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Federer wins 10th Basel title

Roger Federer won his 10th Swiss Indoors Basel title, defeating Alex De Minaur 6-2, 6-2 to secure what the Swiss legend described as "an unbelievable" success at the home-town tournament.

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Federer to play 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Roger Federer will go for gold in 2020. The Swiss star confirmed that he will compete for Switzerland at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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Federer wins 10th Halle title

Roger Federer made history in Halle, defeating David Goffin 7-6 (2), 6-1 to win a record 10th Noventi Open title. It is the first time that Federer has earned 10 crowns at one tournament.

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Federer wins fourth Miami Open title

Roger Federer produced a championship masterclass under the Florida sun, dominating reigning champ John Isner 6-1, 6-4 to win his fourth Miami title.

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Federer makes history in Dubai, wins 100th title

Roger Federer made history at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, defeating reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 to win his 100th tour-level title.

Showing posts with label Wimbledon 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wimbledon 2013. Show all posts

Fan's touching story reveals Roger Federer's kind heart

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Tennis superstar Roger Federer has long been considered one of the kindest guys in sports. A recent Twitter posts by a young fan, however, takes Federer's sainthood to a whole new level.

Beatriz Tinoco is a tennis player and tennis fan who survived a two-year battle with cancer. She's 17 years old, from Rockville, Md., When given an opportunity to make her wish, she asked to meet her all-time favorite player at the most hallowed tournament in sports. What could have been a memorable meeting with a handshake, pictures and autograph instead turned into a weekend-long experience that saw Federer hit go above and beyond.

A subsequent post of Beatriz Tinoco using the TwitLonger service told the entire heartwarming story.

The whole story of how I got to meet Roger Federer and how it was: Well, I had cancer in 2011/2012, and there's this foundation called the Make A Wish Foundation. They grant wishes to kids, teens and yound adults who have life-threatening diseases. I made my wish in 2012, and my wish was to meet Roger Federer. I waited for more than a year, and I didn't really know if they were gonna be able to grant me this wish (you have second and third options) since Roger has such a busy schedule and it was taking such a long time. In June I was told that ESPN was doing a piece on high school tennis and they were gonna film a bit of my school tennis team. So I went there and we had practice and in the end they told us we had a culminating activity that would kinda test our knowledge of tennis. They gave us an iPad to watch something, and it was the Wimbledon 2012 match point (that already got me like really excited) but then after Roger falls to the ground they cut the video and Roger shows up in a kind of home made video or something, and he says "Hi Beatriz, I heard you're a big fan of mine, so I'm inviting you with your family to come watch me play at Wimbledon. Go pack your bags, have a safe trip, and I'll see you there!" (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I freaked out so so so badly. I couldn't believe it haha. All I could think was "OMG ROGER FEDERER KNOWS MY NAME!" Haha.

So, yeah, this was on a Monday, and my flight to London was on that Thursday (I barely had any time to freak out) and I live in the US so... But yeah, then I found out ESPN was doing a piece on my wish and it's actually gonna air in August :) anyway, I got there and the very next day I met Roger! First I went to the nike house, where players get their gear and everything, and they actually gave me lots of stuff, all white since it was Wimbledon. Then we went to the All England Club where I was actually gonna meet him. We were waiting on the place where players eat and hang out. However, the guys from ESPN told me we might not see him that day because schedules change a lot. So I wasn't expecting anythint, just sitting watching some practices and someone calls my name. I turn and it's FREAKING ROGER FEDERER. He comes up, gives me a hug and a kiss and then sits down and starts talking to me very naturally. I was trying hard not to freak out haha. We talked for about 10-15 minutes (which I was told later he wasn't supposed to do. He was just supposed to come and say hi and then go to practice but he's a perfect human being and talked to me for a while!) oh my gosh this is getting very long haha. After that he went to practice, but he told me to go change, because I was gonna watch his practice from inside the court and maybe we could hit a little bit after he was done. He told me that he would send someone to take me to the court because like no one is allowed in the courts except the players and coaches. So I changed and went there, and I was waiting for someone to come take me to the actual court when I hear someone call my name and oh my god it's Paul Annacone. He sent PAUL ANNACONE to get me. So I go to the court and am introduced to Sev and Steph, and then sit there watching his practice with Hewitt (!!!!).

