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Monday July 5, 2004
Wimbledon-Federer relishing Olympic challenge
By Ossian Shine, Reuters
LONDON - With three grand slam titles, the world's top
ranking and the millionaire lifestyle that status provides, Roger
Federer can well afford to smile when he reflects on his career so far. But his happiest memory of life in tennis so far is of something more noble than the trappings of stardom. "Definitely staying in the Olympic Village," he says, his face lighting up. "It
was just the best thing. I stayed there in Sydney in 2000 and I am
staying there again in Athens. I was asked if I wanted to stay there or
outside in a hotel and it was no question." Federer, who beat
American Andy Roddick to win his second straight Wimbledon on Sunday,
said his Olympic experience had been profound. "I had such a great time in 2000, it is where I met my girlfriend. I have such great memories of it. "I
was staying with the wrestlers... I was on the second floor and they
were on the first so I was safe from any attacks," he laughed. "Just
being there... hanging around with the other athletes... it's amazing.
It is great to see the other side. Lots of these guys are amateurs,
they do other jobs or their sport is not 12 months a year like tennis. "To them I am something like a hero, I guess," he smiled, no trace of immodesty in his voice. "They
follow my progress around the world, in the newspapers and it is great
to see how they are, to share with them... to see their sports. "Last time I went to the swimming and the badminton. In Athens I want to see some athletics -- and maybe the wrestling." A loser in the semi-finals in Sydney, Federer has set his sights on winning Olympic gold in Athens. "I
lost in the semi-finals and the bronze medal match (against Arnaud di
Pasquale of France) and it was very hard for me. I remember crying a
lot after that," Federer said. "This time I hope my girlfriend and I can celebrate our fourth anniversary with me getting a medal. "I'm
on the top of my game. I've never played as consistently as this for
such a long period of time. If I can keep this up it will mean good
things for me in the future."
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