Roger Federer The Champ

Federer records 50th match win at Roland Garros

2012-05-28T20:13:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer equalled Jimmy Connors' record for most Grand Slam match wins (233) on Monday when the third seed and 2009 champion defeated Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 at Roland Garros.

Federer, who is competing at his 50th major championship, is now 233-35 lifetime at the Grand Slams. It was also the 50th victory of his career at Roland Garros (50-12).

The Swiss superstar is looking to become the first man aged 30 or over to win a major title since Andre Agassi won the 2003 Australian Open aged 32 years, 272 days. Federer beat Soderling for the 2009 title and is also a four-time runner-up.

"I get a great deal of pleasure playing here. When I play well, the numbers come with me. It's great to have played and won here so often. I hope it continues," said Federer.

Federer will next meet Romania's Adrian Ungur, who hit 46 winners past David Nalbandian of Argentina in a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 victory.

Date: 28.05.2012, Source: ATP

Federer: "Right where I want to be"

2012-05-28T00:10:00.003+05:30

Roger Federer is healthy and ready to begin his quest for a 17th major title at Roland Garros. Federer has won an ATP World Tour leading four trophies this season heading into Paris, including his 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown in Madrid.

“I feel really good. Much less problems than I had through Madrid and Rome,” said Federer. “I took three days off after the Djokovic match from Rome and just came here and relaxed and started practising Wednesday. So I feel right where I want to be a few days before the event.”

The Swiss completed a career Grand Slam on Court Philippe Chatrier three years ago, and has established consistency at the second major tournament of the year, reaching the final in five of his past six appearances.

“Obviously 2009 was very, very special winning here,” Federer said. “Just the emotions were ridiculous, and I got amazing crowd support. It was the same again basically last year, which was so nice to see."

“I’m looking forward to it again this year. It would mean a lot to me, because I have had some of those great emotions I was just telling you about. To relive those would be amazing, winning the title here, no doubt.”

Federer, who faces Tobias Kamke in the first round, could clash with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Date: 27.05.2012, Source: ATP

"Very special time in tennis" says Federer

2012-05-25T21:58:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer, the 2009 titlist and 16-time major champion, challenges Germany's Tobias Kamke in the first round. He could overtake Jimmy Connors' 233-49 record for most Open Era Grand Slam match wins if he advances to the third round. The Swiss, appearing at his 50th successive major, is currently 232-35 overall. He has a 49-12 lifetime mark at Roland Garros. Federer may face No. 28 seed Andy Roddick in the third round, No. 15 seed Feliciano Lopez in the Last 16 and either No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych or No. 9 seed and recent Estoril Open titlist Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals.

Federer, who turned 30 on 8 August 2011, is looking to become the 11th different man aged 30 or over to win a Grand Slam title since 1968. The last man to win a major title aged over 30 was Andre Agassi, who was 32 years 272 days old when he won the 2003 Australian Open. Andres Gomez was the last man to win Roland Garros aged over 30, when he won the 1990 title aged 30 years 103 days.

The Swiss could snatch a record 17th grand-slam crown on the Paris clay, while Nadal wants to secure a record seventh French title and world number one Djokovic hopes to become the first man in 43 years to win the four major titles in a row.

"Well, I think at the moment it's quite incredible. I can't see one player not playing well at the moment, finding things difficult," world number three Federer, who won his only French Open title in 2009, told a news conference on Friday.

"Some say two play well, one plays slightly less well, but the three play very well all along."

"But Novak deserves it. Nadal, too. It's true that we're going through a very special time in tennis."

The Roger v Rafa duel has turned into a three-way rivalry with Djokovic taking over as world number one. What now what stands between Djokovic and greatness is the Spaniard's dominance on clay.

"It's an amazing achievement in itself to win three (grand-slam events) in a row. Four in a row is just another amazing step," said Federer.

"I think the toughest part is the very end, the back end of it. I've been there twice, I think. I was twice in the finals, twice a couple of sets away."

"I was playing Rafa here, which doesn't make it a whole lot easier. But it's easier to maybe start with the French in this era and then finishing it on the hard court."

According to Federer, who lost to him four times in the Paris final, Nadal is the favorite for the claycourt tournament starting on Sunday.

"I think Rafael playing for his seventh title is the favorite. I think he lost only two sets between Rome, Monte Carlo and Barcelona, so that's a pretty good start."

"Then he's playing for his seventh title, so no discussion. We're crazy to even talk about this. Some people might say he's not the favorite, but to me he's the favorite."

"I played him so many times here. I know how incredible he can be here in Roland Garros."

