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Federer wins 10th Basel title

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

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Federer to play 2020 Tokyo Olympics

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

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Federer wins 10th Halle title

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

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Federer wins fourth Miami Open title

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

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Federer makes history in Dubai, wins 100th title

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

Roger Federer tops The Most Powerful Athletes

Roger Federer has been at the top of the tennis world for a decade since he won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003. He has racked up a record 17 Grand Slam titles and $78 million in career prize money. He is widely held up as the greatest men’s tennis player of all-time.

Federer is as powerful as ever as a celebrity thanks to his arsenal of sponsors, widespread appeal and media visibility. In fact, Federer is the most powerful athlete in the world by Forbes’ count and ranks No. 8 overall in our annual Celebrity 100Oprah Winfrey tops the main list after ranking second the prior two years.

Forbes crunches the numbers each year on what celebrities wield the most power. Earnings carry the most weight in our algorithm, but we also account for print and TV mentions, social networking and marketability (click here for a detailed methodology).

Federer is the second highest-paid athlete in the world with earnings of $71.5 million in the 12-months between June 1, 2012 and June 1, 2013. His income jumped last year thanks to an exhibition tour of South America in December that netted him $14 million for six matches across three cities. He also added a tenth sponsor to the most impressive endorsement portfolio in sports in terms of the length of deals and quality of the companies. Federer inked a five-year deal with Moet & Chandon at the end of 2012, which is expected to pay at least $6 million annually (see “How Roger Federer Makes $71 Million A Year“).

Federer rises to the top for athletes’ power thanks to his marketability, which is higher than more polarizing athletes like Tiger Woods and LeBron James. Federer is also popular in the press with the most print mentions of any athlete over the last 12 months.

Forbes Top 10 Powerful Athletes:

1. Roger Federer
2. Tiger Woods
3. LeBron James
4. David Backham
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
7. Lionel Messi
8. Usain Bolt
9. Drew Brees
10. Rafael Nadal

Forbes Top 10 Celebrity:

1. Oprah Winfrey
2.  Lady Gaga
3. Steven Spielberg
4. Beyonce Knowles
5. Madonna
6. Taylor Swift
7. Bon Jovi
8. Roger Federer
9. Justin Bieber
10. Ellen DeGeneres

Date: 28th June 2013, Source: Forbes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Federer: 'A much more complete player'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date: 24th June 2013, Source: ATP

Federer imperious in Wimbledon opener

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Federer, Murray, Nadal in same half of Wimbledon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roger Federer's possible opponents:

Round 1 : Victor Hănescu

Round 2 : Sergiy Stakhovsky

Round 3 : Lukas Rosol / Jurgen Melzer / Fabio Fognini

Round 4 : Nicolás Almagro / Jerzy Janowicz / Radek Stepanek

QF : Rafael Nadal / Stanislas Wawrinka / John Isner

Semi Final : Jo-Wilfred Tsonga / Andy Murray

Final : Novak Djokovic / David Ferrer

Date: 21st June 2013, Source: Reuters

Wimbledon 2013: Roger Federer remembers journey from boy to man

When it comes to Roger Federer, Wimbledon is special.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He talked at length about the weight of expectation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Roger Federer became the King of Wimbledon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date: 16th June 2013, Source: Dailymail

Federer wins sixth Halle title

World No. 3 Roger Federer won his first title of the season, and the 77th of his career, on Sunday as he came from a set down to beat Mikhail Youzhny 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle. His 77 titles see him draw level with John McEnroe in third position in the career titles list.

''I feel fit; I feel confident. I feel fit and fresh and that’s very important at this point in the season. I'm excited about what's to come now,'' Federer said. ''I'm very pleased with how I played this week. Mikhail was playing good enough to win today. No doubt about it."

The Swiss lifted the trophy in Halle for the sixth time, having previously triumphed in 2003-06 and 2008 (d. Kohlschreiber). He also finished runner-up in 2010 (l. to Hewitt) and 2012 (l. to Haas) and has a 43-5 event record.

The 31-year-old Federer clinched his 13th tour-level grass-court title, having also won The Championships at Wimbledon seven times. He will look to complete the Halle-Wimbledon double for the fifth time (2003-06) by retaining the Wimbledon crown he won last year with victory over Andy Murray.

