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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:39:53 GMT -5
Awesome Federer Joins the Greats ©EPA/ F. Coffrini Sunday, 3 July, 2005 At what point do the various terrifying statistics about Roger Federer's current form amount to a public health warning? Is there any opponent alive who does not know that the Swiss has won every single final in which he has appeared for the last two-and-a-half years? By the time he next plays on grass in the summer of 2006, it will be four years and 37 matches since he last lost on the surface. Of his last 101 sets played on grass (including Sunday's Wimbledon final), he has lost only eight. Just to clarify the full steamroller value of that statistic: on average about one opponent in 16 gets to win a whole set before - of course - losing the match. Hence the public health warning for those foolish enough to attempt taking on Federer at grasscourt tennis. Don't try it, kids. Just say no. This afternoon on the Centre Court, Andy Roddick thought it was safe to go back in the Wimbledon water after last year's defeat to Federer in the final. He rapidly found out it was a very bad idea. Twenty-two minutes and the first set was gone, courtesy of one Federer error and 15 outright winners. At this rate he would be lifting the golden trophy in a little over the hour. Even his mishits were good. Roddick looked appalled. After yesterday's longest women's final in history, would this be the shortest ever men's? One check of the record books proved that Roddick was at least out of the woods on that one. The record from 1881 stands at 37 minutes. Indeed, by the time 37 minutes of this match had elapsed, Roddick had some actual good news - he had broken Federer's serve, and was 3-2 up in the second. It made him yelp with joy, as if he were about to serve for the match. Unfortunately, come 41 minutes, the good news was over. The Swiss had broken back. Perhaps Roddick was affected by his rain-delayed semi-final against Thomas Johansson lingering into Saturday. It was a tough match, despite being contained within four sets. But then, maybe it would not have mattered if Roddick had holidayed on a palm-fringed South Seas island for a month before taking on his adversary today. Certainly the bookmakers had no doubt as to the result. They had Roddick at 9-2 for the title, with Federer at 1-8 - that is, stake eight bucks to get just one extra back. Unrewarding odds, but they seemed quite reasonable when Federer had two set points at 5-4. Roddick rescued them, but Federer's brand of tennis was too preposterously good. Roddick was having to play out of his skin to capture so much as a point. He deserved some kind of trophy simply for taking the second set into the tiebreak. Unfortunately, of the seven tiebreaks these men had played against one another in previous meetings, six of them had gone to - no surprises - Federer. When Roddick sent a forehand into the net for 2-5, he hurled his racket to the hallowed turf in frustration. It was difficult not to have sympathy with him. He was producing some great stuff. The problem was that Federer's stuff was greater still. An overlong Roddick forehand sealed the set for his rival. It must have been wholly in keeping with the American's mood that at precisely that moment, the rain came down. Before today, seven men had won Wimbledon three times in succession, but only two in the Open era - Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras. Was Federer about to join that elite company? Not if Roddick could regroup in the rain break. After all, he is no mean grasscourt player himself. The facts back up the Wimbledon seeding committee. Before today he had won 34 out of his last 36 matches on grass. Using your skill and judgment, see if you can work out which player delivered those two defeats. After a 25-minute break for the rain, they were back. Roddick would need divine intervention now if he were to avoid his ninth defeat to Federer in ten meetings. Judging by the way the Swiss broke Roddick for 4-3, even the Almighty is no match for Federer on a tennis court. Roddick looked shattered, like a helpless witness to some catastrophic incident. Eight minutes later Federer was in the history books with Borg and Sampras. So despite his television advertisement for a well-known credit card, Roddick will not be requiring a second seat on the flight home to accommodate his replica winner's trophy. That honour went to Federer, the player who chose tennis over football at the age of 10 because he wanted to know that, win or lose, his results were down to him and him alone. Who can guess how many more times Federer will kiss the golden trophy at Wimbledon? No wonder John McEnroe calls him "a beautiful player - the greatest natural talent I've ever seen". Written by Kate Battersby
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:40:44 GMT -5
Federer seals Wimbledon hat-trick By Caroline Cheese BBC Sport at Wimbledon World number one Roger Federer produced a near-perfect performance to beat Andy Roddick 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 and complete a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles. The 23-year-old joins Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg as the only players to win three in a row in the Open era. Federer was at his peerless best in the first set but Roddick fought hard in the second before his opponent stepped up a gear to take it on a tie-break. A rain delay failed to unsettle the Swiss, who broke once to seal glory. "It's a pity for Andy but I really did play my best," Federer told BBC Sport. "I'm very, very proud. This is the third time so it's very special. This guy's the best for a reason and deserves credit Andy Roddick "I came here with huge expectations and to be standing here with the trophy is almost a dream. "I was quite concerned before the semi-finals and the final and it's a huge relief." The first set looked set to be a tight affair when only one point went against serve in the first five games. But at 3-2, Federer piled on the pressure by finding a way to return some fearsome Roddick serves. Federer set up a second break point by firing Roddick's smash straight back past his opponent and took control when the American went long. The world number one made just one error and hit 15 winners in an awe-inspiring first-set display and rubber-stamped his dominance by breaking again to take it in 22 minutes. To his credit, Roddick did not buckle. When Federer suffered a brief lapse of concentration at 1-1 in the second, the second seed took his chance and broke for the first time in the match. The defending champion was quickly back into his stride and levelled proceedings at 3-3 but still, Roddick fought on. The American, approaching the net with increasing frequency, saved two set points at 4-5 and recovered from deuce at 5-6 but he was finally undone by the brilliance of his opponent in the tiebreak. A netted forehand gave Federer a 5-2 lead and prompted Roddick to hurl his racket into the turf, but it failed to kickstart the second seed. Just as Federer took a commanding two-set lead, rain provided the under-fire Roddick with some welcome respite. The short delay did seem to energise Roddick. He got to deuce on Federer's first service game but the top seed once again found his form when it mattered. I couldn't help but cry for Federer, he is so beautiful to watch and his absolute love for Wimbledon is amazing From M A supreme forehand pass at the start of game seven sparked another rush of winners from Federer. The 23-year-old fired yet another backhand winner past a stranded Roddick to seal the crucial break and the outclassed American had no answer. The world number one held serve to 15 to complete a comprehensive victory in one hour 41 minutes. "I'm more in the mood for a beer than a chat right now," Roddick said after his eighth defeat in nine matches against Federer. "I couldn't have asked for more and wanted it more but this guy's the best for a reason and deserves credit. "He's become such a complete player, even since he beat me in the semi-finals two years ago. He's improved so much since then." And looking to future matches against the champion, Roddick joked: "Maybe I'll just punch him or something." Story from BBC SPORT: news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/tennis/4643611.stmPublished: 2005/07/03 15:18:50 GMT © BBC MMV Federer in a class of his own By Howard Swains, Times Online Andy Roddick is the second best tennis player in the world on grass, but the immense gulf between the Nebraskan and Roger Federer, the undisputed world No 1, was underlined on Centre Court today when Federer won his third consecutive Wimbledon title in straight sets. The Swiss player was as close to perfection as it is possible to be, winning 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. Federer collapsed to the grass and wept as he completed his three-set triumph, but the real tears should be reserved for anyone up against the world No 1 in this mood. He won his 36th consecutive match on grass and never looked threatened, joining Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras as the only men to win three Wimbledon titles in a row. "I hope it's not going to stop at three," he said. On today's form, Sampras's record six titles looks in serious jeopardy. "This guy is the best," admitted Roddick. "He's become such a complete player. Maybe I'll just punch him or something." The first five games of the final all went with serve, neither man seemingly able to get a racket on the bullets being fired at them. But things changed in the sixth game, when Federer took a love-30 lead on the Roddick serve and managed to win the two more points necessary for the break. Roddick had to serve to stay in the set at 5-2 but couldn't manage to master the defending champion's blocked returns, continually firing long. Roddick, the second seed, had been forced to five sets twice in the tournament so far and lost the opening set of his semi-final against Thomas Johansson before coming back to win 3-1. He may have glimpsed another comeback when he finally managed to break Federer in the third game of the second set, but it was soon back on serve when Federer broke back three games later. The second set edged towards a tie-break after Roddick saved a set point on his serve in the eleventh game. Roddick had only previously won one decider against Federer in his career and the sorry record looked like being extended when Federer raced to a 3-0 lead. But Roddick managed to win two points against serve to give himself hope, before Federer upped a gear again and refused to allow another point. The players were forced from the court as drizzle began to fall in SW19, but the half-hour break did nothing to alter the mood of the match. Federer was immediately back in his stride on the resumption, holding out with ease and still managing to threaten his opponent's serve. The seventh game of the set was the final nail in the coffin for Roddick as Federer managed to break with a series of sumptuous groundstrokes. The American was powerless as Federer continued to pass him at will. It was a formality from there and the engraver began etching Federer's name on the famous trophy for a third time.
