Jun 30, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer sauntered into the last 16 of Wimbledon on Friday with a regulation 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 victory over world number 77 Nicolas Mahut.

His 44th consecutive grasscourt victory was never really in doubt against the 24-year-old Frenchman who is a former Wimbledon junior champion in 2000 and Federer spent most of the match in cruise control.

Federer secured the first set with a solitary break in the sixth game and although he had to save one break point at 3-4 in a serve-dominated second set he stepped on the gas to win the tiebreak easily.

from Bob and Mike Bryan Blog:
Hey Guys, it's Bob. I saw Roger Federer in the locker room after his singles match. He was all smiles as usual and showed me that fashionable blazer that he's been wearing out to his matches. I asked him what he was going to do with his two days off and he said he was going to fly back to Switzerland for the weekend. The funny thing is I actually fell for it. Nothing would surprise me with that guy...he makes his own rules.

Jun 29, 2006 from Tennis X:
Roger Federer handed Tim Henman his 11th career bagel, and first at Wimbledon. Federer also upped his grass win streak to 43 and earned his 100th career Grand Slam win.

Jun 28, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer ripped Tim Henman's Wimbledon dreams to shreds with a majestic 6-4 6-0 6-2 win in the second round on Wednesday. The much-hyped battle between the world number one and the four-times Wimbledon semi-finalist turned into a one man show after Federer floored Henman with a breathtaking display of grasscourt tennis.

"It's a big relief for me to come though this match against Tim today," said Federer. The home favorite had been expected to challenge Federer's run of 42 successive victories on grass as he is one of few players on the tour to hold an advantage over the Swiss maestro in their head-to-head meetings.

Before the tournament started Federer had admitted that he wanted to avoid Henman in the early rounds as the Briton, unseeded here for the first time in a decade, would be dangerous floater. Federer, though, need not have worried. It did not take long for Federer to pick Henman's serve-and-volley tactics apart.

The 31-year-old Briton dropped his serve for the first time in the third game when he lost his footing on break point and misfired a shot wide. He earned two chances to break back in the eighth game but once Federer had safely negotiated that test, he slammed the door shut on Henman. Henman pocketed one more game before Federer unleashed his full repertoire of shots to take 11 games on the trot.

Such was Federer confidence that at 2-0 up in the second set, he produced an outrageous half-volley passing shot winner from the baseline. A demoralized Henman could do little but shrug his shoulders as he watched winner after winner whizz past his outstretched racket.

Henman finally managed to hold his serve in the fifth game of the third set. That only delayed the inevitable however and Federer quickly brought proceedings to a halt with an ace on his second match point after only one hour and 24 minutes on Centre Court.

The Briton, now ranked 64th, felt he did not need to hang his head in shame despite the nature of the defeat. "I'm sure I'm not the first person to lose (a set 6-0) to him and I won't be the last because he's that good," said Henman.

Jun 27, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer broke Bjorn Borg's record grasscourt winning sequence on Tuesday when he completed a dazzling 6-3 6-2 6-2 first round victory over Richard Gasquet. He will next play Tim Henman.

The Swiss notched up his 42nd consecutive grasscourt victory with some sublime tennis, allowing Gasquet just two games after the match continued on Tuesday following Monday's rain stoppage.

Leading 6-3 1-2 overnight, Federer had a mini scare when he immediately needed to fend off a break point but soon took command, rattling through the set with two breaks.

The first four games of the third set went with serve before Federer, looking for a fourth consecutive Wimbledon title, changed gear and romped to victory.

Federer had shunned the idea of a special presentation to mark his achievement in surpassing Borg's professional era record. He celebrated simply by slipping on the personalised cream jacket he is wearing on to court at Wimbledon this year and raising his racket to meet the crowd's applause.

from ATP:
Roger Federer has done some of his best work on Wimbledon's famed Centre Court during the past three years. So why not wear a jacket to the office?