"I'm very happy. It was a great week for me and my family," said Federer. "I thought I played well from the start and I really had to fight for it, in the semis against Tommy Haas and in the finals against Mikhail Youzhny. I think I did well today and they are exactly the kind of wins I need at this part of the season. I've been preparing well for this part of the season and I'm happy it's paying off. It's obviously important for my confidence looking forward to Wimbledon now."

Federer improved to a 15-0 Head 2 Head record over Youzhny, dropping a set for only the fourth time against the Russian, whom he beat at both Halle and Wimbledon last year.

With such a dominant record over Youzhny, top seed Federer fired at the start of the final to win the first three points on his opponent's serve. However, the Russian did not crumble as he saved four break points to move a game in front.

Federer conveyed a contrast in holds by making it 1-1 to love, but Youzhny began to improve on his serve as an ace clinched the third game and the lead once again.

Youzhny with a wide forehand was unable to convert his first break opportunity of the contest and allowed Federer to level, and the former was now starting to grow in confidence thanks to a fine winner down the line.

It was Federer who felt the pressure of playing catch-up in the set, and a double fault opened the door for Youzhny at 15-30. But, with the aid of two aces Federer quickly slammed it shut to make it 3-3.

The following four games were shared between the pair, and Federer failed to take advantage with a crucial break to lead 6-5. When Youzhny held to lead by that score line, his break point was one for the set, but with a serve out wide Federer thwarted the Russian and forced a tiebreak.

And the tiebreak swung one way and then the other as both players raised their level. Youzhny secured the mini break at 4-3 when Federer over hit a backhand and opened a two-point lead, but the Swiss rallied back to get to 5-5.

However, the momentum of the world No. 3 was halted when he hit the net, and with a second set point to his name, Youzhny clinched the set with a volley to seize the initiative.

A lapse in concentration from Federer handed Youzhny the opening set, but the Wimbledon champion erased the sloppy errors and turned into a force in the second - producing brilliant cross-court winners and not dropping points in three of his first four service games.

A run of eight consecutive points enabled Federer to break at 5-3 as he capitalised on serving first in the set, and with it Federer sent the final into a decider.

Both players were strong on their serve in the final set, but for only the second time in the match Youzhny struggled on his in the seventh game, and on the back of consecutive love services Federer pounced by digging a backhand down the line.

And with the break in the bag Federer closed out the win to get his hands on a first trophy of the season, and a sixth on the grass courts of Halle. The record 17-time grand slam champion goes into SW19 full of confidence to defend his Wimbledon title. Wimbledon starts from 24th of June 2013.

''I tried everything but Roger was just better. I cannot do anything about it. The difference was that he was better today - he's been better all his life,'' Youzhny said.

Date: 16th June 2013, Source: ATP and ESPN

Federer reaches 8th successive final in Halle

Roger Federer edged closer to his first title of the season when he came from a set down to beat defending champion Tommy Haas 3-6 6-3 6-4 and book a place in Sunday's Gerry Weber Open, Halle final (eighth successive final in Halle) against Mikhail Youzhny.

After a patchy start on Saturday the Swiss looked sharp on the grass as he prepares for his title defense at Wimbledon later this month.

Federer, five-times champion at Halle, will take on Russian Youzhny, who outclassed former Wimbledon semi-finalist Richard Gasquet of France 6-3 6-2.

"I felt good out there, and as I had predicted it was a tough match," Federer, the world number three, said in a courtside interview.

"I have not won a title this year, twice I have lost here in the final in the past years. It will not be easy but I am really looking forward to it."

Federer had 15 aces and Haas finished with nine double-faults. Consecutive double-faults by Haas at the end of the third game of the final set gave Federer the decisive edge.

''On the big points, Roger showed again what qualities he has,'' Haas said. ''I think I still played well and gave my best.''

"It would be very nice to win any title during the season, because it gives you incredible confidence," said Federer. "You know that you're on the right track, you know you're doing the right things, the hard work is paying off and your scheduling seems to make sense. Winning tournaments is everything. For me, it would be great to win the final. It comes at the right time. If I don't, I know I can still build on something because I've had a good few weeks so far. But, no doubt about it, I'll try everything in my power to win tomorrow."

Having finished runner-up in 2010 (l. to Hewitt) and 2012 (l. to Haas), Federer is looking to reclaim the trophy he won from 2003-06 and 2008. He is 12-4 in grass-court finals, having also won The Championships at Wimbledon seven times, including last year (d. Murray).