Date: 25.05.2012, Source: Reuters and ATP

Roger Federer's Roland Garros 2012 Nike outfit

2012-05-21T21:08:00.002+05:30

Link: More photos of the outfit

Date: 21.05.2012

Roger Federer lost in Rome semifinal

2012-05-20T08:52:00.001+05:30

Roger's quest for back-to-back claycourt titles was ended by a 2-6, 6-7(4) defeat in the semi-final in Rome against Novak Djokovic.

Roger was broken twice in the opening set in their first encounter since the US Open last year. Roger was constantly under pressure and could not keep up with Djokovic's pace in the rallies. After falling a break back in the second set as well, Roger started to play more aggressively, varying his game and broke back after saving a match point. But in the following tie-break, Djokovic made the crucial points to win the match and book a spot in the final against Rafael Nadal.

Federer said he was feeling tired having won the title in Madrid last weekend but admitted he had been outplayed.

"I thought he played very, very well," he said. "He's not the number one in the world for no reason."

"I had a couple of chances in the second set but couldn't take them."

"But I would have taken my results from these two weeks, so I am very happy going into Paris."

"The love showed by the crowd to Roger Federer on today's match is priceless & unforgettable." said Pete Sampras.

Date: 20.05.2012, Source: RF Official & Reuters

Federer sets Djokovic SF clash

2012-05-19T09:49:00.001+05:30

World No. 2 Roger Federer set a semi-final showdown with top-ranked Novak Djokovic at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday, breezing past Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2 in Rome. Federer and Djokovic will face off for the first time since the 2011 US Open final four, when Djokovic saved two match points to edge the 16-time major champion in five sets.

Playing Seppi for the ninth time, Federer converted four of his eight break point opportunities, and hit 81 per cent of his first serves in play to remain undefeated against the Italian, advancing in just 54 minutes.

"I was happy with everything," stated Federer. "I knew Seppi being a favourite for the fans here was going to be a tough match. I was able to really take it to him right from the start, being aggressive, and it all played out. It's a nice win on clay for me."

The Swiss, coming off a triumph at the Mutua Madrid Open last week (d. Berdych), is bidding to lift his fifth trophy of the season, following successes in Rotterdam (d. del Potro), Dubai (d. Murray), Indian Wells (d. Isner) and Madrid.

The 30-year-old Federer holds a 14-10 record against Djokovic, but has dropped four of their past five encounters. Federer is 3-1 versus the Serbian on clay, having ended Djokovic 43-match win streak last year in the Roland Garros semi-finals.

"Tomorrow, I've got a chance against Djokovic," Federer said. "I'm looking forward to that match. It's another night session. I'm happy I'm playing so well on the court."

Date: 19.05.2012, Source: ATP

Quarter final in Rome

2012-05-18T11:41:00.002+05:30

Roger won his third round match against Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals in Rome.

Roger managed his first break in the opening set in game number 6. After that, it was a one-sided show in favour of our champion. But after clearly taking the first set, Roger faced a more aggressive Ferrero in the second, as Roger lost a bit of his sharpness and committig a string of unforced errors in the midsection of the set. The two players held serve until the Spaniard finally broke to move 6-5 up and later take the set. Roger then flipped the swith for the decider, grabbing a break in the second game and another one in game number six to book his spot in the round of the last eight.

Roger will play Andrea Seppi in quarter final.

Date: 18.05.2012, Source: RF Official

Federer make Forbes top 100 list

2012-05-17T10:50:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer have made the grade in Forbes’ 2012 list of the world’s most powerful celebrities. Federer was the highest-ranked tennis players at No. 31, followed by Nadal (47), Maria Sharapova (71), Serena Williams (77) and Li Na (87).

Of Federer, Forbes wrote that he “has the most impressive endorsement portfolio in sports with nine sponsors that collectively earn Federer more than $30 million annually including long-term deals with Nike, Rolex, Wilson and Credit Suisse. He also commands more than $1 million per exhibition event. Federer is widely perceived as the greatest tennis player ever. He holds the records for most singles Grand Slam wins (16) and career prize money ($70 million). He appeared in a staggering 18 out of 19 Grand Slam finals between 2005 and 2010.”

The ‘Celebrity 100’ is based on entertainment-related earnings plus media visibility (exposure in print, television, radio and online). Inclusion for the list covers film and television actors, TV personalities, models, athletes, authors, musicians and comedians.

Date: 17.05.2012, Source: ATP

Blue or Red, result is same for Federer

2012-05-16T23:38:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer began his quest to win the Internazionali BNL d’Italia for the first time with a confident 6-4, 6-3 victory over Argentine Carlos Berlocq Wednesday in Rome. Federer, who last week won a record-tying 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title on blue clay in Madrid, will next face fellow former World No. 1 and 2001 Rome champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Federer dropped just six points on his first serve and was broken once in the 70-minute match.

