Feb 28, 2006 from Reuters:
DUBAI - Roger Federer began the defence of his Dubai Open title with a 7-6 6-3 win over Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday in his first match since winning the Australian Open. Federer had to work hard for his victory against an opponent who rallied well, made few unforced errors, and changed the pace to good effect. Both players needed to resist a pair of break points in the middle of the first set, before Federer took the tiebreak 7-3.

In the second set, seven of the nine games went against serve, with Federer holding for 3-2 and 6-3. Despite being put under pressure the world number one said he was not surprised. "I thought my game was coming and going," Federer told reporters. "My serve wasn't that great in the beginning and then I really got a high percentage going and then it left me again.

"Anything more than three weeks away from competition feels like a long time," said Federer, who lost his serve three times in the second set, but broke in all of Wawrinka's service games. "I was hoping he would be more nervous but he has improved. In the circumstances I was quite pleased with the way I played."

from AP:
All those comparisons between Roger Federer and Pete Sampras are right on the mark. Sampras himself says so. "They're all very valid: Not only is he winning majors, but the way he's winning them — with pretty much ease. He's pretty much the favorite in every major for the rest of his career," Sampras said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Clearly, he's head and shoulders above the rest. I don't see anyone pushing him over the next three or four years."

While it's tough for him to watch Wimbledon, where he won seven championships, Sampras keeps tabs on the game. And he's impressed by Federer. "He moves great, does everything very well. He's gotten to a point that when he's not at his best, he's finding ways to win, and that separates him from the rest," Sampras said, a moment before making sure to bolster his own credentials a tad. "There are less great players today than there was when I was playing," he continued. "I just see him carrying on with what he's been doing. He's got the whole package. He doesn't have any holes in his game."

Feb 27, 2006 from ATP:
The No. 1-seeded doubles team Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor won the last four points of the match to claim a gritty 1-6, 7-6(4), 10-6 (Match TB) win over Yves Allegro and Roger Federer at the Dubai Tennis Championships Monday to advance to the quarterfinals.

from Gulfnews:
Dubai: Winning the French Open title is Roger Federer's main goal, he said, "Keeping my place at the top as the number one is a big priority for me. But winning the French Open is not only important this year, but for the rest of my life."

However, rarely does Federer allow the pressure to get the better of him. "Every tournament I go to now, the pressure is always high. I'm sort of used to it," he admitted.

"But once I get on to the court, I only think about the first round. It is only after the quarterfinals or the semifinals that I start thinking about the title." Asked what he expected in his quest for a fourth straight title here, Federer said: "There are no easy players on the Tour. All are tough and everybody is dangerous."

Federer felt that his break from the circuit has refreshed him for tougher battles ahead. "I've had a break and a one-week holiday after the Australian Open. It's nice to have some time off, and hopefully this break will pay off this week."

The world's best player was also pleased with the return of some of the best players, including Nadal, Marat Safin, Agassi on the men's Tour and Martina Hingis on the women's Tour. "Her (Hingis's) return means a lot to women's tennis and to Switzerland. There are many young players who look at her as a role model. I enjoy seeing players back and healthy on the court. I didn't enjoy it when I was injured."

Roger Federer drives a boat on Dubai Creek with a night city view in the background ahead of the Dubai Tennis Championship in Dubai, UAE. (AP Photo/DTC) (Photo by Dubai Tennis Championship/AP)

Feb 26, 2006 from Inside-Tennis.net:
By Andre Jones (in Dubai) - Here are some of the things Roger Federer had to say ahead of the defence of his title here at the Dubai Duty Free Championships.

"The draw is tough, especially first round against Stan. It's been nice to have some time off to rest and get ready, hopefully it will pay off. I've had some great results on hard courts over the last year, so I hope I can keep it up."

"I like the climate here, it normally does not rain (laughter). I like the city, the people are very friendly. The climate is beautiful too."

His thoughts on the final of the Australian Open; "Thought i played very carefully in the beginning to see how he would cope with the pressure, but he played very well. He was the better player for a set and a half, and I wasn't aggressive enough."

His thoughts on the year ahead; "I will take it match by match, tournament by tournament. My priority is to protect my number 1 ranking, win Wimbledon and also the French. Anyone who knows me will know how much the French means to me as I have not yet won it."

On Hingis; "Her comeback means a lot to herself and tennis. She has always been a role model for kids in Switzerland. I have no doubt she will be highly ranked at the end of the year. I wrote to her to say I was happy that she is back."