The ATP World No.1 turned heads when he walked out in a cream-colored sports jacket which features three rackets (representing this three Wimbledon titles) and a special crest incorporating a Swiss cross, his Leo star sign, grass and 'F' (for Federer).

Supported by the Sony Ericsson WTA tour and the ATP tour, StarCards' "ace" idea led to the creation of a collection of celebrity signed Great Ormond Street Hospital playing cards. The fourth successive collection of tennis "StarCards" have been professionally mounted with quality photographs, courtesy of Getty Images. Over 30 StarCards items will be auctioned online during the second week of the 2006 Wimbledon Championships to raise money for the hospital. Items include Kim Clijsters' signed racquet, Justine Henin-Hardenne's signed dress, a signed Serena Williams shoe display, and a fantastic Roger Federer framed display. The auction will be held at www.starcards.org during the last 10 day of the 2006 Wimbledon Championships from Saturday 1st July for 10 days finishing on Monday 10th July. All proceeds will be going directly to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

Jun 26, 2006 from BBC:
Roger Federer gave a glimpse of his best form before rain halted his opening match against Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon on Monday. Federer began his campaign for a fourth title in sparkling form against Gasquet on Centre Court, firing an ace on the opening point.

He then broke Gasquet at the first opportunity and played some sublime tennis on his way to a 6-3 1-2 lead. But the rain came after 35 minutes and the players will now return on Tuesday.

from ESPN:
Roger Federer was nominated for The 2006 ESPYS in the Best Male Tennis Player and Best International Athlete categories. Winners are determined by a popular vote and polls are open from June 26, through July 8. Vote for Roger today at www.espys.tv. Winners will be announced during the ESPY Awards on July 12 and during the telecast on ESPN, July 16 at 9 p.m. ET.

from The Times:
Almost every eye is trained on Roger Federer, the Swiss epitome of elegance, who will probably stroll on to Centre Court today in the manner in which he made his way for a final practice yesterday with Tim Henman, possibly a second-round opponent. “I used to have nightmares about Tim and other players, but he’s in the positive section of my dreams now,” Federer said.

from Herald Sun:
Andre Agassi's decision to retire in September has sparked a scramble for the services of Australian Darren Cahill. He has already been linked with Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, connected to a role at Tennis Australia and, most intriguing of all, touted as Tony Roche's eventual successor as Roger Federer's mentor.

Cahill refuses to comment on his future out of respect for Agassi, who is contesting Wimbledon for the last time. Tennis Australia director of player development Craig Tiley will speak with Cahill, but probably not until after Agassi bows out at the US Open in September.

Cahill's friendship with Federer has often led to speculation the pair would eventually form a working partnership. Cahill, 40, was very close to Federer's first Australian mentor Peter Carter, who was killed in a South African car accident in 2002.

Jun 25, 2006 from The Sunday Times:
Politeness and manners are something that rank highly for Ana Ivanovic. It is no coincidence that the player she admires most, not just for his ability, but also his demeanour, is Roger Federer. She is in the fortunate position of being an occasional training partner of the revered Swiss, as they share the same physical conditioner, Pierre Paganini.

from The Times:
Jeans are not the chosen attire of many All England Club members, but Roger Federer could make grunge look elegant. As he was given a guided tour of the SW19 renovations by Tim Phillips, the chairman, yesterday, he appeared for all the world to be style and calmness personified.

Jun 23, 2006 from The Sun:
Roger Federer said: “Since I’ve worked with coach Tony Roche my levels have gone up. I can learn and it’s because of him I want to improve. I want to be the best I can be."

“It’s exciting for me. Even though sometimes I do feel so perfect there are areas to improve and that is what pushes me on.” Speaking at the launch of Nike Sphere Macro React tennis clothing, Federer added: “Four in a row would be out of this planet.”

from Independent:
Sue Barker has a favourite player, and it is Roger Federer. "I loved Sampras even though others didn't, because I could see his genius. But I have never, ever seen anyone strike the ball as sweetly as Federer. He will go down as a legend.