"I only decided today to play here after practise this morning," said Fereder, whose win in Madrid took him to 74 ATP titles.

"I wanted to see how I felt and that nothing major was bothering me. I'm happy I felt good out there, but I'm going round-by-round."

"We are ahead of a long summer, this is the start of many events in a row and potentially a lot of five-setters. I needed to make sure that I took a good decision."

The Swiss entered Rome at No. 2 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, having overtaken Rafael Nadal following his triumph at the Mutua Madrid Open. "I have a good win under my belt and I might be No. 3 next week, but that doesn't matter for me and Rafa," he said. "I know it is an interesting time right now and that there is a lot to talk about rankings. I know that I have a shot until the US Open with the No. 1 ATP Rankings and you will see."

Federer is on the hunt for his first Rome title after losing the 2003 and 2006 finals. The Swiss great never allowed Berlocq a look in as charged out by winning the first dozen points of the contest.
He said that making the quick-change from the speed of a Madrid clay court to the slower one in Rome is always a test.

"You have to make adjustments. Guys can stand way behind the service line here and you have to watch your returns. It changes the whole playing style from the baseline and how points are constructed."

Date: 16.05.2012, Source: AFP & ATP

Roger Federer eyes return to world No. 1

2012-05-14T16:09:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer admits he has one eye on eclipsing Pete Sampras' all-time record for most spent time as world No. 1 after leapfrogging Rafael Nadal in the world rankings.

Federer's victory at the Madrid Open saw him move back to No. 2 in the world rankings as he came from a set down to beat Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-5 7-5 on the controversial blue clay.

The last time Federer won in Madrid he went on to win the French Open - victory at Roland Garros would see him return to No. 1 - equalling Sampras' record of 286 weeks at the top of the world rankings.

"Back then I was just trying to stay world No. 1 and I never really looked at Pete's record that much," Federer said. "I guess I could have chased it a few years ago, just really trying to beat that record. It's no secret for any player out there that you'd rather be No. 1 than No. 2.

"But I look at the long term, maybe if I wasn't good enough to break that record, then maybe I never will be."

Novak Djokovic is aiming to hold all four major titles by winning the French Open, but while the Serb tips six-time champion Rafael Nadal as the man to beat at Roland Garros, Federer is a man in form - having claimed a fourth title of 2012 on the blue clay in Madrid.

"I don't need to beat every record Pete set, he's my idol after all and I'm just happy I'm that close already," he said. "But it's exciting times ahead for me. Winning so many tournaments and playing so well, obviously I do believe I can win the grand slams.

"But I know the difficulty of the French Open and the focus will be a lot on Novak because he's going for four in a row and on Rafa because he's the defending champion. It's going to be an exciting tournament."

Date: 14.05.2012, Source: ESPN

Federer captures 20th Masters 1000 crown in Madrid

2012-05-14T09:21:00.002+05:30

Roger Federer returns to No. 2 in the ATP Rankings after winning a record-equalling 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title on Sunday in Madrid. The Swiss defeated Tomas Berdych 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 in the final of the Mutua Madrid Open.

"It’s been a great spell and I couldn’t be more happy right now coming off a break winning right away," said Federer, who was playing his first tournament since early April. "It’s always an ideal scenario for what’s to come."

The 30-year-old Federer tied Nadal’s short-lived record for most ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies. The Spaniard clinched his 20th title last month at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (d. Djokovic). Federer is the all-time leader with 258 Masters 1000 match wins and won his first of the coveted trophies in Hamburg in 2003.

Federer’s return to No. 2 will see him hold the position for the first time since the week of 14 March, 2011. The Basel native has been in blistering form over the past eight months. Since losing out to Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals, Federer has compiled a 45-3 match record and has lost prior to the semi-finals just once in nine tournaments (l. to Roddick 3rd Rd in Miami).

Federer captured an ATP World Tour-best fourth title of the season, adding to triumphs in Rotterdam (d. del Potro), Dubai (d. Murray) and Indian Wells (d. Isner). He was contesting his first clay-court tournament of the year, and was extended to a third set tie-break in his Madrid opening match against Milos Raonic.

“I was worried about getting through the first round and was not even thinking about who was going to be my second round opponent," he said. "I was very realistic coming into this event. Confidence is coming back. I was away and it didn’t take much for me to get my confidence back, especially now that I’ve been playing so well for the past nine months."

Berdych made the better start to the final, breaking straight away for a 2-0 lead. The Czech was denied a set point chance in the eighth game, but closed it out on serve in the following game. Federer looked set to level the match after an early service break in the second set, but squandered a set point in the ninth game as Berdych fought back to level. A double fault from the Czech proved costly in the 12th game, though, as Federer broke once more to steal the set.

