 in the history of the tournament - in 2005 against Gaston Gaudio in Shanghai - and his emphatic victory on Thursday continued the run of one-sided group matches at this year's version in London.

UNFORGIVING SURFACE

World number one Novak Djokovic beat Marin Cilic 6-1, 6-1 and Stanislas Wawrinka battered Tomas Berdych by the same score.

Nine of the 10 round-robin matches have been won in straight sets and Federer reckons he knows why.

"I think the surface here doesn't forgive much," the 33-year-old said of the blue indoor court installed at the 17,000-capacity arena. "I think if there's a slight difference of the level from the baseline, it's hard to get out of it.

"We've seen it all week. If there's a bit too big of a gap between the two players, next thing you know, it's a blowout."

Federer, who will end the year ranked number two behind Serbia's Djokovic, hopes his current level can continue for another 10 days - long enough to win the title here and lead Switzerland to Davis Cup glory.

"Haven't won anything yet," said this year's Wimbledon runner-up. "It all looks very nice right now as we speak, but who knows in the next 10 days how bad it's going to get.

"Moods change very quickly. I'm unbelievably happy how the round robin has gone because I did expect it to be much tougher than it ended up being.

"But this is now the business end. This is where I want to play my best and finish already a very good season."

Date: 14th November 2014, Source: Reuters and ESPN UK

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Edberg: Federer is one of the best things that ever happened to tennis

In a very interesting interview, Stefan Edberg talked about his first year as a coach of one the Tennis greatest.

7 of the 8 players currently competing in London, are coached by former champions who, during their careers, featured, at least once, in the ATP World Tour Finals or, in Amelie Mauresmo`s case, in the WTA Championships.

All these former ATP players had a great impact on their protegees` results this season. Boris Becker helped Novak Djokovic returning to No.1, Goran Ivanisevic and Magnus Norman took Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka, respectively, to very unexpected Grand Slam titles, Michael Chang was instrumental for Kei Nishikori to become the first Asian player making a Grand Slam Final and Ivan Ljubicic is one of the reasons behind the best year of Milos Raonic`s career.

Among those, is, of course, also Stefan Edberg, who had a huge influence on Roger Federer`s brilliant season. The Swiss returned to No.2 and prior to the Paris Masters 1000 was only a few points away from the No.1 spot.

Edberg talked to Italian newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport" about his exciting debut year as a coach.

The 6-time Grand Slam was first asked about his feelings in meeting his old rivals in a player box rather than on the court:

"Well, when Roger played against Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, people were saying it was Edberg versus Becker again, but things are not exactly like that. Boris works with Djokovic, but we are not rivals as we were in the past, we have a more friendly relationship now. And the all thing is way more relaxed, at least from my prospective."

"Tennis is very different now compared to when Boris and I were playing" Edberg said before adding that: "Today the game is better played and we have a generation of amazing superstars. On the other hand, there is not much variety and players pretty much all have similar styles. To be competitive today, I could not come to the net 90% of the time as I used to do."

The Swede confessed that he was caught by surprise when, in December 2013, Federer asked him to train with him in Dubai and see if we would have been interested in coaching him. "If I had not been asked by such a player, I don`t think I would have been interested in coaching. But that was such an honor and a unique opportunity: he is one of the best tennis player ever and he asked me for help. I thought about it; I wanted to practice for a week first and then, when I saw it was working, I accepted because he is an exceptional person. I also established a good relationship with Luthi, who follows him on tour more often than I do."

Edberg is still impressed with what Federer can do on a Tennis court: "It 's really incredible. He can play any type of game and he has all the shots. Although he is still trying to improve and be more aggressive. Changing racket was the first step. Then I encouraged him to try solving problems with the most appropriate of his weapons, depending on the circumstances. I wanted him to be more creative and unpredictable and come to the net more often. I believe he can win more Grand Slams as he proved at Wimbledon, where he went very, very close. If he is fit and he plays at his best he will always have a chance."

This week, Federer revealed that it was Edberg who encouraged him in playing more tournaments. Stefan explained that: "When you get older, you need more of a routine in your game, which is what Roger experienced this year, recovering confidence in his shots. That, along with solving his back problems."