Federer improved to an 11-3 Head 2 Head record over Haas as he rallied from a set down for victory in one hour and 38 minutes. The Basel native, who joined with Haas for the first time in doubles this week – they lost in the first round – was broken in the sixth game of the first set as he lost the opener. But he quickly wrestled momentum from Haas, racing to a 3-0 second set lead before levelling the match. Another early break in the third set paid dividends for Federer as he unseated the defending champion.

"It was a great match for me to play and then also to win," said Federer. "Tommy can play really well here. We saw that last year here and in previous years he’s also been successful. I’m very happy that I was able to maintain really a high level of play."

"After losing the first set, there’s not that much margin anymore. I think he won most of the big points in the first set. Then in the second and third I was able to turn it around and win the big points myself. So, it was a big, good win for me. And I thought the quality was also extremely high."

"It was a very close match, a very good match," said Haas. "At the beginning of the second set, he was trying to be a little bit more aggressive. He played some really great points and deserved to break me early on. He started serving very well and didn't give me many chances to try and break him. Once he starts running ahead, he's very hard to catch up, especially on grass."

Date: 15th June 2013, Source: Reuters and ATP

Federer demolishes Zverev to reach Halle semifinal

Roger Federer needed a mere 39 minutes to demolish hapless wild-card entrant Mischa Zverev of Germany 6-0, 6-0 and book his spot in the Gerry Weber Open semi-finals on Friday.

The Swiss was in spectacular form on Halle's grass court, gifting the world number 156 not a single break ball throughout the match which was his second double-bagel win in his career.

Federer, 31, has played 1,107 tour-level matches (902-205) since turning professional in 1998. He also beat Gaudio Gaudio 6-0, 6-0 at the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai (now known as the ATP World Tour Finals).

Federer, preparing to defend his Wimbledon crown later this month, told reporters: "I feel sorry for Mischa."

''It's not something which is easy to do. You never go into a match aiming for that score,'' Federer said. ''I was very surprised that it happened today, especially on grass."

''I think it is disappointing for a serve and volley player to go down like this. It shows also how easy it is to hit passing shots or returns today in this day and age. But I really expected him to cause me more trouble with his serve. First of all, he is a lefty. And then it is a grass court, he is a serve-and-volley player, so you always think he’ll find a way to make me feel uncomfortable somewhat with my backhand."

"I just had a pretty easy time picking up his serve, and made a ton of returns, and always made him hit first volleys under the net. And then eventually maybe he forced a bit too much, or didn’t believe as much anymore in his own serve, and that gave me a lot of opportunities."

"This is not really how I want to win my games; it is a bit uncomfortable. Now I need to switch from today's match to tomorrow's difficult encounter." added the five-times Halle champion and last year's runner-up.

He will now play German veteran Tommy Haas in a repeat of last year's final.

Date: 14th June 2013, Source: Reuters

Federer eases past Stebe in straight sets

Roger Federer is on course to win his sixth Gerry Weber Open title after a 6-3 6-3 second round victory over Germany's Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in Halle and claims his 40th win at the event.

The Swiss had Stebe under pressure from the start, breaking in the very first game with several deep forehands which had the world No. 166 pegged to the baseline.

Stebe failed to break back, handing number one seed Federer several easy points for a routine service hold. The 17-time grand slam singles champion returned the favour with misplaced backhands to allow Stebe his first game on the board.

It proved a momentary lapse from the world No. 3 as Federer again hit deep towards the baseline to force the pressure; it soon paid off as Stebe netted his forehand to gift the double break.

The German rallied in his response, breaking to pull it back to 5-3, but Federer wrapped up the first set in 33 minutes when Stebe slammed his cross-court backhand into the net.

It proved a similar story in the second, as Federer broke early once more to establish the advantage when Stebe's forehand went too long.

Federer hardly had to move out of second gear as his opponent offered little resistance when facing serve, and despite Stebe looking to settle himself with two holds, Federer simply appeared too strong when defending his own.

Despite suffering a second double fault when serving for his first match point, Federer did not make the same mistake when rushing to volley a backhand winner over the net and complete victory in little over an hour.

Federer now faces world No. 156 Mischa Zverev in the quarter-final on Friday.

Date: 12th June 2013, Source: ESPN

Federer visits children at hospital in Bielefeld

Five-time Halle champion Roger Federer visited the Bodelschwingsche Stiftung Bethel Childrens Hospital in Bielefeld on Monday, leaving patients with an experience to remember.