After saving two break points at the start of the third set, Federer broke through in the eighth game courtesy of successive double faults from Berdych, who had just rallied from 0/40 with three aces. However, Berdych again hit back, breaking immediately to level up at 5-5. The Czech’s lives ran out in the 12th game. He recovered from a 0/40 deficit, but could not deny Federer on his fourth match point as he prevailed in two hours and 38 minutes.

"It was tough. I was almost down the entire time," admitted Federer. "Finally I got the break in the third, and then he broke back. Things got tough again. I played great. It's always special winning a title 7-5 in the third. The crowd was amazing so I'm very happy."

It was Federer’s 11th win in 15 meetings with Berdych. He came into the clash with the Czech player having lost three of their past five matches, including defeat in the 2010 Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Federer triumphed in Madrid for the third time in five finals. The right-hander lifted the trophy for the first time in 2006 (d. Gonzalez), when it was an indoor hard-court tournament, before regaining the trophy in 2009 (d. Nadal) on clay. He was runner-up in 2007 (l. to Nalbandian) and 2010 (l. to Nadal).

Date: 14.05.2012, Source: ATP

Federer breezes into final with Madrid master class

2012-05-13T02:02:00.000+05:30

Roger Federer will play for the No. 2 ranking in Sunday’s Mutua Madrid Open final after dismissing Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals on Saturday. Victory also saw the 30-year-old Swiss pass $70m in career prize money.

The third-seeded Federer will face Tomas Berdych in the final and takes in a 10-4 career lead over the Czech, including victory in both their clay-court meetings. The Basel native is bidding to win a record-equalling 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown.

In his fifth meeting with the No. 8-ranked Tipsarevic, Federer improved to a perfect 5-0 record as he dispatched the Serb in 67 minutes. Tipsarevic had ousted defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, but lost his serve three times against Federer and won just 24 per cent of his return points.

"I think that the main reason is that he was a better player than me out there," said Tipsarevic. "The main thing is that he managed to adjust to the wind really, really well. I think that apart from being the best player, that he is probably the best the player in the world when it comes to adjusting to any situation on the court."

"It was a great event for me. I played semis, I beat two or three great players here. But I am a little bit disappointed with my performance today and I still think I could have done way better."

"I'm focused on what I'm doing this week," said Federer. "I'm trying to play well and get as far as I can. I've been able to get on a roll. I've played better as the week went on under tough conditions, especially with some wind tonight. I've had a lot on the line before, it's no different now."

"Berdych can be a big threat in a final like this. I expect quick points and big shots from both sides. I hope to play a clean match on serve and take it from there," said Federer.

Federer is through to the final at this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament for the fifth time. He lifted the trophies in 2006 (d. Gonzalez) and 2009 (d. Nadal) and finished runner-up in 2007 (l. to Nalbandian) and 2010 (l. to Nadal).

Federer is riding a 44-4 match record since losing to Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals last year. This season he has won three ATP World Tour titles in Rotterdam (d. del Potro), Dubai (d. Murray) and Indian Wells (d. Isner).

Date: 12.05.2012.

Federer sinks Ferrer to reach Madrid semis

2012-05-12T10:09:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer is one step closer to reclaiming the No. 2 spot in the South African Airways ATP Rankings after recording his 13th consecutive win over Spaniard David Ferrer to reach the Mutua Madrid Open semi-finals. The Swiss, who must win the title to displace current No. 2 Rafael Nadal, did not face a break point en route to a 6-4 6-4 win over Ferrer, who has never beaten the Swiss.

"I'm always pleased beating a local hero in their own country, it's never an easy thing to do," said Federer. "I'm extremely pleased to be in the semi-finals because it's really been a tough draw for me."

Federer, who will play Serb Janko Tipsarevic in Saturday's semi-finals, has dropped serve just once this week, saving seven of eight break points in his opener against Milos Raonic and two of two against Richard Gasquet in the third round.

Federer broke in the third game of the opening stanza and, while never hitting his top level, was ruthless when it came to capitalising on Ferrer's shortcomings.

Should Federer win the Madrid title, he will equal Nadal’s record of 20 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles. Federer is looking to win his third title from his past six ATP World Tour Masters 1000 appearances, dating back to his victory last November at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris. During that time he also won a record sixth Barclays ATP World Tour Finals crown.

The match was watched by several Real Madrid's players Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso.

Date: 12.05.2012, Source: ATP & ESPN

Federer makes quick work of Gasquet

2012-05-11T01:59:00.001+05:30

After with a win over Milos Raonic in a third set tie-break Wednesday night, Roger Federer returned to the court less than 24 hours later and comfortably dismissed No. 14 seed Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-2 to reach the Mutua Madrid Open quarter-finals.

