Jul 29, 2006 from The Desert Sun:
Britten Gerrard, an 18-year-old Palm Desert High School graduate, was named ball kid of the year during the Pacific Life Open. He was presented his ball kid of the year award the same time as his idol, Roger Federer, was receiving his winner's check.

"It was kind of funny, he congratulated me on being ball kid of the year," Gerrard said. "I said, 'Congrats on winning the tournament. I'd rather have the check you have.'"

Jul 21, 2006 from ASAP Sports:
Q. A few minutes ago Nick Faldo talked about yourself and Bjorn Borg. He said you are able to control your emotions in many situations like Bjorn Borg. What do you know about Bjorn Borg? What do you know about tennis?

TIGER WOODS: Tennis, I'm an avid tennis fan. I watch tennis all the time. I was a huge Sampras fan and now obviously I'm a huge Federer fan, just love watching them play. And anytime I get a chance to watch them play, I do.

Jul 18, 2006 from DPA:
Ilie Nastase says he he doesn't want to compare players from his era and those playing now. "I don't like these comparisons. I had my fun and I hope the players have fun today as well. You can't tell a player to be like me, to run around the court and entertain the people."

"Maybe Roger Federer will rescue tennis. He plays like we did in the past," he said in praise of the Swiss world number 1 and four-time Wimbledon champion.

Jul 12, 2006
Roger won the 14th annual ESPY Award for Best Male Tennis Player.

from Bromley Times:

7-year-old cancer survivor William Caines, from Beckenham, has made history by performing the coin toss for the men's final at Wimbledon. William was first diagnosed with liver cancer aged two and a half, and was given chemotherapy. After the treatment he still needed a six-hour operation to remove 80 per cent of his liver Mum Denise said: "William has made me so proud. He is a brave little boy that should never have had to go through such a dreadful illness. His sister Victoria has also been wonderful because she had to watch her family's world fall apart on many occasions." "We were thrilled when William was asked to toss the coin on the centre court. He wasn't fazed by it all - he enjoyed every minute of the day. He met John McEnroe as well as having his picture taken with Nadal and Federer." "He was in awe of Federer and desperately wanted him to win so he was delighted when he finally did - and he managed to get his autograph. It was an exciting and lovely day for all of us." (Photo by R. Naden/PA)

Jul 11, 2006 from Daily Record:
Roger Federer celebrated his fourth Wimbledon crown on Sunday, but unlike after his previous three triumphs, the victory over Rafael Nadal didn't cause him to sink to his knees. Instead, Federer simply raised his arms a loft, with the impression being the SW19 crown no longer generated the same tidal wave of emotion within him.

But today Record Sport can reveal just how much the victory meant to him as within half an hour of leaving Centre Court, the ice cool Swiss melted into the arms of his family before floods of tears cascaded down his face. His father, Robert, said: "No words were exchanged, only hugs. Both of us had tears in our eyes. That's the way we do it in our family. It was a very intimate moment."

from Daily Telegraph:
The day before he took on Rafael Nadal in yesterday's Wimbledon final, Roger Federer was outside Wimbledon train station hitting balls back and forth with kids. Two days earlier he was there again. In between those appointments he annihilated Jonas Bjorkman in what many believed was the most dominating semi-final match in the history of Wimbledon.

Jul 10, 2006 from TennisReporters.net:
Not even the defeat on penalties of the French team in the final of the World Cup minutes earlier could dampen Amélie Mauresmo's spirits as she dazzled the 400 guests at the Wimbledon Champions Dinner at London's Savoy Hotel on Sunday night.

Resplendent in a brown dress studded with glistening gold sequins which sparkled in the lights of the hotel's ballroom, Mauresmo joined the dapper Roger Federer as a true Grand Slam champion, and a member of the All England Club.

The last of the Grand Slams to be held at a private club, Wimbledon has a waiting list for membership of about 20 years. The only way of jumping the queue is to win a singles title, so Mauresmo was duly presented with her circular blue membership badge with her name handwritten on it. She was also presented with a gold necklace with a medallion featuring a tennis racket and a strawberry to remind her of her first Wimbledon title.

