Sep 29, 2006 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Roger is nominated as one of the top 10 "Tennis Hotties" for the upcoming Open Access episode, hosted by Murphy Jensen. An online poll is currently being conducted in order to determine who fans will choose to be their #1. Help Roger win the award by voting via this link. The poll will be up until October 6th; the show will premiere on October 15th.

Sep 26, 2006 from ESPN:
At 72-5, the artful Roger Federer is closing in on back-to-back 80-win seasons. He'd be the first player to accomplish that since Ivan Lendl in 1981 (96-14) and 1982 (106-9). Federer is entered in Tokyo, Madrid, Basel and Paris before the year-ender in Shanghai. His five losses, though, mean the world No. 1 probably doesn't have a realistic chance of topping his superlative .953 winning percentage (81-4) of 2005. One more stat to add to the stack: Federer is 227-15 since the beginning of 2004.

Sep 24, 2006 from Reuters:
Roger Federer came to his country's rescue again on Sunday, maintaining Switzerland's place in the Davis Cup world group with a 6-3 6-2 6-3 win over Serbian teenager Novak Djokovic.

Swiss number four Marco Chiudinelli beat Serbia's number two Janko Tipsarevic 6-4 6-1 in the remaining best-of-three sets dead rubber to complete a 4-1 scoreline.

"It was very important for us to keep our place in the world group and it's a fantastic feeling because somehow the Davis Cup always brings out a lot of emotion," Federer said.

"I was working hard on Saturday keeping Yves and myself pumped up and I think that emotion carried on into the singles today."

Djokovic was struggling from the start against a cool and confident Federer, however, and did well to defend four early break points before cracking in the sixth game of the opening set.

Even by Federer's high standards, the second set was breathtaking with the Swiss winning three of his four service games to love and twice breaking his opponent with a series of stunning winners.

Trailing 3-0 after dropping two further service games at the start of the third set, Djokovic finally gave Federer something to think about with a surprising break back to 3-1 before earning another break point at 4-3.

Any chance of an unlikely comeback soon faded though after Federer retrieved the situation with an ace, served out the game and broke Djokovic once more to complete his victory.

"I was serving excellently today which gave me a lot of free points and let me keep the pressure on his service games," Federer said. "I was hoping yesterday that I could play a great match and that's exactly what happened. I'm very happy with the consistency I was able to show all weekend."

Federer's three-point haul was the fifth of his Davis Cup career, following one-man shows against Romania, France, Morocco and the United States.

"I'd love to play all the Davis Cup ties because with the quality in this team we definitely have the potential to win it one day," Federer said when asked about his future commitment to the competition.

Sep 23, 2006 from Davis Cup:
Roger Federer and Yves Allegro have given Switzerland a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup World Group Play-off against Serbia & Montenegro, taking the doubles rubber 76(3) 64 64 against Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic.

The first set was evenly balanced with all games going with serve, although Federer, Zimonjic and Bozoljac all had to save break points. In the tiebreak, Zimonjic was the first to drop a point on serve and the Serbian pair could not recover the mini-break.

With Bozoljac's serve broken in the first game of the second set, the Swiss maintained that advantage with some excellent serving to bring up a two-set lead. Federer, in particular was impressive, conceding just one point in his three service games and finishing with an ace.

In a party atmosphere 5,500 delighted fans cheered every move of their adored national hero. Being Switzerland the impeccably-behaved crowd applauded the Serbs' winning shots and of course there was guaranteed silence two and a half seconds before every point was played.

The third set went with serve until 4-4 when Zimonjic failed to save two break points. The crowd's delight grew and the noise was deafening as Federer served out with an ace.

"I think that's one of my best doubles matches ever in Davis Cup," Federer said. "I was returning really well and playing very consistently from beginning to end."