Edberg also highlighted the crucial role that Federer has for the Tennis movement in its entirety: "He`s a great ambassador for Tennis, on and off the court. It is clear from the response of the crowds all over the world. Roger is one of the best things that ever happened to tennis. The longer he plays, the better it is for everybody. He goes beyond. He is unique."

Date: 14th November 2014, Source: Tennis World USA

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Federer thrashes Murray at World Tour Finals

Roger Federer blew away Andy Murray 6-0, 6-1 to finish the ATP Finals round-robin unbeaten, and hand Murray his worst defeat in seven years in front of his home crowd on Thursday.

Federer, the most successful player at the year-end championship with six titles, equaled Ivan Lendl's record of 12 semifinal appearances in winning his group ahead of Japanese debutant Kei Nishikori.

"Clearly I'm very happy to play a good match today. I knew I was qualified, so maybe I went in a bit more relaxed,'' Federer said.

''It's not the way I thought it was going to go, but there's always next year for Andy.''

"I had the upper hand from the baseline, which hasn't always happened against him," said Federer. "But I definitely was able to play on my terms. For me, things went very well. I was able to put Andy under pressure very often, and I think the match couldn't have gone any better for me really."

It was a ruthless win for Federer, and humiliation for Murray, who last won only one game in 2007 at Miami, against Novak Djokovic.

''It was a tough night. I've lost slam finals and stuff, which has been very tough,'' Murray said. ''But in terms of the way the match went, it was not ideal from my side of the court, far from it.''

In the other group, Djokovic will be guaranteed the year-end No. 1 ranking for the third time in four years if he beats Tomas Berdych on Friday. Going into the last round-robin matches, all four players can still make it to the semis; U.S. Open champ Marin Cilic takes on Australian Open champ Stan Wawrinka.

Before playing Murray, the second-seeded Federer had already secured a semis berth after Nishikori defeated David Ferrer 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the afternoon who replaced injured Milos Raonic. That left Murray needing to defeat the 17-Grand Slam champion in straight sets to make it to the last four at the O2 Arena and thwart Nishikori.

But Federer, yet to drop a set, made a perfect start, losing only eight points in a 23-minute first set without even serving well.

Murray, who fought hard this autumn to qualify for the season finale, continued to struggle in the second set. Federer opened a 5-0 lead and moved 30-0 up on Murray's service but missed an easy volley before the Scot managed to hold to salvage some pride, and give British fans a cheer.

''If I played well, he probably still would have won anyway,'' the fifth-seeded Murray said. ''He was striking the ball very, very clean. After the first few games of the match, he played exceptionally well. Made very few mistakes. Was hitting the ball off the middle of the racket on serve, returns. He maybe didn't hit his first serve as well as he can, but apart from that, everything else was very clean.''

Federer has an ATP World Tour-best 71-11 match record on the season, which includes five titles from 10 finals. His biggest win at the season finale came at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai in 2005, when he defeated Gaston Gaudio 6-0, 6-0.

Murray ends his campaign with a 59-20 mark in 2014, which included three titles in the final six weeks of the regular season to qualify for the seventh straight year.

Date: 13th November 2014, Source: AP and ATP

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Wawrinka on Federer in Davis Cup: ‘Physically he's going to be ready’

Stan Wawrinka says that if he and fellow Swiss Roger Federer manage to win the Davis Cup over France, it would be one of their best victories ever. Federer has won 17 Grand Slam singles titles and Wawrinka has won one Slam, but they have never reached the Davis Cup final before. Wawrinka and Federer won the 2008 Olympic gold medal in doubles.

"It was a long time ago,” said Wawrinka about the medal at the ATP World Tour Finals. "But for sure it was big in Switzerland. It was really big for me, because I was young. Even if I was Top 10 at that time, it was my first big year on the tour. To win the Olympic, it's something really important because it's not only about tennis, it's about representing your country, about sports fans in general watching you.

"So it was really big at that time. For this year, for sure, if we can win Davis Cup, it's going to be huge."

Federer and Wawrinka are both playing this week in London, on a hard court, and will play the French team in Lille, on a clay court, to end their season.

