Aug 31, 2005 from Business Wire:
The September 12 issue of ESPN The Magazine is on sale today featuring an article on Roger Federer. (Audible: Roger Federer. The Goliath of tennis wants to be loved, to stay No. 1 and to face Rafael Nadal at the Open. Oh, and to have a life too. The Magazine's LZ Granderson reports.)

Aug 30, 2005 from AP:
NEW YORK - Roger Federer has been dazzling all year, and his first-round victory at the U.S. Open on Tuesday was no different. It took him only 61 minutes to breeze through a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Ivo Minar, a Czech making his Open debut.

Federer was up 5-0 in the first set before Minar could win a game, drawing cheers from the crowd and a smile of relief from the 21-year-old. Federer had 12 aces, and 34 winners to Minar's 12. He made only 10 unforced errors.

Since losing to Marat Safin in the semifinals at the Australian Open, Federer has been unstoppable on the hard courts. He has won his last 29 matches on hard court. Six of his nine titles have been on the surface. A win here would make him the first man in the Open era to win both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in consecutive years. If he continues to play like this, Federer will have a good chance.

This was his third meeting with Minar this year, but the familiarity was of no help to the Czech. Federer mixed his shots with dizzying finesse, giving Minar little chance.

He put crosscourt shots just out of Minar's reach or squarely on a line. Minar made lunging stabs at the ball time and again, only to send it spinning crazily out of bounds. On several of Federer's aces, he never even moved, watching helplessly as the ball went by.

from ATP:
Roger Federer takes time out from defending his U.S. Open championship to sit on the weekly "Budweiser Hot Seat" with Dave Revsine, debuting on Wednesday’s 6 p.m. ET SportsCenter. The ‘Budweiser Hot Seat" is a rapid-fire Q&A with a well-known sports personality, or a celebrity associated with sports, and covers a wide variety of topics including those of a professional and personal nature.

Aug 27, 2005 from UNICEF:
Flushing, New York - UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organization, today presented World No. 1 Roger Federer with a plaque as a token of its appreciation for the efforts of the ATP and pro tennis to rapidly raise funds to support UNICEF’s relief efforts in south Asia immediately after the tsunami struck the region.

Federer accepted the framed photograph at the US Open’s Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on behalf of all players, while World No. 2 Rafael Nadal added to the growing tally of ATP contributions by donating an additional $15,000 today.

"I’m very honored to accept this from a great organization like UNICEF," said Federer, top seed at next week’s US Open.

Charles J. Lyons, President of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, made the special presentation to Federer. Lyons and Federer were introduced during the ceremony by Kids’ Day host Summer Sanders, a UNICEF Ambassador who praised the work of the organization and the players who have helped support it.

Earlier this year the ATP launched a three-year global partnership with UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, to harness the power of tennis to ensure the health, education and protection of every child. The partnership, called ACE ("Assisting Children Everywhere") already has raised approximately $250,000, most of it directed to the survivors of the tsunami.

"The ATP, its players, employees and fans have raised significant funds and awareness to support our mission," said Lyons. "As soon as the ATP and the players heard about the disaster, they wanted to help in any way they could. This partnership will continue to go a long way in helping children around the world lead happier, healthier lives and develop to their full potential."

Lyons cited several players and highlighted the work of Federer, who organized a tsunami fundraising exhibition in March at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells -- called ATP All-Star Rally for Relief -- and secured the participation of nearly every Top 10 player in the world, including Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin and several leading Sony Ericsson WTA Tour players. Federer also donated money and memorabilia for fund-raising auctions. His on-going charitable work in South Africa on behalf of the Roger Federer Foundation was featured on the stadium’s big screen.

"We all did individual things, but I wanted to get all of us together to do something as a group," Federer said. "It was great fun, but more importantly it raised more needed funds for the tsunami victims."