"I was nervous on court yesterday," she told the guests who included Manolo Santana, Budge Patty, Neale Fraser, Margaret Court, Maria Bueno, Ann Jones, Virginia Wade, and Martina Navratilova, "but that's nothing to how I feel tonight." At that she turned to Wimbledon's chairman Tim Phillips and asked, "Doesn't your committee have to confirm my membership tomorrow?" In theory it does, but only John McEnroe was ever turned down after winning the title, and that decision was reversed shortly afterwards.

"This is as good as it gets," said Federer a few minutes later. He graciously congratulated her on her first Wimbledon title, adding, "It's been great to sit at the same table as you."

Having sported a Swiss-red bow tie with his dinner jacket when he first attended the dinner three years ago, a black bow tie the second year, and a Wimbledon bow tie last year, Federer this time opted to keep the single-issue white jacket that has been his trademark at this year's Wimbledon. Any ageing guests who may have thought this was over-commercial or just a case of being underdressed would probably have forgiven his choice of tie – he wore the purple and green stripes of the All England Club, along with his blue membership badge which didn't need a fourth title to be confirmed. In fact Federer has three AELTC ties already, so Phillips awarded him a set of Wimbledon cuff links instead of a fourth tie.

In his speech to the guests, Federer said the Wimbledon Museum had already been after him, asking if it could have his jacket for its constantly-updated collection of players' attire. Federer said, "I went to the museum which is in a new building, and it's fantastic. As the jacket is now out of date, I've told them they can have it after dinner" – a reference to the fact that the gold design on the left breast features three rackets, one for each of his Wimbledon titles (until yesterday).

Knowing how to behave scores points at Wimbledon. While nothing was ever said, the All England Club's senior officials were silently fuming when Venus Williams kept everyone waiting for nearly an hour last year, rolling in with her entire entourage at 10.50pm for a dinner advertised as being "9.30pm for 10pm".

As if to make his point obliquely, Phillips went out of his way to praise the humanity of this year's champions. "I think we're incredibly lucky to have two players like Roger and Amélie at the top of the game," he said in his address to guests. "I don't just mean the way they play, but the way they are as people. They're tremendous assets for the game."

from AP:
With four straight Wimbledon championships, eight Grand Slams and 39 tournament titles in all, the milestones are piling up for Roger Federer. How far can he go? Is the 24-year-old Swiss player on the way to becoming the best ever?

"I am maybe heading down that road, but I'm still I think far off," Federer said about four hours after finishing off Rafael Nadal. "By winning today and making it four in a row, it's a very elite club. There's more to come maybe. I have the opportunity. I will hope to equal Bjorn Borg's record next year - five in a row."

Beyond that, Federer is on course to surpass the career record of seven Wimbledon men's singles titles, shared by Pete Sampras and William Renshaw (who played in the 1800s).

"I don't really feel like I'm playing for the records," Federer said. "I play this game because I love it." But the numbers can't be ignored. Federer is tied with Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall with eight Grand Slams.

"I'm very well aware of the records," Federer said. "This is maybe a little extra motivation, but it's not the records that give me the drive. Maybe if in four years' time I'm so close to so many records again, that's what's going to keep me going. But at the moment, it's not. When you start passing guys who are legends, this is when it hits you."

Federer's coach, Tony Roche, thinks he can only get better. "The way he played for the two weeks, he had a tough draw coming in here," Roche said. "But to not only win, but the manner that he won, it shows what a great player he is. I know he wants to improve. As long as he has that attitude, there's no reason he can't."

There was a lot at stake Sunday for Federer. This match was on Federer's home turf and his favorite surface. And Roche let him know it. "He told me before the match, 'It's your house, it's your court,"' Federer said. "I have to try to win, not to lose the keys. I feel very comfortable on that court, that's for sure."