The World No. 3 raced through the match in 58 minutes, hitting 31 winners and breaking the Frenchman three times from six opportunities. Federer faced down one break point in the final game and proceeded to clinch the victory with an ace. Gasquet, a finalist last week at the Estoril Open (l. to del Potro), had defeated Federer in two of their three previous clay-court meetings coming into Thursday’s match.

Federer has now reached the quarter-finals in all nine of his Madrid appearances. He won the title in 2006 on hard courts (d. Gonzalez) and in 2009 on the tournament’s transition to clay (d. Nadal). Should he reclaim the title this week, Federer will ascend to World No. 2, surpassing Rafael Nadal, who lost to Fernando Verdasco earlier Thursday.

"I played clean tennis even though I went for my shots," Federer told a news conference.

"Maybe I made a few too many unforced errors but that's due to the ball flying here and being tough to control," added the 30-year-old, who said he understood Nadal's frustration with the playing surface."

"But overall I think I played a smart match and served well when I had to and played well on the big points again which I am very happy about."

The 30-year-old Swiss will next face World No. 6 David Ferrer, whom he leads 12-0 in the FedEx ATP Head2Head. They have met four times on clay, most recently in the Madrid semi-finals two years ago.

Date: 10.05.2012, Source: ATP

Federer edges Raonic in final set tie-break

2012-05-10T12:37:00.000+05:30

Roger Federer was challenged in his first clay-court tournament match of the season Wednesday, rallying past Milos Raonic 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) in a second-round clash at the Mutua Madrid Open.

"I had a tough first set and one bad game that cost me the set really," said Federer. "He could swing big on my service games and I couldn't do that much on his but I was getting more balls back as the match went on. I played a good tie-breaker overall."

The Swiss saved seven of the eight break points he faced, and overcame 21 aces from Raonic’s racquet to survive the Canadian’s upset bid in two hours and 14 minutes. Federer improved to 2-0 against Raonic, having prevailed in three sets at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Federer, who captured the title three years ago when the tournament transitioned surfaces from hard to clay, is seeking his first clay-court title since completing a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2009. The 30 year old is playing his first event since falling to Andy Roddick in the third round of the Sony Open Tennis in Miami.

"Right now, I'm just playing good tennis and it's a big win because wins like this can create great things," said Federer. "It was pretty much a big struggle for me tonight but the level is pretty good and I'm happy where I am in the season."

The 19-time ATP World Tour Masters 1000 champion will square off against 14th-seeded Richard Gasquet in the third round.

Date: 10.05.2012, Source: ATP

Federer fresh for clay swing after break

2012-05-06T23:26:00.000+05:30

In fine fettle after a month-long rest, Roger Federer is ready to get his clay season underway and continue his bid to recapture the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic.

The 30-year-old Swiss maestro has not played since losing to Andy Roddick at the Sony Ericsson Open at the end of March. He said he needed some time away from tennis to recharge his batteries and rid himself of one or two niggling injuries.

Federer has played some of his best tennis in years in winning three titles this year, including the Indian Wells Masters event, but knows that challenging Rafa Nadal on the Spaniard's favored clay and stealing his French Open crown in Paris starting at the end of this month will be a tall order.

"I feel good about my chances of playing well in the next few months," the world number three told a news conference at the Madrid Open on Sunday.

"But then again I am coming back on clay and Rafa has been so dominant on this surface for so many years so I know the task ahead of me," added the 16-times grand slam singles champion.

Federer said he had needed time out after an intense start to the year when he played 23 matches and lost just three, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open before falling to Nadal. He won events in Rotterdam and Dubai to add to his success in Indian Wells.

He also had a busy end to 2011, triumphing at the World Tour finals in London in November after victories at the Paris Masters and his home event in Basel.

The rest was vital, said Federer

"I needed it because I did play so, so much and this break was also looking ahead to what's to come and there's a lot on my plate and want to be fresh in my mind and fit in my body for those big goals ahead," he added.

"It was more about relaxing my body because I had been playing with some niggling injuries over a few weeks, or a few months almost, and I am happy they went away."

"It was just to get away from tennis for a while really, get away from the craziness that surrounds it, the matches and the press and all that stuff."

"So that was nice to just recharge the batteries, that was the key during this break."

If Federer can leapfrog number two Nadal and topple Djokovic he would equal Pete Sampras's record of 286 weeks at the top of the rankings and the Swiss said he was in a "pretty good position" to do it over the coming months.

"All of a sudden if you do win a grand slam again you have a shot and if I do I'll probably be extremely close to world number one," he said.

"Then again - easier said than done. I know what it takes to win a grand slam. It's hard, it's always been hard."

"It's still far away for me and my focus is on my next match here on Wednesday."

