I've achieved No. 1 goal, says Federer

A relaxed Roger Federer says achieving the year-end number one ranking would be a bonus after a successful season but insists he has already achieved his goal, which was winning back top spot.

The Swiss great, playing his first tournament on Tour since the US Open, crashed out in Saturday's semi-final of the Shanghai Masters to Britain's Andy Murray.

The 31-year-old, who became number one again after his Wimbledon triumph, will Monday start his 300th week at the top but faces a battle to hang on against a charging Novak Djokovic.

"I would love to finish number one as well for the end of the year. For that it's going to take a great stretch again, winning Basel, Paris and London I assume to give myself a chance," said the 17-time Grand Slam champion.

"We'll see how it goes. Look, I'm relaxed about it. I'll give everything I can. I want to get through this season well and finish strong."

"But it's not the number one goal right now. Right now it's to manage my schedule, hopefully be in good shape for Basel, then kind of go from there."

"Just to repeat, the goal was to become world number one this year, which happened, not the end of the year. But if that happens, that's a bonus."

Date: 14th October 2012, Source: AFP

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Out against Murray in Shanghai semis

Roger was defeated 4-6, 4-6 by Andy Murray in the semis of the Shanghai Masters today.

Roger had trouble with his serve on numerous occasions today, committing three successive double faults in the middle of the opening set. He did manage a re-break to make up for the loss of his opening serve to level at 1-1, but Murray secured another break to take a 3-2 lead which proved enough to capture the first set. The second set started with a seemingly interminable opening game (18 minutes). Murray scored the first break - after a 40-0 lead on Roger's serve - to again take a 3-2 lead and finally the match.

"He didn't serve that well for him tonight, so I was able to be very aggressive on his second serve," explained Murray. "He maybe slowed down his first serve a little bit, so I was able to take a few more chances. Obviously that helped. I went for it, like I did the past few times I played against him, and it worked tonight. When you're beating the best player of all time probably, it's obviously going to be special."

By reaching the quarter-finals this week, Federer guaranteed he will top the South African Airways ATP Rankings for a 300th week on Monday. The Swiss is locked in battle with Djokovic to finish as the year-end World No. 1 and will continue his quest at the Swiss Indoors Basel.

"It was a bit up and down, too up and down for my taste," said Federer. "To probably beat him tonight, I played okay at times, but overall Andy was just the better player and he deserved to win at the end really."

"It's been an OK week overall. I played all right. I didn't play great. But I did come here and reach the 300 weeks. I guess I have to be happy with that. I wish I could have played better tonight against Andy and pushed him further, even though it was somewhat close. I know as well that it could have gone the other way as well, it could have been even more one sided. I tried hard, and that's all I could do tonight."

Date: 13th October 2012, Source: RF Official and ATP

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Federer ready for 'confident' Murray

Roger Federer is expecting to face a more assured Andy Murray as he prepares to face the Scot for the first time since he became a major champion.

The world No. 1 eased past Marin Cilic in straight sets to set up a semi-final clash at the Shanghai Masters, where Murray is the two-time defending champion.

It will be the first time they they have met since Murray defeated Federer to win Olympic singles gold at London 2012 in August, and the world No. 3 subsequently went on to break his grand slam duck with victory at the US Open.

And Federer, who will enjoy a milestone 300th week at world No. 1 when the ATP rankings are released on Monday, believes Murray's win in New York will have taken the pressure off the British No. 1.

"I assume he's very confident right now and probably playing with a little bit less pressure," Federer said. "Then again, that can go either way. It's been a long year for all of us."

"I'm looking forward to the match. It's always great playing the best players. It's going to be a tough match, a good one. From my side, I haven't decided yet how I'm going to play."

Murray edges the head-to-head against the 17-time grand slam champion, having beaten him nine times in 17 previous encounters.

Date: 13th October 2012, Source: ESPN

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Federer to play Murray in blockbuster semifinal

Top seed Roger Federer will meet third seed and two-time defending champion Andy Murray in a repeat of the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters final on Saturday.

"I'm looking forward to the match," said Federer. "It's always great playing the best players. Those are the kind of matches you want to try to win because that can obviously then move the rankings by a little bit, even though it doesn't matter so much if you stay within the Top 4. It's going to be a tough match, a good one. From my side, I haven't decided yet how I'm going to play."

Federer hit 27 winners and nine aces past No. 10 seed Marin Cilic of Croatia in Friday’s quarter-finals for a 6-3, 6-4 victory in 82 minutes. Cilic, who dropped to 0-4 against Federer, won 54 per cent of first serve points won and committed 29 unforced errors.

