Sue
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Post by Sue on Jul 13, 2003 16:32:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the pics guys...keep 'em coming! Found this article today and thought it was very sweet.. TENNIS: This one's for you, Peter By BRONWYN HURRELL and LEO SCHLINK 08jul03 THERE may have been an Australian at the other end of the court, but when Roger Federer held the Wimbledon trophy aloft after defeating Mark Philippoussis, there were more intense emotions than patriotism tugging at hearts in Nuriootpa. Bob and Diana Carter cried with Federer after the match as the Swiss champion dedicated his win to their son, tennis coach Peter Carter. Carter, Federer's coach until three years ago and originally from the Barossa Valley town, was killed in a car accident while on holidays in South Africa last August. Federer shed tears of gratitude moments after the initial elation of his triumph, which he revealed were for the quiet South Australian who spotted his talent as a child player. "He's one of my most important people in my career," Federer said after his 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) win. "He's definitely included in this circle. That's for sure. I guess we would have big party together, if he was still here." The words were almost too much for Mr Carter, 68, and Mrs Carter, 67, who watched every point of the Wimbledon final. Mr Carter said it was humbling to see Federer make special mention of their son directly after the game – but not surprising. "It's quite a tribute, isn't it?" he said. "It wasn't only coach and pupil, they were great friends. "I didn't expect it, but I'm not surprised because I know how upset Roger had been with the tragedy." Mr Carter said he and his wife "almost felt part of Roger's victory, a little bit". "It was very hard – you've got an Australian playing and a Swiss, but we really were going for Roger. "We were very proud at the way Roger played. We could see a little bit of Peter in him." Mr Carter said he "wasn't sure" whether he would enjoy the game, but he did – although there were tears shed afterwards. "We got a little bit upset with Roger," he said. "It's only going to be a year (since Peter's death) in August. It's very tough still. "Because we were so close it sort of leaves a big hole in your life." Mr Carter said while the game did bring the family some happiness "it brings it all back". "Probably seeing Roger so upset got to us the most I suppose," he said. "We did genuinely enjoy the match. It was such a wonderful game. "The way both boys played, the manner in which they played with no tantrums was just like Peter. "He was very calm and cool. That was his nature to be like that." Now coached by Swede Peter Lundgren, Federer bathed in the sense of destiny which had him uncomfortably facing an early-match retirement against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in the fourth round because of an injured back and then producing near perfect tennis in the semi-final and final to savage Andy Roddick and Philippoussis. "I was really in big pain against Lopez," he said. "I was struggling to serve, I was struggling to return. I couldn't even really sit down because I was hurting so much. "Then I called for the trainer after two games and he gave me painkillers, he gave me a massage on my back with warm cream. "And I told myself 'If this continues for a few more games – and I realised this guy was kicking my ass – it's not worth playing.' But somehow I stayed in the match." Not so miraculous – nor surprising – for practised Federer observers was the stratospheric level of his play over the past three days as he vindicated the towering gifts Carter first uncovered. "For me, this is the best ever," Federer grinned. "It was the most important match in my life and already before that, the semi-final was maybe the most important. "I didn't lose a set in these two matches and played so well and I kept my level up and it is just an absolute dream." www.theadvertiser.au.com
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Sue
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Post by Sue on Jul 13, 2003 16:54:32 GMT -5
And another cute one..... It means much to him, that he received such a warm response in these courts. He has loved Wimbledon since the moment he first set foot here as a junior five years ago. He won the boys title here and is now one afternoon away from adding the one that really matters. While the crowd applauded, the biggest smile on Friday belonged to Federer's coach Peter Lundgren. Lundgren, a Swede, is a former professional who had a reputation for partying as hard as he played during his career. During the seasons his young charge was perceived to have under-performed, some called for Federer to ditch his coach. Their relationship was said to be friendly, perhaps too laidback and amiable to spark the fires of a winning combination. Federer kept faith. 'Peter knows the game. He knows the tactics and the techniques from different players and can spot their weaknesses, so he can help me a lot,' he said of his coach. 'He told me he did not want me to make the mistakes he made in his career. He's quite lucky. I'm very serious. I don't go to parties, I don't drink, I don't smoke. I'm very professional. 'Anyway, I'm too tired in the evenings to do anything except watch television or play cards.' www.sundayherald.com
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 13, 2003 17:19:16 GMT -5
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Post by ILR on Jul 13, 2003 17:32:52 GMT -5
guys!! What happened to our original refugee forum??? :'(
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Post by Lee on Jul 13, 2003 17:34:07 GMT -5
I have the same problem and I pm TH!
