Roger Federer

Federer gave Open organisers a scare last week when he pulled out of his semi-final of the Qatar Open suffering muscle spasms in his back.
But the former world No.1 came through another strong training session at Melbourne Park on Wednesday without displaying any outward sign of discomfort.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/australian-opens-injury-clouds-clearing-20120111-1pv39.html

He practiced with Nishikori.

January 10
Roger Federer had a gentle workout in Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday afternoon with his two coaches – Paul Annacone and Severin Luthi.

He just hit and did little real running side to side, which could be an indication that the back problem that forced him to withdraw from the semi-final in Doha last Friday is still persisting.

He was giving the ball a decent ride but he was definitely not pushing it, especially against hitting partners as over-matched as Luthi and Annacone.
http://bit.ly/zyNJap

In the past six months, Novak Djokovic has questioned the current calendar. Rafael Nadal deemed it "crazy" and "not possible", and predicted that "because of it, we will all have to retire when we are young". Andy Roddick suggested that players might need to form a union to stand up to exploitative tennis officials and tournament organisers. Andy Murray declared the schedule "messed up, and we need to change it".


But What does Roger Federer feel about the much debated topic? Below are some excerpts from an interview that was conducted with him this week in Dubai, and I must say he has some great & pragmatic points.

Federer:

"We have to remember that the season has always been long and gruelling," Federer said. "That's what makes tennis so amazing.

"Just imagine, in the old days most of the top players were also playing doubles."

"I have always tried to make sure people realise that there are many players who are playing tennis and it's not just the top guys," he said. "There are other players who don't win every week and want the tournaments and need the jobs."


"I think the biggest challenge for the top players is managing our own schedules and not overplaying," he said. "This is key to health and long-term success."


"The slowing of the court surfaces, the string technology and the evolution of today's modern athlete has contributed to making tennis … more challenging for the athlete," Federer said.


--

http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/roger-federer-sticks...s-complain

Swiss star Roger Federer has confirmed he will play in the Davis Cup first round meeting with the United States at Freiburg on February 10 to 12, the Swiss Tennis Federation said on Wednesday.
The world No.3 generally competes in World Group play-off encounters but has not played an opening round since 2004.

AAP.

Federer Withdraws From Shanghai

World No. 3 Roger Federer announced his withdrawal from the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Friday. The Swiss reached the final of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament last year, finishing runner-up to Andy Murray.

“After consultation with my team, I’ve unfortunately decided to pull out of the Shanghai Rolex Masters in order to take some necessary time to rest and recuperate after a long summer,” said Federer. “I have some nagging injuries that I need to address and I look forward to returning to the ATP World Tour as soon as possible.

“I have very fond memories of Shanghai so I will miss this amazing tournament and all my loyal Chinese fans, but I look forward to returning to China next fall,” added the Swiss, who also won the year-end championships in Shanghai in 2006-2007.

The 30-year-old Federer recently reached the US Open semi-finals, where he squandered two match points in a five-set defeat to Novak Djokovic, before flying down to Sydney to lead Switzerland to a 3-2 victory over Australia in the Davis Cup World Group play-offs. He is scheduled to return to action on 31st October at his hometown tournament in Basel.
http://bit.ly/oWwkoA

quite an exhaustive article on "Can Federer Win Another Slam Title?" from the stats point of view including graphs, charts etc.
http://nyti.ms/qNkLdf

Federer's upset over express trip to Sydney

If Roger Federer makes the final of the US Open on Sunday, there will be no time to stand and admire the silverware.

The 16-time grand slam winner has been named in the team that will fly to Sydney for the world group play-off against Australia at Royal Sydney Golf Club from September 16-18.

The 30-year-old was unhappy about the scheduling, but said a win, which would propel Switzerland back to the eight-nation world group, would make the effort worthwhile.

"It is what it is, it's a very unlucky draw for us. Sure, Australia is one of those great nations that enjoy watching [the] Davis Cup, so that's obviously what's very intriguing playing against them.

more at http://bit.ly/nNDbqG

Excerpt:

Lilongwe - Top tennis star Roger Federer on Tuesday launched a $3.3 million project that seeks to put 54 000 children in school in impoverished Malawi in the next 10 years.

"As the father of two little girls, I observe every day how incredibly fast children learn if their environment is a stimulating one," the 16-time Grand Slam winner said in a statement.

"It is a great privilege for me and my foundation to help give children in Malawi the chance to reach their full potential," the Swiss star added.

The programme, through the Roger Federer Foundation, will be implemented in collaboration with development organisation Action Aid Malawi and will aim to build 80 community-based child care centres in six of the country's 28 districts.

The centres, aimed at three- to five-year-olds, will be equipped with class rooms, education supplies and play areas and also provide a "nutritious meal to every child in attendance," said Martha Khonje, country director of Action Aid.

"In a country where nearly half of all children under five are chronically malnourished and over three million children under eight are out of school, the initiative could not have come soon enough," Khonje said.

She said Federer's foundation had been "looking to work with organisations who specialise in early child development, and we fitted into their requirement after submitting a concept paper."

Khonje said every day her organisation "witnesses devastating impacts of children missing out on school, from low literacy rates to early pregnancy."

Malawi is one of Africa's poorest countries, with half its 13 million people living below the poverty line.

Founded in 2003, the Roger Federer Foundation supports education and sports projects that have enrolled almost 20 000 children in Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Switzerland, according to its website.

Excerpt from a piece Im doing. Wimbledon Manic Monday Round of 16, Federer vs Youzhny , Set apiece, 3rd Set, 2-0 Federer, Federer Serving down 15-30:

Of course he's starting to get into a groove so the magic keeps leaking out as he tried to push Youzhny back and finish at the net, but a nice bhcc dipper at the shoelaces and Feds somehow got his feet out the and bh slice volleyed a little popper over the net, the ball hitting the sideline and jumping out sideways for a completely untouchable winner! Luck?? That's what one would have to say except for the fact that he's done it so many times.

Another sloppy error , bbpt Youz, who lets out a ROAR and waves to the crowd to GET UP! 3 great serves with some volleying thrown in for good measure and a casual stroll to the chair with a 3-0 lead. Youz looks completely distraught.

And this is how Feds just wipes out big talent. He does the unimaginable like he's eating a sandwich - no vamos, no beating of the chest, no raising up the crowd - PURE CLASS. And maybe in the end that triumphs any winning or any records. He doesnt take long bathroom breaks, nor does he call MTOs, sometimes even when he really is injured, and from all accounts he may be one of the few players who is not doping. This man is the best of his era for a lot more reasons than 16 Grand Slams and when we all look back that will most likely be the general consensus. He had a nemesis and maybe he didnt completely fulfill his talent to the maximum, but no one can touch this guy's class and grace ON THE COURT, regardless of what you think of him OFF (which is usually pretty impeccable also).