"I got off to a flyer," Federer said. "One set in hand. He was under pressure all the time. That was the difference." His celebrations were muted, but the message was loud and clear.

"That was very important for me," Federer said. "It was important to get him back, not to let him beat me on grass, on clay, on hard court, on all surfaces this year. It was a big, big match. I stepped up to the plate."

from Bob Larson Tennis News:

The new ATP/WTA edition of DEUCE magazine is now available at summer North America tournaments and online at ATPtennis.com and SonyEricssonWTATour.com. The 2006 edition provides an in-depth look at the 10 tournaments that comprise the US Open Series, with tennis' numerous personalities – including Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters and Bud Collins – discussing what makes each event special. The magazine also includes analysis of the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry, profiles on Nadia Petrova and Nicole Vaidisova, and a personal tour of New Haven by James Blake.

Jul 9, 2006 from AP:
Roger Federer won his fourth straight Wimbledon title and eighth Grand Slam championship defeating No. 2 Rafael Nadal 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3 in Sunday's final.

Nadal had beaten Federer in four finals this year but couldn't match him on the Swiss star's favorite surface. After dropping the third set, the only set he lost all tournament, Federer lifted his game in the fourth to show who's boss. "This is Roger's backyard," his coach, Tony Roche, said. "It was played on his terms."

In winning his 48th consecutive match on grass, he became the third player in the Open era to capture four successive Wimbledon championships, joining Bjorn Borg (1976-80) and Pete Sampras (1997-00). Federer is the eighth man in history to win four or more Wimbledon titles.

"They're heroes of the game," Federer said. "This is the most important tournament, and to win four is out of this world. I'll come back and try for a fifth."

When Nadal sliced a backhand wide on match point, Federer raised his arms in the air, threw back his head and closed his eyes. After the two players embraced at the net, Federer slipped into his customized cream-colored blazer to receive the winner's trophy from the Duke of Kent. Asked about his rivalry with Nadal, he said, "Now I like it again."

"It's fantastic," he said. "I never thought it possible, but I made it. It's really an incredible feeling. I was doubting myself early on in the tournament, with the draw and the expectations. So to be through all over again and to play against Rafael in the finals is obviously fantastic."

"I'm relieved now that I finally beat him, especially in a final," Federer said. "He's No. 2 and I'm trying to stay at No. 1. I'm back on the right path."

But anyone who thought Nadal had gotten into Federer's mind was wrong on this day. Federer proved he's on another level on grass with his big serves, smooth strokes and quick hands. While Nadal surprised everybody by getting this far, his brutal, relentless game wasn't enough to take Federer out of his comfort zone.

"This is a difficult surface," Nadal said. "But this year I played my best tournament here. It's unbelievable. I hope next year I don't play against one guy who plays like Roger. He played unbelievable on this surface." The defeat ended Nadal's streak of victories in 14 consecutive finals.

Nadal looked lost in the first set, as Federer reeled off six straight games in 25 minutes. He broke Nadal three times and finished the set with two clean forehand winners. It was the first time Nadal had lost serve since the second round, and the first time he's dropped a set at love in 131 matches — since a defeat to Gaston Gaudio in Buenos Aires in February 2005.

Nadal bounced back quickly, breaking Federer in the opening game of the second set. He served for the set at 5-4, but was broken as Federer won 12 of 13 points at one stretch to force a tiebreaker. Nadal had his chances again, going up 3-1 in the tiebreaker, but handed back the advantage with two errors. Federer went up 6-3, and, after missing two set-point chances, converted on the third.

There were no breaks in the third set. Federer played some loose points in the tiebreaker and, from 2-2, Nadal won five straight to win the set. He backpedaled and pumped his arms three times, then thumped his chest as he sat in his chair. Federer, meanwhile, went to the locker room for a break.

from ATP:
With the win Roger Federer became only the sixth man to secure four straight Wimbledon titles (William Renshaw, Reggie Doherty, Laurie Doherty, Anthony Wilding, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras) and the eighth player to win four or more crowns at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club.