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:43:31 GMT -5
Federer master of the beautiful game By Brough Stott (Filed: 03/07/2005) There's something in his smile. It only comes after the match and there is nothing flashy in it. The teeth may barely show but a warm and blissful wonder grows through the down-turned Federer face. At last he can be happy with what has gone before. On Friday, Roger had those three sets against Lleyton Hewitt to smile upon, the first two as dazzling in their power and beauty and invention as anything you will see in tennis. Poor Lleyton hardly got a sniff as Roger stretched and hit and surprised him. It was highly charged. It was one-on-one combat, and yet for Federer the histrionics were confined to that little double-footed jumping turn of frustration when a would-be winner had strayed. Hewitt was important, but the real test was to play to the Federer potential, to try and paint that masterpiece on to the court. There should be arrogance here but Federer's genius has a purity about it which is uniquely appealing. The next few weeks will see two other men with claims to be the greatest performer their sport, or any other, has ever seen. But for all their astonishing respective achievements, neither Lance Armstrong nor Tiger Woods handle themselves in and out of competition with an open charm anything like that of Roger Federer. True, both Lance and Tiger may have new records up ahead and both can be winningly articulate when they wish. But there is also an unattractive jaggedness about Armstrong and an unappealing control-freakery in Woods which makes it hard to imagine either walking into a press conference as Federer did on Friday to modestly and wittily handle questions in English, French, German and Swiss/Deutch not even excluding the compulsory joke in each language about the cow Juliette, his hometown reward for Wimbledon 2003. Before the tournament started, BBC TV asked 10 leading players to film a preview for them. Every one bar Federer found a reason to decline. A day later a walking interview with Radio Wimbledon hit a technical snag as he entered the most famous gates in tennis. "Could we ever do it again," gulped the hack. "Of course," said Federer, "I have the time." Yes, he has the time. That was the glory of it on Friday. We all know that Hewitt is a scrapper, the fastest man in tennis, but here he was being pushed around by a force that was just awesome to behold. In no other sport do you get a full two hours of close-up study of the athlete in extremis. In tennis on the Centre Court you seem to be looking not just at a player's shots but into his very soul. With Federer, even the physique is something of a contradiction. At 6ft 1in and nearly 13st, he is a big, almost heavy-looking figure with a crumpled face that in concentration is hardly a thing of beauty. Yet the moment he picks up the racket he is transformed into an extraordinary creature with a lightness to match the power, a speed to equal the stealth, and, above all, the hawk-eyed intelligence to harness the skill. He doesn't just trade shots from the baseline. He is always keen to move you about until either the angle has got sharp enough to make the return impossible, or to give him the chance to leap around the backhand and hammer away with the full force of the forehand. "A lot of people say that his backhand is his best shot," said Frew McMillan on Friday, "but they are wrong. The forehand is something else." Later in the day the rain came and the TV gave the one billionth showing of the Borg-McEnroe tie-break in the 1980 final. Once again you were gripped by the drama and by the skill and nerve of the participants. But for power and speed they were on a different planet to the big Swiss cat who had made the Centre Court his own that afternoon. In their separate ways both Borg and McEnroe were driven by fires from deep within. So, too, is Federer and in his early days he was a shouter and a racket-thrower of almost Supermac dimensions. What's exceptional about Roger is that he has fuelled the force and can talk about it. "I had the feeling that I was wasting too much energy on getting upset," he explained in all those languages on Friday, "but it took me another year or so to actually get the fire back because I was getting too quiet, too calm." Today we will see him in his pomp and yet he's not 24 until next month. As a man and as a performer he is at this moment so close to perfection that there is a wistful thought that history says it cannot last. Life is an unsparing partner and distractions come to the mind just as injuries slow the body. So let's relish while we can the winning made beautiful. If Roger Federer plays like he has this past fortnight we, as well as he, will have plenty to smile about. www.telegraph.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:45:56 GMT -5
July 04, 2005 'Unbeatable' Federer on a roll to claim triple crown By Neil Harman, Tennis Correspondent ROGER FEDERER’S description of his third Wimbledon title in successive years as a pity for Andy Roddick was a pity shared by every other professional who will don their whites, blues or yellows in the next few months searching for the answer to what has become the sport’s perpetual conundrum. How does one cope with greatness? Yes, Marat Safin, of Russia, and Rafael Nadal, the young Spanish bull, have beaten Federer in grand-slam tournament semi-finals this year, Richard Gasquet, the teenage Frenchman, contrived an astonishing victory in Monte Carlo when the stakes were not quite so high, but give Federer the grass, give him the Centre Court, give him Wimbledon and you are dealing with an entirely different phenomenon. Roddick — whose “arghs” and “cummmns” (he doesn’t do a full “c’monnn” like Lleyton Hewitt but mutters it beneath his breath) will be the sounds most associated with the 2005 final — would not want to be seen as a player to be pitied. He accepts that when he steps out, he wants to thrash his opponent and, more often than not, that is the way it is. Federer, though, has Roddick in his thrall as nine victories in their ten meetings bears formidable testimony. This, he said, was the greatest performance of his life. “I remember during the match, the rain delay, I didn’t even feel as if I was playing, it was so strange. But I will remember this moment forever,” Federer said. Federer knew that there had been significant improvements in Roddick between last year’s final and this in his movement, his speed off the mark, his eye for a chance and his ability to take it. That has worked against 95 per cent of those who have crossed his path — he still finds clay a real handful — but it is not enough against Federer. Yesterday’s 6-2, 7-6, 6-4 victory for the Swiss No 1 seed was a triumph for the man who stayed in perfect balance against one who stumbled, stretched, staggered and slid. The only time the champion lost his footing was in the throes of his victory roll, which was obviously not one he had taken the time to perfect. There will be plenty more occasions for that. Federer becomes the eighth player who has won three successive men’s singles titles at Wimbledon and the third in the Open era, behind Bjorn Borg — who won five in a row — and Pete Sampras, who won three in a row and then four, interspersed with his 1996 defeat by Richard Krajicek, of the Netherlands. Four British players have achieved the task, Willie Renshaw, Reggie and Laurie Doherty and Fred Perry, along with the dashing Tony Wilding, the New Zealander. Times have changed, talent comes in different shapes and sizes but few men are the complete package. It is difficult to imagine Federer on anything other than a supremely even keel, the essence of unflappable stability. The first game of the final was a statement: I’m ready. He did not make an error, but then Roddick did the same, holding to love, there was only one point against serve in the first five games before Federer struck, whacking a forehand winner when Roddick could not quite lace a smash, and a driven service return forced a mis-hit forehand. For a split second it looked as if the No 2 seed was in danger of being demoralised, even more so when he dropped the set in 21 minutes. What does Federer do, but send down two aces in his first service game of the second set, then allow himself to be broken, a first unstoppable backhand pass from the American and a couple of unforced errors, two of only 12 in the match. But Roddick was not serving with sufficient oomph to be as secure as he should have been. Federer responded to break in the sixth game, Roddick fought off two set points in the tenth game, but despite dropping two points in succession on his own serve in the tie-break, took all four against Roddick to win it 7-2. A splash of rain delayed the final for 25 minutes but whether he listened to Boris Becker (“live for the moment”) or Jimmy Connors (“go for the jugular”) during the break, it was Roddick who had to try to defy a legend. That defiance lasted until the seventh game when another backhand pass signalled that the deed was as good as done. Roddick said: “He is as close as there is to unbeatable. I felt I played decent, the stats are decent and I got straight-setted. I’m going to continue to work hard, I’m not going to sulk and cry, I tried playing different ways, I tried to go to his forehand and came in, and he passed me and I tried the same to his backhand, and he passed me. It’s not as if I have a lot of questions leaving the court. I hoped he gets bored or something, I don’t know. Andrew Kennaugh, 18, from Weybridge, failed to become the first Briton in a decade to win the boys’ doubles title. Kennaugh and Sam Groth, his Australian partner, were beaten 6-4, 6-1 by Jesse Levine and Michael Shabaz, of the United States www.timesonline.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:47:02 GMT -5
July 04, 2005 Like Hamlet, this had the air of inevitability By Simon Barnes SO ROGER FEDERER has won three Wimbledons in a row. Who will be the first to say that it’s all rather a bore? But listen: don’t do it around me, not unless you want the most frightful earful. You thought that was boring? Huh! Perhaps you should try something a bit less intellectually demanding. Shakespeare, for example. You can enjoy sport, like everything else, on many different levels. You can buy Van Gogh table-mats and spill your soup on them, or you can give Van Gogh a lifetime of study. Yesterday afternoon lacked cheap thrills: above all, it lacked uncertainty. It was without any of sport’s usual soap-opera pleasures. And it was as good as sport gets. Federer beat Andy Roddick in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4, and it was never for an instant in doubt. You know from the first act that Hamlet will end badly for Hamlet: you knew from the first handful of games that yesterday afternoon’s men’s singles final would end badly for Roddick. That did not detract from the pleasure — au contraire. Federer has joined the hat-trick men. I missed Fred Perry, but I know about Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras. They are appreciated now as the very greatest of champions but, at the time, those who preferred soap opera to sport complained of boredom. Now Federer is in their company and not by chance. He has done it by the same means as the other two: excellence. And if you find excellence boring, then direct your attention away from sport, where excellence is the goal, even if it is rarely found. Instead, concentrate your mind, such as it is, on EastEnders, where they value cheap gratification above such tedious matters as excellence. Last year, Federer won his second Wimbledon championship despite playing badly. He won ever-so-slightly ugly. This pleased me deeply: it showed the steel beneath the silk, the rock behind the velvet. But there has been no such thing as ugliness to contemplate this time around. I have had the privilege of covering Federer’s last three matches in the tournament. Each opponent played well, and each one of them played in a radically different style: Fernando González, a shot a ball plus a demented forehand; Lleyton Hewitt, all-court angle-finder; Roddick, power mixed with more power. And here’s the genius of it: each person’s game seemed specifically constructed as a showcase for Federer’s talents. And each person lost in straight sets. You come up with the game, Federer will come up with the counter-game. You raise your game, Federer will raise his. Raise again, again, you really are that good . . . but Federer has more raises than anyone else on earth. And he has improved since he first won; he is improving all the time and getting mentally stronger. Roddick came in with a gameplan based on aggression. He charged about the court in a blazing passion to set things aright — or was he actually being lured? He came out to set the agenda and suffered the spooky feeling that he was doing exactly what Federer wanted. Worse, he was doing exactly what Federer told him: told him by means of power and angle and accuracy and tempo. There was a point when Federer made a startling mis-hit — he puts so much in to every ball that such things happen — and somehow turned that into his own advantage. It was as if he had deliberately set Roddick up with a shot off the frame — a nonsense of course, but that is the illusion he creates. This kind of perfection is mesmerising rather than exciting and it certainly mesmerised Roddick. By the end, he must have felt like a man fighting a ghost. Not even the rain dismayed Federer. He broke Roddick twice in the first set — Roddick the best server in the tournament — and dropped a single point on his own serve. Federer was broken in the second set, but he broke back and wiped out Roddick in the tie-break. After the rain he simply carried on as before with a classic seventh-game break and hold of serve to win. Don’t cheer. Sigh. Sigh, and then wag your head in baffled, joyful silence. This was something very special, as good a bit of sport as I have seen, and I have seen a fair bit here and there. And think of Borg and Sampras: how these people are appreciated now, but were thought of really rather dull at the time. On Centre Court yesterday, Roddick was the man who had most of the support: you can do it, Andy! But Federer is the one who can do it. Achieve serious greatness in sporting terms, that is. And I think it would be an interesting and instructive thing if we were to appreciate him while he is actually playing. He failed to bring us a five-set nail-biter. Instead, when it came to the end of the tournament, he brought us three successive matches of incremental brilliance. There are people who will tell you that Sunflowers is a bit of a cliché and that Hamlet is too full of quotations. The same people will tell you that Federer is boring. You can find shallowness in all things, and you can find profundity. It all depends on what kind of a person you are, or whether or not you are concentrating. CENTRE COURT'S HAT-TRICK HEROES BY CLAIMING his third successive Wimbledon singles title yesterday, Roger Federer joined an elite band in the hat-trick club. Fred Perry became the first in 1936, after the abolition of the challenge round in 1922, Bjorn Borg captured five in a row from 1976 and Pete Sampras managed the feat on two occasions. One of Federer’s more unusual benefits for winning Wimbledon is the presenting of a cow by the organisers of the Swiss Open. ROGER FEDERER 2003-05 Grand-slam titles: 5 (Wimbledon 2003, Australian Open 2004, US Open 2004, Wimbledon 2004, Wimbledon 2005). PETE SAMPRAS 1993-95, 1997-2000 Grand-slam titles: 14 (US Open 1990, US Open 1993, Wimbledon 1993, Australian Open 1994, Wimbledon 1994, US Open 1995, Wimbledon 1995, US Open 1996, Australian Open 1997, Wimbledon 1997, Wimbledon 1998, Wimbledon 1999, Wimbledon 2000, US Open 2002). BJORN BORG 1976-80 Grand-slam titles: 11 (French Open 1974, French Open 1975, Wimbledon 1976, Wimbledon 1977, French Open 1978, Wimbledon 1978, French Open 1979, Wimbledon 1979, French Open 1980, Wimbledon 1980, French Open 1981). FRED PERRY 1934-36 Grand-slam titles: 8 (US Open 1933, Australian Open 1934, Wimbledon 1934, US Open 1934, French Open 1935, Wimbledon 1935, Wimbledon 1936, US Open 1936). www.timesonline.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:50:28 GMT -5