The Swiss superstar also joined Gerry Weber Open tournament director Ralf Weber to present a €5,000 donation to chief physician, Professor Dr. Johannes Otte.

“It was nice to see what the Gerry Weber Open does for these kids who are not so well. It was also nice to see the hospital has a vision,” Federer told ATPWorldTour.com. “We visited the room inspired by Marco Chiudinelli, who is a good friend of mine. Next year, they'll do my room. I'm always happy to create some awareness. I've heard a lot about it and was happy to be there in person.”

Weber said, “It was a very touching image seeing Roger sitting amongst the young patients and intensively interacting with them. I am happy that he was able to give the children such great moment and memory.”

Federer is no stranger to philanthropic efforts. The 31-year-old has his own foundation, the Roger Federer Foundation, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and was the ATP’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year in 2006.

“We have achieved a lot but still I always have the feeling that we are right at the beginning,” Federer said during his pre-tournament press conference.

“I’m always happy when the foundation takes up my time, whether it concerns foundation meetings when we meet three four times per year to choose new projects or discuss which direction to take or which area to support. We have huge plans for the next year. I try to invest a lot of time and money. It really means a lot to me that the children we support can go to school and learn a profession. That is very important and needs time.”

In 2012, the Bodelschwingsche Stiftung Bethel  Childrens Hospital was awarded a €10,000 grant as part of the ATP ACES for Charity grant programme. The Gerry Weber Open has donated €65,000 over the past years for three therapy rooms. Named the “Dwingi rooms”, they are decorated with modern therapeutic facilities, which offer young cancer patients more intimacy and independence.

Otte praised the generous support of the tournament, explaining the rooms “will significantly help the healing process of ill children. Our young patients really love these rooms. For us, they are an important therapeutic support.”

Date: 11th June 2013, Source: ATP

Federer expects 2nd half of year to be better


It's nearly mid-June and Roger Federer is still without a title in 2013. Back on grass in one of his favorite tournaments, Federer is confident his best is yet to come.

Federer is the top-seeded player in Halle, one of the grass-court warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. Four of his seven Wimbledon titles came after Federer also won in Halle.

''Halle is one of my favorite places on the tour, and being successful there makes it even more likable,'' said Federer, who will be seeking his sixth title in the cozy event, where players step on court practically from their hotel rooms.

Federer is coming off a quarterfinal loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the French Open last week.

''Paris has little to do with Halle or Wimbledon, but looking back I am really disappointed with my match against Tsonga,'' Federer said. ''There are days like that, but fortunately there haven't been so many in my career, and I hope there won't be that many to come.''

Federer reached 10 straight Grand Slam finals from 2005-07, winning eight titles. He also appeared in eight major finals from 2008-10, winning four. But since that run ended, Federer has played in just two of the last 13 Grand Slam title matches, winning one at Wimbledon last year.

At 31, the winner of a record 17 major titles could be slowing down. He has also had a back injury during the first half of the year.

''I didn't really expect to necessarily win a lot of titles, and I thought I played well in Rome and Paris, until the match with Tsonga,'' Federer said Monday at the start of the Halle tournament.

He lost the Rome final in two quick sets to Rafael Nadal, who pulled out of the Halle event to rest after his eighth French Open title.

''I now feel that the best time for me is still to come in the second half of the year. It's a very important phase of the year, leading to Wimbledon and the North American swing with the U.S. Open,'' Federer said.

''To win here in Halle would be a good buildup for Wimbledon,'' he said.

Date: 10th June 2013, Source: AP

Federer/Haas beaten by Melzer/Petzschner

It was the first big highlight of the 2013 Gerry Weber Open – for Roger Federer and Tommy Haas, it ended without success. For the first time, the two good friends joined up in the doubles, but they lost their first-round match to Philipp Petzschner and Jürgen Melzer 6-7, 4-6.

“It’s all about getting a bit of rhythm and timing on grass,” said Haas before the game. “That’s enormously important, particularly on grass and when you have a bye into the second round.” That worked rather well with Haas and Federer showing they were very alert in front of an enthusiastic crowd on Center Court. They soon led 2-0, but they wasted a break which would have made it 4-1, and that proved decisive. Melzer and Petzschner became more decisive, returning stronger and breaking back before taking the first set on a tie-break.