It was the 871st victory of Federer’s career, which moves him into No. 4 overall for most match wins in the Open Era. The Swiss superstar improved to a 64-8 match record on the season, which includes six tour-level titles. This week, he is attempting to win a record 22nd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy.



Date: 12th October 2012, Source: ATP

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Roger Federer wins to stay as World No. 1 for 300th week

Roger Federer is guaranteed to be World No. 1 in the ATP Rankings for a 300th week on Monday after a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-0 victory over his Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.

“It's obviously an amazing number and I never thought of something like this when I was a little kid, that's for sure,” said Federer. “I was just hoping one day my dream was going to come true to play on the regular tour, play Wimbledon, maybe become World No. 1 at some stage. So here I am at 300 weeks. It's pretty incredible. Probably one of my biggest accomplishments. I'm very proud of that record, no doubt about it.”

Federer struggled with his backhand for much of the first two sets before recovering.

''I just keep on trying,'' he said. ''I knew I had a chance going into the breaker and I was just a little lucky. But I never stopped believing. But he was the better player for two sets. It was great finding a way out.''

Wawrinka, who teamed up with his illustrious compatriot to win Olympics doubles gold in 2008, broke Federer in the seventh game of the match to lead 4-3 and sealed the first set under lights at Qi Zhong Stadium.

Out-of-sorts Federer, 31, continued to struggle in the second set as the pair swapped breaks of serve and was in desperate trouble when Wawrinka earned the break point that, if taken, would have given him a 5-4 lead over his Davis Cup team-mate.

But the Swiss great dodged that bullet and stayed strong in a nerve-jangling tie-break to level the match, forcing a change of momentum and crushing his dejected 27-year-old opponent 6-0 in the decider.

The Swiss star will play 10th-seeded Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals after the Croat beat Fernando Verdasco of Spain 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Federer recalls first time at World No. 1: It happened way back in 2004, but Roger Federer says that he ‘vividly’ remembers the moment he first ascended to No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings. Just days away from beginning his 300th week as World No. 1, the Swiss also said that staying No. 1 is easier than getting to No. 1.

“I do remember it very vividly, actually,” Federer told media in Shanghai Thursday. "It's not one of those moments that happens and then you forget.  It took me a lot of great performances to get there. I had an opportunity I think in the match against Roddick in Montréal.  Lost 7-6 in the semis there against him.  It took me to win Wimbledon, the ATP World Tour Finals, then basically get to the finals of the Australian Open.  After beating Ferrero in the semis, I knew I clinched it, but obviously I wanted to finish the tournament on a high note winning the Australian Open as well.

“That's what I was able to do then. But I remember after the semis how happy I was becoming world No. 1. It was for me back then sort of the ultimate accomplishment next to winning Wimbledon. That all happened in a span of sort of nine months, which was so intense, huge relief in some ways, but a big satisfaction. Here I am eight years later, even more. It's pretty special. Obviously I lost the World No. 1 ranking a few times, but I also stayed a long time once I got there.  I always felt tennis was easier for me playing as World No. 1 than actually getting there.”

In a relaxed mood with the media after rallying from a set down to beat countryman Stanislas Wawrinka to reach the Shanghai Rolex Masters quarter-finals, Federer said that he still played for the love of the game and not just for all the success that comes his way.

"Sometimes you're just happy playing. Some people, some media unfortunately don't understand that it's okay just to play tennis and enjoy it. They always think you have to win everything, it always needs to be a success story, and if it's not obviously what is the point. Maybe you have to go back and think, Why have I started playing tennis?  Because I just like it.  It's actually sort of a dream hobby that became somewhat of a job.  Some people just don't get that ever.”

On court interview:



Date: 11th October 2012, Source: ATP and AFP

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Federer returns with a win, Wawrinka up next

World No. 1 Roger Federer returned to action for the first time in three and a half weeks as he overcame a spirited challenge from Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu with a 6-3, 7-5 victory on Wednesday at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.

The Swiss broke once in each set and won 93 per cent of points behind his first serve to end Lu’s resistance after 80 minutes. He was playing his first match since guiding Switzerland through the Davis Cup World Group Play-offs against the Netherlands last month and improved to a 62-8 match record on the season.

"It's just about getting a sense of how to play the points again, even though it's only been a couple of weeks," said Federer. "But my last matches were on clay. You always wonder if you have lost something in the meantime."

"But I'm happy that things worked out well today because I thought Lu played a pretty good match.  He's got the game to be really dangerous, particularly on a fast court like today. I was able to manage. That was a good thing too me, so I'm really happy. He played inspiring tennis at times. It was a good atmosphere and a nice match to play."