None of the Frenchmen named to the team - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, and Julien Benneteau (who is playing doubles at the ATP World Tour Finals) - is playing singles this week in London. The 33-year-old Federer and 29-year-old Wawrinka are expected to play both singles and doubles in the Davis Cup final.

"I'm sure Roger can take few days off and find a way how to play well on clay," Wawrinka said. "But then doesn't mean he's going to win the two singles in Davis Cup because you play against Monfils, against Tsonga, against Gasquet.

"Those guys are really good on tennis. But I'm sure physically he's going to be ready for trying to win here and trying to win the Davis Cup."

Date: 12th November 2014, Source: Tennis.com

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Roger Federer eyes 1,000 win landmark

Roger Federer has set his sights on another memorable milestone as the 17-time Grand Slam champion eyes the 1,000th win of his illustrious career.

Federer's 6-3, 6-2 victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori at the ATP Tour Finals on Tuesday took him to 70 match wins for the season - the sixth time he has hit that mark - and up to 993 career victories from his 1,219 matches.

The 33-year-old can add three more wins at the Tour Finals if he goes all the way to take the title for the seventh time.

That would leave him needing only four more victories to join Jimmy Connors, who had 1,253, and Ivan Lendl, with 1,071, as the only men to have broken the 1,000 barrier.

With seven Wimbledon titles, five US Open crowns, four Australian Opens and one French Open on his glittering CV, Federer has already experienced almost every high the sport can offer.

But he believes making to 1,000 wins would be an especially significant moment because it is a tribute to a player's longevity at the very top.

"I played only the big tournaments this year. Basically, again, I chased all the Masters 1000s, Grand Slams, so forth," he said.

"It's not easy to win matches there, as we know, because guys are always very good, margins are small.

"More importantly for me is getting closer to the thousand number. It would obviously be cool to get there. I think it's a great number."

Date: 11th November 2014, Source: AFP

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Clinical Federer closes in on semi-final berth

Roger Federer is on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals at the ATP World Tour Finals after he recorded his second straight Group B win on Tuesday afternoon at London's O2 Arena.

The second seed and six-time champion at the season finale defeated fourth seed Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 for his 70th match win of the year, which includes fifth trophies. He is also attempting to become year-end No. 1 in the ATP Rankings for the sixth time.

"I think with my game, I have the capability of really making him feel uncomfortable, mixing it up," said Federer following the match. "But it's not always possible. He's shown in the past when he gets the upper hand against any player from the baseline, he's very difficult to beat. Today for some reason he couldn't get it done. Maybe I was playing too well defence and offense, mixing up my serve good enough... It was really important to take advantage of the fact that I was feeling really good, and then maybe he was struggling a little bit today."

The 33-year-old Federer will qualify for the semi-finals if Milos Raonic beats Andy Murray in Tuesday’s evening match. The Swiss could also qualify if Murray defeats Raonic in three sets.

"The advantage of being qualified, if that were to happen, is just that you can go into the match a bit more laid back," Federer told reporters. "But there's so much still at stake, wanting to beat a rival, wanting to win the points that are at stake, go in with a clean sheet into the semis is the way to go. I'm happy after two matches I'm standing here with two wins. It's very positive."

The Swiss hit 11 winners, including four aces, in the 35-minute first set against Nishikori, who had strapping applied to his right wrist at the changeover at 4-1. Federer saved two break points in a 14-point third game, prior to breaking Nishikori to 30. He then broke Nishikori in the third and seventh games of the second set.

"I've know Kei since he was 17 years old and always thought he was a great talent. He's going to have a great future so I'm very pleased with the way I played," Federer said.

"I'm looking forward to playing Andy. We've played some of the greatest matches.

"I'm not sure I'm going to be able to watch him tonight though. I've got kids so it's during a time where I usually put everybody to bed!"

Federer has never lost his second round robin match (13-0) at the season finale. If he were to qualify for his 12th semi-final, it would tie the record of Ivan Lendl. He would also be the oldest player to advance to the last four since 2003 runner-up Andre Agassi.

Nishikori needed treatment on his right wrist during the match, but he hopes to be fit to face Raonic.

"It was just a little bit of soreness. I have one more day off, so I will try to recover well and hopefully I can win the next one," he said.

"I didn't play really bad. But I wasn't really consistent with my serve and I had a few unforced errors.