It's lucky seven as Roche has a big win By Richard Hinds in London July 5, 2005 Champions … Roger Federer and Tony Roche. Photo: Getty Images It had taken Tony Roche seven attempts as player and coach to be part of a men's singles victory at Wimbledon. When that moment finally came, as coach of Roger Federer, the renowned mentor knew he had been part of something very special. So much so that he was moved to pay the Swiss champion what is, from a man who viewed first-hand his country's days of tennis glory, the ultimate compliment. "There is a lot that reminds me about Rod Laver," said Roche of Federer. "He is a genius, really." Roche, who lost his only Wimbledon singles final to Laver in 1968, did not stop there. Asked about Federer's near-perfect performance in the final, he said: "It's up there with Rod and Lew [Hoad], two of the greatest Australians. I think they would be very, very proud of the way Roger played today." For Roche, a five-times Wimbledon doubles champion, there was a sense of pride and also relief. "It's been a long time," he said. "I've had a lot of tough finals, but for me it was just great to see someone play that type of tennis, it was something special." Having coached Chris Lewis, Ivan Lendl (twice) and Pat Rafter (twice) in losing Wimbledon finals, Roche admitted to some nerves before Federer walked on to the court. "I thought maybe I'm a jinx," he said. "It's Roger's moment, but I'm happy [to be] associated with someone who has won Wimbledon." Having finally agreed to take on an occasional coaching role with Federer late last year, Roche faced a difficult assignment. How could he improve the game of a man who already held three of the four grand slam trophies? When Federer lost in the semi-finals of the Australian and French Opens this year, there might even have been the temptation for outsiders to suggest the partnership was not working. Besides the fact that Federer feels comfortable in the company of Australians - his former coach, the late David Carter, was from Adelaide - Roche says it's his experience that Federer requires. "It's just more having someone there who has been through it, who knows the pressure on the practice court [and] what he's going through," he said. Federer, who travelled to Sydney last December to work with Roche for two weeks, is glowing in his praise for him. "We've just been together about eight or nine weeks [consecutively], which is a lot," he said. "You start to really know each other and start to understand each other." While the arrangement operates on a handshake agreement - and Roche will not even be at the US Open in August because he has a commitment to work with juniors in Australia - Federer is grateful for what time he gets. The patriotic Roche had found it uncomfortable helping to plot the downfall of Lleyton Hewitt in the semi-finals. "I would have rather been somewhere else," he said. But, in Federer, Roche says he is working with a man who has some Aussie sensibilities. "Even though Roger is not Australian, I think he is as close as you can get," he said. www.smh.com.au/Roche claims a Wimbledon singles win July 4, 2005 - 1:14PM After losing six Wimbledon finals as player and coach, Tony Roche has finally broken his jinx. He was on a pretty sure thing this time, though, after teaming up with world No.1 Roger Federer whom he rated as the closest thing to an Australian you could get this side of the Pacific. Roche admitted as he sat in the players' box at Centre Court he was worried he may have brought his Wimbledon final curse down on Federer. But the Swiss was untouchable in his straight sets caning of second seed Andy Roddick, prompting Roche to compare Federer to his great Australian contemporaries Rod Laver and Lew Hoad. "I thought maybe I was a jinx," Roche said. "It's Roger's moment, but I'm happy I've been able to be associated with somebody that's won Wimbledon. "It's been a long time, I've had a lot of tough finals but for me it was just great to see somebody play that type of tennis, I think it was something special. "This place is always special to the Australians and even though Rog is not Australian, he's as close as you can get to one. "Just the way he plays, he reminds me so much of Rod and Lew. "A lot reminds me of Rod Laver, he's a genius with what he can do." And Roche knows about Laver's genius, losing to the Queenslander in straight sets in the Wimbledon singles final in 1968, although he won five doubles titles with John Newcombe. As one of the game's most respected coaches, he then took New Zealand's rank outsider Chris Lewis to the 1983 final, Ivan Lendl to the decider in 1986 and 1987 and Pat Rafter in 2000 and 2001. They lost them all. So Roche's relief when Federer's forehand passed Roddick to claim his third title was obvious. "He's not a guy who shows too much emotion, but I felt like he's very carried away too in the moment itself when we saw each other," Federer said. Federer approached Australia's former Davis Cup coach late last year and asked him to improve what already seems to be the perfect game. Roche, 60, admits there's "not much" he can do for the world No.1 who followed Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras as the only players of the open era to win a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles. Roche was not prepared to take on the job fulltime so works with Federer only in the lead up to the four grand slam tournaments. There is no contract between the two, just an understanding and a close relationship in which Roche acts more mentor than hands-on coach. "It's more having someone there who's been through it, knows the pressure when you get on the practice court, understanding what he's going through," Roche said. "Roger won three of the four slams on his own last year, I think he knows what he's got to do." Roche is Federer's second Australian coach, following the late Peter Carter who steered the teenage Swiss through to his debut as a professional. "He likes Australians, he feels comfortable with them and he was happy with the amount of weeks I could do with him," Roche said. Federer was determined to secure an uncertain Roche, even if only for a few weeks a year, and flew especially to Sydney last December to train with him and convince him to join up. "I knew from the start he might be a big help in my game," Federer said. "Even though he 's not travelling 30-40 weeks a year, I still feel he gives me enough weeks and time together. "Every day and every week he gives me, I'm very thankful because I know how old he is, what he's been through, as a player, as a coach. He doesn't need it anymore, so I'm very thankful to him." Federer feels so comfortable with Australians, he even mingled with several of the touring Ashes cricketers in the players' area after his win. Roche will not see Federer again until a couple of weeks before the US Open next month, but will not stay with him for the tournament, staying instead at home to help coach Australian juniors. www.theage.com.au/
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:52:40 GMT -5
Wimbledon 2005 Roger teams up with his own heroes By LEO SCHLINK in London July 5, 2005 TONY Roche used Australia's cricketers as a logistical masterstroke in Roger Federer's rampant Wimbledon victory. Aware of Federer's adoration of the Australian team, Roche spent the eve of the final with the Swiss maestro watching the tied Natwest one-day match on television against England at Lord's. And then, with Federer's anxiety levels soaring before the final with Andy Roddick, Roche ushered Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie into the hallowed All England Club change rooms. The distracting ploy worked wondrously as Federer advanced to a regal 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 dismissal of second seed Roddick. "He loves the Aussies and the boys came into the dressing room just before the match," Roche said. "Five minutes before he went on, he was still talking to them. I guess for 10 minutes they were there. "Which is good to take his mind a little bit off the match and he loves cricket. It was so good that those guys came in." Federer's interest in cricket – and the Australians in particular – stems from his South African mother Lynette and his connection with South Australian coach Peter Carter. The Federer family almost moved to Australia from Switzerland 12 years ago when his father Robert was offered a job in Sydney. Carter, who was killed in August 2002 while holidaying in South Africa, secured a place for Federer in the South Australian training squads, but ultimately the family decided not to relocate. But Federer, who chatted at length with the cricketers outside the player restaurant after his win, continues to idolise Australia's world-beaters. And he proved as much to Roche as the pair sat watching a gripping one-day final. "He knows a lot about the game," said Roche. "And he's definitely behind the Aussies." So much so, in fact, Roche considers Federer an honourary Australian. "This place [Wimbledon] is very special to the Australians and even though Roger is not Australian, he's as close as you can get to one," Roche said. "Just the way the guy plays, he reminds me so much of Rod [Laver] and Lew [Hoad]. I keep telling him good stories about the Aussies and their characters and he enjoys those stories." Federer dedicated his first Wimbledon victory to the memory of Carter, who coached him for five years and was poised to become the Swiss Davis Cup captain when he died. An expressive, generous character, Federer wept for hours during a memorial service for the Barossa Valley mentor despite the comforting words of former Melbourne captain Todd Viney and Andre Agassi's coach Darren Cahill. Roche is now his man and Federer was elated to have finally given the veteran Sydneysider his first taste of Wimbledon success after six separate disappointments as both a player and coach. "It's definitely special for him," Federer said. "I'm so happy for him but really it has worked out for our partnership. "We're excited and happy. I knew from the start that he might be a big help in my game. I'm happy I start to understand what he's trying to teach me." Roche does not have a contract with Federer and will not be at the US Open. Instead he will travel to Dubai next month for a two-week training period. Roche, beaten in the 1968 final by Rod Laver, sat on the losing side at Wimbledon for finals involving Chris Lewis (1983), Ivan Lendl (1986-87) and Pat Rafter (2000-01). After so many setbacks he considered he was a millstone for his players. "It's been a long time," he said. "I had a lot of tough finals but for me it was just great to see somebody play that type of tennis. It was special. "I thought maybe I was a jinx." dailytelegraph.news.com.au/
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:53:13 GMT -5
Flawless Federer can rewrite the record books World No1 produces a supremely confident display of grace and poise as he brushes aside Roddick to become only the eighth man to win the Wimbledon title three years in a row Stephen Bierley at Wimbledon Monday July 4, 2005 The Guardian Perfection comes in many guises and yesterday afternoon perfection was Roger Federer. Such was the small consolation for Andy Roddick. The American has lost only three matches out of 35 on grass since 2002 and all of them, two finals and a semi-final, have been against the Swiss on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. "Maybe I'll punch him next time," he said. It was an awesome performance by Federer, recalling the final of 1999 when Pete Sampras annihilated his oldest rival, Andre Agassi. It was not that Roddick played poorly, although he never replicated the sustained power that had rocked Federer in the first set of last year's final. The difference another 12 months has made is that Federer's mental grip on Roddick has grown even tighter. From the moment this final began the American never looked as though he ever quite believed he might win, whereas Federer, who would probably appear unruffled in a force 10 gale, exuded supreme confidence. Federer, still only 23, had already noted that the honours board at the All England Club had space enough to add his name a few more times. "This is the title everybody wants to win," said Federer who, having beaten Australia's Mark Philippoussis in 2003, cannot stop. By beating Roddick he became the eighth player to win the men's singles title for three successive years, the most recent being Britain's Fred Perry, Sweden's Björn Borg and the seven-times champion Pete Sampras. The statistics now flow from Federer in almost the same profusion of excellence as his many and varied shots. This was his 36th successive victory on grass and his 21st consecutive victory in a final. In all he has lost only three matches this year and a mere nine since the beginning of last year. This was his fifth grand slam title, including the Australian and US Opens last year. Those who watched him in his early days were all too aware that his was a special talent and notably on grass, as his fourth-round Wimbledon victory over Sampras, then the defending champion, in 2001 indicated. What nobody could be sure of was whether this talent would stay in tight bud or whether it would burst into glorious flower. All doubts were removed on the Centre Court two years ago and his special status in the game has been reinforced ever since. "He played head and shoulders above what he played last year," said Roddick, who believed he had himself "played a more complete match" this time. The truth is that Roddick - currently ranked third in the world - is not in the same class, and of the other current top five players - Russia's Marat Safin, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Lleyton Hewitt of Australia - is the least likely, whatever the surface, to give Federer trouble. To be fair to Roddick, a thoroughly engaging character who carries the burden and pressure of American expectations with remarkable good humour, he had needed to complete his rain-delayed four-set semi-final against Thomas Johansson on Saturday, and this may have taken the edge of him physically. Certainly his serve and forehand were never at their most venomous or paralysing, though lesser players than Federer might have wilted. It is often the case that large and strong men are not particularly graceful which is true of Roddick. Federer, on the other hand, has grace in abundance, both of movement and shot. He is the stealth destroyer, gliding over the grass with elegance of a cheetah running down a gazelle. His serve is by no means the biggest, yet such are the variations that it is one of the most difficult to read. When Roddick broke it, for the only time, in the second set to lead 2-1, the shock was profound, although the effect was not. Federer had already shown in the opening set, which lasted an abrupt but thrilling 22 minutes, that he had the measure of Roddick's serve, while his fabulous range of ground strokes was likely to undermine the American in any prolonged rally. Roddick, not a natural volleyer, attempted to force changes to the pattern of play by charging the net. Federer watched, waited and then passed him time after time. This was a wonderful watch, even if the fascination became a just a touch morbid during the third and final set which had been held up briefly by a spell of fine drizzle. Roddick did all in his limited power to staunch the flow of winners but Federer was a class apart, as he had been all fortnight. Not that Roddick was about to get down on himself. "You know I'm not going to sit here and beat myself up after a losing to a guy that everybody here is debating whether he's the best of all time," said the American. From now on Federer will be playing history. Whether or not he becomes the best of all time, only time will tell. What can be said with complete certainty for the moment is that nobody who has watched him can possibly doubt that he is the most gifted player of the current generation, as well as being the most entertaining to watch, as he displayed in abundance here. "I played a fantastic match, one of the best of my life. It seemed like I was playing flawless tennis, with everything working," he said. "There was really nothing Andy could do unless I messed things up." Federer was imbued with an inner calm that left him almost puzzled by the ease of it all. It was as if he had stepped out of himself and was watching down, god-like from above. "It was very strange". Not to Roddick, though. He knew well enough that the man on the other side of the net was something other than mortal. How hat-trick heroes compare Fred Perry Born May 18 1909 in Stockport, Cheshire Wimbledon singles titles 3 - 1934, 1935 and 1936 Grand Slam singles titles 7 Died February 2 1995 Bjorn Borg Born June 6 1956 in Sodertaljie, Sweden Wimbledon singles titles 5 - 1976-1980 Grand Slam singles titles 11 Pete Sampras Born August 12 1971 in Washington DC Wimbledon singles titles 7 - 1993-1995, 1997-2000 Grand Slam singles titles 14 Roger Federer Born August 8 1981 in Basle, Switzerland Wimbledon singles titles 3 - 2003-2005 Grand Slam singles titles 5 sport.guardian.co.uk/wimbledon2005/story/0,16055,1520761,00.html
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:56:27 GMT -5