"And on a selfish level he's the most media-friendly person I've ever met. He gives you access that you just don't get with superstars. But I hope Nadal can challenge him on every surface. Rivalry at the top has been missing in both the men's and women's game, when you think of Connors, Borg, McEnroe, of Chrissie and Martina, of Edberg, Becker, Lendl. Tennis needs those great rivalries."

Jun 20, 2006 from Tennis X:
For the second year, Roger Federer received a 20K check for his Roger Federer Foundation from Ralf Weber, tournament director of the Gerry Weber Open. "I am very grateful to the Gerry Weber Open for this generous contribution to my foundation. It's a considerable amount of money and it's something that I am not taking for granted. I will make sure that the money will be used in the best possible way for the children I am supporting in South Africa."

Jun 18, 2006 from DPA:
Roger Federer equalled Bjorn Borg's record of 41 consecutive grass court victories on Sunday when he beat Tomas Berdych, 6-0, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, for his fourth straight title at the Gerry Weber Open. It was the fifth title of the year and 38th overall for Federer. He also became the first player to win four times in Halle.

His winning streak started in Halle 2003 as he went on to win this tournament four times and Wimbledon three times 2003-2005. Bjorg achieved his 41 wins at Wimbledon alone 1976-1981.

"It is an amazing series. But winning the titles in Halle and Wimbledon is more important, the series then comes as a bonus," said Federer.

"It was a very tough week with these three-setters. It is the first time I have won a tournament four years in a row. I am very satisfied to win here ahead of Wimbledon. It seems to bring me luck," he said.

Federer appeared to be in full command on Sunday against Berdych, leading 4-0 after just 10 minutes on the sun- drenched centre-court and winning the set two games and six minutes later when Berdych netted a backhand volley. Berdych did not have a game point in the set.

Berdych finally got on the scoreboard in the second game of the second set for 1-1, holding serve at love with the help of two aces. Federer seemed on course for victory when he broke for 5-3 to serve out the match in the next game, but Berdych rebounded to force a tiebreaker where he left Federer no chance - the Swiss opening the deciding game with a double fault and Berdych taking the set with his seventh ace.

But Berdych's hopes of another upset ended when Federer broke for 2-1 and then again for 5-2 in the final set. This time around Federer made no mistake, serving out the match in the eighth game with a forehand winner on first match point.

from The Observer:
"For me, the number-one favourite this year [at Wimbledon] is Roger Federer, and the number two, which will surprise some people, is Mario Ancic," said Goran Ivanisevic. He continues with his list of possible winners: "Then you have David Nalbandian, Andy Roddick and Sebastien Grosjean - and I would put Tim Henman in there also." How about Rafael Nadal, the world's best player on clay? "No." Never? "Maybe, but while Federer is alive, no. And I think Ancic is a much better player than him on a fast court."

Jun 17, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer reached the Gerry Weber Open final after beating Tommy Haas 6-4 6-7 6-3 on Saturday to move within one win of equalling Bjorn Borg's record for consecutive victories on grass. He will play Tomas Berdych in Sunday final, which will be his 15th straight final and ninth of the year.

Federer saved a set point at 6-5 in the second set before losing the tiebreak 7-4. Federer broke early in the final set to build a 3-0 lead. Haas had a chance to break back when Federer was serving for the match but the champion saved the break point before clinching victory in two hours 16 minutes.

Jun 16, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer saved four match points before edging past Olivier Rochus 6-7 7-6 7-6 to reach the semi-finals of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle on Friday. He will next play Tommy Haas.

The Swiss was given a real fright in the second set. Rochus three times came within a point in the tiebreak of chalking up a memorable win, after earlier holding another match point at 6-5. Rochus had won the first set tiebreak 7-2. After staving off the danger, Federer took the tiebreak 11-9 on his third set point to level the match after one hour and 51 minutes.