Federer is set to take on Novak Djokovic in the first of tomorrow's reverse singles. Federer is full of confidence going into tomorrow's match. "I am sure I am going to play a good match so I think it's going to need an excellent match by Djokovic to come close to victory. But I am going to try and control the match like I did against Tipsarevic and hopefully I can play well and have a good start to the match. I've only played him once and he has improved since, but this is my territory, I'm playing at home. so I hope that I can take advantage of that."

from Daily Yomiuri:
In making his first trip to Japan, Roger Federer will be well briefed from a highly trusted source about what to expect.

"I'm very excited because my girlfriend, she played in the tournament a few times," Federer said in a recent interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun. "She told me many nice things about Tokyo and Japan and that was one of the reasons that I always wanted to go there."

While in Tokyo for the AIG Japan Open starting Oct. 2, Federer may leave the off-court itinerary to longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec, who had a career-high ranking of 76 and once made the quarterfinals of the women's tournament. But on the court, there are few who know their way around better than the man who has held the world No. 1 ranking since February 2004.

Federer will be looking to join former greats Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras as a champion of the 765,000 dollars ATP International Series Gold tournament. Federer said he's excited about the trip.

"I'm looking forward to a modern city, with a lot of people, a lot of respectful people, and hopefully also good fans, good atmosphere. Of course I'll also try to be the tourist a little bit, try to get to see some places for the little time that I'm there...I'll try to see as much as I can in the city and around there."

Tournament organizers are certainly looking forward to seeing Federer, whom they have been pursuing for several years. Sanji Arisawa, the tournament director, said Federer limits himself to just four or five events outside of the Masters Series and Grand Slams, making the competition stiff to land the Swiss superstar. "He's asked to come to many tournaments every year, so we're really lucky to get him," Arisawa said.

Organizers have ensured that Federer's path to the title will have its share of bumps along the way. The field includes Tommy Robredo, Marcos Baghdatis and Andy Murray. Returning are last year's finalists, winner Wesley Moodie and Mario Ancic.

"Last year was an unbelievable experience for me," said Moodie. "I really enjoyed the crowds, it was fantastic. I know there's a strong field, Roger Federer is entered this year, so it won't be too easy to defend."

Federer has established a reputation as one of the more personable and self-effacing players on the tour. He knows the impact of his fame and is humble enough not to flaunt it.

Sep 22, 2006 from AP:
Switzerland led 1-0 in the Davis Cup World Group playoffs after Roger Federer dispatched Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. "I was in charge the whole match. I made it easy on myself and hard for Janko," Federer said.

Federer needed only five minutes to take a 3-0 lead in the first set. Tipsarevic broke Federer at love for 5-1, but never really threatened the nine-time Grand Slam champion. Federer broke twice to lead 4-0 lead in the second set, and he also led 4-0 in the third before serving two aces in the final game.

from Davis Cup:
Roger Federer scored his 29th win in Davis Cup singles for Switzerland when he gave the home side the first point of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Play-off tie against Serbia & Montenegro.

The world No. 1 got Switzerland off to a perfect start, taking just an hour and 28 minutes to outclass the world no. 92 ranked Janko Tipsarevic in Friday's opening rubber 63 62 62 to give his team a 1-0 lead in their quest to secure a place in the World Group next year.

The Swiss player was in total control throughout the match although in the first set he seemed to be making more unforced errors than usual. After quickly advancing to a 5-1 lead Federer had a slight lapse in concentration, losing his serve for the first time in the match. Tipsarevic followed this by holding his own service game but didn't need a second chance and served out the set 63. The second and third sets followed in quick succession 62 62. Tipsarevic did produce some fine winners but was unable to sustain that level. Roger finished off the game in typical clinical fashion. The result was never in doubt.

Federer was happy with his general performance, "I was happy in general with my entire game I thought I played a very consistent solid match. I was in control throught the whole match. I made a good start to the match and I think that's always key to try and dominate the opponent."