'What have I done right for this to happen?' Richard Jago at Wimbledon Monday July 4, 2005 The Guardian Roger Federer is not given to boastfulness. Questions about whether he can be compared with the all-time greats usually bring an affable deflection about how young he still is. Yesterday, after his third consecutive title, he surprised everybody by saying "I feel like I put myself into position" to emulate the likes of Bjorn Borg, who won five consecutive Wimbledons, and Pete Sampras, who won seven in total. "Obviously for the next few years I'll definitely be a huge favourite for this tournament," Federer added. "That doesn't mean I'll necessarily take them all." Federer admitted he had been "quite concerned before the semi-final [against Lleyton Hewitt] and final", adding that "this is a huge relief for me". He had been shaking with nerves for several points before the end of the match, and even allowed himself to break one of the golden rules of sports psychology by thinking about what would happen if he won. "I started to feel like 'Wow, eight more points on my serve and I'm all right.' I started to really shake my head, like 'I'm close again you know. It's all in my power now'." Thoughts like that would have messed some players up at once. Federer paid for it by getting uptight, but had what it took to recover without damage. "I felt my arm shaking," he admitted. "And I think at 4-3 I started to think: 'How will it be with this trophy? What will be my reaction? How is this? How is that? "And I'm like: 'no, no, no, we're not there yet'. I always have to calm myself down. Once it all happens, you don't know how you will react." Somehow managing not to sound too immodest, Federer added: "I amaze myself how incredible it is that I use my talent to win. For those who followed me since I was a youngster, they knew I had potential. But I don't think anybody would have ever thought it would be this extreme, basically dominating the game, winning three Wimbledons. "One, you think, that's fantastic. When you end up winning three, you start to wonder 'What have I done right in my career that this has happened to me?'" Finally Federer is asking the same questions as everyone else. sport.guardian.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:58:47 GMT -5
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2094-1678512,00.html Quiet please! Genius at work NICK PITT Roger Federer turns to an old master who admits he has little to teach the best player in the world You can tell a lot about a champion by the friends he has and the people he employs. As a tennis player, Roger Federer is imperious, his superiority manifest. Ask Lleyton Hewitt, who is the No 2-ranked player in the world but cannot find a way to take a set off Federer. He has lost 15 in a row. Federer never brags. He just knows he’s a class apart. When, for a trivial example, he takes his purple towel from his chair to the back of the court, he sweeps it across his shoulder as if he’s a Roman senator adjusting his toga, about to deliver an oration. It is sure to be acclaimed. Yet Federer needs no fawning entourage. In private and in his professional life away from the arena, he is quiet and normal. When he first won the singles title in 2003, he stayed in a rented apartment in Wimbledon Village. His girlfriend, Mirka Vavrinec, bought the groceries, cooked, washed up and did the washing and ironing. Two years on in their adventure, Federer is among the world’s leading sportsmen and a multi-millionaire. The house he has rented this time is rather grander and closer to the All England Club, and Mirka spends much more time fielding requests for Federer’s time and presence. But does she still shop, cook and wash? “Yes, of course,” she said. “We’re just the same.” But why not use the official laundry service? “I like to use a particular washing powder.” There is more than a nice-guy-at-home point in this. Most sporting champions whose careers are long and fulfilled are supported by stable private lives and a firm attachment between their feet and the ground. And if Federer’s career is to be so fruitful that the question of whether he might be the best player of them all becomes an aggregate of titles rather than opinion, he must remain as ordinary as possible. The possibilities are breathtaking. Pancho Segura, who at 84 has progressed in status from master coach (having helped four Wimbledon singles winners) to oracle, put it thus: “Federer is the only complete player in the world. All the others are one-dimensional. Already he is one of the greats, and his potential is unlimited.” Reaching that potential involves a law of inverse proportion: the more exciting and romantic the challenge, the more mundane and practical must be the approach. When Everest is the destination, you pack carefully and take everything you might need. Federer’s expedition should interest every tennis coach in the world, and more than a few have applied to join him. Yet he spent every effort in persuading just about the most reluctant traveller, Tony Roche. What’s more, when you watch them working on court, Roche does not appear to be coaching. He hits, collects balls, offers the odd comment. But that is what Federer wants: the eye and calm judgment of a man who has been in top-class tennis for close to half a century. In 1962, when Roche was an emerging player at 16 — Andy Murray, take note — he played Rod Laver in the Victorian state championships. Laver won all four Grand Slam titles that year, yet Roche served for the match. “ ‘Rocket’ broke my service and went on to win,” Roche recalled. “And the next time I played him was five years later, in the Wimbledon final.” Roche won the French Open singles and five Wimbledon doubles titles with John Newcombe. Later, he captained Australia’s Davis Cup team and coached Ivan Lendl and Pat Rafter. Roche has no need to prove himself, and when he has nothing important to say, he generally says nothing. “A lot of people say, ‘How can you coach him when he’s so good?’ ” Roche said. “To me, it’s just little things. I don’t tamper too much.“ Last season Federer played without a coach. He won 11 titles, including three of the Grand Slam tournaments. Perhaps he did not need a coach. Federer insisted that in time, he would. Roche agreed to help him on a limited basis, to begin at the Masters Cup in Houston last November. “But I said to Tony, ‘Shouldn’t we catch up before that, to see if we match up and like each other?’ ” Federer said. “It was very important for me to get to know the human Tony.” They met in Dubai in October 2004 and worked out for four days in scorching heat. “Then I asked Tony about our plans for next year, if everything was all right. And he said he didn’t think he could do it. He felt tired and hated the travelling and couldn’t do it properly. I told him it didn’t matter, that I hadn’t expected him to hit with me for four days, and I was amazed by how well he did.” Roche, true to type, told it straight. “The physical demands were a problem,” he recalled. “I’m a coach who likes to work and hit on court. Not to be on the sidelines. You get a better feel for how your player is hitting the ball. I just found, turning 60, it was too much, even with Roger hitting straight back to me. I was worried whether I would be able to do that with Roger, at a good level.” But Federer had already grown to admire Roche. “I decided to go to work with Tony for two weeks in December, before the season started. It was a huge effort for me to fly to Sydney, because I usually stay at home in December. Then, towards the end of all the sessions, my fitness trainer told me that Tony might be able to do a few weeks during the year. I asked Tony and he said, yeah, he could do a few weeks. That was amazing. I could hardly believe it. Two weeks was okay for me, anything was okay. He was all relaxed, saying, ‘Come to the Aussie Open and we’ll take it from there’.” Federer’s excitement, which is still evident as he relates the story, betrays his affection for Roche. “I consider him my coach now, not my part-time coach. He was supposed to travel with me just up to the French Open, but then he said he could stay on longer, which is great.” The arrangement could hardly be more casual. Roche can stay as long as he likes, leave whenever he wants. He is paid by the week. “Friendship is what’s important above everything else,” he said. “Ivan and Pat were the same. I’ve been lucky to work with three great players who are all great blokes. I’ve never had a contract with any of them because a shake of the hand is enough. If there’s a problem, we sit down and talk about it.” It’s all amicable, but the task is serious. Federer may be the best by a street, but he must get better. “He works like Lendl,” Roche said. “Ivan was No 1 for so many consecutive weeks (157 in the mid-1980s), yet every day he got up, he felt he could be a better player and would work for that. With Roger, it’s the same. He’s dominating, but that’s no reason to stop there. The others are working hard to catch up with him, and that means he must improve. And there are areas where he can. “We all know that he’s already in the company of the greatest of all time, and he reminds me a lot of Laver. He has that versatility. He can adapt to all surfaces and opponents, and has so many options. That is unique in today’s game, because the others are one- dimensional. “And there’s another way in which I think he’s unique today. It’s the respect he has for the game. He loves to hear about the past, about Laver and Rosewall and the rest. And he cares about the future. The reason he plays is he loves it.”
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 4, 2005 16:59:49 GMT -5
nice win for Rochey!
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 21, 2005 10:44:21 GMT -5
MONTREAL Dear fans Regrettably, I have to inform you that I will not participate in the Rogers Cup, the ATP Masters Series in Montreal. As you know I have been suffering from pain in my feet for the past six months. An MRI was performed after Wimbledon and the doctors advised me to rest for 4 full weeks. As this period collides with the preparation for Montreal and the tournament itself, I had to take this decision in order to ensure full recovery. Not being able to compete and trying to defend my title from Toronto does hurt. After all, it is my birthday the first day of the tournament and I also like the province of Quebec a lot. But I am certainly looking forward to playing in Toronto next year. See you all very soon! PS: Cincinnati is still on the plan and I’ll most certainly keep you updated as soon as there are news. Thursday, 21 July 2005 www.rogerfederer.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 21, 2005 10:47:16 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 4, 2005 9:43:51 GMT -5
Sorry to miss Rogi in Montreal this year but I'll check out Stan instead! Latest: WEBSITE RELAUNCH Dear fans It is about a year since we began working on the concept of a new, improved website. It is important to me to give back something to all you fans out there for your loyalty and it is my great pleasure to make you a present on a special date: the new website will be online as of August 08 – my birthday! It will be up and running from 15.00 Swiss time on and we are all looking forward to the launch. Please note that the forum will be closed from August 03, beginning at 14.00 Swiss time. We will then start merging the threads onto the new website, so nothing will go lost. Please note that messages posted in the forum after this time will not be transferred. Over 33’000 users have joined our community until today and the number is growing rapidly. We will further expand the modules and services on the website throughout the next months in order to offer a full range of information and interactive features. It would be our pleasure to welcome you all as a regular guest or even a registered user! I hope you enjoy the new site! Roger Wednesday, 03 August 2005 Image by © RF Management www.rogerfederer.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 22, 2005 19:17:02 GMT -5
;D Well done, Rogi, winning your first CINCY title, over Pandy 63 75! August 21, 2005 Federer Beats Roddick, Wins in CincinnatiBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 4:36 p.m. ET MASON, Ohio (AP) -- When Roger Federer reaches a tournament final, he doesn't lose. Nobody knows that better than Andy Roddick. The unflappable Federer won his 22nd straight final on Sunday, beating the exasperated American 6-3, 7-5 for the Cincinnati Masters championship and his ninth overall title this season. Federer improved to 10-1 against Roddick, who tried every tactic but still came up short. Federer has won the last six times they've met, including the last two Wimbledon finals. The world's top-ranked player for the last 81 weeks, Federer heads into the U.S. Open fit, relaxed and on a roll. He took time off after winning his third straight Wimbledon, looking to recharge and rest a sore foot. He needed only one week of matches to get back in form. ''Today I got the feeling occasionally that this is great tennis again,'' Federer said. Roddick has a new worry with only one week left before the U.S. Open. His right foot started bothering him late in the final set, and he needed a timeout before the last game to get treatment. Roddick winced, groaned and covered his face with a towel while a trainer stretched and rubbed the bottom of the foot. He returned and moved gingerly, getting only two points while Federer broke his serve to close it out. Federer got $400,000 for the win, Roddick $200,000 for finishing second. Roddick isn't sure whether the foot will be a lingering problem. ''It's still too early,'' Roddick said. ''I'm probably going to take a couple of days off. The thing that makes me a little optimistic is it didn't happen on one movement. I didn't hear anything click, I didn't hear anything snap.'' Federer's tour dominance is captured by remarkable numbers -- a 54-3 match record this season and 138-9 the last two years with 20 titles; 28 straights wins on hard courts; an 18-match winning streak; the seventh-longest uninterrupted stay atop the ATP list. Perhaps the most amazing: Those 22 straight wins in title matches, where he's always at his best. He was again Sunday against a player he has bedeviled over the years. Federer countered Roddick's serve-and-volley strategy by hitting returns at his feet as he came to the net, leaving him in a bad spot. Roddick double-faulted to lose his serve and fall behind 3-2 in the opening set, then uttered a profanity as he left the court. He knew he was in trouble already. Federer kept the pressure on, making few mistakes and pouncing on every opening. He broke Roddick again to finish out the first set, a bad omen for the American. Roddick had lost only two games on his serve all week; now, he'd lost two in one set. ''I haven't had an amazing serving day against him,'' said Roddick, who had 11 aces and made a subpar 56 percent of his first serves. ''I've played well against Roger from the baseline before, but I haven't had that monster serving day. That's what I'm looking for.'' By contrast, Federer won 14 consecutive points off his serve during one stretch. The streak ended when Roddick broke him with a backhand passing shot to go up 3-2 in the second set. ''Then Roger started being Roger again,'' Roddick lamented. An energized Federer broke him right back. In a telling moment, Roddick hit a 125 mph first serve, and Federer shot it back down the line for a forehand winner that set up the break point and put him in line for the victory. Federer will be an overwhelming favorite at the U.S. Open, where he'll be challenged by an eclectic field and growing pressure to keep winning tournaments. ''It's constant pressure,'' Federer said. ''When it's over, it's kind of a surprise. You can't expect to win all the time. If it keeps on going, it's incredible.'' Roddick hoped that his revamped game would be good enough to end his misery against Federer. Roddick has spent the year developing his game -- changing pace on his ground strokes, coming to the net more often, building stamina for long rallies. The tactics worked in a semifinal win over Lleyton Hewitt, another player who had dominated him. Roddick served 24 aces and left some skin on the court during a two-set win over Hewitt. Roddick came away with nasty scrapes galore -- two below the right elbow, another on his right hand, yet another on his knee -- from the rough-and-tumble semifinal. All that got hurt on Sunday was his foot and his pride. ''He's the one guy that all of us are chasing,'' Roddick said. ''He's the main guy, and then there's probably four or five of us. Maybe we need to do a tag-team effort or something, join forces.'' Second-seeded Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi won the doubles title with a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett, who won the Australian Open. www.nytimes.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 22, 2005 19:18:14 GMT -5
R. FEDERER /A. Roddick 6‑3, 7‑5
ROGER FEDERER
THE MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the 2005 winner of the Western & Southern Financial GroupMasters, winning his fifth different ATPMasters Series event, a record‑setting fourth for this season, Roger Federer.