Jun 15, 2006 from Gerry Weber Open:
Roger Federer won his 38th straight match on grass, edging Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7), 6-7 (7), 6-4 Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open.

Federer claimed the first break to go 4-3 up in the first set, but following the change of ends, Gasquet took the next nine points in a row, including a break-back. The Swissman was producing the strangely high number of errors, and while he was still trying to work out what was going wrong, Gasquet raced into a 6-3 tie-break lead. However, it is in such ominous circumstances that a legend really comes into his own and the world number one fought back to 6-6 and took his first set point, capitalising on his opponent's forehand error.

The game grew even more in quality in the second set. Neither player let up with their base-line returns with the odd furious volley thrown in for good measure and delicate touches to surprise their opponent. Neither even had the chance to break serve with a tie-break the only way to resolve the issue. Gasquet started strong, but Federer clawed his way back to 6-5 and 7-6 to earn his first match point which he failed to convert. Gasquet then took the second set with his first set point - a cheeky touch over the net - to win 9-7.

The third set was equally well balanced, but Federer re-discovered his grass court form in the sixth game. He won his own service game without dropping a point and then took the decisive break to lead 4-3. Not long after, he served for the match and, although he missed two match points, he finally booked his ticket for the quarter-final with a 6-4 final set win.

"It was very close," said Federer, who made 41 unforced errors in the match today. "It was played on a few points. It was a grass-court match played from the baseline, and that was difficult for me."

from Europa Star:
Roger Federer has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Rolex. Federer previously endorsed Rolex before signing with Maurice Lacroix in 2004. He paid a ‘break-up fee’ to Lacroix to end his deal with the company two years into a five-year contract.

In an interview with Europa Star, Philippe Merk, CEO of Maurice Lacroix, said he was pleased to have had a good run with Federer and he wishes him well. "The deal with Federer was a positive association for us," Merk explains. "I don't feel this is a negative at all. It's excellent for Maurice Lacroix. We achieved much more than we thought we would, having hosted 15 major events in our most important markets, so I think it had a pretty good effect."

Jun 14, 2006 from Eurosport:
Roger Federer came through his first match of the grass court season with a 7/6 6/2 win over world number 267 Rohan Bopanna in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle. He will now meet Richard Gasquet in the second round.

At the start of the match, Bopanna went 15:40 down on his first service game, but he turned the game around to stay in the match with his fearsome serve. After that the games were dominated by booming serves from both men, and neither looked capable of even coming close to a break of serve, as the first set raced along to a tie-break.

Serving at 3-3 in the tiebreaker, Federer reacted to Bopanna's forehand approach shot with an flick winner that brought the sellout crowd to its feet. Bopanna missed the chance to move 5-3 up, opting to leave a Federer backhand that hit the baseline. The Swiss made his opponent pay, capitalising on a double fault to serve out the tie-break 7-4.

Federer then found his range, converting breakpoint at the fourth opportunity on Bopanna's serve to move 3-0 up at the start of the second set. Bopanna suddenly had trouble holding, and Federer broke again at 5-2 to seal victory.

Jun 11, 2006 from AAP:
Rafael Nadal won his second consecutive French Open crown when he defeated Roger Federer 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 in Sunday's final. The result left the Swiss one match short of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slam titles at once.

The Swiss saved two break points in the opening game of the match before surging to a 5-0 lead in breathtaking style as his opponent barely managed to string together any winners. Appearing to suffer from nerves, Nadal failed to convert any of the five break points he earned during the set.

But as Nadal stepped up a gear in the second, Federer simply faded away and produced an uncharacteristic 16 unforced errors during the 32-minute set. The Spaniard broke Federer in the second game with his backhand crosscourt passing shot. At 3-0, Nadal called the trainer to treat blisters on his feet but that did not stop him from racing to a 4-1 lead. Federer dropped his serve again in the sixth game before Nadal served out for the set.