After his practice he tells me we're gonna hit for a while and Sev says "but she doesn't have a racquet" and Roger is like "she can use one of mine" (!!!!!!!) so he reaches into his bag and gives me one of his racquets to hit with (!!!!!!). I was really scared because I'm not like amazing at tennis, I'm pretty good, but not out of the ordinary, and even if I was, it was freaking Roger Federer. But Paul and Roger told me not to be scared, it was so cute haha. So we hit for a bit, then he told me to come up and volley and he went up too. Paul told me not to be scared of Roger in the net 'cause it was all pressure, he wasn't even that good haha. Then he served and oh my gosh it's fast even though he wasn't even close to full speed. After that he went over the net, shook my hand and gave me a kiss on the cheek (!!!!!!). Then we walked (and talked) together to the other court where he was going to practice more with Hewitt. I watched this second practice and then after they were done Roger came up to me and said "well that's my day" and we talked for a bit more, and then he said "I'll see you on Sunday" (this was a Friday) and I freaked out because oh my gosh I was gonna see him again!!! So yeah that was it for this day. On Sunday the guys from ESPN told me I was gonna take a tour of the grounds, even though I had already taken one when I went to London for vacation. The more time at Wimbledon the better haha. But then when I'm waiting to take the tour I find out that the people who are giving me the tour are the Chairman of Wimbledon (!!!!!!) and Roger (!!!!!!!). Like, OH MY GOD. So yeah, they took me around, and to the walk the players take to get to Centre Court, and then to actual Centre Court, with everything being explained to me by Roger and the Chairman. After we got to Centre Court Roger had to leave earlier than us because he had his press conference (which I was going to), so he left us there to see a bit more of Centre Court. AND on his way out he talked to the main guy that gets Centre Court ready, to let me actually go there. Like, I stepped on the grass on Centre Court because of Roger. He's perfect oh my god. And then we took a while there so his manager called the girl from ESPN to ask her if we were going because Roger was waiting for me to start the press conference (!!!!!!!!!!). OMG HE IS PERFECT. So we went to the press conference and saw everything, and then on my wait out I passed Roger and he was like "So did you like it? Me getting grilled by the press?" He's always so dorky and funny haha. And then the people from ESPN took us to the players lounge because Roger was gonna sign some stuff for me after he had done all of his interviews (a lot of them) and gotten a award (you know, just usual stuff).

I was sitting there waiting for him and it was amazing because I saw soooo many other players. Tsonga asked to get one of the chairs in our table actually haha. I saw Murray, Nadal, Haas, Ferrer, Benneteau, Tipsarevic, Serena, Wozniacki, Radwanska, Lisicki, like, so many of them from up close. It was like heaven for a tennis fan haha. But then Roger finished his interviews and sat at out table with us. I had so many things for him to sign but I knew he was busy so I just took 4 pictures (one for each one in my family) and then 4 blank papers and my tennis bag, and gave for him to sign. He actually addressed the blank papers to each one of us, it was so perfect. In mine he wrote a bit more, and even a happy birthday!! (Did I mention it was my 18th birthday??) And then he asked me "is that it?" and I said "yes" and he was like "are you sure? Don't be embarrassed about it." He's so amazing and kind. So I gave him the rest of the stuff to sign. And he was just sitting there signing and chatting with me, but his manager was telling the guys from ESPN that he needed to go eat lunch, and Roger probably knew he had to, but he would have stayed there the whole day, just talking to us. He stayed a lot more than he had to for sure. But then the people from ESPN tried kinda finishing things up so that he could leave before his manager freaked out. So he went around the table hugging my mom, my dad and my sister, and then it was my turn. He told me I had been through a lot and hugged me really hard and I just started crying so so so much in his shoulder (it was around that time that the picture from my avi was taken haha) He was like "awnn". Then when I let go of him I was still like sobbing and I turned to him and he was kinda tearing up :') I thanked him and then he went.