"But it is a dream for me this year try to achieve that again. I'll try to chase that as hard as I can and see if it's possible. If not it's no problem and I'll just try to win tournaments which is a thrill in itself."

Federer, who has a bye into the second round, begins his Madrid Open campaign on Wednesday against the winner of the first-round match between fast-rising Canadian Milos Raonic and former world number three David Nalbandian of Argentina.

Date: 06.05.2012, Source: Reuters

Federer faces tricky test in Madrid opener

2012-05-05T11:43:00.000+05:30

The 11th edition of the Mutua Madrid Open, the fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, returns for the fourth year at the state-of-the art Caja Magica (Magic Box). The 56-player field features 16 of the Top 20 players in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

Roger Federer has a tricky opening round match against the winner of big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic and former World No. 3 David Nalbandian. Federer’s seeded opponent in the third round is No. 14 Richard Gasquet. Federer is 30-8 lifetime in Madrid and the past six years he’s reached the semi-finals or better, including runner-up showings in ’07 and ’10. In the quarter-finals, possible seeded opponents are Spaniards No. 5 seed David Ferrer and No. 11 Nicolas Almagro.

In the semi-finals Federer could meet Novak Djokovic and in the finals it would be Rafael Nadal.

Date: 05.05.2012, Source: ATP

Federer: 'I have no problem with Nadal'

2012-04-29T01:48:00.000+05:30

Roger Federer has attempted to cool tensions with rival Rafael Nadal, warning organisers of the Madrid Masters they have risked turning the tournament into a debacle.

The tournament will be played on blue clay for the first time, despite strong opposition from a number of top players, including Rafael Nadal.

Nadal recently quit his position as vice-president of the ATP player council in frustration at Federer's lack of support over proposed changes to the ranking system.

However, despite their conflicting views over the rankings system and the recent election of Brad Drewitt as ATP president, Federer is fully behind Nadal in opposing the new blue clay.

"I'm against it because Nadal is against it and we would have other options," Federer told Swiss journalist Rene Stauffer. "But tournament director Ion Tirias has insisted ad nauseam. In the end we said: He does a lot of good things for tennis so we let him go with this one. But it isn't good that he has such things in his hands."

"I have no idea how this will go. We were against it, Nadal even vehemently and I support him. He fears that a tradition is getting broken and that one tournament director wants to have blue clay, the other one grey, green or red one."

"I'm also for traditions but I can understand it that new things have to get tested. The clay in Madrid has to be perfect though otherwise it will be a debacle for the tournament."

While ATP player council president Federer supports Nadal in opposing the blue clay in Madrid, he insists it is not a reconciliatory effort in a bid to repair his relationship with the Spaniard, and he admitted the pair had not spent much time together.

"That has nothing to do with it," Federer said. "This topic has been talked about one year ago before our dissensions about the election of the new ATP president or the system of the world rankings."

He added: "We have seen each other not that often. He wasn't in Rotterdam and Dubai, I wasn't in Shanghai and he wasn't in Bercy. We only saw each other in London, Melbourne and briefly in Indian Wells. We have a bit more distance at the moment compared to times when we saw each other for weeks nearly daily."

"That's one of the reasons why there have occurred certain problems as we couldn't communicate that often. That shouldn't be an excuse though. But I also think it's normal that we have differences in opinion. I don't have a problem with Nadal no matter what he says or thinks."

Date: 28.04.2012, Source: ESPN

Federer takes a holiday as Monte Carlo begins

2012-04-18T14:56:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer won't start his clay season for another three weeks, when the world No. 3 plays the Madrid Masters.

But while the rest of the ATP elite are arriving in rainy Monte Carlo, the first Masters 1000 of the spring clay season, the Swiss has sent along a few holiday snaps taken during his current time off.

Federer and his family went off to an undisclosed location, but the 16-time Grand Slam champion did indulge his fans by posting a few underwater pictures to his Facebook page.

"Just finishing up my vacation and sending everyone greetings from under the water!" he wrote of the picture, which shows him up close to the camera. Federer and wife Mirka celebrated their third wedding anniversary in recent days.

But indications are that playtime is now over for Federer, who has brought in regular training partner Jesse Levine for a practice block as the Swiss sharpens up for the clay campaign. Federer has three titles in 2012, having won Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells.

Rivals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are all primed for the Monte Carlo start, with Djokovic back after not playing in 2011, Nadal seeking an unprecedented eighth straight trophy and Murray keen to bounce back after losing the Miami hardcourt final a fortnight ago to Djokovic.

Date: 18.04.2012, Source: Tennistalk

Switzerland meets Netherlands

2012-04-13T11:44:00.000+05:30

The draw for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-offs, to be played on September 14-16, is out. Switzerland will play the Netherlands in Holland. Holland won the last rubber 3:2 in Fribourg in 2005.