The USTA provided players participating in today’s activities with the ability to donate money to the charities of their choice. Nadal donated the $15,000 to the ACE program that he earned as a member of the "losing" team at Kids’ Day. "I’m a big supporter of UNICEF and the program that the ATP has developed with them to help children worldwide," he said.

Among the other 2005 fund-raising activities by ATP players, Carlos Moya donated all of his prize money after winning the Chennai Open in January; Roddick, Hewitt and Agassi were among those donating signed racquets for on-line auctions; Gustavo Kuerten signed a pledge on behalf of the rights of children and adolescents to play sports in July at the Joinville Tennis Club in Brazil; and ATP partner Penn Racquet Sports donated $50,000 to benefit UNICEF in a special segment on the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in January. A Penn Racquet Sports ball -- autographed by Taylor Dent, Jim Courier and Federer -- and a racquet signed by Agassi were auctioned on eBay to raise additional funds.

from Style.com:
Men's Vogue and Polo Ralph Lauren hosted a dinner Thursday (Aug 25) at Pastis in NYC to benefit Best Buddies, and a grand slam of tennis stars, socialites, and musicians turned out to raise $100,000 for the charity. Fresh off his win in Cincinnati, Roger Federer said he was feeling confident. No doubt the PYTs patiently waiting their turn to meet the tennis ace, who was one of the evening's co-hosts, didn't hurt.

Aug 26, 2005 from ATP:
As always, the week before the US Open is a busy one for the ATP's stars, juggling a number of media and sponsor activities throughout Manhattan, the world's most media-centric city. Roger Federer was the busiest of the ATP's top players, managing to cram the most into one day. He began Thursday by ringing the bell to open trading on the NASDAQ exchange.

While there, he was interviewed by CNBC's "Squawk Box," Bloomberg, Business Week and NBC 4. He then went high above Times Square to 1515 Broadway for an interview with CBS' Mary Carillo that will air during that network's US Open coverage.

USA Network also covers the US Open domestically, and Federer spent time with John McEnroe and Pure Food & Wine for that network's coverage.

Next up was a stop at the ESPNZone for interviews for ESPNews "Hotlist" and the "SportsCenter" segment, the "Budweiser Hot Seat." He then lunched with New York Times Sports Editor Tom Jolly and columnist Selena Roberts.

Roger Federer doesn't court attention, throw tantrums or seek favors – he wins tennis tournaments and impresses followers with his gentlemanly and generous approach to his sport and stardom. With the U.S. Open as a backdrop, ESPN’s Outside the Lines will profile the 24-year-old native of Switzerland, who has an 82-week streak as the # 1-ranked player in the world, on ESPN premiering Tuesday night.

As Federer attempts to defend his U.S. Open title, Outside the Lines will examine the three-time Wimbledon champion's uniquely understated approach to being a tennis superstar - he has no agent, publicist or bodyguard and employs a coach only part-time. Jeremy Schaap hosts and Rod Laver will be a guest.

From the show:

Schaap: "What was the moment when that changed for you?"

Aug 25, 2005 from New York Daily News:
Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe re-created their classic 1982 U.S. Open Finals match yesterday at Madison Square Park. Afterward, Lendl got a lunch invite to Times Square's ESPN Zone from No. 1 ranked player Roger Federer.

from The Wall Street Journal:
When No. 1 men's player Roger Federer steps onto the court at the U.S. Open later this month, he will be wielding a racket infused with nanoparticles that will make it feel more solid without any added weight. Wilson, the biggest racket maker in the U.S., started adding nanosize silicon dioxide crystals to its "nCode" racket -- Mr. Federer's favorite -- last spring. The nCode starts at $170 and goes up to $300. Besides Mr. Federer, Lindsay Davenport and Serena and Venus Williams are among those who use it.