Federer also extended his grass-court winning streak to 48 matches and captured his eighth title on this surface. He stands third in the all-time grass court title leaders (tied with John McEnroe) behind Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras (10). Federer became the 11th man in tennis history to win his eighth career Grand Slam title. He has the best winning percentage in finals (.889. 8-1) among this elite group.

Federer compiled a 29-16 match record in Grand Slam play from 1999 Roland Garros to 2003 Roland Garros with his best result two quarterfinals in 2001 at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. But in his last 13 Grand Slam appearances (including here) since capturing his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, has reached nine finals with eight titles with a 76-5 record.

from BBC:
Roger Federer's 61-year-old coach Tony Roche was serving from two feet inside the baseline to give the world number one a challenge for warming up ahead of Sunday's final.

But the Swiss mister was still swatting away his returns with consummate ease, while signing autographs with his left hand. (That last bit's not true actually, but Diary imagines he could have done if he'd wanted to)

By Jimmy Connors - Roger Federer is starting to remind me of Bjorn Borg. Not just in the way he's dominating Wimbledon year after year, but also in his approach to the sport.

In my playing days I could never get to Borg, never knew what he was thinking. He just kept going, playing the sort of tennis that made him who and what he was. Federer is just the same, especially in his attitude and the way he never lets himself gets flustered.

Jul 8, 2006 from Tennis Masters Cup:
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the top two doubles pairings of Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi and Bob and Mike Bryan, all have secured their places in the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai, to be held for the second year at Qi Zhong Stadium from November 12-19.

Federer mathematically qualified after his quarterfinal victory at Roland Garros last month, making it the earliest official qualification in the history of the tournament.

"I am looking forward to playing in Shanghai for the third time," Federer said. "I reached the semifinals the first year and the final last year so I hope to go one step further this time. I love playing in China and the stadium is great."

Following the Wimbledon semifinals, Federer has accumulated a massive 957 points to lead the INDESIT ATP 2006 Race with Nadal holding second position in the race with 735 points, 368 points ahead of his nearest rival, Ivan Ljubicic.

from BBC:
Roger Federer can draw a crowd even on his day off. Enjoying a gentle hit ahead of Sunday's final against Rafael Nadal, Court Seven was packed on Saturday morning just to watch the champion practice.

And such is his regal aura at the All England Club, there was an almost reverential hush throughout as he swatted away the winners in between chatting with coach Tony Roche.

Jul 7, 2006 from AP:
Roger Federer put on another masterful grass-court show Friday with a rout of Jonas Bjorkman, sweeping into the final and moving one win from his fourth straight Wimbledon title.

Federer, hitting breathtaking winners from all parts of the court, overwhelmed his Swedish opponent 6-2, 6-0, 6-2 in 77 minutes, the briefest semi-final on record since 1972. With the loss of only four games by Federer, it was the most one-sided men's semifinal at Wimbledon since the tournament adopted its current format in 1922.

Federer won 11 consecutive games at one stretch against the 59th-ranked Bjorkman to extend his Open era record grass-court winning streak to 47. He hasn't dropped a set all tournament, and could become the first player to win the title without losing a set since Bjorn Borg in 1976.

Federer is the first player since Fred Stolle in 1965 to get to the final of five straight majors. He's reached 16 straight consecutive tournament finals in all.

On Friday, Federer was in that rarefied zone where it seemed as if he could do no wrong. The 34-year-old Bjorkman, the oldest Wimbledon men's semifinalist since Jimmy Connors in 1987, is one of the world's top doubles players but was no match for Federer.

"I felt like I played a guy who was as near perfection as you can play the game," Bjorkman said. "I had the best seat in the house in a way. He just makes it look very simple."

At the end of the match, Bjorkman smilingly asked Federer whether he was seeing the ball as big as a "bowling ball or a basketball." "He said, `Yes, it was almost like that,'" Bjorkman said.