Questions, please.
Q. Congratulations.
ROGER FEDERER: Thank you.
Q. Six weeks away, you come back and you win first up. Pretty impressive.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it is. Obviously, I am always a little surprised, you know, when I win the big tournaments like this. But more, you know, when I've been away from the game for five, six weeks.
This is a great comeback for me, and obviously the best preparation I could have hoped for before the Open, you know. Even though I don't take this tournament as a real warm‑up event because it's just too important, you know.
But I'm really pleased that I could beat such a quality player like this in the finals, you know. These are the big moments. This is how it's going to be at the US Open basically every match, you know. So I'm ready for the fans and for the pressure and for everything. It's a really good feeling I have.
Q. How do you raise your level? You always seem to be able to raise your level at the important moment.
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think I always believed in playing consistent, you know. Believing that I can come up with the good shots at the right time. I read his ‑‑ try to read his game, you know, over the ‑ how do you say? ‑ throughout the match, I try to analyze what he's been doing, what he's doing best, what he's maybe doing less good and try to exploit it on the big points. But it doesn't always work, obviously, with his kind of serve.
But I really had the feeling he gave me some chances on breakpoints where he didn't make his first serve sometimes, and I could take that advantage and break and win the match and the set.
Q. It's worked out very well. But how much of a risk is it just having one buildup tournament?
ROGER FEDERER: It's quite a risk, but what can I do, you know? I also need my rest. I'm playing consistent for the last two years, and this is really the moment where you can basically pick and choose when you're No. 1 in the world and you have all the options, you know. Just because you're No. 1 doesn't mean you've got to race through the same schedule like you've been trying to get there, you know.
But it is very ‑ how should I say? ‑ there's so much you can still do. Everybody wants to have you. The offers are big, you know. You're like, Should I do it, or Should I not do it. But I believe in the long run, I believe that I should follow a smart schedule throughout my career so I can hopefully play injury‑free as long as possible and try to maintain the good level. That's my mindset I have on picking tournaments.
So this is definitely also not only thinking about this US Open, this preparation I have, it's much more long term. This is how I'll keep it for the rest of my life, I guess.
Q. Have you ended the tournament with your feet in good condition?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, feet were good in the beginning and they feel okay now. I have another week only practice. Practice is never as brutal as the match situation because in the match you really push to the limits, where in practice you can still, you know, see how it works. But I have to say I'm pleased the way things have turned out with my feet.
Q. Yesterday against Ginepri you worked real hard. How did you feel during that match about getting in this match? Did you find today easier?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, different. You know, Robby gave me much more time from the baseline. With Andy, he put me much more under pressure. He tried to serve and volley. He tried to, you know, tried to shorten up points sometimes and take chances. And, you know, Robby was more making sure he gets all the balls back, hardly makes any mistakes. Where Andy, you know, obviously, you know, it's going to be unforced errors, same as my game, too; it's much more offensive.
I don't know. It's very different. Obviously, the serves are very different, even though both have a great serve right now. Very different match. Hard to compare.
Q. You dominated him last month at Wimbledon. How did today's match compare to that?
ROGER FEDERER: Oh, I really had the feeling he came in thinking he really has a good chance to beat me today. That's really the feeling I got. So for me to save that first breakpoint was huge.
Then coming back and break myself, you know, that was the key I would say. Get a little bit cushion and make him calm down a little bit because he was really all excited, you know, the way he started the match, and serving big. He actually served, I thought, really big all the way, the whole match through. He hardly ever double‑faulted except on the one breakpoint, you know. But he really went big first and second serve. Usually when I play him he goes much more for the spin serve than for the big second serve. I really have the feeling that match against Lleyton yesterday gave him a lot of confidence also on his second serve.
So I really had to watch out. I'm actually happy I saw that match against Lleyton on TV last night so I got an idea of how much chances he's actually taking, because I don't think I would have expected him playing that offensive if I wouldn't have seen the match.
Q. Because of the way you played this week, you played a lot of matches, did you still feel confident coming into this match as well?
ROGER FEDERER: Oh, absolutely. I knew that after Rochus, Acasuso and Ginepri matches I was ready for anybody. That feeling obviously before a final is good to have.
No, I've got so many matches in my legs, you know, again, like I said, after the semis, you know, everything comes very automatic now. I don't need to think anymore where I'm going to hit my balls, they just go automatically. That is very important in my game because I need to play with the flow and natural.
Q. What exactly was wrong with your foot when you were off?
ROGER FEDERER: Excuse me?
Q. What exactly was wrong with your foot when you were off?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I've been ‑‑ I had this big foot problem at the Australian Open. I don't know if you remember, but against Marat, I was really struggling with movement. I had inflammation on the bone in the foot. Never really seemed to really heal, even though it never returned as bad as it did that particular match against Safin.
So I'm actually happy about that. It's been improving. But I still thought, you know, I have to rest it sufficiently to really make it go away because I don't want to play in pain all the time. I was doing that from the Australian Open maybe all the way through to Wimbledon occasionally. So now it's better.
I just give myself a chance to rest sometimes as well. Not only my feet and physically, but also mentally I think it's important to rest.
Q. You said at the start of this that you're a little surprised when you win big tournaments like this. Do you mean coming off of an injury, or you're always surprised when you win Wimbledon?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I am. No, because I see the draw and I see how many good players we have right now, how deep men's tennis goes, you know, how tough it is from the first round on.
Already like during a finals like this I feel like, you know, this constant pressure, you know, where I'm just waiting for the moment where everything is over, you know, where I can finally relax again. Because, you know, I eat, I wake up, and I think about the match all the time, you know. So it's only when the match is over, you know, like let's say last night, when I can relax for a few hours, and then before I go to bed it comes back to my mind that I've got a finals to play. Then everything from then on is only about the match all the time. It's constant pressure. When it's finally over, you're so relieved that it's in a way a surprise that you've achieved it once more. Because with the record I have lately, you cannot expect all the time to win. But if it keeps on going, it's just incredible.
Q. How do you account for your success against Roddick? I think he's only won four sets off of you in eleven matches, that highly‑ranked of a player.
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I guess my game matches up well with his. That's my only explanation. I guess I know how to play him, I've got the game to play him.
But it's not easy, you know, because if he serves big and takes his chances, let's say like early in the match, he's a great frontrunner. That's what I've been able to do against the best, you know, get the first break usually, and lead from there. Because once I'm in the lead, I'm obviously the best frontrunner.
So that's what I have been doing very well over the last few years. Didn't really allow them to get into the match where maybe in the past, you know, it was different. Especially against the best, you have to start well.
Q. Can we go back to the beginning of this week. How did you feel? Did you feel a little bit under pressure because Nadal had just won in Montreal and he was closing up the gap on you?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, he's so far away in the draw anyway. But, of course, you see he's been winning tournaments. It's nothing I have to be concerned about, it didn't affect my play, you know.
I don't know. You take it like it's a new tournament and you haven't been playing so your only concern is trying to get, you know, your form back, you know, what you've been stopping with in Wimbledon, which was so fantastic.
So you try to get just a little bit of a feel from that again. I know it won't happen in the first round; it's a longer process. Today I got the feeling occasionally, this is great tennis again, you know.
Obviously now I'm relieved, you know, that the gap is bigger again, and I finally played well in Cincinnati especially, because this tournament never really worked for me.
Q. Can you tell us in percentage how do you feel versus when you were in the final of Wimbledon? Are you at the same level?
ROGER FEDERER: It was different, you know. The ball flies much more here. I think Wimbledon you can have nicer points, you know, because everything is in the hitting zone.
But I still felt today I didn't make many easy mistakes. I served consistent. I got back his return very well, especially second serve, the way he was serving. I really had the feeling it was a very good match.
Q. In percentage how do you feel, 100% fit back?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
Q. You talk about the pressure. You're pulled every which way from the media, having to do interviews in English, French, German. How do you handle that? Is that something that gets tiring for you?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. Every day, it's tough (smiling). Once in a while, it's all right, you know. But sometimes you have matches, you know, I don't know, 6‑3, 6‑2, there's not much you can say about it. Then I got to rap through all three languages, it's sort of not the funniest thing, you know.
But I understand, you know. So for this reason sometimes it's nice to get away from everything and sort of come back fresh and maybe with new information, too. It's a little bit more exciting for me, too.
Q. For the Swiss, do you think there will be a celebration of you and Patty Schnyder winning Cincinnati?
ROGER FEDERER: There you go, yeah. Yeah, for the men's, it's little bit bigger tournament, though. No, she's having a great season. I'm really happy for her.
Q. In the long run is it a goal for you to try to win all the Masters?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, people are saying I messed up the AustralianOpen, I'm going to win nine Masters Series because everybody thought I was going to win the Grand Slam. But that' not how it goes.
Obviously it would be nice to win as many Masters Series as possible because they are for me very prestigious. You start to play great players from the start. I had difficult times in the beginning of my career to win back‑to‑back matches at Masters Series because draws were so tough. Now that I can win them, you know, it's a really nice feeling.
I've won, what, five out of nine? Yeah, so, that's great.
Q. Agassi said that it's harder to win a Masters because it's six matches within seven days, versus a Grand Slam. Do you agree with him?
ROGER FEDERER: Hmm (smiling). He's got many more Masters Series than Grand Slams, so that's weird, isn't it?
I understand his point. I think back‑to‑back Masters Series are almost impossible, if you pick like Montreal, Cincinnati. Indian Wells, Miami is different because you have a break of four, five days in between.
What else we have? Oh, yeah, Rome, Hamburg. That's like almost impossible to win I have the feeling back‑to‑back because you have to win 12 matches maybe in 13 days. Imagine that, you know, plus a five‑setter in the finals of the middle week.
But I don't know. For me Grand Slams are harder maybe because of the five‑setters and because if it's over two weeks you've got to make sure you stay healthy, you don't get sick, the preparation is good, you know. All these little things, you know. It's a long time, you know, you're at the same place. Little thing need to go wrong and you lose, you know. Because out of a five‑setter, you don't come semi‑injured or semi‑sick, you'll pay the price there quickly.
Q. What part of his game did you try to pick apart today? Did you sense he was making some errors at the net early on?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, obviously I was trying to get the ball back low, you know, and trying to get it short also. If he was coming in, trying to make him volley up because, you know, he can put away easy volleys no problem, you know. But it's the tough volleys he's not I would say good enough yet, quite like the best volleyers. This is what I had to hope for, that he's going to miss a few of them and give me some chances for passes.