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Post by ILR on Jul 13, 2003 17:35:21 GMT -5
Hi Lee, yeh its just gone!! strange.
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Sue
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Post by Sue on Jul 13, 2003 17:49:26 GMT -5
OK, heres another.This is an older article which I remember reading at the time, ...Roger sounds like such a typical teenager here ;-) Federer Express By David Law Pete Sampras barely knew what to do with himself. Approaching the net on Wimbledon's Center Court as a beaten man for only the second time in nine years, Sampras stared across the court to where a young man, ten years his junior, lay on the grass crying. Roger Federer had just come of age. Seconds earlier, the 19-year-old Swiss had sent another majestic forehand flashing past the seven-time champion. The American had thrown the preverbial kitchen sink at Federer but the youngster had sent it back with interest, and as they shook hands, it seemed Sampras had finally found a successor worthy of carrying his baton of greatness into the new millennium.
He still lives at the family home with father Robert and mother Lynette and first picked up a racquet at the age of three. At 14 he had to make a choice between his two favorite sports - tennis and soccer. A fanatical supporter of Basel's football team, he decided to make soccer a hobby, and tennis his career.
One of the first people to work with him at that age was Dutchman Sven Groeneveld.
"He had the ability to hit all the shots," remembers Groeneveld. Right from the beginning it was obvious that this was no ordinary boy. Tall and athletic he played dashing, daring, wonderfully cavalier tennis, hitting shots that few players could dream up on their most wildly imaginative day. He even gave one of them a name - the 'Cliffhanger'.
"He hits it as hard as he can, but with so much spin that it drops like a rock and goes in," explained Groeneveld.
Even for a professional player, it's almost unplayable. Basically, the ball flies towards you, swerving right to left, hits the ground, turns completely the opposite direction, and then springs up at you like a dog that hasn't seen its owner for a month (I know this because he hit three 'Cliffhangers' in my general direction by way of illustration. The first left me swinging at thin air, the second whistled past my ear, and the third hit me smack in the face).
Even as a teenager, Federer earned comparisons to the very best players in the world, including Sampras. Both used the same Wilson racquet, both played with a classical, languid style, and both moved around the court like a cat.
But Federer was still just a boy, and an immature one at that. His match against Sampras at Wimbledon would later lead on-lookers to describe him as 'Borg-like', but as a junior, he was nothing of the sort.
"I was very surprised when people started to compare me to Borg because I always had the feeling that I the was opposite to him," said Federer. "When I was young, I was really carrying on like an idiot on the court. My parents were going nuts in the stands. It was ridiculous. My father was saying 'just relax, don't freak out', but I was convinced that I knew best."
But while Becker was already a man at 17, Federer wasn't even close to full maturity. He showed glimpses of his talent in 1999 to break into the top 100, but as he entered his 20th year, he still hadn't made the splash that some people expected.
"Why do I lose all the close matches?" he asked desperately, after a three set tussle with Jiri Novak in Monte Carlo had gone against him in 2000.
It was apparent that Federer needed more than just natural talent to fully realize his potential. He would play irresistible tennis for a set and a half, establish a lead but often lose his concentration, his mind and then the match. If he did grind his way through, he invariably used up so much physical and mental energy in the process, that there was nothing left in the tank for the next day.