Aug 24, 2005 from Roger Federer Official Site:
The DVD "Roger Federer - Replay" will be available in shops in Switzerland from Thursday, August 25th, 2005. A camera team followed Roger to the last two tournaments of his incredible season 2004: The Davidoff Swiss Indoors and the Masters Cup in Houston. Not only will the fans be able to watch the fantastic ending of Roger's amazing year, but also capture a glimpse behind the scenes of the tennis circuit. To keep it simple: The documentary is about a ball boy's story becoming the world's number one tennis player. Roger looks back on his career himself and comments on material that has not yet been published. The documentary covers his career highlights, includes interviews with his family, friends and the tennis legends John McEnroe and Boris Becker and much more.

The DVD is for all those who want to see more than just tournament sequences of Roger. Apart from the documentary itself, it also contains around 30 minutes of bonus material. The DVD can be purchased in shops from Thursday, 25 August 2005. Sales are limited to Switzerland due to legal reasons for the moment, fans from Switzerland can order the DVD under the link below. We will keep you updated as soon as there are news regarding the international distribution.

from Market Wire:
Roger Federer, winner of the 2005 NASDAQ-100 Open, will preside over the opening bell for The NASDAQ Stock Market on Thursday, August 25th at 9:30 a.m. EDT at NASDAQ MarketSite -- 4 Times Square -- 43rd & Broadway -- Broadcast Studio. Coral Gables resident Butch Buchholz, the NASDAQ-100 Open Chairman and Founder and 2005 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, will also participate.

Aug 23, 2005 from US Open Official Site:
Thomas Johansson was out practicing with Roger Federer on Day 1 of Qualifying play at the USTA National Tennis Center.

Aug 22, 2005 from ATP:
World No. 1 Roger Federer and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal have opened historic leads over their rivals in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race after dominating the ATP Masters Series in unprecedented fashion this year.

Federer and Nadal have shared all seven ATP Masters Series titles this season, with Federer on Sunday becoming the first player in history (since 1990) to win four Masters shields in the one season when he defeated Andy Roddick in the final of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati. Nadal has won the other three ATP Masters Series titles contested this year.

Federer leads the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race with 1,010 points, having passed the 1,000-point milestone faster than anyone in Race history (since 2000) on Sunday. Nadal is in second place with 838 points. In comparison, at the same time last year Federer led the Race with 887 points, followed by Andy Roddick in second place with 597 points.

Today, Federer is 463 points clear of third-placed Roddick; Nadal is 291 points clear of Roddick. Federer (64-3 match record in 2005) and Nadal (65-9) both have won nine titles this season. The players will be seeded No. 1 and No. 2 at next week's US Open.

Never before have two players shared the first seven ATP Masters Series titles of the year. Federer won back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami (where he beat Nadal in five sets in the final), a third Masters Series Hamburg crown on clay and Cincinnati.

During his career, Federer has won five of the nine ATP Masters Series tournaments, second only to Andre Agassi, who has won seven of the nine. Nadal, who had won just one ATP tournament before this year, won back-to-back ATP Masters Series clay court titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome, and Montreal (his first hard court title).

Aug 21, 2005 from AFP:
CINCINNATI - Roger Federer crushed Andy Roddick for the sixth time in a row, winning 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the 2.45-million-dollar ATP Cincinnati Masters. The Swiss top seed's 73-minute victory was his 22nd straight triumph in a final. Federer owns an 18th match win streak, standing 64-3 on the year.

The victory gave Federer a fourth Masters Series shield this season after success in Indian Wells, Miami and Hamburg. "I've lost in the first and second round here my whole life, suddenly I win the title," said Federer. "I'm starting to play fantastic tennis. I'm really happy to be back."

Roddick took an injury break prior to the final game, complaining of pain in a bone near the big toe of his right foot. After getting a wrap, he went out to serve the final game, losing the match with a weak forehand into the net. Federer improved to 10-1 lifetime against Roddick, whose only victory in the rivalry came in a Montreal final two years ago. The pair's last five meetings have come in finals, including the last two at Wimbledon.