Struggling to emerge from a slump, Federer pushed Nadal hard in the fourth game of the third set. But the Mallorcan survived unscathed after saving four break points. Federer dropped his serve in the following game with a netted forehand to give Nadal a 3-2 advantage. The Spaniard held serve to wrap up the 55-minute set.

Nadal again broke in the first game of the fourth set and held on to the advantage till he stepped behind the baseline to serve for the match. Federer finally stirred into action and needed only one break point to level at 5-5. But his relief was short-lived as Nadal won the tiebreak 7-4 and the match after three hours and two minutes.

Jun 10, 2006 from Reuters:
Switzerland's players will have at least one world-beater cheering them on as they begin their World Cup campaign against France on Tuesday with Roger Federer hoping to be at the match. Federer is planning to fly from next week's Halle tournament to the Stuttgart game, said Swiss officials.

''It will be great if he does come because he can definitely be a role model for our team,'' Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler said today. ''When you look at his calmness on the court and his style, I think it's something that us footballers can all learn from.'' Zuberbuehler plays for Federer's home city team, FC Basel, and was part of a team delegation to welcome the tennis player home after his third successive Wimbledon triumph in 2005.

Jun 9, 2006 from AFP:
Roger Federer advanced to the final of the French Open for the first time when David Nalbandian retired injured while the Swiss was leading 3-6, 6-4, 5-2 in their semi-final tie. Federer will play Rafael Nadal in Sunday's final.

Third seed Nalbandian suffered an abdominal strain in the third set and although he tried to continue he eventually called it quits as Federer threatened to canter off into the distance.

Nalbandian had started so well, breaking three of Federer's opening six service games, but from 6-3, 3-0 he won only three of the next 11 games.

Federer was unusually slow out of the blocks and made a host of errors but he looked unruffled as Nalbandian produced his best tennis to open up a commanding lead. But if anyone thought Federer would lie down, they were quickly proved wrong.

In the fourth game of the second set, the world's best player started clicking into gear and produced an array of stunning shots. Nalbandian was not playing badly but no-one in the world can live with Federer when he hits that form.

In one rally he looked dead and buried as a Nalbandian lob dipped into the far corner, only for a backtracking Federer to reach it and with his back to the court hit a sensational flicked passing shot down the line. The crowd rose as one in rapturous applause and the Swiss Master tellingly lifted one finger to the sky.

Federer reeled off five games in a row and eight from nine to move a break ahead in the third. Nalbandian called the trainer at 1-2 and when he was broken a second time for 2-5, he decided he could go on no more as Federer reached his fourth Grand Slam final in a row.

from ATP:
Roger Federer will face Rafael Nadal in the final of Roland Garros on Sunday. Read what a few of the members of the Swiss National Soccer team said:

Pascal Zuberbühler (goalkeeper, playing at FC Basle): "Now that Roger has reached the final, I'm convinced that he'll win on Sunday and make the Roger-Slam. So far he has been playing very well and I think that now he's ready to defeat Nadal on clay for the first time."

Hakan Yakin (middle field, has grown up in Basle and played there for a long time): "Federer has become so strong on clay that he doesn't have to fear any opponent, not even Nadal. I'm sure that he'll do it."

Jun 6, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer kept alive his dream of winning all four grand slam titles by reaching the French Open semi-finals with a 6-4 6-3 6-4 win over Mario Ancic on Tuesday.

The Swiss had walked on to a sun-baked center court on the back of a 25-match winning streak in major tournaments. Although he was tested at times by Ancic, he booked a place in the last four against David Nalbandian.

The big-serving Ancic let four break points slip in the opening set but kept pace with the world number one until the final game. A jittery service game allowed Federer to snatch the break and the set after Ancic flayed a forehand wide.

Federer, however, ran into a spot of bother in the second. Ancic captured the Federer serve in the opening game and could have made matters worse if he had converted any of the three break opportunities he earned at 2-0 up.