Two things needed to happen. First, he needed to calm down on court. When he played, it seemed that every shot had to be perfect, otherwise he would lose his temper. He spent so much energy shouting into the sky, cursing every missed shot and flinging his racquet around, that when it really mattered, he had no reserves to call on. It was fabulously entertaining to watch, but enormously draining for him.
"I think that I have finally realized," said Federer, with a grin. "My coaches, Peter Carter before, and Peter Lundgren now, told me that throwing my racquet, getting pissed off and screaming didn't help my game, but I just didn't agree with them. I had the feeling that I had to release my anger somehow and I always told myself that I play better when I do. Now I realize that it is better when I show less emotions, concentrate more on my game and lose less energy."
These days, he releases his excess energy off court instead. He and Lundgren play video games and watch movies together, and for the Swedish 36-year-old, the challenge of keeping Federer occupied off the court is almost as important as fine-tuning his groundstrokes.
"It's a full-time job to keep him entertained," said Lundgren, who reached No.25 in the world as a player. "That's why during the Ericsson Open in Miami, we moved to South Beach. We could go down to the beach, take a swim, get in the car, play loud music, and he could scream. You have to let him."
Secondly, Lundgren knew that Federer needed to be physically stronger. Just like Sampras at 19, he needed to grow into his body, so they enlisted the help of physical trainer Pierre Paganini.
"There were two objectives," he said. "The first objective was to make him faster, stronger, and to have more endurance. The second was to use those qualities at the right moment on the court."
Working like a dog off the court, and staying calm on it, the 'Federer Express' quickly gathered momentum, and in February 2001, it went into overdrive. Claiming the first title of his career in Milan, Federer was named the ATP Player of the Month for February. He won 14 of 16 matches, and led Switzerland almost single-handedly to victory over the United States in the Davis Cup in Basel.
He even began to look different. A member of the ATP's New Balls Please marketing campaign and now a Davis Cup hero with an ATP title to his name, his wide eyed fascination with tour life had been replaced by the serenity of someone who looked utterly comfortable in his surroundings. He wore a pony-tail, a head scarf wrapped around his forehead during matches, and a look of newly-developed maturity.
Coming into Wimbledon, with a Roland Garros quarterfinal appearance under his belt, Federer was determined to show what he could do on grass.
Against Yevgeny Kafelnikov the previous year, Federer had become so discouraged watching returns whistle past him in the opening game that he tried to play the Russian, one of the best baseliners in the world, from the back of the court. It didn't work, and was never likely to. On this surface he needed to fight his battles from the net, no matter what.
"The problem is that if you stay back on grass, it doesn't really matter how bad the other guy's return is, it's still tough to dig it out," acknowledged Federer. "So you serve and volley to make the other guy at least hit a good return."
That was the theory, but as Lundgren explained, it took a while for Federer to get to grips with forcibly charging the net on every ball.
"When he first started practicing volleys he hated it, he wasn't good at it," said Lundgren. "It was like there were sharks inside the service box. But we practiced, and now the sharks are gone."
Proving the point, Federer fought his way past Xavier Malisse in the second round, swept aside Jonas Bjorkman in the third, and then saw the name of Pete Sampras written next to his own in the draw.
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Sue
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Post by Sue on Jul 13, 2003 17:50:23 GMT -5
cont.....Having looked up to the American for as long as he could remember, this was a dream come true for Federer.
It also marked the first time in his career that he would play on the Center Court at Wimbledon.
"For me it was a very strange feeling," he said. "Walking towards center court - I'd never done it before - walking through the alleys just behind the scenes before anyone sees you. Before I walked on the court, the man who escorted me asked, 'so, do you know how it works on center court?' I said that I didn't. Then he looked at Pete and said 'well, you probably know.' I had to laugh.
"He told me that I had to turn around at the service line and make my bow to the (Royal) Box. That is something special, something I probably always wanted to do once in my life and career."
The burning question that remained was how he would react to playing Sampras. He'd been compared to the great man for years, admired him for as long as he could remember, and here he was about to mix it with him on the biggest stage in the world. It was the ultimate test.