Federer and Haas continued to deliver a tense and spectacular battle against the Wimbledon and US Open champions. But when Haas dropped serve at 3-4, the game was as good as over. Jürgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner, who warmed up wearing a shirt of football club Arminia Bielefeld with the words “congratulations on promotion” to the 2. Bundesliga, held serve twice to take victory.

“It was great fun, it’s just a shame that it wasn't quite enough,” said Federer. “I just made a few too many mistakes, which is why I’m not all that satisfied today.” Haas added: “It’s incredible - we’ve known each other for so long and only play doubles together today for the first time. Unfortunately, we didn’t take our chances, but we were up against a strong pairing who already know how to play doubles.” Both Federer and Haas now have a break until Wednesday at the earliest before starting their singles’ campaigns. Melzer and Petzschner are both in action on Tuesday with their opening singles’ matches.

Date: 10th June 2013, Source: Gerry Weber Open

Roger Federer and Tommy Haas to play doubles in Halle

It’s the best of both worlds at the 21st Gerry Weber Open: Roger Federer and Tommy Haas are both going to go in search of the doubles title - together. The 31-year-old Federer and the 35-year-old Haas are close friends, and so too are their families. Their start together in Halle is a premiere in the careers of the two stars. “This is great news for our fans,” said tournament director Ralf Weber. “And it’s a spectacular enrichment for the whole tournament.”

Only recently, the maestro and the “Golden Oldie” took part in a combined training camp in Switzerland to prepare themselves for the clay court season. Last year, the two firm fans’ favourites battled it out for the singles title at the 20th anniversary edition of Germany’s only ATP event on grass, and Haas emerged as the surprise champion. Only recently, Federer underlined his great respect for Haas’ comeback among the world’s elite. “What he’s achieved is simply unbelievable,” he said. “It’s also fantastic for our sport and for the fans in Germany." Haas, meanwhile, has always referred to Federer as “the best ambassador you could ever imagine in tennis.”

Both are serious candidates for the singles title at the 21st Gerry Weber Open, and will also be firm favourites for the doubles, which they could both win.

Date: 8th June 2013, Source: Gerry Weber Open

Robert Federer: An Unquenchable Thirst for Travel

Thanks to his father's globetrotting lifestyle Switzerland became home to the most successful player in the history of tennis. In this portrait, the 66-year-old talks about his thirst for travel, how he moved to Basel at the age of 20, before finally heading for South Africa, where he met his wife-to-be.

"Talent" That's Robert Federer's immediate response when asked which of his own traits he sees in his son. But it's accompanied by hearty laughter, drawing his eyes into narrow slits and raising his bushy brows. This is a man who laughs a lot, and who knows how to look on the bright side of life at all times. It's true that he got his wife Lynette – and thus, indirectly, his son as well – into tennis. But he also knows that she provided the better genes as far as athletic talent is concerned. "She was already an outstanding field hockey player when I met her," he recalls. "But she had problems with her legs because of all the hits."

Wife Lynette Is the Better Tennis Player

Robert Federer – "Robbie" to his friends – was an avid tennis player. His playing ability (R3) made him an above-average recreational player with an aggressive, attacking style. "But Lynette was always better than me," he concedes. She continues to outclass him – though these days it's with the golf clubs. Her handicap is 13, compared with his 20. "I would love to play a bit more, but I'm not a golf obsessive," he says. In tennis, things were different. Even on the weekend when his son came into the world he was busy playing in a tournament.

Birth of "Rotschi"

On the night of August 8, 1981, a Saturday, he was out with his tennis colleagues when the club house received an urgent telephone call for him after midnight. "It was Lynette, saying: You better come home now," he recalls. He rode home – he still had a small motorcycle at the time – before continuing to the hospital in Basel. "Rotschi" – as he calls his son – was born at 8 that morning.

Passed on Not Only His Looks But Also His Thirst for Travel

There is no doubt he passed on his looks to his son. "If my father, Rotschi and I were to stand side-by-side, we would all look the same. All of them have those distinct eyebrows, the same look around the eyes. In the past people told me I was the spitting image of my father, and with Roger it's exactly the same." Something else he passed on to the record-setting tennis ace was an urge to discover the world, to travel, and to not allow himself to feel constrained in his outlook.