"Roger took the important points and he didn't give me a chance to come back.

"Actually I never feel that he's 33 right now," Nishikori told reporters. "He looks still young and is playing amazing tennis. I think the age doesn't matter. I think he's getting better every time."

Nishikori, the first Asian player to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals, has a 1-1 record in round-robin play. He will now face Raonic in his final group match on Thursday, having dropped to 53-13 on a career-best season.

Date: 11th November 2014, Source: ATP, Reuters and AFP

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Federer: Return to No. 1 would be very special

Roger Federer got off to a roaring start on Sunday at the ATP World Tour Finals, needing 88 minutes to dispatch Milos Raonic 6-1, 7-6(0) as the seal was broken on the 2014 season finale.

Federer hopes his stay at The O2 in London will yield a record seventh title and is seeking to achieve something that is “very special” to him - another shot at World No. 1 in the ATP Rankings.

“As long as I could get back to World No. 1 for one more time, I think that would be very special,” said Federer. “I've been there and I know how much it would mean, because winning a tournament is a one‑week thing or a two‑week thing, but getting back to World No. 1 is an entirely different animal. I'll try to get there, but obviously Novak is going to dictate as well what's going to happen here.”

Djokovic, however, needs just two round robin victories in London to guarantee he ends the season at the summit of the rankings, and Federer admits it will be a tall order to overhaul him.

If Federer is to add to his record 302 weeks as the top dog on the ATP World Tour, potentially finishing year-end No. 1 for a record-tying (Sampras) sixth time, he will have to wrestle Novak Djokovic from his throne. A perfect week at the season finale is critical for the 33-year-old's chances.

The Swiss also addressed his epic clashes with Djokovic over the years and discussed how they relate to the other legendary rivalries he has been a part of during his career. Should they meet later in the week, it would be their 37th ATP Head2Head encounter and the third straight year at the ATP World Tour Finals.

“I know against Novak, the matches and the rivalry is nice. I really enjoy playing against him.  It's very evenly matched. I played him more often probably in semis than in finals most likely. I don't know if that's true, but that's kind of how it felt like.

“I feel a special connection towards Rafa just because we did have a very strong, intense rivalry for many years, starting in 2004 maybe. Especially we played each other that many times in finals of slams, which hasn't been the case with the other players as much.

“But then also I always like to look back and see who my tougher opponents were when I was coming up. In the beginning I struggled against the likes of Henman, Nalbandian, Hewitt, Roddick. So for me those were really interesting players to play against. I was lucky enough that Andre Agassi played as long as he did because I got to play him also, I think almost 15 times.”

Federer is in the midst of spawning a new rivalry with Kei Nishikori, and the Group B leaders will clash in Tuesday’s day session at The O2. The winner will take a significant step to qualifying for the semi-finals.

Date: 10th November 2014, Source: ATP and ESPN UK

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Federer honoured by Edberg in ATP Awards ceremony

Roger Federer was honoured in a special ceremony on opening night at the ATP World Tour Finals, receiving his two trophies in the 2014 ATP World Tour Awards Presented By Moët and Chandon.

Following his straight-set win over Canada’s Milos Raonic, Federer’s coach and childhood idol Stefan Edberg stepped onto the court at The O2 to present the Swiss with the trophy named in his honour, the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award. Federer had been voted by fellow players as the winner for a 10th year, but received the trophy from Edberg himself for the first time.

“This award means a lot to me. I try to play as fairly as I can. This is a classy sport and I try to represent it as well as I can,” said Federer. "Stefan has paved the way for me. He's been my hero. It was a big surprise that he actually decided to come work with me and travel the world. He's been a great inspiration both on and off the court."

Meanwhile, Edberg disclosed what sportsmanship meant to him: “It’s about being honest and respecting everyone around you, such as the ball kids and the umpire.”

ATP Executive Chairman & CEO Chris Kermode then presented Federer with his trophy as ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite Presented By Moët and Chandon. He received 65 per cent of all votes cast online by fans,  extending his record winning streak to a 12th straight year.

"I feel very honoured to receive this award," said Federer. "Thanks for always supporting me wherever I go. Tonight, when I entered the building, it was one of the greatest ovations I've received in my career."