Beatriz also shared a number of equally touching and enthusiastically captioned photos of her time with Federer via Twitter. Check them out for more feels:












Date: 2nd August 2013

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Greatest record in Tennis ended; Federer said no need to panic

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As tumultuous a day as professional tennis has produced in its nearly half-century history ended in the most unforeseeable, unexplainable way of all: a second-round loss by Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion and 17-time Grand Slam champ shuffled off Centre Court with dusk approaching on the fortnight's first Wednesday, his streak of reaching at least the quarterfinals at a record 36 consecutive major tournaments snapped by a man ranked 116th.

His remarkable 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) defeat against Sergiy Stakhovsky marked Federer's earliest Grand Slam exit in a decade.

“You don't panic at this point, that's clear,” Federer stated.

“You just go back to work and come back stronger really. It’s somewhat simple. It’s hard to do sometimes. But usually, I do turnarounds pretty good.  I'm looking forward to what's to come. I hope I can play a good summer, a good end to the season. This is clearly not what I was hoping for here today at this tournament.”

Federer’s loss ended one of the most impressive streaks in sports. Entering The Championships at SW19, Federer had made 36 successive trips to the quarter-finals or better at Grand Slams, which began nine years ago at the All England Club. Though now in territory he hasn’t been in during the pinnacle of his career, Federer declared that his time is far from up.

“I still have plans to play for many more years to come. It's normal that after all of a sudden losing early after being in the quarters 36 times, people feel it's different,” said Federer. “You guys hyped it up so much: me playing Rafa, and we're both out. So there's a letdown clearly. Maybe it's also somewhat a bit disrespectful to the other opponents who are in the draw still. I think it sends a message to you guys as well that maybe you shouldn't do that so often next time around.”

While he denied that it was the end of an era, Federer was pragmatic about the implications of his defeat. Wimbledon had been a place Federer relied on to find inspiration or jump start his results. Last year, after narrowly avoiding an early loss to Julien Benneteau in the third round, Federer went on to defeat Andy Murray in the final to reclaim the No. 1 Ranking and extended his No. 1 ranking to a record 302 weeks.

“Right now, this is a setback, a disappointment, whatever you want to call it,” Federer said. “But then overall, I think I played great eight months ago at the Barclays World Tour Finals, I played great at the Australian Open. You know, if things would have gone my way, maybe I could have done a bit more.”

“Overall, I think I've been playing actually not so bad, like some have portrayed it.  Season's not over here.  Only just in the middle.  Still have a lot of tennis left.  That's what I try to use for a good end to the season.”

Federer also credited his opponent for executing a game plan that he fully expected.

“I knew he was going to do that. He does it regularly. So he's comfortable doing it,” said Federer. “I believe it is a tactic you can use, if you play it the right way, if you have a big enough serve, you move good enough.”

“Clearly you also got to be good enough from the baseline on the return because you need a break once in a while. That's exactly what he was able to do today. I was impressed. I don't think from this point on I'm going to start serve volleying, but hopefully other players will in the future.”

Federer believes experienced players, like Stakhovsky, have become more confident playing on the grand stages against the game’s elite, in comparison to year's past.

“I think there was a time where some players didn't believe they could beat the top guys. So maybe there's a little bit of a thing happening at the moment,” said Federer. “I'm happy about that, that players believe they can beat the best on the biggest courts in the biggest matches.”

“I think that belief is very important. We're missing the teenagers overall, so it's up to other guys to do it like we've seen this week, at other places as well. All we can do is give it all we have, be a professional, train hard, do all the right things, what you're supposed to be doing. I hope they are also doing it if they're lower in the rankings.”

