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Sunday November 27, 2005
Courting Federer
By Foo Yee Ping, The Star
On a cool autumn evening in Shanghai, the hot Fed-Ex of tennis, also one of People magazine’s sexiest men, talked about his game and the other loves of his life. FOO YEE PING has the story.
THEY say no one is born to greatness. That applies even to Roger Federer, the Number One tennis player in the world.
He gave a glimpse of the hard work and discipline required of a great
sportsman like him when he casually mentioned that “the day I arrived
(in Shanghai), I went to practise straight away to get used to the
conditions here.”
The 24-year-old Swiss maestro was in the cosmopolitan Chinese city early November to defend his Masters Cup title.
Days before the start of the US$4.4mil (RM16.5mil) tournament, the
three-time Wimbledon champion spoke to scores of Asian journalists at a
get-together organised by Maurice Lacroix, the watchmaker which
appointed Federer as its ambassador a year ago.
The tennis star was at ease answering all questions, even one which
seemed to be a teaser, a simple test of his geography: Has he heard of
Taiwan?
“I have heard of Taiwan although I can’t really tell you much about it,” came his frank reply.
He came across as a pleasant enough guy, smiling most of the time and
waiting politely when a number of the questions had to be translated to
English for him.
Throughout the 35-minute session, he was patient although it was clear
that he must have repeated much of the stuff previously, especially
those that concerned his partnership with Maurice Lacroix.
“Of course I like Maurice Lacroix watches. It is an honour to become
the ambassador. It is a young brand, very innovative. We have a lot in
common,” he said, ever faithfully.
He spoke of his previous visit to the factory in Switzerland and saw
how the watchmaker would peer closely at the timepieces.
It was all about precision, he said. That was how he approached his game, too, so they were a good match, he added.
Federer, of course, is not the only tennis star who is endorsing a
watch label. Maria Sharapova, the Russian powerhouse, is ambassador for
Tag Heuer.
Federer said that he had gotten used to people wanting to know more about him now that he is a tennis star.
“Life has changed quite a bit. It’s been interesting,” he said. “To become number one is a very special feeling.”
The French Open is the only Grand Slam title which has eluded him. He has, so far, six Grand Slam wins under his belt.
His goal next year is to maintain his top ranking, which he concedes is not going to be easy.
On reports comparing him with Pete Sampras, the American star who has
won a record 14 Grand Slam victories, he replied: “He was one of best
we've ever had, so it is nice to be compared to him but I still have a
long way to go to be like him.”
Asked how he relaxes, he mentioned his yen for travelling. “When I
arrive at a city, I like to do the classic thing – go to the tourist
spots that you can tell your family and friends later. And shopping,
too.”
He is fond of the “wellness and spas, which is great in Asia.”
Known to like golf as well, Federer professed his wish to meet Tiger
Woods, who was also in Shanghai at the same time to play at the
Champions Tournament.
The other famous sportsman he had met was David Beckham, he said.
Federer spoke fondly of his Swiss girlfriend, Mirka Vavrinec,a former
tennis player whom he met five years ago during the Olympic Games in
Sydney.
“When I get away from the court, I spend time with her. She does a lot
of waiting for me. She has been a great help. I wished I was home more
often.”
At 6’1” (186cm), the tennis star was towering over most of the Asians during that press briefing.
The minute he entered the room, one female was overheard gushing about his good looks.
Small wonder that on Nov 16, People
magazine named him one of the “International Men of Sexiness” although
the main crown went to Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey.
But for the people from Maurice Lacroix, Federer’s winning spirit is
the main attraction. To them, the Swiss watch and Federer portray that
spirit perfectly.
Throughout the Shanghai promotional event, the top bosses of Maurice
Lacroix kept talking about that “winning spirit”. They were clearly
proud of having Federer on board, of course for quite a tidy sum which
they declined to reveal.
Maybe the watchmaker is right. Although he failed to capture the
season-ending Masters title, losing to David Nalbandian of Argentina in
the finals on Nov 20, it had been a remarkable year for the tennis
king.
Prior to that surprise defeat, he had been on a 35-match unbeaten
streak and, according to news reports, remains one of the greatest
players around.
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