Since 2003, Federer has won a record total of 29 ATP World Tour Awards.

Date: 9th November 2014, Source: ATP

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Sweet revenge for Federer as he beats Raonic at World Tour Finals

Six-time former champion Roger Federer avenged his recent loss to Milos Raonic in Paris to opening his account on Sunday at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Second seed Federer improved to a 45-11 record at the season finale with a 6-1, 7-6(o) victory over the seventh-seeded Raonic, who was making his debut at the tournament.

"I think I played really well for probably one and a half sets," said Federer. "It was good to get off to a good start like I did against him at Cincinnati and Wimbledon. I broke in the first game and sort of never looked back.

"Thankfully he didn't play quite so well like he did in Paris. He gave me a few shots here and there, especially at the beginning of the breaker. I think those were crucial. I was happy to bring it home because it was very close at the end of the second."

Federer was at his aggressive best losing just four of his service point to clinch the 25-minute set. Six of his eight winners came from his forehand. Raonic hit five aces.

The 23-year-old Canadian was forced to dig in. Dictating with his forehand he made inroads, but could not convert any of his three break point opportunities early in the second set. Although his error count was high, importantly, he kept Federer behind the baseline. Federer saved one set point at 5-6, 30/40, with an powerful serve that was unreturned.

Raonic got off to the worst possible start in the tie-break, mis-timing a forehand on the first point. Federer grew in confidence, waited for errors and ran through to complete an 89-minute victory. He is now 7-1 lifetime against Raonic and 69-11 on the year.

"I was very happy with how I performed. The second set was much tougher. I don't think he played a great breaker but it was a great one to win," Federer said.

"It's a small relief. We have a tough group here so it's always going to be hard advancing but it brings me a step closer."

"Obviously it can come down just to one play, and we might be playing a third set," said Raonic. "But it's obviously disappointing, very disappointing actually, the way I finished that second set off...Today the big difference was when he would get his racquet on the ball, he would make me play all the time. He was giving me some shots in Paris in that sense, some quicker points.

"I get pretty angry when I lose, so I'm going to have to learn how to slap myself out of it."

Federer has won the ATP World Tour Finals a record six times in three different cities. He has also beaten six different final opponents: Houston in 2003 (d. Agassi) and 2004 (d. Hewitt), Shanghai in 2006 (d. Blake) and 2007 (d. Ferrer) and London in 2010 (d. Nadal) and 2011 (d. Tsonga). He was also runner-up in 2005 (l. to Nalbandian) and 2012 (l. to Djokovic).

But at 33, Federer has been in age-defying form this year and he arrived as the oldest player to qualify for the tournament in his record 13th consecutive appearance.

Federer is set to become the oldest player to finish a season in the world's top two and still has a slim chance of becoming the oldest player to end the season as world number one if he overhauls Novak Djokovic in the race for the top spot.

Federer and Nishikori will now meet in Group B on Tuesday when Murray and Raonic will be battling to keep themselves afloat in the round-robin event.

Date: 9th November 2014, Source: ATP, Reuters and AFP

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History within reach for Federer in London

Six times the champion at the season finale, Roger Federer is no stranger to success on the ATP World Tour’s biggest stage.

At age 33, the Swiss returns to the ATP World Tour Finals with a point to prove as he attempts to stop top seed Novak Djokovic in his bid to three-peat in London and wrestle the year-end No. 1 mantle from the Serb. It would mark the sixth time Federer has finished a season atop the ATP Rankings, tying Pete Sampras’ record for most all-time.

“You definitely don’t want to lose the first one, as the pressure increases,” Federer said in his pre-tournament press conference, referring to the round-robin format. “You go out with the mentality of being in a knock-out system. If you do lose one, you feel like it is the end of the world… and it is to be honest! I have never felt good in losing but still be in the tournament. It feels very odd, because in tennis you lose you leave. You go round-by-round clearly, but the first one is crucial.

With three fresh faces in this year’s field and following a frantic finish to the ATP Race To London, Federer believes the competition is as fierce as ever. The World No. 2 is a combined 19-14 against the rest of Group B, which includes Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic. He will seek revenge against Raonic when the pair square off in Sunday’s evening session, having fallen to the Canadian in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Masters last week.