The start of the match was delayed for two hours by light rain, but Federer seemed in a hurry to make up for lost time — his victory was quicker than Justine Henin-Hardenne's 90-minute, straight-set semifinal win Thursday over Kim Clijsters.

Everything clicked for Federer: booming first serves, low returns, explosive forehands and reflex one-handed backhands. He won 84 percent of the points on his first serve, holding at love three times in the first set. When Bjorkman, an accomplished volleyer, tried to come in, Federer was often there to rip the ball past him or at his feet.

From 3-2 in the first set, Federer reeled off 11 games to lead 2-0 in the third set. At 3-0 in the second set, Federer went down love-30 on his serve. No problem: He got out of the hole by serving three straight aces.

"It was difficult because I was such a big favourite and you always hope you are going to live up expectations, and play to my own expectations," Federer said.

"He is a veteran and he obviously knows his way about the court, so I had to be careful. I played a secure game at the beginning and then I really got on a role and played some excellent tennis. I was in every service game and I think that was difficult for him."

from BBC:
According to Bob Bryan, the locker rooms are still a fun place to be and the most serious people on court can be completely different behind closed doors. "Everyone thinks Roger Federer is so serious but you don't see this guy in the locker room," he told BBC Sport.

"Yeah before his match he's business but when he wins and gets a match under his belt, he loosens up. He's screaming at the top of his lungs, joking with everyone - he's one of the most crazy guys out there."

from Bob and Mike Bryan Blog:
Hi everyone, Mike here. Let's start today with a little Roger story. An inside scoop on that jacket of his. Now, not too many players would be given a free pass by the guys in the locker room to wear a sports coat out to play a match. But when it comes to Roger he can pretty much do what he wants because 1) he's Roger and 2) he is such a humble champion and friendly guy nobody thinks he has a big head just because he's wearing a jacket.

With Roger and Jonas starting at 1pm and Bob and I playing Knowles & Nestor at the same time, I got to see Roger for a while today before we went out. My girlfriend Jenn asks me what he's like. He always looks very relaxed in the locker room and you wouldn't know it but he's quite the prankster. He's always laughing and there's no hint of an ego. He was talking to Jonas before they went out.

Now, to the jacket. First, he never takes it out of his locker except for when he's about to go out to play and he doesn't even put it on in the locker room. I suspect someone has it dry cleaned for him after each match because it's always hanging in a type of brown suit cover. Players may have a little joke with him about it but no-one gives him any crap. He owns Wimbledon so he can do what he wants.

Jul 6, 2006 from ASAP Sports:
Q. Can you talk a little bit about Roger. Obviously this tremendous run that he's having on grass, is he likely -- they are really on a crash-course right now with a couple of guys standing in their way. What do you think about the likelihood of a Roger/Nadal final? Is Roger going to roll through this?

PETE SAMPRAS: Yes and yes.

Well, I think Roger is pretty much unbeatable on grass, pretty much unbeatable anywhere but maybe a little bit on clay against Nadal. I think Nadal has a good chance to get to the final. I think Federer will have his way with him on grass if they both make the final. I just think, you know, too much power, the fast surface will help him. I think Nadal will compete hard against him, but I don't see him winning.

Q. You put Andre in there with the mix, maybe the top 10?

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, the way I look at the top five, Laver, Federer, myself, Borg and Lendl. I think those five guys dominated their generations better than anyone. Maybe Roger will dominate better than any one of the other four. Maybe I put Andre as kind of 6 through 10 with, you know, McEnroe and Connors, kind of those guys. That's kind of how I see it.

Q. When you watch Wimbledon, you see Federer getting close to winning four titles there, your own records, what kind of goes through your head when you see someone making a legacy for himself in some of the same ways you did?

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I think when I look at Roger, I mean, I'm a fan. I mean, I'm a fan of how he plays, what he's about, just the fact that I think he's a class -- I don't know him personally, but seems like he's a class guy on and off the court. He's fun to watch. Just his athletic ability, what he's able to do on the run. I think he can and will break every tennis record out there.