"Sometimes I looked across the net and saw him, someone so special and different," said Federer. "Normally you look on the other side and just see an opponent, but this time when I looked over, I saw Pete Sampras, my idol.
"I didn't feel normal. On my first service game my hands were ice cold, but I started off with an ace so that relieved me straightaway. I was thinking, 'Oh come on, that's a good start!' After the first two games we played, it was a normal match and I got into the groove."
So much so that after three and a half hours, they were still going at it. At 4-4 in the final set, with Federer serving, Sampras went in for the kill.
"I was really scared that my chance was slipping away," said Federer. "I could see on his face that he was raising his game."
But to the champion's amazement, Federer stood firm, held serve, and turned the tables, forcing two match points on the American's serve.
"I was very calm walking to the other side at 15-40," said Federer, re-living the moment. "Of course the crowd were going wild, but I was very focused on what I had to do. I took a chance, told myself that he would go to my forehand, and everything seemed to go so quickly. I hit it and I knew right then, 'that's it.'"
It was the most astonishing moment. As Sampras turned to watch the ball drop well inside his baseline, Federer fell to his knees, then collapsed onto his back as the weight of what he had done began to register.
"I went down on my knees and thought, 'Wow, this is better than anything I have ever experienced so I might as well just lie down! I had the feeling that I could have laid down there forever."
He didn't. He got up immediately and ran to the net where Sampras was waiting patiently. Federer knew what he had done. He'd inflicted the most painful injury possible on the champion by beating Sampras in a place that the American regarded as his own back yard. To celebrate while Sampras waited at the net would only add salt to the champion's wounds.
"I told myself to go and shake hands with Pete. I couldn't make him wait because he must have felt terrible and wanted to get out of there. I think it was a thing of respect," said Federer.
The world hailed a new star. The 'king was dead, long live the king', they said. But this wasn't to be Federer's Wimbledon crown, not yet. Despite a similarly brilliant and equally stubborn performance against Britain's Tim Henman in the quarterfinals, Federer ran out of steam.
At 20 though, life is good. He has endless skill, a genuinely nice nature and a wickedly good sense of humour (his latest practical joke involves the victim calling his mobile phone, hearing Federer answer 'hello?', but then feeling stupid when the voice adds 'ha, got you again, leave a message'). In short, he has the potential to become one of the biggest names in the game.
Fellow New Balls Andy Roddick, Marat Safin and Juan Carlos Ferrrero will make waves of their own in the future, but it's the potential rivalry between Federer and Hewitt which really get pulses racing. They couldn't be more different. Federer's game and personality are loose, relaxed and easy on the eye while Hewitt is intensity personified.
The match they played in the Basel semifinals in 2000 was enough to make the mouth water. Both players ran side to side, hit the cover off the ball and dripped emotion throughout, and after saving a match point it was Federer who came through.
There was something familiar about watching Federer purr to the net and Hewitt counterattack from the baseline. It was like Sampras against Agassi all over again.
"I like to play Hewitt," says Federer. "I'm not surprised that he won the US Open because his game is so solid, his feet always move and his legs are always there. For me it's different. I have to tell myself to move. I hope that in the future my condition will be so good that I never lose matches because of my body again. If I can do that, I think I will be very dangerous, more dangerous even than him. When you play Hewitt, you know what's coming. When you play me, you don't know what's going to come."
One thing's for sure, if they both turn it on at the same time, tennis fans are in for a treat.
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Post by Doris on Jul 14, 2003 6:03:38 GMT -5
And here's the translation from that facts article...