Federer waited for his chances against Roddick, looking to make up with power what he lacked in finesse. The Swiss saved a break point in the second game of the first set and put the American crowd favourite on the defensive in the fifth. Roddick couldn't handle a volley at his feet as the Swiss earned a break point, which was saved with a serve winner. But Federer secured a break for 3-2 on his next opportunity, with Roddick producing a double-fault under pressure.

The American stayed in the chase with a love game concluded with an ace for 3-4, but Federer kept his nose ahead with a duplicate game concluded to love in similar fashion. Roddick's volleying deserted him in the next game as Federer wrapped up the set after 20 minutes with an easy overhead putaway smash on his first set point.

Federer kept his game grooved on maximum efficiency, earning a 2-1 lead on a love game as a frustrated Roddick made all the errors. The American reversed his luck with a break for 3-2, but threw away his hard work with a volley to the net after Federer earned a break point with a stinging down-the-line return winner.

Federer emphasised his consistent superiority with a love game, punctuated with a backspin drop shot which landed metres from Roddick. The Swiss overcame a double fault in the ninth game to move to 5-4. After Federer took a 6-5 lead, Roddick called for the trainer and the injury drama began. Roddick returned to the court but was noticeably slower than before and grimaced at times in the final game.

"It was looking like a good match," Roddick told the fans after he lost. "But then Roger started being Roger, and yada, yada, yada... But in all seriousness, Roger is a great champion, off the court as well as on it."

from US Open Official Site:
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - The USTA today announced that tennis stars Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Anna Kournikova, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Martina Navratilova, and James Blake will join Andy Roddick and Serena Williams to kick off the 2005 US Open with Arthur Ashe Kids' Day presented by Hess. The full-day tennis and music festival for children and families -- including interactive games, musical entertainment, and free clinics -- will be hosted by MTV VJ Quddus and TV star Summer Sanders. The festivities will take place on Saturday, August 27 at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., starting at 10 a.m. Tickets are on sale now for the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day stadium show through Ticketmaster (1-866-OPEN-TIX), usopen.org and at the USTA National Tennis Center box office.

Aug 20, 2005 from Reuters:
CINCINNATI - Roger Federer had to dig deeper than expected before beating American wildcard Robby Ginepri 4-6 7-5 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the Cincinnati Masters. The Swiss top seed looked out of sorts as he dropped the first set to world number 48 Ginepri, but after snatching the second he broke once more in the third to reach his fourth Masters Series final of the year.

Federer was strangely flat in the early stages on a hot and breezy day and Ginepri, playing error-free tennis, broke to love in the ninth game before serving out for the opening set.

Light rain forced the players off at 5-5 in the second set, and although the break lasted just eight minutes, it seemed to galvanise Federer as he held serve and then broke for the first time in the match to level.

Ginepri matched Federer until 5-4 down in the decider, but with thunder rumbling in the distance a volley error handed Federer his 21st consecutive victory against American players.

Aug 19, 2005 from Reuters:
CINCINNATI - Roger Federer rolled into the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters on Friday. Federer let slip an early lead in the first set when his Argentine opponent Jose Acasuso recovered from 3-0 down to 3-3.

But once the Swiss had taken the first set it was plain sailing as he clinched a 6-4 6-3 victory. Federer will meet Robby Ginepri in the last four after Marat Safin was dumped out 6-2 6-3 in 56 minutes.

from ATP Insider:
With the US Open fast approaching, the American media are serving up plenty of features on the ATP’s stars. ANDY RODDICK is the cover boy of the top players, appearing on the cover of the August Cargo. MARAT SAFIN is the subject of seven pages in the September edition of GQ. RAFAEL NADAL appears in Vogue while Roger Federer is highlighted in the premiere edition of Men’s Vogue. Finally, the New York Times Magazine will run a feature on JAMES BLAKE in the August 28 edition.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sean Casey came out to watch Roger Federer play OLIVIER ROCHUS on Thursday night.