The 31-year-old Federer, who reached the Shanghai final on his last visit in 2010 (l. to Murray), is chasing a record-breaking 22nd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown this week. Should he win his third-round clash against countryman Stanislas Wawrinka on Thursday, Federer is guaranteed to maintain the No. 1 South African Airways ATP Ranking for a 300th week.

"I'm obviously excited," said Federer, regarding the possibility of 300 weeks at No. 1. "It's a big number, even though 299 or 300 doesn't make a big difference for me. It's obviously a big match for me. If you look back, there's many matches where there was a lot on the line, so this is just another one. It's just more the difficulty also playing a good friend. That adds to the special occasion tomorrow."

The 13th-seeded Wawrinka battled past Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in just under two hours. Federer has won 11 of their past 12 meetings, with Wawrinka’s lone win coming three years ago at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.



Date: 10th October 2012, Source: ATP

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Man who made Federer death threat asked apology

The tennis fan who posted an online death threat against Roger Federer last week has reportedly contacted the tournament in Shanghai to offer an apology. The fan, who posted on the popular Chinese site Baidu.com under the handle “Blue Cat Polytheism Founder 07″ says he got caught up in the heat of a message board debate and said something he didn’t mean.

“I’m terribly sorry,” the poster said. “I was arguing with Federer fans and then I wrote something stupid … I hope that the organizers can understand me, forgive me, and if possible send my apologies to Federer and his family.”

The incident has been an unwelcome distraction for Federer, who learned of the threat 11 days ago but decided to play in Shanghai anyway. He arrived late last week without his family, with Mirka and the kids opting to stay home not because of the security threat but because the trip was organized in haste.


“Obviously maybe it’s a little bit of a distraction, there’s no doubt about it. But you have to be aware of what’s happening around you,” Federer said. “But that is the case anyway anywhere I go today with my fame and all that stuff.”

“So then obviously it came out in the press. That’s when things changed. It became much more public, which I’m a bit disappointed about, that it did come out in the press. It was something just very small on a website, nothing clear and concrete, people just debating. That it makes that big news is a bit surprising to me.”

Date: 9th October 2012, Source: Sports Illustrated

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Federer: Death threat ‘bit of a distraction’

Roger Federer admits that the online death threat he received recently was somewhat of a disturbance. An Internet user calling himself “Blue Cat Polytheistic Religion Founder 07” posted a graphic message about the Swiss on the popular baidu.com site.

"Obviously maybe it's a little bit of a distraction, there's no doubt about it,” Federer said at pre-tournament press conference for the Shanghai Masters 1000 tournament. “But you have to be aware of what's happening around you," he said. “But that is the case anyway anywhere I go today with my fame and all that stuff."

Federer admitted he first became aware of the issue about 10 days ago, before the information went public.

"So then obviously it came out in the press. That's when things changed.” he said. "It became much more public, which I'm a bit disappointed about, that it did come out in the press. "It was something just very small on a website, nothing clear and concrete, people just debating. That it makes that big news is a bit surprising to me."

Federer's wife Mirka and their twin daughters did not travel to China as previously reported, but he said it had nothing to do with the death threat: "It was a last-minute decision for me to come here in the first place,” he said.

Federer did not play the Shanghai Masters in 2011.

Date: 7th October 2012, Source: Tennis.com

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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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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 confirmed for Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012

Roger Federer has confirmed his participation for the Shanghai Rolex Masters in October, but injured Rafael Nadal, who also missed the US Open, is unlikely to make it this time.

World No. 1 Roger Federer, who was stunned by the World No. 7 Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in the 2012 US Open quarter finals in four sets with a 7-6(1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 score line. Swiss star said he had not played his best tennis in the US Open quarters.

Federer will spend some time along with his family after his long summer trip over the ATP World Tour and going to back to training session soon as possible. Swiss Tennis star will play next tournament at the 2012 Shanghia Masters, schedule to begin from the 7th October at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, China.

Federer said he will work hard to back to top form, before heading into the Shanghai Masters in China and going to give tough competition to best players on the tour.

Federer retook the world No. 1 spot after winning the Wimbledon this year. After winning the Cincinnati Masters earlier this month, Federer has accumulated a total of 21 Masters titles, equaling that of Nadal's. But the Spaniard's absence from Shanghai should give the Swiss an edge and set a new record. Besides Federer, the world's top 44 male tennis players including the No. 2 Novak Djokovic and the No. 4 Andy Murray are also expected to show up for the October 7 - 14 tournament. Organizers also claimed that ticket sales went up by 30 percent since last year with most of the tickets for the final and semifinals already sold out in a month.

Date: 8th September 2012, Source: Shanghai Rolex Masters

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