The enthusiastic crowd largely kitted out in red and white gave their champion a rapturous welcome, with the public announcer taking what seemed like several minutes to read out Roger Federers achievements. Demonstrating an excellent sense of fair play and respect for the game Tipsarevic was also warmly applauded upon his introduction as well as for his occasional spectacular winners.

from Investor's Business Daily:
"Oh, I would be honored to even be compared to Roger (Federer)," Rod Laver said during this year's U.S. Open. "Roger could be the greatest tennis player of all time."

Sep 21, 2006 from AP:
GENEVA - Roger Federer will play in three matches when Switzerland faces Serbia & Montenegro in the Davis Cup's World Group playoffs. He will play Janko Tipsarevic in the opening singles match Friday.

"We aren't afraid of anyone. We know we are the favorites," Federer said after Thursday's draw. "That said, we won't underestimate Serbia. They have a strong team."

On Saturday, Federer will partner with Yves Allegro for the doubles match against Ilia Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic. The reverse singles will pit Federer against Serbian No.1 Novak Djokovic, while Stanislas Wawrinka faces Tipsarevic.

Switzerland was relegated to the playoffs after losing to Australia in the first round of the World Group. Federer missed that best-of-five series. "It's always a difficult decision to take. I can allow myself only one Davis Cup tie a year at the moment," Federer said. "For now, as world No. 1 my schedule is packed and my program does not allow me to play Davis Cup in February."

from Roger Federer Official Site:
Dear fans

Together with the rest of the Davis Cup team, I will be giving my best before long. We certainly hope to be playing in a fully packed stadium here in Geneva and are already looking forward to the special atmosphere you always create for and with us. There are still tickets available at the box-office, by the way!

The encounter against Serbia & Montenegro will be quite similar to the one against Great Britain a year ago. Only that we will be playing on hard court this time – certainly to our advantage. The draw for the matches will take place today at noon today and in the evening we’ll be having the official dinner with both teams, always a nice event.

I took up my personal training on Monday and must say that I am playing well. I feel fit for the coming matches and am happy with the doubles and singles training sessions that we have followed here.

Sep 20, 2006 from Reuters:
SEOUL - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are to play an exhibition match in Seoul in November, officials at a South Korean sports marketing company said on Wednesday.

"We have prepared for the match since last year and two months ago we reached an agreement with them to hold the match in Seoul on November 23," Sema Sports Marketing president Lee Seung-hwan told Yonhap news agency. Lee was not immediately available for comment but other officials at Sema confirmed the Federer-Nadal contest.

Sep 19, 2006 from Reuters:
GENEVA - With just three days to go until the start of the Davis Cup tie against Serbia, Swiss organizers say one third of the 5,780 tickets are unsold. The lack of demand prompted the president of the country's Davis Cup committee, Erik Keller, to write an open letter to the Swiss public last week.

"I think the Swiss are a bit special," Keller told Reuters on Tuesday. "In other countries the fans really live for their sports stars or teams. Here there is more distance -- they think it's very nice and wonderful but they don't think they have to give anything back."

Speaking to Reuters in Geneva on Tuesday, Roger Federer himself acknowledged that this weekend's poor ticket sales were curious. "Of course it would be disappointing for me too if there are some empty seats because I'm used to playing in full stadiums around the world with a great atmosphere day or night so I think that should also be the case this weekend," he said.

Several reasons have been put forward in the Swiss media for the lack of interest in this weekend's tie, including the low-profile opposition and earlier doubts as to whether Federer would actually play. The decision to stage the last six Davis Cup home ties in Switzerland's western French-speaking region has also apparently discouraged fans from Federer's own German-speaking heartland.

It is also possible that Federer is still somehow fighting for recognition in a country more famed for Alpine skiers. His third successive Wimbledon triumph last year was seen by just 321,000 television viewers in Switzerland -- making it only the 89th most-watched sporting event of 2005. Even his first Wimbledon victory in 2003, watched by 545,000, was only the 27th biggest televised sporting event of the year.