I just think he's the only really great player I see playing. I think Nadal is really good, shows -- and he's a great player, but I just think there's less of him. Today I think Roger is two, three levels above the rest. The fact that he seems like he's even getting better. You combine all that, I don't really see anyone threatening the No. 1 ranking. I think he's just too consistent and too good and has a fear factor in everyone else that I had at times, but I think he has it even more.

Q. Do you have any mixed feelings when you see him getting close to the record books?

PETE SAMPRAS: I don't believe in that. I don't believe in rooting against someone. You know, records are made to be broken. I'm pretty confident that he's well on his way to not only breaking the No. 1 ranking, but this Grand Slam record. I mean, I just think he's got all the tools, he's got the demeanor. He really has the whole package to do it.

Q. When you played Federer back at Wimbledon, when you lost to him, was it clear to you this might be the heir apparent?

PETE SAMPRAS: At the time, I wasn't sure. I knew he was talented. I mean, I knew he was really, really good. I actually didn't play a bad match. I just lost a tight one at the end.

I didn't know how far he was going to take it and where he was going to go. I think I've seen him the last couple years just get a little better, a little better, just kind of figure it out. I mean, that's what I think guys -- I figured it out. You just kind of figure it out on your own. He has his formula for being the best player in the world, like I had.

Jul 5, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer floored Mario Ancic 6-4 6-4 6-4 to progress serenely through to the Wimbledon semi-finals on Wednesday.

Ancic's shock win over Federer at Wimbledon in 2002 was the last time the Swiss lost a match on grass but the Croatian seventh seed failed to cause the top seed any real problems in humid conditions on Wednesday. "It was difficult with the rain delays and knowing that he was the last guy to beat me here. It was a hard loss for me," said Federer.

"I thought I played a terrific match and I really enjoyed it out there. I was prepared for a very difficult match so I'm even more surprised I came through so convincingly. I definitely got on a roll. Usually rain delays slow you down but they really got me going."

The match was interrupted three times in all -- twice by rain and once by two protesters who were quickly hustled off court -- but Federer's concentration was unbroken throughout.

A 90-minute rain break early in the match unsettled Ancic and when they returned the 2004 semi-finalist went 0-40 down and lost serve when Federer struck a forehand pass to lead 3-2. After security officials dealt with the two protesters Ancic had a glimmer of hope trailing 4-3 when a double-fault gave him a break point. The Croatian netted a forehand, though, and Federer recovered to hold and serve out the first set.

Federer broke Ancic in the first game of the second set with a sizzling forehand crosscourt winner and he led 3-2 when another brief rain flurry caused a further hour-long stoppage. It did not disrupt Federer's rhythm, though, and he calmly held serve to go two sets up when Ancic netted an attempted backhand service return.

Federer broke serve twice at the start of the third set and Ancic even joined the crowd in their applause after Federer showed exquisite touch with his backhand to win one rally.

Ancic, though, did manage a break of serve to make it 3-1 but he tossed his racket in despair after Federer saved another break point at 4-3 with a ripped forehand winner. The champion soon confirmed his 46th consecutive victory on grass with an ace on his third match point before slipping on his now familiar personalized cream jacket and heading back to the changing room.

from AP:
Federer's shots consistently landed inches from a line, and he countered Ancic's serve-and-volley tactics by being aggressive himself. He came to the net behind one return while Ancic also moved forward, the result being a rare point-blank exchange of volleys that Federer won.

Ancic held his own in baseline rallies, winning 18- and 21-shot exchanges in the first set. But Federer coped well with Ancic's big serve, hitting some returns nearly as hard, with one forehand clocked at 104 mph.

from New York Times:
It was a nasty draw, really, it was. Even Roger Federer looked at it on paper before Wimbledon and felt a chill. "I remember thinking, 'This can't be true,' " he said. But after five rounds, Federer has yet to drop a set against a series of dangerous grass-court players, and he moved into the semifinals in grander style than usual Wednesday by beating Mario Ancic.