Date: 27th June 2013, Source: ATP and Wimbledon

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Federer: 'A much more complete player'

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In 2003, Roger Federer took the court for his first-round match at The Championships against Hyung-Taik Lee, unaware that this Wimbledon encounter would ignite the start of a history-making career.

On Monday, seven-time champion Federer opened his title defence in commanding fashion, brushing aside Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-2, 6-0, and afterwards, reflected on his growth as a player since winning his first major title 10 years ago at the All England Club.

“I just feel I'm stronger, because I was just starting to grow into a man's body back then, if you like, not quite sure how [enduring] I was on the court. I was not always quite sure tactically how to play,” Federer said. “Mentally, I still had that edge where I don't know if I could handle it at all times in every single match. That was something I was still trying to prove to myself.”

“Today, because I'm stronger, because I have the experience, because I've played so much, I'm just overall a more complete player. In those 10 years, many things have changed: racquet technology, strings, balls, court speed. All these things have a big impact on the game. I also had to adjust accordingly to it.”

Federer also discussed the evolution of the modern day tennis player and tactics, and how players need to be prepared to adapt in order to maintain their standing among the game’s elite.

“In the process, other players came on the tour. There were less serve and volley players, less chip and charge players and more baseline players. You have to adjust,” said Federer. “If the game went into serve and volley, that's what I would be doing today, too. I just had to adjust to the circumstances. Honestly, as a tennis player, you can never stop working on something. I always believe all of your strengths need work and all your weaknesses also need work.”

The Swiss superstar is aiming to win a record eighth Wimbledon crown and is seeking his 18th major title overall. Though he had a 5-0 Head 2 Head record against Hanescu entering their meeting, Federer said he was prepared for anything to happen.

“I pack my bags anyway for five sets every single time,” Federer said. “So I'm happy that things went well out there today.  I mean, in the first round, we've seen the surprise losses happen too often.  I was always going to give credit to Victor.”

Date: 24th June 2013, Source: ATP

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Federer imperious in Wimbledon opener

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Roger Federer opened his campaign for an unprecedented eighth Wimbledon title on Monday at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 victory over Romania’s Victor Hanescu.

“I thought overall I played a good match, no hiccups on the serve,” said Federer. “I returned good, sometimes aggressive, sometimes with the chip, the way I usually do it on the grass. Then I was moving pretty well even though I thought it was quite slippery, because it is opening Monday. I think I handled that well. There was just a bit of a breeze and it was cold. I'm happy to get out of there early and quickly. So it was a perfect day.”

He landed 70 per cent of his first serves on target, and 90 per cent of them were winners. He struck 32 winners, against a mere six unforced errors and there were seven aces and no double-faults – statistics of the steam roller. The top-quality winning shots overwhelmed Hanescu like an avalanche, gathering pace and power until the debacle of the third set which lasted just 18 minutes.



Federer reeled off the love games to take the first set in 24 minutes and the second set lasted just three minutes longer. Hanescu briefly delayed things by holding serve with a net cord winner, but a sixth ace from the defending champion closed out that set, too.

Hanescu stuck manfully to his task, even occasionally contriving an eye-catching winner, none better than a glorious lob in the fourth game of the final set. On the principle of anything you can do I can do better, in the next game Federer produced a lob even better – as it needed to  be to clear the reach of such tall opposition.

Just what Hanescu was up against was shown by one of his own statistics. His serving was excellent, with 85 per cent of his first deliveries on target, but he managed to eke out only 14 winners from such a good percentage.

This Swiss is looking to make history on the 10th anniversary of his first Wimbledon win in 2003 (d. Philippoussis), having won a record-equalling seventh crown last year with victory over Andy Murray. He took the first step in what is projected to be a very testing draw, with the possibility of Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, Murray in the semi-finals and top seed Novak Djokovic in the final.

He improved to a 67-7 record at the All England Club and to a perfect 6-0 Head 2 Head mark against the No. 47-ranked Hanescu as he swept through his opener in just 69 minutes.