Federer, however, says he has no problem with the Swiss public, but urged people to come to the tie in Geneva. "I don't think it's true that I'm unloved in Switzerland because everywhere I go here I have people telling me that their children or their parents are huge fans of mine and are happy to see me playing and doing well," Federer told Reuters.

"A lot of them have also been saying they will come to Geneva so I'm hopeful that the stadium will be full because in Davis Cup the crowd's support can make a huge difference."

Had Federer not opted out of the first round match against Australia in February, Switzerland could now be battling for a place in the final instead of against relegation from the World Group, but he has no plans to change his program.

"The Davis Cup is obviously a very nice event but it's hard, because as long as I'm world number one and keep winning so many grand slams then I have to keep the focus on that," he said.

Sep 18, 2006

Roger Federer and teammate Yves Allegro have a chat during the first training session before their Davis Cup World Group Play-offs 1st Round against Serbia & Montenegro, in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, 18 September 2006. (Photo by Laurent Gillieron/EPA)

Sep 15, 2006 from China Daily:
Ivan Ljubicic said playing against Roger Federer on the tour was his biggest joy. "Maybe I could win more championships and prize money if Federer was not in the same age with me, but you have to know that there is something money can not buy - that's playing against Federer," said the World No 3.

"He is the best man in the game, on and off the court, and he has a great personality. I enjoy so much having opportunities to compete against him."

Despite his pure respect, Ljubicic's head-to-head experience against Federer is far from pleasant. The two started their rivalry as soon as they turned pro in 1998 and the Swiss leads the showdown 10-3. The 27-year-old Croat has never taken a singles win from Federer since 2003 and lost five times last season. The defeats included three finals, and there have been two losses so far this year, both in the Masters Series. But Ljubicic doesn't see the results humiliating.

Sep 13, 2006 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Roger returned to Switzerland this morning. A delegation of fans and media was waiting there to congratulate him, catch a glimpse of their idol or get hold of the latest news. In the name of Roger and his management team we would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone present as well as the committee of fans4roger, Roger’s fan club, for their support.

Roger was picked up in Zürich by his parents Lynette and Robbie. He is looking forward to finally having some time for them as well as his friends again.

Sep 12, 2006 from New York Times:
There was nothing unusual about the scene yesterday morning as Roger Federer basked in the reflection of the large silver trophy that honors the winner of the US Open men's singles. It has become a rite of late summer in Midtown Manhattan, and Federer was, as usual, well groomed if not all that well rested after getting to bed at 4 a.m. after a celebratory late-night meal.

Many thought his winning a third straight United States Open was a foregone conclusion. But Federer said that was not how he felt as he swooped along the baseline, particularly as he chased down James Blake's big forehands in their late-night quarterfinal with the crowd making it feel more like Davis Cup.

"Doubt is always there for me," Federer said. "All of the sudden I didn't feel that confident anymore after beating Blake for some reason." But his next two opponents — Nikolay Davydenko and Andy Roddick — did not get the message or the benefit, and now Federer can relax and enjoy the rest of the season.

While men like Roddick search for answers by hiring consultants like Jimmy Connors, Federer sticks with his part-time arrangement with Tony Roche, who did not even come to New York. "I spoke to him once," Federer said. "Before the Blake match."

Federer remains poetry in motion, but his tennis always seems to lead to math. He is now an astonishing 9-1 in Grand Slam finals. His singles record this year is 70-5, and he has reached the final in 12 of the 13 tournaments he has played.

from Courier-Mail:
Roger Federer's coach Tony Roche vowed yesterday to stay on to help the Swiss world No. 1 hunt down Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles. Federer and Roche are on either side of the Pacific as they celebrate the most successful year of their partnership.