Apprenticeship As a Lab Technician

This is perhaps connected to the fact that it was in Berneck, in the parochial, slightly remote St. Gallen Rhine Valley, that he came into the world on June 18, 1946. His father worked at Viscosuisse, a rayon factory in Widnau known by the locals as simply "Viscose." Robert Federer also served an apprenticeship there. "But at the age of 20, I wanted out," he recalls. 1966 saw the lab technician move to Basel, the capital of the chemicals industry, where he found work with the firm Ciba.

South Africa – and an Important Coincidence

In 1970, the small group of friends he had made went their own way and he was once again seized by the desire to travel. But where to? Australia? America? Israel? "I decided on South Africa. At that time, it wasn't a land of immigration. I obtained a visa, and flew to Johannesburg." He was to live there for three-and-a-half years, and would soon get to know his future wife – in the company cafeteria. The fact that the firm in question was Ciba once again was a major coincidence. "It was weird," he says. "I'd already found a job in a factory when I went to register with the consulate. They had a few job ads in which Swiss firms were looking for people. I saw that Ciba also had vacancies, and began working there again. And I remained with that company until my retirement." He and Lynette were members of Johannesburg's Swiss Club, where they were soon playing tennis on a regular basis. As to why they decided to leave South Africa and return to Basel in 1973, Robert Federer is no longer sure exactly. "There wasn't really any reason. At some point we just got the feeling that it was time to come home." What he does remember clearly, however, is his initial, strong feeling that the decision to return to Basel had been a mistake. "I had my head in my hands, and was saying: Heavens, why have I come home! We'd had a good life down there." But the young couple did stay on in the Basel region. They married in 1973; Diana was born in 1979, followed by Roger 20 months later.

Spending the Night Among Lions and Elephants

The freedom-loving father and now grandfather of four, who can still be found riding a Harley-Davidson on occasion, has retained his love for and attachment to southern Africa. "I absolutely adore being there," he says. He is fascinated by wild animals and landscapes, including on television. "Traveling with friends to countries like Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Zambia and spending the night practically among the lions and elephants gives you an incredible feeling," he explains. His father was also an avid traveler, "even though he only rode around Switzerland on his moped," he explains. "Our family has travel in its blood." He himself regularly took two years' vacation all at once, so that he could stay in Africa for five or six weeks – usually over Christmas. "Lynette then flew out ahead of me with the children, to spend time with her siblings and relatives."

Traveled the Entire African Continent

Roger's first visit to South Africa came before his first birthday, as Robert also traveled far and wide through his job as a lab technician specializing in paper. He traveled the entire African continent, including Arabic countries, from Morocco through Egypt to Israel. "I traveled often to Eastern Europe, Russia, and Poland," he recalls, "As well as Greece, India, and Australia." He once spent three months working in Melbourne, and also three months in Sydney in 1995. "Toward the end of that time, Lynette came down with the children, and we spent our vacation together." Roger was barely 14 at the time, and was about to complete his "Tennis Etudes" program at the Swiss National Tennis Center in Ecublens on Lake Geneva.

Sydney – and a Tearful Decision

Robert Federer actually had an offer of a permanent job in Australia from Ciba. If he took it, he and his family would have to leave Switzerland. "It did appeal to me. Sydney is one of the most beautiful places in the world," he says slightly wistfully. It was one of the most difficult decisions of his life. The entire family was involved, "for four weeks we were torn in different directions." Two factors ultimately made them decide to stay in Switzerland: "First, we'd have lost our entire circle of friends. Second was Roger: He was already a top talent in Europe at that time, and we asked ourselves: Would he have equally good opportunities in Australia? We were very lucky with the support Swiss Tennis gave us, and everything was working well." A little world fell apart for Roger and his older sister Diana when we made that decision. "But I think we made the right choice," he says today.

Excited by South America

Robert Federer filled in one of the last gaps on his globetrotter map last December when his son accompanied him on a 10-day tour of South America that took in Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. He raves about the warmth and exuberance of the people, scenic attractions such as the Iguaçu Falls, and a brief stay in Rio de Janeiro. He took the short trip from São Paulo to the home of Sugar Loaf Mountain by helicopter, across the Brazilian jungle and fascinating coastline. "It was great getting the chance to discover something new again," he says. There's no doubt that being the father of an international star has its advantages.

Date: 7th June 2013, Source: Credit Suisse

Roger Federer's Wimbledon 2013 Outfit








Roger Federer's Wimbledon 2013 Nike Outfit

Date: 6th June 2013