Federer goes on to face Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, who was the day’s first winner with a 6-4, 6-0, 6-4 victory over Rogerio Dutra Silva. Federer won his one previous meeting with the No. 116-ranked Stakhovsky, two years ago in the Dubai quarter-finals.

Date: 24th June 2013, Source: ATP and Wimbledon

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Federer, Murray, Nadal in same half of Wimbledon

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Roger Federer faces a tough road to another Wimbledon final after draw threw Rafa Nadal and home favorite Andy Murray into the champion's path and cleared the way for world number one Novak Djokovic.

The third seed could face Spaniard Nadal, seeded only fifth to reflect his current ranking, in what would likely be an epic quarter-final on the grass of southwest London.

Federer and Nadal, the big danger in the draw, played three finals in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

If the Swiss seven-times winner gets through the quarter-final, he faces a potential clash with last year's finalist Murray in the semi-finals.

World number one Novak Djokovic would be on course to face seventh seed Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals but will avoid any of his three main rivals until the final.

The draw is certainly a tough one for Federer, who has recently struggled but rallied to victory in Halle, Germany, in his favorite warm-up for Wimbledon. Four of Federer's seven wins at Wimbledon came after he lifted the trophy in Halle.

Federer, Nadal and Murray will all play opening day on Monday at Wimbledon.

Federer will open the defense of his title against Victor Hanescu of Romania, while Nadal will take on Steve Darcis of Belgium and Murray plays Benjamin Becker of Germany, an opponent he beat last week at the Queen's Club.

Djokovic, who won Wimbledon two years ago, will start on Tuesday against Florian Mayer of Germany. He is guaranteed to keep the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings after the tournament whatever the result he achieves.

There are several noteworthy first-round matchups in the draw, with former champion Lleyton Hewitt facing No. 11 Stanislas Wawrinka; No.21 Sam Querrey against Bernard Tomic; and No. 10 Marin Cilic playing Marcos Baghdatis.

Roger Federer's possible opponents:

Round 1 : Victor Hănescu

Round 2 : Sergiy Stakhovsky

Round 3 : Lukas Rosol / Jurgen Melzer / Fabio Fognini

Round 4 : Nicolás Almagro / Jerzy Janowicz / Radek Stepanek

QF : Rafael Nadal / Stanislas Wawrinka / John Isner

Semi Final : Jo-Wilfred Tsonga / Andy Murray

Final : Novak Djokovic / David Ferrer

Date: 21st June 2013, Source: Reuters

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Wimbledon 2013: Roger Federer remembers journey from boy to man

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When it comes to Roger Federer, Wimbledon is special.

He loves its traditions, its knowledgeable crowd, the respectful hush of its packed Centre Court, and the words of Kipling over that door.

Above all, he loves its grass, an affection that is played out most eloquently through his career at the All England Club.

Fifteen years ago, Federer received his first trophy on the famed Centre Court. In fact, the 16-year-old picked up two trophies: the junior singles and doubles titles.

Just three years later, he was back on the same stage with, as he put it in an interview this week with BBC Radio 5 Live, “the men”.

“Just being able to play the boys junior Wimbledon was a huge deal,” he says. “You came in the second week, you’re watching the greats warm up—it honestly was quite inspiring for me to see these great players.”

The great players that year, as he rightly remembered, were Goran Ivanisevic and Pete Sampras… and it sewed the seeds in the Swiss teenager’s head of what might come: “When I won [the junior title], that’s when the dream became bigger, to maybe one day win with the men. As we know, I was able to do that, too.”

His first two forays with “the men” at Wimbledon, in 1999 and 2000, saw him exit in the first round, but also showed his promise. In the first, he took the 59-ranked Jiri Novak to five sets and in the second, he pushed No5 seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov through three tough sets, 5-7, 5-7, 6-7.

But a dozen years ago, in 2001, chance determined that Federer would face one of those men he admired from afar in 1998, Sampras. It was the match that truly announced Federer’s arrival not just at Wimbledon but in the consciousness of tennis fans around the world.

For the first time, he arrived at the All England Club with a senior title to his name, in Milan, having also reached the final of Rotterdam and, more pertinently, his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros.