You know, on the second serves, try to get into the rally, work my way into the points, try to take away his confidence from the baseline. That really worked once more, so I'm really pleased.
Q. A few words about the US Open now. Who do you fear, or do you fear nobody?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I fear the two, three weeks ahead of me. It's, like I said, a long time. I'm looking forward to that.
The players, I know them all, I've beaten them all. But it's a tough one, the US Open. I experienced it last year, you know, especially with the Agassi match. And then just the heat can play a big factor, the winds and everything.
So you better be ready mentally.
Q. What did you think about this tournament before this year considering the record you've had here? How much has that view changed now?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I was a little concerned, you know, in the beginning. I really never played a good match here. So I was really hoping to get through the first round. In a way I was happy to play Blake, but then I realized he just also played well, and he likes to play in the States. I was not so sure if that was going to be a good draw either.
It was Kiefer, you know. It was sort of a shaky draw, too, because I was just struggling recently against him in Wimbledon. I know he can take away the rhythm very, very easily by his game.
No, so I was concerned. But once I think I got through those two rounds, I started to get more confidence, started to actually understand the conditions here in Cincinnati, and started to play much better.
But, you know, I have the feeling the conditions are really quick here, and you've got to get used to it. It's tough from the baseline.
Q. You don't seem to have a rival. Would you like to have one? Would that be good for the game if you had someone that might beat you every once in a while? It wouldn't be good for you, but...
ROGER FEDERER: Not really good for me. Good I don't know for who, but...
Q. For the game.
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know if it's good for the game. I think it's also nice to see the guys challenging me. I think it's an interesting time in tennis we're going through with all the guys coming along, you know. You've got nice youngsters coming along, Agassi is still playing, and, you know, the bunch of guys right behind me. So I think it's really interesting.
Nadal has definitely made his move, you know, to No. 2 player in the world. Now it's an interesting end to the season. It's not for sure I'm going to finish No. 1 in the world, you know. I've still got to play well and defend my titles and make sure I play well. So I have a lot to play for next few months.
Q. You played a little bit of doubles here. Are your plans to continue to play doubles throughout the rest of the year?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I'm going to play doubles in Davis Cup most probably. Played Bangkok doubles last year, so I don't know if I'm going to do that again. I'm not going to play at the Open, that's for sure. I hope I'm healthy in the winter this time, I couldn't play there last year. I haven't made up my mind yet, we'll see. But I'm always a fan of doubles, so...
Q. Will you take any salad dressing with you?
ROGER FEDERER: Still here? No, it's gone. I'll take the trophy instead (smiling).
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 22, 2005 19:25:55 GMT -5
bbc.co.uk Rafa said that Federer is now better than he is because he dominates on all surfaces. ;D
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 31, 2005 16:59:56 GMT -5
Finally my fave slam is here, the USO! So Rogi made the first rd vs. Minar [again... 3rd time they've played this year I think] 61 61 61 in about an hour. Federer Cruises into Second Roundby Erin Bruehl Tuesday, August 30, 2005 Whether he hit forehand or backhand shots, drop shots or was serving, reigning US Open champion and No. 1 seed Roger Federer was in complete control. He defeated qualifier Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, in just 61 minutes in Arthur Ashe Stadium to advance to the second round of the US Open. Federer's dominance centered on his serve, which reached a high of 129 mph, and he converted 70 percent of his first serves and 76 percent in the first set to take control from the start. The Swiss also pounded 12 aces, while Minar managed just three. Federer, ranked No. 1 in the world, seemed to be all over the court. Whether Minar tried to hit to the left or right corner or drop a shot over the net, Federer was there to return it with conviction. With 34 total winners and just 10 unforced errors, it was an easy win for the Swiss. He said from the start, he knew he was on his game. "I really had the sense I was returning very well, hardly giving him any points there, holding easy on my serve. The baseline, I didn't have the feeling I was in any rush at all. That's always obviously a good feeling to have from the start of a tournament. That doesn't happen very often going into Slams. I've always been looking for my rhythm early. And today it was there straightaway. That was good. Good signs, good feeling." The first set lasted just 16 minutes and even though Minar's serve improved in the second set, up to 65 percent from 39 percent in the first, he was still no match for the world's No. 1 player. Federer cruised from the start, exploiting every opening on the court with forehand and backhand cross-court winners. In fact, defeating Federer on a hard court has been nearly impossible this season. He had a 38-1 record on hard courts entering the match. It was the third straight win for Federer over Minar, whom he also defeated in the second round of Wimbledon this year and in Dubai, each in straight sets. Federer is trying to win his sixth career Grand Slam title and to become the first man to defend his US Open title since Patrick Rafter in 1998. He is also attempting to win both Wimbledon and the US Open for the second consecutive year, which has yet to be accomplished in the Open Era. He will face either Fabrice Santoro or Jurgen Melzer in the second round. - Federer has won nine titles this year. - With the win, Federer has now won 19 straight matches and his 29th straight on hard courts. - This was Minar's US Open debut. - Minar made his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon this year. R. FEDERER/I. Minar 6‑1, 6‑1, 6‑1 An interview with: ROGER FEDERERTHE MODERATOR: Questions. Q. Were you concerned about being a "rain beater"? ROGER FEDERER: I guess so. Relieved, of course, I'm through the rain because it was bad forecast. But more important, you know, is to get through no matter how many days it takes. Q. Are you a morning person? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I don't play much in the morning any more. Mostly play the prime time hours, which means 3, 5, 7 o'clock. Coming out early today was different. Also when I practice, it's usually always afternoon. So, again, you have to change your plans. But it was a great start, you know. Very happy the way I played. Q. When you get into the draw, third or fourth round, you've already had a couple matches. To start off a Grand Slam, first match, do you have some sort of special way of getting pumped or ready for that very first match? Jog half a mile? ROGER FEDERER: No, I don't do anything extraordinary. I stick to what I always do, you know, no matter if it's a final or a first round. I have the same preparation. Just the only difference is I have more time before a first round, which means I have days and days. I want to get the rhythm. I want to see how the conditions are here. Is it more windy? Do the balls play different? I try to get the sense for that. Then adjust string tensions if I have to. I usually always arrive two, three hours before the match so I have enough time to eat, to tape, to just, you know, think about the match. Then off I go. It's a pretty simple routine, which I like to stick to. Q. 16‑minute first set. Clearly you were ready to play today. Can you recall the last time you went on court for an opening match and just felt flat? ROGER FEDERER: You know, it happens sometimes. You know, I think the first round in Wimbledon was tough this year. I had the feeling I was sort of heavy. Q. This year? ROGER FEDERER: This year, yeah. It was tough to get into. It was nerve‑wracking somehow this year. But I still came through. Nerves start to go away once, you know, I was up I would say a set and a break. Today was much easier from the start. Q. Were you at all concerned about the rain in the second game, third set? Seemed like it was coming down, drops were harder. ROGER FEDERER: We were very close. I think if the umpire says, "Well, let's have a seat," I'll sit down. But it wasn't raining so we had to go back inside, which was good. I mean, I'm happy we could play through. I'm so used to everything that I have no problem walking back to the locker room. Q. But you weren't concerned at all in the back of your mind, "I don't want to slip, I don't want to get injured"? ROGER FEDERER: No. Well, we always stop in time, so that doesn't happen. I mean, I was ready for delays today. Took some magazines along in case something goes wrong (smiling). Q. Which ones? ROGER FEDERER: All sorts of magazines. Q. You like to be a primetime player. Was this a bit of an inconvenience to come out here at 11 a.m.? ROGER FEDERER: I was a little bit surprised I had to come out at 11. But then again, it's good to know your time. Of course, if the rain comes along, you have a long day, okay. But yesterday they also announced average weather and it never rained. It's also good to know ‑‑ I think second would have been worse today because then you don't have no clue what's going to happen. Q. You mentioned there isn't a player you fear. Are you as confident as you've ever been in your life? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. No, I mean, I don't see it as rough any more. When I lose to a player, for me, you know, as long as I give it a hundred percent, that's all I can do. If the guy's better on the day, that's okay, and I'll try next time. Where in the past, maybe years ago, I would lose and say, "Oh, no." I didn't feel like I gave it all I had or I didn't play like I should have. Then I started to really not like to play against a guy. But now I see more the challenge in it. Now because I've beaten all the guys maybe I've had bad records against, that eliminates the fear factor from other players. Q. Is there any unique challenge to defending here? ROGER FEDERER: Well, for me it seems that here all the players, it's a neutral surface. Australian Open is the first one, so everybody's a little bit ‑‑ nobody's really sure how they're going to play. Where here it's the last Grand Slam of the year, everybody wants to do well, everybody's been here in the States for some weeks. They're just waiting for this big occasion to come around. They're all coming out wanting to play their best, you know. So for me, the conditions changing every day, it seems one of the hardest to win. Q. Svetlana made an early exit yesterday. ROGER FEDERER: That concerned me, too. When I saw that, I was like, "Okay. Well, I better not mess this up, too." Q. When you win a match as easily as you did today, do you learn anything about your level of play? Is it useful in any way? ROGER FEDERER: Oh, yeah. I really had the sense I was returning very well, hardly giving him any points there, holding easy on my serve. The baseline, I didn't have the feeling I was in any rush at all. That's always obviously a good feeling to have from the start of a tournament. That doesn't happen very often going into Slams. I've always been looking for my rhythm early. And today it was there straightaway. That was good. Good signs, good feeling. Q. Is there any difference walking the streets of New York this year? Do you get recognized more since you won last year? ROGER FEDERER: No, the difference is there, yeah. Q. A big difference this year as opposed to when you were here a year ago? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I don't know if it's 50% more or whatever. Sometimes it's extreme, sometimes it's nothing, which I'm happy about. Sometimes it's a little bit. Totally depends I guess who walks on the street at the same time as me. Q. Now that you've had a chance to practice on this court and play a match on it, how friendly is this Stadium Court for somebody who hits with extreme topspin? ROGER FEDERER: I really find it's nice out there. The sound of the balls in this stadium, with the high backdrop, yeah, it feels very comfortable. Of course, it's huge, you know. Like this morning when there's still a lot of people, but it seems empty. But the crowd really gets into it. I was enjoying to play out there. I always from the first moment I walk on this center court, I always had the feeling it's a nice one. Q. How much is the topspin jumping off the court? ROGER FEDERER: Well, we were playing flat today, but it definitely takes the kick and spin, definitely. Q. You have a little bit of a different philosophy on coaching. Why do you not use a coach as much as some of the other players? ROGER FEDERER: Hmm. I have a different ranking (smiling). I guess that's it, you know. Q. Other guys with your ranking have had coaches. ROGER FEDERER: I don't know about that. I don't feel like I need a guy all the time next to me telling me what I should eat and drink, when I should go to bed, you know. I think I know these things. For me the coach is there to be on court with me, that he's not late showing up for practice sessions, that he can help me how to improve my game. Not just bring my racquets to the stringer, book me a practice court. This I can do myself. I have the feeling maybe in this respect I have a different philosophy. I haven't been speaking much to Tony either, you know. I haven't spoken to him in three weeks. Basically maybe I'll call him tonight. We'll see. Q. It's getting lonely? ROGER FEDERER: Well, yeah. We haven't been catching up too much. Still we have been in contact via messages. I don't know. It just seems like I don't need this.