The best Dutch player is Robin Haase, ranked world number 51. He is the only representative of his country in the Top 100.

The winners in the World Group play-offs will take their place in next year's World Group, while the losers will compete in Group I.

Date: 13.04.2012

Consistent Federer aims for more glory

2012-04-07T12:51:00.003+05:30

Roger Federer is 30 years old and for 12 straight seasons he has lifted silverware. Last month, when he was asked to define success, the Swiss superstar said, "I'm a tennis player, so I judge success on the tennis court if I'm winning or losing... I love winning tennis tournaments, especially when you put in all the hard work."

This year, Federer has maintained his late-2011 season form and compiled a 23-3 match record, with a 4-1 mark against Top 10 opponents. By lifting three straight ATP World Tour titles at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam (d. del Potro), the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (d. Murray) and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (d. Isner), he improved to a 73-30 record in tour-level finals.

Brad Gilbert exclusively told ATPWorldTour.com, "He is playing great tennis. No one can rule him out of a return to World No. 1 or adding to his major haul."

Federer started the last of his 285 weeks at No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings on 1 June 2010. Over the course of the next two months, Federer must defend 1,830 points through Roland Garros. By comparison, Rafael Nadal has 4,700 points and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 2,970 points to defend.

Federer's consistency in his six tournaments this year has proven he could potentially make up ground on his higher-ranked rivals, and, ultimately, put himself in contention to break Pete Sampras' record of 286 weeks at World No. 1.

Certainly, Federer was in a positive mood in the build-up to the Sony Ericsson Open last month. He said, "I have played some of my best tennis now, since I have turned 30 last August."

A look at the record books indicates that seven players aged 30 plus have picked up major titles in the Open Era. Rod Laver was 30 when he completed his second calendar year Grand Slam in 1969, then Ken Rosewall (37 at the 1972 Australian Open), Andres Gimeno (34 at 1972 Roland Garros), Jimmy Connors (33 at the 1983 US Open), Andres Gomez (30 at 1990 Roland Garros), Pete Sampras (31 at 2002 US Open) and Andre Agassi (32 at the 2003 Australian Open).

With 16 Grand Slam championships titles, Federer should never be ruled out. As Gilbert told ATPWorldTour.com, "Roger is the youngest 30 year old I've ever seen. He never misses a Slam. He is always prepared for the big tournaments and has never had surgery. He has a team of geniuses. Andre was 35 when he reached the 2005 US Open final. I am sure he is an inspiration to Federer to keep playing."

Over the past three months, Federer has added 865 points to his South African Airways ATP Rankings. The World No. 3 is currently 900 points behind No. 2-ranked Nadal, which means the Spaniard and Djokovic will be looking over their shoulders, as the focus shifts to Europe and the road to Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Date: 07.04.2012, Source: ATP

Roger Federer hopes to meet Kaka

2012-04-04T12:50:00.001+05:30

16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer wishes to meet Brazilian football player Kaka, when he travel to South American Tour at end of the season.

Former World No. 1 Roger Federer has receives a jersey from Santos Neymar, but tennis star said he don’t know Neymar and never saw him in playing Brazil football team, told during an interview last week in Miami to the Brazilian TV. Federer has got a Brazilian national team on the back and number with 11, which it went to his own surname.

30-year-old Federer has desired to meet Brazilian national football player Kaka at end of the year, where Swiss star is schedule to play couple of exhibition matches in Brazil and Colombia in December. Swiss Maestro said Brazil team is one of the strongest football team in the world, which filled with amazing players.

Kaka

World No. 3 Federer will take on World No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in an Exhibition match in Colombia and also hopes to play in Argentina. The exhibition matches will be played on clay courts.

Swiss champion’s agent Tony Godsick said exhibition matches are likely to play in Colombia, Chile and Mexico and Brazil is still in under talks.

In other news, Roger was interviewed by Felipe Andreoli for Brazilian TV and Felipe bring out the funnies in Fed! The interview starts out tame but he manages to get Roger to pick his choices for most beautiful female tennis stars (yes, first he said Mirka then… Gabriela Sabatini and Anna Kournikova!) and even gifts him with some Rafa-like underwear. The best part is when he tries to get Roger to break a racquet… which he can’t do. Or is it when he gets Roger to kick around a football? So many great parts I can’t pick just one. Watch!

Date: 04.04.2012

Roger Federer 'super excited' by Olympics at Wimbledon

2012-03-29T12:22:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer has done the crying, the crashing, the leaping, the knees, the back, the arms, the fists - but best of all was Beijing 2008. The Olympic Games.