Federer, who would not turn 20 for another six weeks, still looked very much the slender teenager he was: Oversize, baggy whites, a thick, unruly ponytail, stubble around the chin.

Nevertheless, the essentials were firmly in place. He already possessed the brilliant forehand that could pierce down-the-line defences or angle past a net-bound opponent with assorted spins and disguise. Just like the serve-and-volley players he so admired form the previous decade, he boasted an elegant and flexible single-handed backhand, impressive serving skills, as well as touch and timing around the net. And with footwork and movement to die for, as well as a desire to play all-court offensive tactics, he was designed for Wimbledon success.

So when he worked his way through the 2001 Wimbledon draw for a first—and what would be his only—meeting with the seven-time and defending champion Sampras, the world sat up. And when their fourth-round match unfolded through five long sets and almost four hours, the writing was on the wall for the current champion. The teenager won, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5, and Sampras would win only one more match at Wimbledon, losing in the second round in 2002 never to return.

But the hype surrounding Federer, and the expectation that he would now go on to win his first Slam, proved quite a burden, and perhaps the reason he failed to get beyond the fourth round at a Slam for two full years. Indeed he lost in the first rounds of both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2002.

He talked at length about the weight of expectation.

“It was interesting because in Switzerland we had Martina Hingis just before I came along, and she was obviously this phenomenon at 16, 17 and 18, just winning everything… and I think we got used to it, plus I had this incredible talent people were talking about. It was quite challenging for me. And then I had to keep my mental side in check as well, try to stay strong, and physically keep on improving, because I knew I wasn’t there yet.”

“I just needed more time to become stronger, and I think in particular the win over Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 really gave many people the belief that I should or could win a Grand Slam—and it should be Wimbledon.

“Look, I also faced a lot of pressure, a lot of criticism. People were starting to debate if I was ever going to win one. At the moment, it was very difficult to deal with. People comparing me to Pete Sampras, and he won 60-something titles and I had maybe barely five…basically that’s not fair, I don’t think. It was hard to accept, even though actually it was a compliment, in one way, it was also huge pressure on the other side.

“So I came into Wimbledon with a lot of pressure, having lost in the 1st round the year before against [Mario] Ancic. I knew that I better make at least the quarter-finals or maybe my first semi-finals at a Grand Slam.

“Then I played that amazing match against [Andy] Roddick in the semis: He had won Queen’s the week earlier, I won Halle. So I’m actually the favourite against Mark Philippoussis.

“I felt extremely confident and strong. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years, but what a magical run it was. Because it wasn’t straightforward—I had a back issue during the tournament, and it was very complicated, but I made it, and it was a dream come true for me.”

He was still only 21, still sported the baggy shirt, pony-tail and a broad unshaven smile that crumpled quickly into tears.

The next year he would beat Roddick in the final. In 2005, now clean-shaven, hair short and loose, and with his signature tailored styling, he repeated against the American. He would beat Roddick in a third final, 16-14 in the fifth set, in 2009.

In the three years from 2006 to 2008, he faced Nadal, the Spaniard bringing to an end Federer’s five-year run as champion in the last of them.

However, as Federer prepares for the defence of the seventh title, won against the home nation’s Andy Murray, it is Sampras’s name that again comes to the fore. He and Federer are currently level with seven Wimbledon titles apiece, which means another Federer title this year gives the Swiss a record eighth—a decade after his first.

He recognises the moment as he approaches his 15th consecutive Wimbledon and his 74th match, which he will, as defending champion, play on Centre Court.

“With Wimbledon alone, you could write a book…there alone I have an amazing career. For me, it’s been so much better than I thought it would be. I always hoped one day to be playing at Wimbledon, like my heroes [Stefan] Edberg, Sampras and [Boris] Becker. And here I am talking about my 10-year anniversary already.

“You have to appreciate [the wins], take time to enjoy, like I did last year. I had the chance to go on vacation, and while on vacation, I beat that unbelievable record of weeks at No1.