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 31, 2005 17:06:32 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:09:37 GMT -5
CONGRATULATIONS, ROGI!!! USO05 F d AA 63 26 76(1) 61! Federer ready to stare down historyBRISTOL, CONNECTICUT (TICKER) -- Less than 24 hours after Andre Agassi called him "the best I've ever played against," Roger Federer said he was not content to rest on his laurels. The world No. 1 from Switzerland could be excused for wanting to take a break. After all, on Sunday he overcame eight-time Grand Slam winner Agassi - and 24,000-plus fans rooting for the American - in four sets, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 - to become the first man to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open back-to-back in consecutive years. Early Monday afternoon - after a photo shoot and prior to taping "Late Show with David Letterman" - Federer met with approximately 25 members of the international media at the ESPN Zone in New York's Times Square to discuss his sixth Grand Slam victory, his future plans and his place in history. Sunday's triumph was Federer's 35th straight hardcourt victory, an ATP Tour record, and his 87th in 88 matches on the surface since the start of last year's U.S. Open. It also was his record 23rd straight victory in a final, a streak that dates to 2003. "I'm happy to face history and records," Federer said. "History is the challenge for me." Federer was in rare trouble in Sunday's match, with Agassi breaking for a 4-2 third-set lead. But the top seed immediately broke back, was dominant in the tiebreak and nearly blanked the seventh seed in the fourth set. When Agassi could not handle his serve on match point, Federer leapt in the air and swung his arms in excitement. It was a rare sign of emotion from the normally reserved Federer, who continued to celebrate well into the night with about 10 of his friends. "I had a nice dinner," Federer said. "I let the evening unfold, flow. I like to sit in a chair with a wine glass. When I woke up, I thought, 'Why didn't I go to bed at 11?' I came back at 3 and went to bed at 5." Federer next was to fly back to Switzerland to prepare for his homeland's Davis Cup playoff against Great Britain. The losing team will not be in the 16-team World Group next year. "(We want to) get back in the World Group," he said. "I want to help out my country and my team as much as I can." Last year, Federer only played in two tournaments after the U.S. Open, the Thailand Open in Bangkok and the year-end Tennis Masters Cup. This time, Federer has a much more ambitious slate. "(I have the) Davis Cup in Geneva in 10 days' time," he said. "(I have) Bangkok straight after, (then) Madrid, in my hometown in Basel, Paris, then Shanghai. That's what I committed to. "Last year I pulled out of Madrid with fatigue ... (but) my plan is to play." With Sunday's win, Federer improved to 71-3 this year, and he blew match points in two of those defeats, to eventual winner Marat Safin of Russia in the Australian Open semifinals - his last hardcourt defeat - and to Richard Gasquet of France in the quarterfinals of Monte Carlo on clay. Overall, he has won 25 straight matches since falling to eventual champion Rafael Nadal of Spain in the French Open semifinals. Despite his amazing 145-9 mark since the start of 2004, the 24-year-old realizes he will not be the world's top player forever. "I expect myself not to be at the top at one point," Federer said. "It's hard mentally and physically. It's a draining sport. To me it's normal that Tiger (Woods) can't keep it up, or (Spanish soccer power) Real Madrid." Unfortunately for the rest of the ATP Tour, Federer - who took six weeks off after beating American Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final - isn't drained now, and doesn't figure to be anytime soon. "I took my rest after Wimbledon," he said. "I still feel very fresh. I have reserves left in my tank." US Open, men's final Untouchable Federer floating in a different zone Federer 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1 Agassi Stephen Bierley in New York Tuesday September 13, 2005 The Guardian Andre Agassi, the winner of eight grand slam titles and one of only five men to have won all four majors, was unequivocal. "I think Roger is the best I've played against. To watch him evolve has been amazing." For 2½ sets the 35-year-old American, with a near-24,000 Flushing Meadows crowd baying their support, pushed Federer to what appeared to be his limits. Having squared the match, Agassi led 4-2 in the third set and 30-0 on his serve. "Normally if I play that way I would be favouring myself," he said later. "Then he hit an inside-out backhand mishit that found the line and I hit a net cord to set him up. It doesn't take much with him to break a match open. "There's nowhere to go. With other guys there is a safety zone, there's a place to get to. Against Roger anything you try to do, he has the answer. He plays the game in a very special way that I haven't seen before. And he does it over and over again." By beating Agassi 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1 Federer became the first man to win back-toback Wimbledon and US Open titles two years running in the Open era, and also extended his run of winning finals to 23. "It's crazy," said Agassi. "There are periods in a match when you can have him against the fence, but his options are better than anybody else. I had his back against the wall to some degree at 4-2, but he just figured that to be the cue for him to do something else." Federer believed that it was at this point he began to serve much better. "I hadn't felt it was right all through the tournament, but suddenly it clicked." He also began to hit his backhand with greater venom, suddenly stepping into Agassi's second serve and arrowing the ball past him before he could move. Until 6-6 in the third set Agassi felt he was still in with a shout, only for Federer to elevate his game to an entirely higher level in the tie-break which he won 7-1. And that was that. The 11-year age gap was breached wide open and Agassi could no longer cope. Indeed, the overwhelming sense afterwards was that even if Federer had lost the third set he would still have gone on to take his sixth slam. "He can hurt you at any point," said the American. "The pressure you feel against him is different to anyone else, and the number of options he has seems endless. He does things the others just can't do." Not that Agassi will give up trying. He has already laid down his plans for next year, and apparently intends not to play the clay-court season. He has no need of extra money for himself and his family, but continues to pour money into his charitable foundation, which helps educate at-risk children in Las Vegas. "There's a lot I can enjoy now whereas before I was too busy worrying about winning," he said. "I stepped out against Roger and looked forward to it, and I feel good about the fact that I did everything I could to beat him. Feeling that I have been appreciated for these last two week has been priceless for me." This sixth slam title puts Federer on a par with Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg in modern times and, providing he remains fit, he will surely take the total into double figures, something that only Bill Tilden (10), Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver (11), Roy Emerson (12), and Pete Sampras (14) have achieved. "Pete was great, no question," said Agassi. "But there was a place to get to with Pete, you knew what you had to do, and if you did it the match could be on your terms. There's no such place like that with Roger." sport.guardian.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:10:41 GMT -5
A few Fedstats:
¡ Has won a record 23 straight finals and a record 35 matches on hardcourts ¡ Is on a season-best 25-match winning streak ¡ The first man since Donald Budge in 1938, and first in professional era, to win back-to-back Wimbledon and US Open titles ¡ The first man since Patrick Rafter in 1998 to successfully defend US Open title ¡ Has been world No. 1 for 84 straight weeks
ROGER FEDERER 24; Ranking: 1 Grand slam titles: 6 (Wimbledon 2003-05, US Open 2004-05, Australian Open 2004) Career titles: 32 2005 titles: 10; 2005 win-loss record: 71-3
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:13:08 GMT -5
Flawless Federer ends Agassi's American dream Stephen Bierley at Flushing Meadows Monday September 12, 2005 The Guardian In the end the 11-year age gap was just too much for Andre Agassi to bridge. Had the 35-year-old American held his serve when leading 4-2 in the third and pivotal set he might, energised by a crowd of nearly 24,000 in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, have pulled off a remarkable victory. But Roger Federer broke back for 4-3 and never looked back, winning 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1. So the Swiss world No1 retained his title and became the first man in Open tennis history to win Wimbledon and the US Open back to back in consecutive years. "Roger forces you to live on the edge," said Agassi, who did everything he could to upset Federer's rhythm, and quell his fires. Agassi was asked if Federer has improved since this time last year, and he replied, with a smile: "I'm afraid so." Yet for nearly three sets Agassi pushed the now six-time grand slam champion to the extreme limits. Aggression tempered with patience was Agassi's game plan. On Saturday he had watched Australia's Lleyton Hewitt become only the second player at this year's championships to take a set off the world No1 in semi-finals, the other being Germany's Nicolas Kiefer in the fourth round. All players know that to stand any chance of beating Federer his backhand and the second serve need to be attacked, even though these are only relative weaknesses. Against his old foe, Pete Sampras, Agassi was always aware that he could play to the top of his form and still lose, and exactly the same applied to Federer this time. Until the autumn of 2003, the American held a 3-0 career advantage; since then he has lost eight in succession, including a five-set quarter-final here last year, and a straight-sets defeat at the same stage in this year's Australian Open. Federer had his number. It was immediately apparent that there was an extra snap to Federer's shots, and extra bounce in his legs from the moment the final began. Agassi had been desperately hoping to start quickly himself, and although his did very little wrong, Federer was not to be denied, hitting forehand winners of sumptuous grace and irresistible power and accuracy. Agassi could already feel the wall against his back and fought doggedly to resist, so much so that it took the Swiss eight attempts to close out the opening set in 34 minutes. Encouraged, Agassi ripped back at the start of the second, hustling and scrambling, and hitting hugely penetrating winners of his own of the forehand to hold serve and then break. Prior to the final he had played three successive five-setters, and this by the man who missed two months this year after losing in the first round of the French Open with a sciatic nerve problem that has needed cortisone injections to keep him playing. Yet as the second set unfolded in his favour there was not the least suggestion of him tiring. Quite the reverse. It was Federer who suddenly appeared vulnerable, particularly on the backhand, and Agassi levelled. Federer shook his head and tried to compose himself in the third set, but could find no way of stopping Agassi who was returning serve, always his forte, with supreme verve and depth. At 4-2 down it seemed the impossible might happen, and that Agassi would go on to take his third US Open title and ninth slam. Nobody heard the sound of the mighty rushing wind, but almost out of nowhere Federer almost lifted Agassi off his rather aged legs. He had always been struggling on his serve, without Federer being able to take advantage. Now he did. The American held on until the tiebreak, only to be brushed aside 7-1. Tiredness seeped into Agassi's body, mistakes multiplied, and Federer went for the kill. His opponent was a spent force now. He managed to make Federer serve it out, but was the last gesture of a thoroughly weary man. sport.guardian.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:15:50 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:16:53 GMT -5
Q. Congratulations. ROGER FEDERER: Thank you (smiling).
Q. Out on the court, if I heard you correctly, you said it was the most pleasurable Grand Slam final in your career. If you could elaborate a bit on that and sort of your emotions after the win. ROGER FEDERER: Well, what I meant with it is maybe the most well, I think depending on how you look at it, but the most special one for me, you know, to play Andre in the final of the US Open. Still maybe one of the only living legends in tennis we still have, you know, next to Martina Navratilova on the women's side, and him. To play him, you know, in this situation, you know, him being towards the end of his career, me being on the top of my game, and getting the chance to play him on such an occasion, that's what I meant with it being really special today. I mean, I couldn't speak too much yesterday, you know, looking into it, because, you know, I still had to focus on the match. But I knew that this was going to be very special.
Q. That living legend just said you were the best tennis player he ever played and reiterated it at least two times in his press conference. How does that make you feel? ROGER FEDERER: Well, nice. He's given me many nice compliments over the years, so I really appreciate that. Yeah, I'm amazed I could hang with him throughout the last few years with him. You know, he got me a few times early in my career where he made me look like a little schoolboy. Now that I could turn it around, it's for me fantastic. So sort of we can have an even battle, you know. It's really nice. I look up to him, you know, because he's been around for so long, and for his results. So a lot of respect from my side.
Q. Talking about legends, in 2003 you beat Pete Sampras in Wimbledon. He was an icon at that time. ROGER FEDERER: 2001.
Q. 2001, okay. He was kind of untouchable there. Now you beat another icon. How do you rate these two matches? Does it mean the same for you? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I was much more nervous going into the Sampras match, obviously. Not only was that the first time I ever played Sampras, it was the only time as well, but also my first time on Centre Court at Wimbledon. Obviously, that is very special. So it's very different, you know, Wimbledon, US Open, finals, you know, fourth round. So it's hard to compare those two. But for me, I've always looked much more up to Sampras than to Agassi. Didn't pay that much attention to Agassi, but thank God he was around longer so I got to know him better for his results, for him as a person. Now I enjoy playing as much against him like when I did against Pete.
Q. You've got six Grand Slam titles now, so you join with Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker. They're your idols. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, they're my idols.
Q. How do you feel? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, that's fantastic. When I heard that today, that was for me something very special because, yeah, tying your idols, isn't that great? You know, I think it's every little boy's dream. I made it come true today in a memorable final for me, and I still got something left I think in my career. So hopefully I can beat those records. That will be even better (smiling).
Q. It seems like you are always unbeatable. What do you think it takes to beat you besides luck? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, well, the three matches I lost, and two of them I had matchpoint, you know, so they got a little lucky. But, no, I don't know really. I amaze myself that I can back it up one tournament after another, keep on playing so well, and especially on hard court and grass court. Clay obviously is a little bit of a different story. But still also there I gave myself a chance to win the French. But, yeah, I wonder why I always play so well, and especially on the big occasions, like I said on center court. It just seems to click for me. It's really through, I think when I was down 4 2 in the third, I really started to feel like my serve's coming back, you know. That's the first time I felt that throughout the whole tournament. That it happened then, I was quite pleased about that.