Federer, the proud Swiss flag bearer for a second time, was a gold medallist in the men's doubles thanks, in the main, to the brilliance in the medal matches of his partner and pal Stan Wawrinka.

As Wawrinka lay on the court, a child-like Federer jigged around with all the excitement of Christmas morning, before warming his hands metaphorically over the body of his "on-fire" partner. If there were chestnuts to be roasted, one imagines the pair had the necessary warmth.

Federer still talks about it as one of his proudest moments. Now he wants more. He wants singles gold at his spiritual home: Centre Court, Wimbledon. And who dare bet against him?

"I think it's going to be helpful that I've won an Olympic Gold already," Federer told BBC Sport. "So I'll feel a little less pressure, although there will be massive pressure on all the players, especially the favourites."

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be playing at Wimbledon at the Olympic Games. It's just a really big deal for us to be living that Olympic spirit, right there, at the most incredible arena we have in tennis."

"It's a big goal for me, there's no doubt about it. This is my fourth time. I don't think there's another player in singles who has played four in this era so I am very happy that I'm able to do this. "I'm just super excited and can't wait until it comes around."

While he felt "confused" when mixed doubles was granted Olympic status for the first time ("I couldn't believe it was actually happening"), Federer knows tennis warrants its place at the Games.

"I think we have shown enough goodwill to prove that we care so dearly about the Olympic Games," he told me. "It's not always about points and rankings and money."

"What's important is that the players show we love the Olympic spirit, the dream of representing our country."

"I'm happy that we're in the Olympic Games and the more we can prove to the people that we care very dearly, the more I hope everyone's happier about it."

He just won't be playing the mixed doubles.

Date: 29.03.2012, Source: BBC

Roddick upsets Federer in 3 set thriller

2012-03-27T10:26:00.001+05:30

On Monday evening, the two-time Sony Ericsson Open champion knocked out World No. 3 Roger Federer 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-4 in a third-round clash to defeat the Swiss for just the third time in 24 career meetings. Two of his wins over the 16-time major champion have come at Crandon Park.

"It was kind of a game of chess," said Roddick. "I stayed back on the returns, which is something I have not done with him often early on. I think he might have been a little bit surprised by it. He made the adjustment like he does because he's Roger. He started coming in a lot and putting the pressure on me, and it was 6-1 in the second and 0/40 early in the third. It was apparent that wasn't going to work much longer."

"So I said, 'Well, all right. Let's kinda go over the top aggressive.' I was able to get out of that game and play that really good game to break, and then my serve held up from there."

After losing the first set tie-break, Federer found his groove on return, breaking the American three times to even the match at one-set all. Roddick found himself in trouble in his opening service game of the third set, saving four break points in what proved to be a turning point in the match. In the ensuing game, Roddick broke Federer for the first time to take a 2-1 lead, and maintained his advantage to seal the win in just over two hours.

"I had my chances. I thought Andy did well to get the first, and then to put me in the situation I guess in the third," said Federer. "I could have been up a break early in the third, but he did well also to fight off those break points. He served really well."

"I think he had a good overhead. He played aggressive and clutch served when he had to. It was his credit. For me, it was obviously a tough loss. The one service game where I got broken, he really goes for it and it all works out."

Roddick’s victory snapped Federer’s 16-match win streak, which included titles in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells. The 31st-seeded Roddick also ended Federer’s run of 77 consecutive wins against players ranked outside the Top 20 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

Monday's night session sold out for the first time, setting an attendance record for Session 14 with 14,278 fans.

Date: 27.03.2012, Source: Sony Ericsson Open

Federer to meet Roddick in third round

2012-03-25T11:42:00.001+05:30

Roger Federer will meet fellow two-time former Sony Ericsson Open champion Andy Roddick in the third round in Miami. Federer has a 21-2 FedEx ATP Head2Head record against the World No. 34.

Third seed Federer recorded his 23rd match win of the season by beating 19-year-old American wild card Ryan Harrison 6-2, 7-6(3) on Saturday afternoon. The Swiss superstar is bidding to capture his third Indian Wells-Miami title double (also 2005-06).

Federer, who led 5-2 in the second set before Harrison made a comeback, admitted, "I felt like I had to win the match like three times at the end, so I was relieved to come through. Beating against an American in America is always a big deal, because this is where they usually play their very best.

Federer has won 40 of his past 42 matches since the 2011 US Open semi-finals. He is only 825 South African Airways ATP Rankings points behind No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal.

Looking ahead to his next match against Roddick, Federer said, "The head to head doesn't play a massive factor for me in every match I go into against Andy, because I know there's always a lot in Andy's racquet depending on how he serves. And if I don't play well, I know I won't win. So the pressure is there. That's what he can create with his game. This is why I never take a match lightly against him."

Date: 25.03.2012, Source: ATP