Wimbledon winner Roger Federer writes exclusive for FACTS:
It was a strange feeling. I knew: Only one more point then I have won. Wimbledon-champion incredible. One tels to oneself, now stay concentraded, don't get disturbed, in tennis things can change so quick, everything can be different all of a sudden. But at the same time I new as well that there could be hardly anything going wrong, I felt good no excellent. It is really difficult to describe all the thoughts going through ones head at such a moment. When I make it, I'll go down to my knees I knew that. That I've already made here two years aga after my win against Sampras, I wanted to feel the gras after these wins, to suck in that unbeliaveble feeling of joy. As a boy I pictured myself how it is to play on Centre court and to win the biggest title in the tennissport. I've played it again and again. But the reality can't be compared with the dreams. I looked to the trophy, he shined like the sund and when you hold it in your hands it's like magic. "how have you lived this Moment" I've been asked a lot in the past days. What shall one answer to that? You can't describe it. These are words used quite a lot from sports, but they couldn't be any mating as that. One can hardly reproduce it, not explain or describe it. Maybe you wondered as well why I didn't go to my coach, my friend, my mother and climbbed up the box after matchpoint. The answer is a simple one: The were already all with me on the court for the longest time, deep down in my heart. A lot of people helped me on my way to this success especially my parents, my sister. They always supported and accompained me on my way. They were with me on the court and they knew it. I didn't have to prove this for the public. I know in my profision it belonges to it, for the spectactors, the fans, the journalists or the sponsors to be there for them. It's giving and taking. All the many interwiews and honours in the past few days didn't bother or stress me at all in the contrary. After such a win the joy is on top of it in every minute. And now I'm even a Member of the Lawn Tennis & cricket Club in wimbledon, that's fantastic. I'm allowed to play there anytime. I told the other members at the champions dinner on sunndaynight, they shall just call me if they feel like playing tennis. I believe they liked it. Fjor me it was a nice and for sure unforgetable evening, we had a good and funny table with Serena Williams, her bodyguard and the president of the club. And at the end all of a sudden many wanted to have an autograph. Strage, many, whom hold this trophy already in their hands. But one should not forget by all this joy and bustle aournd onself that a Wimbledon win isn't everything. I don't like to sound precocious here, but there will also be other times again, difficult and sour moments, in sports as in privat. Almost a year ago one of my best friends died, in Gstaad we still were talking a lot togeter. Huch I still miss Peter Carter, but I had to accept that he's no longer around. One thing is for sure: To him belongs also part of my Wimbledon-win.
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 14, 2003 6:18:30 GMT -5
Merci, Doris!
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 14, 2003 8:15:05 GMT -5
Thank you Doris -- Rogi says some lovely things! He's very thoughtful and sensitive... brings a tear to my eye...
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 14, 2003 16:30:35 GMT -5
what a lovely day i had...after doing tons of laundry and drying them out in the sun i went to the community pool, MuriBad, which is just beside the Aare river and it was super. Went swimming for about half an hour and saw some friends and we chatted. Then went to the tennisclub and played doubles. The weather's so warm today we sat there outside till now and it was still 24°C. It's not everyday you have weather like this here so i really made the most out of it, waited till the moon came up. Ahh, she's so big and lovely, what a sight to behold...
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 14, 2003 16:39:47 GMT -5
Mrs. B Sounds like you had a great day Too bad the heat is so opppressive here Though I can't wait to go to my lesson tomorrow. Good news on that front! I might have someone to play with very soon! A fellow beginner, and coincidentally, someone who might be taking lessons from my instructor!
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 14, 2003 16:57:11 GMT -5
Hi, Hackie! Playing tennis tonight wasn't so bad cuz we were on the last court and it was in the shadows. But i don't really mind even playing in the scorching heat. Just drink lots of liquid. That sounds great that you've got someone to play with. I'm playing again on Wednesday and Thursday and am looking forward to it. btw., i was serving well today.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 14, 2003 17:04:21 GMT -5
That sounds great that you've got someone to play with. I'm playing again on Wednesday and Thursday and am looking forward to it. btw., i was serving well today. The heat is so oppressive here I have to take food to ward off sunsickness I'm going to ask my instructor about this other girl before I call her, but it would be really great to have someone to hit with outside of my lessons, and I wouldn't have to pay for it Congrats on your serving! Do you hit flat, or are you using slice like me?