“The margins are so small that I feel we always have to prove ourselves time and again. Definitely Murray wasn’t himself the first few months of the year. It took him a while to get fully fit again after the back surgery. I was very happy for him to do so well at the end of the year. He put in an unbelievable effort to be here and he has a chance to go higher as a favourite at the tournament.

“Things can change very quickly, so that is why I am always careful with predictions. It is nice to see different faces at the ATP World Tour Finals this year with Raonic, Cilic and Nishikori. It will be interesting to see how it will play out. I think the groups are interesting as well.”



Federer recently took home two honours in the 2014 ATP World Tour Awards Presented by Moët and Chandon, claiming his 12th straight ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favourite and 10th Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award. A mere nine match victories from joining Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl as the only members of the 1,000 Wins Club, he also discussed his longevity after 16 years on the ATP World Tour.

“I worked hard to get to No. 1, to get fit as I hoped to be one day so I wouldn’t lose matches because of fitness,” said Federer in his pre-tournament press conference. “I tried to understand the body, listening to it, feeling it and understanding when it is close to being injured; when it hurts, but it is playable and when it is fine to go and play for days, weeks and hours on it.

“You need sleep, rest, stretching and massage in doses, because if you go crazy you lose, in my opinion, the motivation to play. Because so much efforts goes into playing, back in the day you jump up and down for two minutes then go out and play. The next thing you know, you’re doing all these warm-ups, stretching and sleeping and eating the right way. It’s not supposed to be that way. I have always tried to keep the right balance in order to play.”

Date: 8th November 2014, Source: ATP

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Federer: Davis Cup final could become distraction

Roger Federer admits the upcoming Davis Cup final could become a distraction if he makes it to the latter stages of the World Tour Finals in London.

Federer's Switzerland face France over November 21-23, but should he reach the semi-finals or final at the O2 Arena, he would have less than a week to prepare.

"It's not normally [a distraction]," Federer said. "I'm totally not in that mood when I walk past French people and players.

"I don't think of it. It shows I'm mentally focused on the World Tour Finals.

"The only time where I could see it creeping into my mind is if I make it through to the semi-final or final here.

"Then you know Davis Cup is close. It's still somewhat far away, so during the round robin matches there's no way it's going to distract me."

Federer begins his tournament on Sunday against Milos Raonic, the man who beat him in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters and dented his bid to finish the year as No.1.

"You can catch guys in spells, especially when there's certain rankings [to play for]," added Federer.

"The good thing is I'm not feeling badly. I lost to Milos because he played well, you can accept that and try to react to it.

"As I'm feeling good, I'm happy I get a chance for a rematch."

Date: 8th November 2014, Source: ESPN UK

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New dad Djokovic takes fatherhood tips from Federer

New dad Novak Djokovic has been taking advice from Roger Federer on balancing fatherhood with a tennis career.

Djokovic's wife Jelena gave birth to their first child, Stefan, last month. The Serb returned to action last week where he sought the advice of father-of-four Federer.

"We spoke in Paris and he was one of the first players that congratulated me and wished me all the best," said world number one Djokovic.

"Of course he can identify with what I'm going through - I'm still far off from him, he has four kids, and it's pretty amazing to still play at such a high level with four kids.

"I understand what an effort it is with one; with four I can't imagine.

"We talked in Paris about certain things that involve travelling and so forth. He advised me and I will take it into account and hopefully I can organise my life as well as he did."

Djokovic, 27, won Wimbledon in July before getting married later that month, and is hoping to cap a special year with a third straight title at the ATP World Tour Finals, which get under way in London on Sunday.

Group A

Novak Djokovic (Serbia, world number one)
Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland, 4)
Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic, 7)
Marin Cilic (Croatia, 9)

He will play Marin Cilic in his opening match on Monday, with Tomas Berdych and Stan Wawrinka also in Group A.

"I won Paris without dropping a set - we should make more kids I guess!" he joked.

"I'm in a good place, fighting for number one in the world and in a good position," he added.

"I won this tournament twice in a row and it gives me enough reason to believe I can do well this year."