Roche rose in Sydney before dawn to watch with his wife Sue a telecast of Federer's US Open final victory against Andy Roddick. Federer said last week he did not take for granted that Roche, 61, would want to devote many more years to a consultancy role in which he travels to the three Grand Slams cities other than New York.

from PA:
Tiger Woods admits he has become close friends with Roger Federer in recent times. The American golfing star was on hand to witness Federer's ninth tennis grand slam win on Sunday, and admits he has a lot of respect for the Swiss world number one.

"It's neat to have a person that you can talk to that can relate. The things that Roger is dealing with are things that I'm going through are very comparable, even though they are two different sports, similar circumstances. To be able to meet him and talk to him prior and post match, we have a lot of things in common. I think Roger and I are going to be friends for a long time."

Woods however puts German racing driver Michael Schumacher ahead of both himself and Federer when assessing just who is the world's current leading sportsman. "I have to say Michael for his consistency over the years," said the 30-year-old American on arriving in England ahead of the HSBC World Matchplay.

"He's performed year-in, year-out in a globally-watched sport under immense pressure. It's hard to separate yourself in any sport, but it's so much easier to do in an individual sport. There's nobody to rely on - you play well as a individual you are going to win.

from The Times:
Next up for Roger Federer is a studio session with Mario Testino, the Peruvian who is regarded as the leading fashion photographer in the world, for an autumn issue of Vogue. Testino's images, especially those of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Kate Moss and Madonna, are said to be the very best of their ilk.

So what can Testino expect from the world's No 1 tennis player? There will certainly be no tantrums, he will be treated with the ultimate respect, for that is the Federer way. Before Tiger Woods came along at Federer's behest and took his animated place for the US Open final on Sunday, the most prominent figure in his support group was Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief in the United States. Federer is moving into new realms.

Sep 11, 2006 from ATP:
Roger Federer has clinched the year-end ATP World No. 1 ranking for the third year running with his victory in New York. Federer also is on track to break his own INDESIT ATP Race points record.

Federer celebrated his US Open win with a champion's tour of the Big Apple today. After a media round table at the Peninsula Hotel, Federer headed to the Rockefeller Center for a photo shoot at Top of the Rock, taken on the 70th floor overlooking Central Park. Federer's day in Manhattan also included a street meeting with real-life heroes, New York City firemen who recognized the World No. 1, and a bird's eye view of the catwalk for Fashion Week's Oscar de la Renta show as a guest of Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. A day earlier, Tiger Woods (a guest of Federer's in his players' box), Jim Carrey, Christie Brinkley and Ben Stiller were among a host of celebrities who attended the Open final.

The 25-year-old Federer has put together one of the most prolific seasons in history, compiling eight titles and a 70-5 match record on the year with two months remaining. For the second time in his career, Federer won three Grand Slam titles in the same season. Federer is the first player since Rod Laver in 1961-62 to reach six consecutive Grand Slam finals, and also is the first man to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a calendar year since Laver in 1969.

from AP:
Fresh from his victory at the U.S. Open, Roger Federer checked out the Oscar de la Renta show during New York Fashion Week Monday and got some star treatment.

Before the show started, Vogue Editor in Chief — and tennis fan — Anna Wintour, wearing a black-and-white de la Renta dress, greeted Federer with a hug and a pat on the back. Federer, trading his tennis togs for a navy suit and open-neck shirt, looked sharp and glowing.

from Fashion Wire Daily:
Also spot-on were the choice of accessories – from huge, dangling Lucite necklaces and wicker handbags to brilliant fabric covered wedges that matched accompanying cotton dresses and some great transparent, leather trimmed totes. Inside the bags was everything from copies of the Financial Times to a tennis racket. An apt choice given that Roger Federer and his girlfriend Mirka Vavrineck sat between tennis nut Anna Wintour, the US Vogue Editor-in-Chief and her dandy plume Hamish Bowles.

The newly crowned US Champion watched open-mouthed in the front row, clearly digging the show, and produced a huge grin when a model stopped in her tracks to present him with a bouquet of roses.

from NEWS.com.au:
Last year Anna Wintour ditched Diane von Furstenberg's show to watch Roger Federer win the US Open final against Andre Agassi, so it was nice to see Federer return the favour, turning up this week as Wintour's manbag at Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs' shows.