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 14, 2003 17:15:21 GMT -5
My first serve's flat, but sometimes i use the slice. I'm able to place them now where i want to so that helps a lot, even if i don't have a lot of power on it. ----- am off, hubby's here, and i could use a midnight snack. i only had melon for din, and beer after... a domani!
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 14, 2003 17:27:19 GMT -5
Placement is more important than power -- I mean, look at who's at the top of the professional game LOL, with our powers combined, a perfect player might emerge, since I have power to spare but not direction whatsoever Ciao!
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 15, 2003 2:56:13 GMT -5
Bon Giourno! Picking up where i left off... My slice serve is more effective because i could put it on my opponents bh (i'm a lefty). I try to mix it so it's good to surprise them with a bit faster flat serve, to their body. As long as i'm playing with ladies in my level or lower, then i'm able to do it well, but with the better players, like during our doubles finals, then it's not threatening enough. Still, i'm working on it everytime. But yeah, i could use some of your power! lol busy day today, i'm making dinner tonight at the club---tomato, mozzarella wt basil salad, and baked salmon wt ginger/leek coconut milk sauce and rice...get back to my creative groove. must go shopping. talk to you guys tonight!
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Post by Doris on Jul 15, 2003 7:54:04 GMT -5
Mrs. B. I ha hunger!! Have fun!!
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 15, 2003 9:39:18 GMT -5
:love1: Apparently the lovebirds are going to Sardinia for their holiday!! Nice place! I fear the press will catch up to them though... wonder who leaked the info? Hope Rogi can actually get some well-needed rest!!
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Post by Doris on Jul 15, 2003 10:06:48 GMT -5
Gee hope they leave Roger and Mirka alone!! They really deserve a break!!
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 15, 2003 13:08:42 GMT -5
Mmm, your meal sounds delish, Mrs. B! I asked my instructor about this other woman, and he told me she's quite high strung and can hit the crap out of the ball, so I guess I better be careful! I figured out how to hit a slice backhand today at my lesson, quite by mistake. I started slicing my volleys so I guess if I get enough control of it, I have a drop shot now. I also asked my instructor about changing racquets to get more control. He agreed to let me use his racquet at our next lesson to try out a "superskinny", he called it. He uses a Volkl and sings its praises, so we'll see how that goes. I wish we could play I don't know too many lefthanded people and it would be an interesting contrast.
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Post by ILR on Jul 15, 2003 14:08:56 GMT -5
Oooh Sardinia! I have a friend who went there and she said it was beautiful! Good choice indeed
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 15, 2003 15:01:53 GMT -5
Oooh Sardinia! I have a friend who went there and she said it was beautiful! Good choice indeed Maybe Rogi and Mirka have a private little hideaway there... nice! R&R for ROGI!
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Post by ILR on Jul 15, 2003 15:09:52 GMT -5
Maybe Rogi and Mirka have a private little hideaway there... nice! R&R for ROGI! Possibly! Do many people in Sardinia like tennis? I have no idea! Well its a gorgeous place anyway
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 15, 2003 16:21:02 GMT -5
Stilll another article -- I love this one, short but great reading!! Roddick derailed by Federer express 4 July 2003 Roger Federer proved emphatically he has got the bottle for the big occasion by routing Andy Roddick to reach his first Grand Slam final. Ever since he ended Pete Sampras' 31-match Wimbledon winning streak two years ago the Swiss 21-year-old has been earmarked as a star of the future - but had never gone beyond the last eight. Federer finally shattered the doubts for good with a simply magnificent 7-6 6-3 6-3 win over the tournament favourite. Right from the start Federer leapt aggressively upon the Roddick serve and flung back passing shots which left the American flat-footed. Federer gave his opponent few glimmers of hope on his own serve and one hour and 43 minutes later Roddick - also still searching for his first Grand Slam final place - had been pummelled into submission. Federer seized the opening set, escaped from his only two break points down in the first game of the second set, and from then on left Roddick choking in his dust. The Swiss ace - winner of the pre-Wimbledon grass-court tournament in Halle - produced a majestic cross-court forehand to break Queen's champion Roddick for 2-0 and continued to serve out brilliantly to take the set. He out-aced and out-returned Roddick and left the coming American superstar looking frustrated and one-dimensional. A poor Roddick back-hand into the net presented Federer with the break he needed in the fifth game of the third set. And a succession of blistering passing shots brought up his first match points on the Roddick serve at 5-3. Roddick summoned up big serves to save the first two but a wide forehand completed Federer's demolition job. source www.thisislondon.com Rogi does choose some interesting holidays spots, not your usual beach destinations!