Asked to give himself a grade on a scale of 1 to 10 for his performance, he answered, "10," grinning self-consciously. It is hard to sound humble when you keep getting asked to explain your tennis greatness. But what remains remarkable about Federer is that he makes dominance entertaining.

from BBC:
By John McEnroe - When you're playing as well as Roger Federer is now, everything changes. I had a similar year back in 1984 when I felt like I couldn't lose.

Things slow down, the ball seems a lot bigger and you feel like you have more time. Everything computes - you have options, but you always take the right one.

You work a lot of years to get to that position. You believe in yourself and you put the fear of God in your opponent. Obviously, Roger has that now. He looked incredible, basically unbeatable.

But I still question Mario Ancic's gameplan - his only chance was to really come at Roger and try to hurt him off the return of serve. I think you have to put pressure on your opponents right away. Once he gets into his groove on the baseline, you can forget it.

from Mirror:
"He's playing a brand of tennis like I've never seen before on grass," gasped former British star John Lloyd. "It's staggering, fantastic. Ancic played well and didn't even dent Federer, who was absolutely brilliant."

Beside him in the BBC commentary box ex-champ Jimmy Connors raved: "Wow, what can you say about him. Everything he touches is good. He reads everything."

from Los Angeles Times:
"I think Roger Federer's going to win it, the tournament," Hewitt said. "I think Jonas is going to struggle to find any answers." Ancic said, "I'd be very, very surprised" to see Federer lose.

Jimmy Connors said he'd be "amazed" to see Federer challenged and even golfer Fred Couples, who watched Federer at Centre Court, said the top-seeded player resembled Tiger Woods in his flawless domination of a top opponent.

from St. Petersburg Times:
Waiting in the lobby to return to Centre Court after a second rain delay, Ancic was bouncing in his sneakers. He was stretching, twisting and standing on tippy toes. Federer, a few feet away in his sport coat, was reading a list of former champions posted on the wall of the All England Club.

from Telegraph:
Roger Federer is possibly the most elegant player of all time. It makes sense that his style is understated, but coolly chic: the perfect look for his game. This year, Nike and Prada have collaborated (smart choice to bring in Miuccia) to make Federer a crème blazer to wear on and off the court.

Roger is calling his new look "a throwback to the Thirties". "Most of the other players seem to like it," he said. "Some are giving me a rough time, though, and suggesting I warm up with it… Maybe if I get it in a stretch fabric."

Jul 4, 2006 from BBC:
Imagine Diary's surprise while on a well-earned screen break to bump into Roger Federer wandering the bowels of the media centre. Fed, on his day off, was deep in conversation with his agent, and Diary was intrigued to see that he also wears that snazzy jacket off court as well.

Jul 3, 2006 from Independent:
Roger Federer was in imperious form as he booked his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory over Tomas Berdych on Centre Court.

Berdych had saved two break points earlier in the first set when he let a backhand passing shot from Federer in the seventh game drop onto the baseline, clearly thinking it was going long. A forehand wide then gave Federer the break and the world number one broke his 20-year-old opponent again to close out the set in just 27 minutes.

Berdych, the world number 14 and 13th seed, admitted before the match it would take "something special" to beat the three-time Wimbledon champion on grass. But the only special tennis was coming from the Swiss star who saved a break point in the opening game of the second set but from then on was never seriously troubled.

Federer broke in the eighth game - after forging three break points with a stunning forehand winner down the line - and served out with an ace in the next to take a two-set lead.

Federer was in dominant form on his serve, holding to love three times in a row during the third set, and appeared able to raise his game at will. With the set poised at 4-4, the 24-year-old produced an array of superb returns and groundstrokes to break serve with almost contemptuous ease.

And the clock on the scoreboard showed just one hour and 23 minutes had elapsed when Federer duly served out to complete victory. He served 21 aces, faced only one break point and lost just three points on serve in the last set.

Jul 1, 2006 from Sun-Sentinel:
Roger Federer after three matches: No lost sets, one service break, 108 winners and 34 unforced errors.