“And having won being a dad, having won as a junior coming up, there are so many little bits and pieces that made every victory at Wimbledon so, so special. And the support team, my parents, everyone who’s been so supportive—I don’t know how I can ever thank them. I hope I’ll get that opportunity one day.”

But on the 15th anniversary of his junior title, the 12th of that game-changing win over Sampras, and the 10th of his first title, it seems appropriate only to reverse those opening words: When it comes to Wimbledon, Roger Federer is special.

Date: 21st June 2013, Source: The Sport Review

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How Roger Federer became the King of Wimbledon

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Roger Federer will arrive in London this week looking like a successful Swiss banker, suave in appearance, multi-lingual and rich beyond imagination.

He mostly travels by private jet and he lives in splendour in Switzerland and Dubai with his wife Mirka, and their twin daughters, Charlene and Myla.

But no matter the privileged life he leads, no matter the opportunities that lie ahead as the sun begins to set on the most illustrious career tennis has seen, Federer’s spiritual home will be for ever within the lavishly-tended acreage of the All-England Club, in London SW19.

In the past decade, he has been almost a permanent presence on Centre Court on the day of the men’s final at Wimbledon, and the British public have witnessed, with unrestrained admiration, Federer’s journey from a pony-tailed tennis hippy to the game’s senior statesman.

That Federer will walk into the All-England Club as the defending champion just  a couple of months from his 32nd birthday will be a source of great pride. Only Rafael Nadal has beaten him in the eight finals he has played on Centre Court — in a match that finished in near-darkness in 2008; a game regarded as the greatest final in Wimbledon history.

For Federer, the 10th anniversary of the first of his seven titles is a moment to savour. ‘If you take all the other tournaments away and just talk about Wimbledon, there alone, I’ve had an amazing career,’ he said.

‘I always hoped just to be playing at Wimbledon like my heroes, Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras and Boris Becker, let alone think about winning there. I can’t believe it’s 10 years since I first won; what a magical run it’s been.’

Federer’s dominance there will be chronicled not just for the brilliance of his tennis — astute judges from Rod Laver to John McEnroe acclaimed him as the greatest player of all time in the middle of the last decade — but also for his sartorial choices.

He won his first two titles in 2003 and ’04 wearing his long hair tied in a short ponytail above a headband. He won his fifth successive championship in 2007, equalling the record of Bjorn Borg, by walking on court in long trousers and a blazer with his initials embroidered in gold thread on the breast pocket.

It was a reflection of Federer’s desire to embrace tradition without fear of ridicule, or failure. By then, the pony-tailed kid was just  a photograph in the Wimbledon museum.

No one could live with Federer. American Andy Roddick, who lost three Wimbledon finals against him, said after his first defeat in 2004: ‘I threw the kitchen sink at him but he went to the bathroom and got his tub.’

Yet, speaking to the BBC, Federer reveals himself to be feeling the burden of expectation tightening like  a noose around his neck at Wimbledon before his first title. He had won eight titles on the ATP Tour, but two years had passed since he had beaten seven-time champion Sampras at Wimbledon and he sensed  a growing impatience at his failure to translate his talent into a major title.

‘In Switzerland, we had Martina Hingis, who was this phenomenon at 16,’ said Federer. ‘At 17, 18, she was winning, dominating, and we got used to it. It was considered I had talent, but it became a challenge for me.  I had to keep my mental side in check, and stay strong. Physically, I had to keep improving as I knew I wasn’t there yet. With that win over Sampras, I really gave many people a belief that I should win a Grand Slam, and if I did, it would be Wimbledon.  I came to Wimbledon in 2003 under a lot of pressure, having lost in the first round the previous year.'

After beating Roddick in the semi-finals, he dismantled Mark Philippoussis to lift the gold trophy for the first time. ‘I had a back issue during the fortnight,’ he said. ‘It was very complicated to manage but we did so. And it was  a dream come true.