Aug 18, 2005 from Reuters:
CINCINNATI - Roger Federer was in cruise control on Thursday night as he beat Belgian Olivier Rochus, his childhood tennis partner with whom he lifted the boys' doubles trophy seven years ago at Wimbledon, 6-3 6-4 to lead four of the world's top five into the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters.

After spraying a few forehands over the baseline in the first few games, Federer found his rhythm and Rochus, the world No 34, could only laugh as shot after shot was sent ripping past him. The top seed smashed 14 aces and broke in the eighth game of the first set and the third of the second as he advanced in style.

"I'm really happy with the way I played tonight," Federer said. "He's a really tough player and I played aggressive which you have to do against him because he's so good from the baseline."

Aug 17, 2005 from Cincinnati AMS Official Site:
Roger Federer reached the third round for the first time in five appearances at Cincinnati with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Germany's Nicolas Kiefer.

Federer earned three break points to start off the match before Kiefer reeled off five straight for the hold. Federer rallied a break while Kiefer was serving for the set, but the German bounced back with a second break up 5-4 to take the first set off of Federer for the first time since Robin Soderling won the first set against the World No. 1 in Halle.

Federer broke in the third game of the second set on his way to leveling the match. Federer won three out of three break point chances to open a up a 5-1 lead in the third set. Then Kiefer issued a scare when he broke while Federer was serving for the match at 5-2.

Aug 15, 2005 from Cincinnati AMS Official Site:
CINCINNATI - Top seed Roger Federer made his return to the ATP circuit since winning his third straight Wimbledon title on July 3, defeating American James Blake 7-6(3), 7-5 in one hour and 38 minutes. Both players held serve throughout the first set before Federer jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the tie-break.

In the second set, Blake broke in the second game, then went up 3-0 before Federer won the next three games, breaking back in the fifth game. Blake was serving at 5-5, 40-0 but lost the next five points to lose serve. Federer then served out the match at 40-30 to improve his match record to 59-3 on the season, including 33-1 on hard courts.

from ASAPSports:
Q. Beyond how he plays, how would you say Roger has handled being No. 1 and having the fame that goes along with that?

JAMES BLAKE: I think if possible even better than the way he plays. It's been pretty much flawless. He hasn't changed a bit. He hasn't been arrogant in the locker room; he never is. You know, that's great to see someone that does it with class. He doesn't intentionally get in anyone's face. He doesn't put people down. He goes about his business, he does everything he can, and he's still very accessible to fans. He's accessible, I'm sure, to the media; I'm sure they'll tell you the same thing. To put a -- to add an anecdote to how great of a person he is, when I broke my neck last year in Rome, I got a visit from a couple of the Americans, but I got one note in the hospital and that was from Roger saying, "We'll miss you and we really hope you get back here quickly." That says a lot about a person that's No. 1 in the world and doesn't need another friend out here. He really is a class act. I applaud him for being a champion on and off the court.

from ATP:
Roger Federer today becomes the seventh-longest reigning World No.1 in ATP Rankings history (since 1973), surpassing the 80 weeks that Lleyton Hewitt spent atop the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking. Hewitt held the ATP circuit's top spot for all but two weeks from November 2001 through June 2003.

Federer, who rose to No. 1 on February 2, 2004, today begins his 81 st week at No. 1 the same day he returns to the ATP circuit for the first time since his Wimbledon triumph in July. Federer, who earlier this year also passed the number of weeks at No. 1 held by Stefan Edberg (72) and Jim Courier (58), now targets Andre Agassi (101 weeks) and Bjorn Borg (109 weeks), who are sixth and fifth respectively on the No. 1 leaders list.