Q. It seems like you didn't go to the net as much as you usually do. At the end of the second set, you didn't have one point at the net. ROGER FEDERER: Did I win it?
Q. No, no, you didn't have any the second set. ROGER FEDERER: Not any, okay, okay.
Q. Was Andre forcing you to do that? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, obviously it's hard to attack on his shots because it's so flat and deep. So obviously that's not a shot where you can approach on. He's very good on defense. You know, he plays the angles very well, so it makes it hard to come to the net. I wasn't in the mood to serve and volley too much, so I wanted to stick with him from the baseline and try to come through this way. In the end, it's the result in the end that matters. So I'm very pleased. Obviously, I wish I could be serve and volleying, too, but right now I don't think I would.
Q. You talked about how some of the players you faced and beaten are your idols. Andre is in that category. Was there any point today when you looked across the net and thought, "Maybe I should just let the old man have one"? ROGER FEDERER: No (smiling). No, that really only happened this one time when I played Sampras. I was warming up and, you know, I looked across the net and I couldn't believe it was Sampras, you know. That's the only time it really happened. I had some when the draw came out in Basel back in '99, you know, I couldn't believe I was going to play Agassi. I thought, "Okay," he was on his way back, but still he was a superstar. For me to play him then, that was very special. Once you play more than I don't know how many times, it's still special. But it's not you don't fear anybody anymore. You still have the respect, but it's a match like another one as well. Circumstances are very different. 24,000 people are behind him. It's the finals, you know. So, no, I didn't have that feeling.
Q. I am from Russia and I think that Marat Safin is the single rival for you. Is that correct? ROGER FEDERER: (Smiling). I wish I could say yes for you, but... (laughter). I feel like there's a whole group of guys chasing me right now. He's one of them, let's put it that way.
Q. We love you in Russia. ROGER FEDERER: Okay. I didn't understand, but all right (laughter).
Q. We love you in Russia. ROGER FEDERER: Oh, is that what it is? All right. Thank you (smiling).
Q. Could you just take a moment and talk about the one or two qualities you most respected in Pete and the one or two qualities that you most respect in Andre. ROGER FEDERER: Well, I can only go as far as players, you know. I don't know them good enough personally, so that would be something strange for me to do, you know, to tell them how they are, their character is. I can only tell you how they are on the court. They both seem very respectful, you know, to the game and to their opponents. Obviously, they have a very different game. I think we see both games, they're very dominant in what they do: Agassi from the baseline, and Pete at the net and with his serve, you know. So they have totally different qualities, but they had similar careers. For me, Sampras' career is quite extraordinary, you know. So it's hard to compare, you know, one to the other. I think that would be also wrong to do, but I think it's great they had such a fantastic rivalry throughout the years, you know. Obviously, as soon as Andre goes for me, also it's a pity that he goes because I wish I could play more of him.
Q. Did you learn anything about yourself these past two weeks, and did you learn anything about your game during this tournament? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I was playing to win, basically, so it wasn't how should I say? I wasn't trying out things, you know. I'm saying it's just too important to actually change up your game. In the beginning of the tournament I wish I could play a little bit more aggressive, but that somehow didn't really work for me, so I had to really be careful. I played a few tricky matches, you know, with Santoro and Rochus and Kiefer. I lost maybe my game a little bit throughout those matches. But bounced back well with Nalbandian. It was a tough one against Hewitt. So I really played to win. I'm happy that worked out. Especially today, I really started to feel like I can play more aggressive return, play a more defensive return. Today is really the first time I felt like I can actually use all my shots, and that wasn't the case up until this match today.
Q. How are you going to celebrate this title? Will you go back to Switzerland? What are your plans? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, well, that's the plan, you know. I've got Davis Cup back in Geneva coming in a little bit, ten days' time or so. Yeah, I'm not making any detour. I'm going straight to Switzerland from here.
Q. New Yorkers are usually a generous crowd. Today did Andre's fan club bother you? ROGER FEDERER: They were very generous for him, yeah (smiling).
Q. That's what I mean. Did it bother you? ROGER FEDERER: No, it was all right. It was little bit more than I expected on his side, but, you know, that's I guess how it is. But no problems. I still enjoyed every second.
Q. Do you feel yourself as the best player in the world? ROGER FEDERER: Excuse me?
Q. Do you feel like the best player in the world? ROGER FEDERER: Right now, yeah (smiling). But the best player of this generation, yes. But not nowhere close to ever, because, yeah, just look at the records that some guys have. I'm a little kooky (smiling).
Q. Twenty three wins in the final. Breaking the record of Borg and McEnroe. You are the best player ever. ROGER FEDERER: Well, in this in this particular stats, yes. Also maybe final appearances and final wins, you know, the winning percentage, in Grand Slam finals. There's records I'm proud of. I'm happy I have some records because it makes it more fun for me, you know, not only to play against the other guys, sometimes to play against history occasionally. I still cannot believe how well I've been playing over the last few years and that it just keeps on going, you know. It's incredible because last year was fantastic with the three Grand Slams and the Masters Cup and all the other titles. Now to back it up with an almost same fantastic season, you know, even have chance to maybe improve it. But after the two first semifinals, you know, in Grand Slams this year, to come back and win the next two, it's for me quite a surprise no matter what.
Q. Are you going back to Thailand to play the Thailand Open? ROGER FEDERER: Yes, I am.
Q. What do you expect for this? ROGER FEDERER: Oh, it was a great tournament they had last year. I really enjoyed it. It was a tough field. We had a great semifinals with Paradorn and Marat and Andy in the semis, and myself. I think I really like Thai people, you know, so I guess that's also one of the reasons why I'm going back there.
Q. A lot of people, when they first look at your game, just say, "Fantastic, this guy is the ultimate shot maker," and just put you way at the top. Now you're winning title after title, the weeks at No. 1, three Wimbledons, back to back, etc. and now Andre comes in and says you're the best he's ever played. At what point will you just say, "Okay, I'm the best"? ROGER FEDERER: Hmm... well, he just played me, you know, so I don't know. If it changes if you ask him in five years' time, you know. Him saying that I'm, let's say, better than Sampras, you know, I'm little surprised, you know. But, you know, he says what he thinks is right, you know. I don't think he would be lying in here. Yeah, I appreciate it very much. It's fantastic to be compared to all the players he's played, you know, throughout his career. We're talking about the best, you know, some are the best in the world or of all time. To be compared to those is great, you know. And it's still going, so I still have chances to get there and to improve.
Q. Was there ever a point where you didn't want to play tennis, or you had other interests in life and now when you reflect back on that are you glad that you stuck with it? ROGER FEDERER: Well, there's always times I think in a player's career where he just wants to do something else or walk away from the game because too many losses, too much traveling, whatever, you know. So I was joking around quite serious at one stage I thought, you know, just hang up my racquet and go away and just not be so frustrated. That was back in maybe '99, when I almost cracked the Top 100 and was stuck at 120 in the world for about six months and was just not good enough, basically, to make the next step. That was for me very hard. I really thought I tried to work extra hard on it. The work didn't pay off straight away. But then, you know, when the wins come back and also the pleasure obviously comes. Everything is much easier. So for me then to have cracked the Top 10 and win Wimbledon, that really gave me a boost. Now I look back and go, "What the hell did I do before? Why didn't I enjoy tennis before?" It's crazy that it needs a Wimbledon championships sometimes for me to realize that.
Q. Which of the younger players do you foresee can give you trouble in the near future, if any? ROGER FEDERER: Well, we have quite a few around. I think the two guys who beat me this year, Gasquet and Nadal.
Q. The fact that this hasn't been asked 9/11, playing on the 11th of September, playing against an American legend, I mean, you could feel quite a bit of palpable patriotism out on the court today. Any special reflections? ROGER FEDERER: Well, the date, obviously, is hard. Not only for Americans, I think for the whole world to see that. But I think, you know, people came to see tennis, you know, and for me, I saw the greater matchup with Andre in the US Open finals more than the date. That is left for those who are very sad, you know. I didn't lose any close friends, so for me it's different. But everybody was shocked, you know, obviously. I think once we were out there, it was a normal sort of thing, you know, just that they were backing him up like crazy, which I totally understand, because they wanted him to win so badly. That's the usual thing that happens. FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:27:12 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:29:18 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 18, 2005 11:31:59 GMT -5
R3 Rogi d O Rochus 63 76(86) 62
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 28, 2005 11:17:21 GMT -5
SUI d GRB 5-0 in Davis Cup World Group Qualifying in Geneva!! 25 Sep 2005 - Geneva Palexpo, Geneva, SUI - Eleanor Preston - SUI v GBR Swiss savour return to World Group Having played a vital role in securing his nation’s place in the World Group of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas next year, thanks to a play-off victory against Great Britain, Roger Federer hinted that he will do everything he can to help Switzerland mount a challenge for the trophy next season. Federer has long been a Davis Cup stalwart for Switzerland since making his debut in a first round tie against Italy in 1999 and he is one of the reasons why the nation is currently ranked at nine in the ITF’s Davis Cup Nations Ranking. Federer, along with former Swiss Davis Cup heroes like Marc Rosset and Jakob Hlasek, has helped maintain Switzerland’s 16-year unbroken run in the World Group. However, the World No. 1 felt compelled to miss his nation’s first round home tie against the Netherlands in Friborg in March in order to give himself a break. Federer admitted that the victory over Great Britain, in which he beat Alan Mackin in singles and then joined forces with Yves Allegro in the doubles, offered a reminder of just what Davis Cup means to him. “In a way it did remind me but I was very well aware of what I was missing in Friborg at the beginning of the year, because it turned out to be a thriller and I wasn’t there to watch it or to play and to help and that was hard,” said Federer. “I still look back and think it was the right decision though. What about next year? We’ll see. I’ll decide in the next couple of weeks whether I will be available. My wish is definitely to be available and to be there but we will have to see. There are a lot of things you have to manage when you are No. 1 in the world, that’s very important.” Switzerland’s captain Severin Luthi, who was captaining his first tie against the British, must have been delighted to have heard Federer sounding so positive about Davis Cup, for he admitted that, despite having an adept doubles player in Allegro and a emerging star in Stanislas Wawrinka in the team, Federer’s presence is vital if Switzerland is to challenge for the trophy in 2006. “For us it’s really important that Roger is available so we are trying everything to get him to stay in the team, but I think everybody would understand also if he wasn’t able to play. I think he wants to play, so if there is a possibility to play then he will do.” While Switzerland can dream of a run to a historic first Davis Cup trophy next year, Great Britain will be anxiously eyeing the Davis Cup draw on Thursday in Paris to see which team it will face in the opening round of the Euro African Zone Group I.The good news for British team captain Jeremy Bates is that 32-year-old Greg Rusedski has committed himself to the cause for the foreseeable future and in Andrew Murray he has a player whose passion and ability to withstand pressure make him a natural for Davis Cup. The Scottish teenager said it was an honour to be on the same court as Federer in the doubles in Geneva and he will be anxious to help his team gain promotion to the World Group in the hope of facing the legendary Swiss across the net again in the heat of Davis Cup competition. Switzerland completed a 5-0 whitewash against Great Britain on Sunday with two wins in the dead rubbers. George Bastl took just 53 minutes to dismantle David Sherwood’s game in the first match; Bastl, who by coincidence will face Murray in the first round of next week’s ATP event in Bangkok, beat Sherwood 63 60. Wawrinka then defeated Alan Mackin 75 76(5). The Swiss clean sweep marked Great Britain's worst defeat since they lost 0-5 to the Slovak Republic in April 1995. www.daviscup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=13450www.daviscup.com
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 28, 2005 11:19:50 GMT -5
GO, ROGI, in Bangkok!! R1 d Marcos Daniel 76(3) 64 -- a tight match!
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Post by RogiFan on Oct 3, 2005 8:04:00 GMT -5
Congrats, Rogi on your 11th title beating Murray 63 75 in Bangkok! www.lematin.chblick.ch
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