Seated frontrow with his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec and Wintour, Federer looked remarkably fresh and fashion-forward for a man who not 12 hours earlier had won his third US Open title. "Anna invited us," he explained. "She's been to the US Open with Oscar and thought it might be nice for us to pay him a visit. I thought I'd join Anna in celebrating the win."

Sep 10, 2006 from AP:
This U.S. Open was all about the greats of the game, from Andre Agassi's tearful farewell, to the renaming of the site to honor Billie Jean King, to Martina Navratilova's this-time-she-means-it retirement. It was only fitting, then, that the tournament's final point was won by Roger Federer.

After all, by beating Andy Roddick 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 Sunday for a third consecutive championship at Flushing Meadows, Federer took another step toward being regarded as the best tennis player in history. With his new pal Tiger Woods sitting in the front row, Federer won his third Grand Slam title of the year and the ninth of his career, moving closer to Pete Sampras' record of 14.

If there's any athlete in the world who knows exactly how Federer feels as he dominates his peers and gobbles up Grand Slams, it's Woods. They met for the first time before the match, and Federer then set out to impress his counterpart. Federer out-aced the big-serving Roddick 17-7, compiled a 69-33 edge in winners, and made only 19 unforced errors.

Federer raced to a 5-0 lead in 17 minutes. He finished strong, too, winning eight of the last nine games against Roddick, who won the 2003 U.S. Open but now is 1-11 against the man he once was supposed to rival for supremacy in this sport.

"Roger is at the top, and he's the only person at the top, regardless of how much people want to make rivalry comparisons and this, that and the other," Roddick said. "He's the best player in the game. There's no question in my mind."

Federer became the first man since Ivan Lendl in 1985-87 to win three consecutive U.S. Open titles — and the only man in tennis history to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open back-to-back three years in a row. He's won nine of the last 14 Grand Slam tournaments, dating to Wimbledon in 2004.

Federer spoke last week about wanting to get to know Woods. It finally happened Sunday, thanks to their shared management agency. Woods and Federer have much in common. Both successfully hit shots none of their foes would try, and they're at their best when it matters most: Federer is 9-for-10 in major finals; the closest equivalent in tennis to Woods' 12-0 mark when leading going into the last round of a major.

Woods and his wife sat between Federer's girlfriend and his agent. It's interesting to note who wasn't in that section: Federer's coach, Tony Roche, who prepares his pupil for this event but doesn't travel to it.

Roddick's new adviser — they're avoiding the word "coach" — is none other than five-time Open champion Jimmy Connors. Connors has rebuilt Roddick's confidence and revamped his game, but Federer was able to come up with all of the answers, particularly in the tensest moments. Critical tests of will and nerve came early in the third set: Federer faced four break points but saved them all to hold for a 3-2 lead, and Roddick then successfully dealt with five break points in the very next game to make it 3-all. "We were pretty much fighting tooth and nail," Roddick said.

But then, serving to take that set to a tiebreaker, Roddick faltered. Or better, Federer flourished, using two backhand return winners to break serve. Federer let out a scream of "Yes!" — about the only ounce of emotion he showed until falling to his back at the very end.

Overall, Federer broke six times; Roddick lost his serve a total of five times in the tournament's first six rounds combined. Federer was beyond brilliant at the start, using a mix of well-spun aces, curling passing shots, crisp volleys and reflex returns of Roddick's serves topping 135 mph.

When Federer hit his fourth ace at 131 mph to cap that opening five-game run, Roddick bowed his head and shook it. "You don't want to get embarrassed out there, that's for sure," Roddick would say later.

Shortly thereafter, the first set was done. Federer hit a cross-court backhand passing shot that dipped as though attached to a string, and then he broke for the third time by getting back a 142 mph serve with a return so tough Roddick meekly slapped a forehand into the net.