Group B

Roger Federer (Switzerland, world number two)
Kei Nishikori (Japan, 5)
Andy Murray (Great Britain, 6)
Milos Raonic (Canada, 8)

Asked how he deals with juggling family and professional demands, Federer said: "It really depends on the schedule of my matches.

"It's about deciding with [his wife] Mirka what's best for them and I kind of blend in, especially when I'm playing every day.

"I'm very busy, very active and I try to balance it as well as I can."

Federer, 33, could still overtake Djokovic for the end-of-year number one ranking and he begins his Group B campaign against Milos Raonic, having lost to the Canadian in Paris last week.

"I lost because he played well and I can accept that," said the Swiss.

"It's definitely more up to me than up to him, potentially. As I'm feeling good I'm actually happy I have the chance for a rematch."

Date: 8th November 2014, Source: BBC Sport

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Elite eight cruising at official launch of ATP World Tour Finals

The 2014 ATP World Tour Finals was officially launched on Friday evening during an exclusive cruise on the Silver Sturgeon along the River Thames. The Top 8 singles players and doubles teams joined 300 guests at the tournament’s Official Launch, generously supported by Moët and Chandon.

Sailing from the Savoy Pier, guests were treated to food by Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts as they sailed to The O2, venue of the world’s largest indoor tennis tournament, where they were joined on board by the stars of this year’s season-ending tournament for the return journey to the London Eye. On board, the players were presented with personalised magnums from Moet & Chandon. They had previously taken part in their Media Day interviews and the official photo on the Centre Court of The O2.

ATP Executive Chairman & President Chris Kermode said: “We’re delighted to welcome this year’s singles players and doubles teams to London ahead of the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals. The ATP Race to London has been one of the most exciting in recent memory, and the players have all truly earned their right to be here. With more than 260,000 fans expected to come through the gates over the next eight days, the stage is now set for a thrilling finale as the world’s best battle for the last title of the season in front of a packed house at The O2.”



The ATP World Tour Finals run from 9-16 November. History will be made in Sunday afternoon’s singles session as Kei Nishikori becomes the first Asian player to compete in the singles field when he challenges home favourite Andy Murray. Federer plays another debutant, Milos Raonic of Canada, in the evening session.



The ATP World Tour Finals has welcomed more than 1.25 million fans to The O2 arena over the past five years, establishing itself as the biggest indoor tennis tournament in the world since moving to London in 2009. Tickets can be purchased at: www.BarclaysATPWorldTourFinals.com.

Date: 8th November 2014, Source: ATP

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Federer returns to ATP World Tour Finals for record 13th straight year

Roger Federer has punched his ticket to the ATP World Tour Finals for a record 13th year in a row after clinching a sixth title at the Western & Southern Open on Sunday. Federer joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the elite eight-man field at the season finale, to be held at The O2 in London from 9-16 November, where he will be looking to win his seventh crown.

The 33-year-old Swiss is the most successful player to compete at the ATP World Tour Finals, compiling a 44-11 record and claiming a record six titles in 2003-04, 2006-07 and 2010-11. He breaks the record of consecutive years qualifying for the championship, a mark he previously shared with Ivan Lendl (1980-91).

“It’s always one of the big goals I set myself at the beginning of the season,” said Federer. “It’s always an absolute honour being part of the best eight. Getting a chance to win an extra trophy at the end of the season - which is so prestigious, one of the biggest ones we have in the game and one I’ve done so well at - is a great feeling. Returning to the season finale is something I’ve been a part of since 2002, so to do it again is a privilege and I will try to play my very best there. I hope I can save some of my best for last.”

Federer opened his 2014 campaign by finishing runner-up to rival Lleyton Hewitt at the Brisbane International and reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open. He enjoyed a 10-match win streak from late-February to mid-March, hoisting a sixth trophy at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and reaching his 35th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

The Swiss finished runner-up to countryman Stan Wawrinka at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters and advanced to four consecutive finals, beginning with a seventh Gerry Weber Open crown on the grass of Halle in early June. He reached a ninth title match at Wimbledon, followed by a run to the final at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. En route to clinching a sixth championship in Cincinnati, he became the first player to achieve 300 match wins at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level and the third to claim 80 tour-level titles.

Date: 18th August 2014, Source: ATP

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