‘I had faced a lot of criticism and doubts. People were questioning if I was ever going to win one [major]. Looking back, you think how could people say that? But, in that moment, people were comparing me to Pete Sampras; and he won 60-something titles, and  I had won barely five. Basically, that’s not fair.’

Federer’s first triumph was a catalyst for him to assemble a record 17 Grand Slams. Sampras was in the Royal Box when Federer’s win over Roddick in 2009 enabled the Swiss to eclipse the American’s haul of 14 majors. ‘He’s won all the majors and he’s won 15,’ said Sampras. ‘In my books he is the greatest. Roger is a great champion. He’s a friend,  a great player and he can  get up to 18 or 19. He’s a legend, an icon and a credit to the game.’

Federer is treated as tennis royalty at Wimbledon. When a surprise party was arranged to celebrate his 30th birthday in Switzerland in August 2011, Tim Phillips, who was Wimbledon chairman through most of Federer’s success, was invited. Last summer Federer had a more public celebration when he won for a seventh time, beating gallant Andy Murray.

Tiger Woods wrote on Twitter: ‘Hats off to Murray for a great fight. But we saw why Fed is the GOAT.’ That acronym is shorthand for The Greatest of All Time.

Federer’s peerless story is nearing its end, but these Championships will be a celebration of his extraordinary contribution to the history of Wimbledon, as well as tennis.

‘It’s not over yet,’ said Federer, perhaps still a tennis hippy at heart in spite of all his wealth and elegance.

Date: 16th June 2013, Source: Dailymail

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Roger Federer's Wimbledon 2013 Outfit

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Roger Federer's Wimbledon 2013 Nike Outfit

Date: 6th June 2013

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Federer anticipates grass swing, Wimbledon anniversary

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It has been 10 years since Roger Federer won the first of his record-breaking 17 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, and the Swiss is hopeful that his approaching return to grass will help to ease the sting of a straight-sets loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Tuesday in the Roland Garros quarter-finals.

The Swiss will open his grass-court campaign at next week’s Gerry Weber Open, where he has won the title five times and a runner up twice including last year (lost to Tommy Haas). In 2003, he defeated Nicolas Kiefer in the final before three weeks later lifting the first of his seven Wimbledon trophies.

“This is obviously a crushing loss and I’m disappointed about it, but now I look forward to other things,” said the 31-year-old Swiss. “I love the grass court season. Especially as it's been 10 years since my first Wimbledon victory. So I'm looking forward to coming back to Halle and Wimbledon, where I did the double 10 years ago. I'm sure it's going to be a nice swing.”

Federer committed an uncharacteristic 34 unforced errors in his straight-sets defeat to Tsonga, but was quick to praise the inspired Frenchman, who is looking to end France’s 30-year wait for a male victor at Roland Garros.

“I think I struggled a little bit everywhere,” said Federer. “To be honest, personally, I'm pretty sad about the match and the way I played. But that's how it goes. I tried to figure things out, but it was difficult. And Jo did a good job keeping the pressure on. He can serve his way out of trouble at times, and I think as well he was just better in all areas.

“I had a great time here in Paris nevertheless. I enjoy myself here,” said the 2009 Roland Garros champion. “I think I played some good tennis. I'm playing pretty good. Today was just not one of those days.  So I've just got to forget quickly, and that I usually do pretty well anyway. It's easier when you change surface. That definitely helps. You have something else to look forward to.”

Federer recorded a milestone win in the fourth round, when he battled past Gilles Simon in five sets to become the fourth man in history to win 900 matches. Pleased with his form in the four matches that he won in Paris, Federer hopes to keep improving in his assault on the grass.

“I'm very satisfied with my first rounds because these were good matches,” said the Basel native. “I never thought it was bad that I was down a few sets against Simon. He's such a good player. I was very happy to enjoy this fight. I was more ready for the rest of the tournament. Not today. It was not the case today. Jo was too strong for me today. So I have to take it and accept it the way it is. I have to focus on the future matches.”

Date: 4th June 2013, Source: ATP

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