And then, suddenly, Roddick got back into the match, breaking Federer at love to open the second set and running to the sideline with an uppercut and a yell. The book on Roddick has been that his game is limited to two power strokes, his serve and his forehand. But in the past couple of months with Connors, the repertoire has expanded, and Roddick held his own in the second set and most of the third.

from ATP:
Roger Federer and Tiger Woods broke open two bottles of Dom Perignon and drank to a growing friendship, greatness and Grand Slams. The pair met in the referee's office about 75 minutes before the US Open final and hooked up again in the locker room after the match. Federer also met with rock star Gavin Rossdale and Woods also spoke with Roddick.

from US Open:
Fashion Weeks at the US Open: Roger Federer: A class act. Still faithfully wears a headband and wrist bands, despite the irony. He switched out the neon this year for crisp blue and even wears a streamlined black warm-up jacket with "Federer" emblazoned across the back. Shortly after defeating Nikolay Davydenko in the semis, he slipped a Rolex onto his left wrist before the on-court (and on camera) interview. Federer's style must also agree with Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who sat in his box during the semifinal match.

from Sunday Times:
Pete Sampras: "Roger (Federer) is a legend in the making, he's such a great mover and can go from defence to attack in an instant. Regardless of whether he stopped tomorrow, he's dominated his generation more than anyone has. Nadal is a great player, but the rest I look at are really good players.

"But even Roger's staying back at Wimbledon. When I played him, he came in on every ball. I have always felt the best tennis was a contrast, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, me and Andre, someone stays back, someone comes in. Now it's just guys banging from the back courts.

"When I watch Roger freewheeling, so confident, it's such a great feeling, but if I was playing him now, I would still try and take his time away, come to the net first and second serve, attack his second serve, same as with Andre. Nobody takes his time away. I'd just come at him and keep coming."

Sep 9, 2006 from Sporting Life:
Roger Federer made his victory over Nikolay Davydenko look effortless as he swept into the final with a 6-1 7-5 6-4 win at the US Open.

It made Federer only the sixth man to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a calendar year, and only the second man in the Open era, following Rod Laver's feat in 1969.

It took just 22 minutes for Federer to take the first set, as the Swiss exploited Davydenko's obvious discomfort. Federer carved open the first break of serve in the second game, drawing the Russian in on his backhand and forcing an error with a sliced drop shot that found the net.

Davydenko managed to hold serve in his next attempt to at least get on the scoreboard but he seemed to be suffering the effects of having fought back from two sets down to beat Tommy Haas on Thursday. Federer broke again to go 5-1 up and served out the first set in the next game.

In the second set, Federer broke serve to take a 3-2 lead. Davydenko though broke back immediately to level at 3-3. It was only the sixth time in the tournament Federer had been broken.

The seventh seed saved a break point in the ninth game but could not hold serve two games later when Federer forced him again on to the back foot and a raking backhand drive forced Davydenko to hit wide on break point. Federer then closed out the set in the next game with a crunching forehand.

Federer seemed to have the match within his grasp after breaking the Russian in the third game of the third set, but Davydenko got back on serve in the sixth game. However, the top seed immediately broke back for a 4-3 lead. Davydenko managed to save three match points in the 10th game but Federer converted his fourth to cap an efficient afternoon's work.

Davydenko admitted Federer had just been too fast for him. "The quarter-final was too slow," he said. "Today was completely different. He tried to play fast to the right and left. That was difficult for me running for the ball. Today was too fast for me."

from The New Republic:
By Alex Massie - There are certain assumptions that need to be made when comparing players from different eras. One of them is to assume that the best players from the past would, had modern equipment and training methods been available to them, have been able to compete on a level-playing field with today's stars. I don't think that is an unreasonable assumption--especially in sports in which sheer physical size is of less importance.