Did he miss Marat Safin? "Miss is the wrong word. Not like missing your grilfriend (laughter). I am happy to see him back healthy, as I am happy to see Andre and Raphael back also."

from Tennis X:
Roger Federer received more than an estimated half a million dollars just to show up for The Dubai Tennis Championships this coming week and Dubai organizers see the Swiss as worth every penny of the appearance guarantee. Setting up the helipad appearance with Federer and Andre Agassi with the ATP's help last year set them back a measly $10 million, but as an investment in public relations turned out to be a shrewd investment. "That stunt was valued at $9.5 million, while the marketing and public relations returns for the entire event was pinned at $24.5 million," Dubai Tournament Director Salah Tahlak said. "This is sound return on the investments."

Feb 24, 2006 from The Desert Sun:
You don't have to pay big bucks to participate in today's silent auction at the Frank Sinatra Countrywide Celebrity Invitational at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort. Just put in your bids from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Items for sale include two Barbara Sinatra gowns, paintings including two Red Skelton clown portraits, jewelry including a $6,600 DeLuca white diamond ring, Pat Boone shoes, Roger Federer tennis shoes, dinners, golf and vacations.

Feb 21, 2006 from ATP:
Voting is now underway for ATP Fans' Favorite award presented by Ricoh as part of Stars for Stars, the official awards party of professional tennis to be held in Miami on March 21. Click here to cast your vote!

Feb 14, 2006 from SI.com:
Heidi Klum's husband, Seal, by the way, may be the biggest Roger Federer fan on earth. Later this month you'll learn all about his passion for tennis in an SI.com Q&A.

Feb 7, 2006 from ATP:
Roger Federer is celebrating his 106th consecutive week as World No. 1 with the highest-ever points total in INDESIT ATP Rankings history. The Swiss has compiled 7,275 points to beat his own record of 6,980 points, set on June 6 last year.

Successful title defenses in Doha en route to a second Australian Open title has seen Federer increase his lead over World No. 2 Rafael Nadal to 2,660 points - the equivalent of about two-and-a-half Grand Slam victories, worth 1,000 points each. Federer's largest difference between himself and a World No. 2, came on June 13, 2005 when he held 6,980 points for a 3,340-point lead over Lleyton Hewitt (3640).

Interestingly, the biggest points difference before 2000 came on June 13, 1994 when Pete Sampras (5,272 points) was 2,412 points ahead of Michael Stich (2,860). Federer currently holds a massive 4,490 points advantage over World No. 3 Andy Roddick.

However, Federer's recent withdrawal from the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament means he will lose points from winning the 2005 Rotterdam title and ‘top out' at his current total of 7,275 points. Upon Federer's return, he will need to defend three consecutive titles at Dubai and Masters Series events at Indian Wells and Miami in March.

Since reaching the summit of men's professional tennis on February 2, 2004, the 24-year-old has compiled a remarkable 108-6 win-loss record at ATP tournaments – winning 18 of a possible 24 titles.

Federer's dominance over his fellow players in the ATP Rankings means he also has an excellent chance of setting a new mark for most consecutive weeks at World No. 1. He recently surpassed Sampras' tally of 103 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and now has his sights set on Ivan Lendl's record.

Feb 6, 2006 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Roger's fanclub, "Fans4roger," has organised to meet him at Zurich airport today and congratulate him for his terrific success at the Australian Open. Roger is already looking forward to coming home to his Swiss fans. So come in large numbers to cheer for Roger, he will be arriving at 12.40 h from Dubai with Emirates. Hoooooray!

Feb 3, 2006 from AFP:
GENEVA - Swiss tennis authorities said that Roger Federer has decided not to play in next week's Davis Cup World Group first round tie against Australia in Geneva. Federer was not included in the provisional team announced on Wednesday but under Davis Cup rules could still have been called up for the February 10-12 tie on indoor clay.

However Swiss Tennis said Federer has decided to focus on this season's Masters series and the French Open. In a statement released by Swiss Tennis, Federer said: "I'll face a lot of challenges this season and I need to manage my energy wisely if I want to meet them. I'll take advantage of this break to get ready for the next Masters tournaments and the French Open."

from Roger Federer Official Site:
Roger has committed to play the AIG Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo the week of October 2, 2006. This will be the first time Roger has ever been to Japan. He is most certainly looking forward to the tournament and the cultural experience.

Feb 2, 2006 from ATP Insider:
After his emotional victory in the Australian Open final, Roger Federer obliged the media by conducting interviews until 2:30am. The Australian Open champion caught a few hours of sleep before getting back to his media rounds with an 8am live link with Australia's Channel 7 Sunrise show, followed by interviews with Channel 9, Channel 10 and the Swiss press. He finished his morning with a trophy photo shoot at the Docklands in Melbourne.