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Lily
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Post by Lily on Jul 15, 2003 18:24:08 GMT -5
did someone say Sardinia? I need a holiday, sighs beaten Federer Agence France-Presse Gstaad, Switzerland, July 13 Wimbledon champion Roger Federer missed out on a sixth title this season when he lost the final of the 550,000-euro Swiss Open to Jiri Novak on Sunday and then admitted he needed a holiday. A week after his Grand Slam triumph at the All England Club, the final of his home event proved a match too far as he went down to a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 defeat to the experienced Czech. Now Federer, the world number three, will head off on a vacation to Sardinia for a week before he returns to action on the American hardcourt circuit. "I really need a rest," said Federer, who won 15 matches in a row on the way to grass titles in Halle and Wimbledon. "We'll see how things look after some rest. I haven't had any time for a little glass of champagne to celebrate Wimbledon - that might be nice to do now." After winning the opening set with a fight-back in the final game form 0-40 down, top-seeded Federer's form went into decline as the third seed grabbed a two-sets-to-one lead. Federer rallied to take the fourth but couldn't convert on break points early in the fifth, crashing down 2-4 on a break and taking defeat in two hours 48 minutes. "I had my problems but was happy to get the fourth," said the 21-year-old who has now lost Swiss finals in Basel and Gstaad for a total of three home defeats in three years. The last Swiss to win the Gstaad event was Heinz Gunthardt in 1980, but Federer is sure to be back for another go. Despite the defeat, he is not putting any pressure on himself ahead of the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. "I've never done well in the States, I don't know why. I may have a chance at the number one ranking, but I'm not going to push it. "If it happens, it happens. I'll work more on fitness after my break and hope to be ready to play again. I need to maintain momentum, I've been hitting the ball well. I want to relax in the buildup to the rest of the summer." Novak earned his second straight title here after winning in 2001. "I'm the happiest man in the world right now," said the Czech father of two. "I've won two singles and two doubles titles here. It was a tough match, Roger played well, but I was just a bit better and a bit luckier today." The men had faced off twice in previous finals, with Federer winning in Vienna 2002 and Dubai in February.
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 16, 2003 3:53:00 GMT -5
heard it also on the radio yesterday that Roger's moving to Kanton Schwyz for tax purposes... okey, if anyone's interested in MY tennis i beat my opponent this morning, 6-0, 3-1. Two years ago she beat the crap out of me in our club tournament. Never again. I think i'm really learning how to do my shots well and i vary my strokes. Ha! All that tennis watching on tv (& live) is paying off. We were supposed to play at 9 but she called up and wanted to play earlier cuz she says it's hot. I was a bit stressed as i didn't even finish drinking my coffee, and i was tired from my food preparation yesterday. See, i'm inspired by Roger's game! btw., Hackie, the meal was devoured with gusto. And yes, if ever you come to Bern one of these summers, i'll invite you to play at our club. You'd love European clay. Emma, have a nice holiday yourself, maybe you can hijack the plane and let them land in Sardinia instead! ;D
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Post by Doris on Jul 16, 2003 4:11:09 GMT -5
Good morning everybody Good to hear your tennis is improving Mrs. B!! Well I wish I could be at Rogers place enjoing the sun somewhere on a hidden beach relax and do nothing... ....Emma enjoy your holidays!!
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 16, 2003 4:50:23 GMT -5
Good to hear your tennis is improving Mrs. B!! Guess one's never too old to improve...
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