Aug 14, 2005 from The Cincinnati Enquirer:
More than 300 people crowded around Court 5 to watch No. 5 Andy Roddick practice with fellow American James Blake. Earlier, No. 1 Roger Federer commanded only a slightly smaller crowd for his practice session with Tommy Haas.

from Reuters:
CINCINNATI - Roger Federer will make his long-awaited return to the ATP tour at the Cincinnati Masters which begins on Monday. The world number one based himself in Dubai throughout the summer, working hard with his coach, Tony Roche, in the kind of heat that should make even the sometimes oppressive North American conditions a breeze.

from Sunday Times:
Roger Federer is featured in the new issue of ALPHA magazine, which is out next Sunday. Packed with top sports stars and the odd rock legend, the September issue is on sale for just $2 with a copy of The Sunday Times.

Aug 13, 2005 from AFP:
CINCINNATI - Rested and refreshed after six weeks away, world number one Roger Federer returns as top seed at the 2.45-million-dollar Cincinnati Masters Series on Monday. The methodical Federer arrived in the American Midwest Thursday evening from Europe, having a hit on Friday as he attempts to get over the hump at a venue which has always jinxed him. The dominator of the game stands a pitiful 1-4 here, his worst record at any tournament.

Aug 9, 2005 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Dear fans

First of all I would like to thank you for all the birthday mail you have all sent me! It is so interesting to read the posts on the website from all the corners of the world, to open letters and presents created with so much thought and creativity – THANK YOU! My living room is full of letters, parcels and photos.

I had a great day yesterday, celebrating it with my friends and family. We met up in the evening for a very nice dinner and it was good to see everybody again and catch up on what has been going on. And then, around 10 p.m. I was in for a huge surprise – my mother handed me over a book with terrific pictures, scans of magazine covers, greetings from many of you and so much interesting content! I was simply overwhelmed by the book; it is terrific to receive something like this. I would like to thank all who participated from all my heart – especially Silvy from Argentina – who has spent weeks and months with this; thank you!

I am now spending two days at home, getting things here settled (and opening all the birthday mail!) before flying on to the USA. I am looking forward to Cincinnati and finally playing tennis again.

Kind regards,

Aug 8, 2005

Aug 2, 2005 from Reuters:
World number one Roger Federer says winning the season-ending Masters Cup is his 2005 priority after claiming the Wimbledon title for the third year running. Speaking to Swiss agency ATS from his holiday, Federer denied media reports he was suffering serious foot problems.

He said he would travel to this month's U.S. Open, where he is defending his title, without coach Tony Roche who would rejoin him for the Masters Cup in Shanghai in November.

"I have got lots of goals from here to the end of the season and I'm really looking forward to playing again," said Federer, who has not competed since winning Wimbledon in early July and will return at the Cincinnati Masters in mid-August.

Asked what was his top priority, Federer said: "Possibly the Masters Cup. I don't play often in Asia and I'm looking forward to returning to Shanghai.

"The other tournaments are essential for my ranking and it's often those ones that people remember at the end of your career."

The Swiss said that, on an emotional level, he was looking forward to playing in the Davis Cup playoff against Britain in September. The winners will retain their place in the elite world group. Federer missed Switzerland's first round defeat by the Netherlands in March.

"(Winning) the Davis Cup remains one of the great goals of my career. At the beginning of every year I analyse my objectives -- in 2005 my main goal was to keep my number one ranking.

"One day my priority will be Roland Garros and one day it will be the Davis Cup."

Federer said he had made the right decision not to play in the March tie because of problems with his feet. These problems made him decide to miss the post-Wimbledon Gstaad tournament in Switzerland and the Montreal Masters starting on August 8.

"I went to see a doctor after Wimbledon and the scan confirmed my fears. I had to miss the Canadian tournament to avoid taking any risks.

Aug 1, 2005 from ATP Tennis Weekly:
Defending Tennis Masters Cup champion Roger Federer will come to Shanghai on October 3 to take part in the Official Launch Ceremony for the Qi Zhong Stadium, the venue for the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai 2005-2007. "We are very excited that Roger will come and participate in the Official Launch Ceremony with Shanghai government officials and ATP officials," said tournament director Brad Drewett. "It shows Roger’s great commitment to the city of Shanghai to take time out of his regular playing schedule to help promote the stadium."