Federer dragged himself out of the hole from 0-40 down to win the next five points to limit the damage and went on to capture the last five games of the set in astounding fashion to leave the 12th seed completely deflated.

Federer piled on the misery in the third set and at one point he even threw up his arms in bewilderment after conjuring up a seemingly impossible volley winner that fell just inside the baseline. Ancic, who consulted a trainer midway through the third set, succumbed after two hours 17 minutes after misfiring a service return wide.

Federer reached his eighth straight Grand Slam semifinal, only Ivan Lendl, who reached 10 consecutive Grand Slam semis, has a longer streak.

from Sporting Life:
Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters have been crowned the International Tennis Federation's world champions for 2005. The pair received their awards at the annual World Champions Dinner in Paris on Tuesday night.

Federer is only the sixth man to be named ITF world champion in consecutive years, following in the footsteps of Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt. The champions are chosen based on their performances at the Grand Slams, on their respective tours and in the ITF's team competitions - the Davis and Fed Cups.

Mike and Bob Bryan completed a hat-trick of world championship titles when they picked up the men's doubles award. Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur took the women's doubles honours. Donald Young and Viktoria Azarenka were chosen as the junior world champions.

Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters pose at the ITF World Champions Dinner at the Pavillion d'Armenonville on June 6, 2006 in Paris.

Roger poses with Donald Young. (Photos by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

from CNN:
Ana Ivanovic: "When I was growing up I liked to watch Monica Seles and Andre Agassi. Now my favorite player to watch is Federer!"

Jun 5, 2006 from IOL:
In an exclusive interview with Stockholm daily Expressen, Bjorn Borg was asked to rate the world's top five players ever. After long consideration, he came up with four names: Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and himself, adding it was impossible to compare the quartet.

Borg said Federer would likely master an old-fashioned wooden racquet unlike many other active top players. "A player like Federer is the master of everything, he has no weaknesses," Borg said.

Jun 4, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer produced a clinical 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych to stride into the quarter-finals of the French Open on Sunday.

Berdych had entered the contest without dropping a set in this year's tournament but that statistic lasted only 39 minutes against the world's best player.

An outstretched Berdych scooped the ball into the net to drop his serve in the fourth game of the match and Federer maintained the advantage to win the first set.

With grey clouds hovering over centre court, the top seed conjured up a delightful lob that fell millimetres inside the baseline to break Berdych again for a 3-2 lead in the second set. A wild backhand from the Czech handed Federer the second set.

Jun 2, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer handed Nicolas Massu a reality check with a 6-1 6-2 6-7 7-5 victory in the third round of the French Open on Friday. He will next face Tomas Berdych for a place in the quarter-finals.

The Chilean had the distinction of entering the match with the most claycourt wins on the men's circuit in 2006 but that statistic counted for little against Federer. The Swiss world number one effortlessly dismantled Massu's game and confidence during the first two sets.

"The first two sets were surprise to me because I dominated him so much," Federer told reporters. "I was playing very well. I was aggressive and serving well, really dominating from the baseline."

A momentary lapse in concentration by Federer in the third set offered Massu a glimmer of hope. Serving for the match at 6-5, Federer was broken and lost the ensuing tiebreak 7-4 when he sailed a forehand wide.

Stunned by the prospect of being forced into a fourth set, Federer seemed to be in a trance as he quickly fell love-40 behind in the opening game.That advantage, however, was snuffed out by Federer, who unleashed a series of backhand and forehand winners to hold serve.

Massu's resolve eventually crumbled when he was serving to stay in the contest at 6-5 down. A wild forehand handed Federer a match point and he wrapped it up when his opponent slapped a back hand into the net after two hours and 35 minutes.

Jun 1, 2006 from PR Newswire:
ZURICH - After two very successful years, Maurice Lacroix and Roger Federer are mutually ending their close collaboration at the end of May 2006.