The reverse is true too; we may ask if Federer, say, could have been a wizard with a wooden racket. I think there is no reason to suppose that he would not have been. Would Federer have been able to take on Laver? The Australian himself seems to think so.

Mere titles are not enough to determine who is best either, even in individual--or quasi-individual--sports. Is Lance Armstrong a greater cyclist than Eddy Merckx because he won the Tour de France seven times to the Belgian's five? I know of no knowledgeable cycling fan who would make that case.

Sep 8, 2006 from ATP:
Support the ATP's charitable efforts for UNICEF through the purchase of the "Feder-bear" Beanie Baby®. The "Feder-bear," a take-home version of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and ATP's #1 ranked player Roger Federer, will be available for purchase this holiday season. The Feder-bear is an official Ty Beanie Baby® produced exclusively for ATP by Ty.

Proceeds from the sale of each $8 bear will benefit the "ACE" program (Assisting Children Everywhere), a global partnership between the ATP and UNICEF to help ensure health, education and protection of children around the world.

from The New Republic:
By Alex Massie - Hating Federer? My word, what a thought. That's like hating Michelangelo or Mozart or thinking that a glorious sunrise is overrated. You could think all that, but would you want to admit to doing so?

This is relevant, I think, because though the question of who is the best tennis player of all time is all but impossible to resolve, it is easy and perhaps more useful to consider which players one would pay one's own money to see if, arriving in New York or Indian Wells or, God help us, Cincinnati, one discovered that they were playing that afternoon. Whose presence on court would justify a series of white lies to cancel meetings so one could play truant at the tennis court?

Sep 7, 2006 from Sports Network:
Roger Federer moved into the semifinals at the U.S. Open with a hard-fought four-set triumph. Federer kept his perfect record intact against James Blake with a 7-6 (9-7), 6-0, 6-7 (9-11), 6-4 over the No. 5 seed.

"I really thought that first set was unbelievable from both sides," Federer said. "We had good tennis in all the sets." It took Federer four match points, but when it was over, the two-time defending champion came through with a victory. The win put Federer into Saturday's semifinals against Nikolay Davydenko.

Blake had won five straight points in the tiebreaker of the first set for a 6-4 advantage. Federer saved a pair of set points in the opener, first with an ace and then after an unforced error by Blake put the score at 6-6. Federer then sent a return long, but Blake put backhand and forehand returns into the net. Federer then finished off the set when Blake's forehand return caromed off the net and wide.

The second set was a whitewash in only 22 minutes. "Roger seemed to get to me in the second set. He put it on me pretty good," Blake said. "That's just an old-fashion whooping."

Federer then gained a 5-3 lead in the third with a service break. However, Blake broke back and the two went into a dramatic tiebreaker. Blake blew four set points in the third and had to overcome a match point when the American backhanded a ball into the net for a 9-8 Federer lead. Blake responded by firing a pair of winners and finally won the set when Federer hit a backhand long following a slip on the court to win a set for the first time in five career meetings with his Swiss opponent.

"You make mistakes, he plays well and the thing turns around and the momentum shifts, and all of a sudden it's an unbelievable tough match," Federer said. "That's what I expected, so this is nothing new for me to be in a struggle like this."

from ASAP Sports:
Q. If the essay question at Harvard were what makes Roger Federer such a good tennis player in a hundred words or less

JAMES BLAKE: There's just too many things he does well. He doesn't panic. He plays offense unbelievably well. He plays defense better than anyone I've ever played. He makes so many gets, and when he gets to it, he doesn't just put it back; he puts it where it's difficult for you to hit the next shot. Volleys well. Serves well. Handled the pressure of being No. 1 in the world. He's handled the pressure of being against a crowd tonight that was clearly on my side. He handles that very well. He obviously puts pressure on himself to succeed, and has handled all that. Got the biggest forehand in the game. Seems to be able to create pace out of nothing. That a hundred words or less? I could keep going probably, too.

Q. Did you ever think you were getting to Roger tonight a little bit? I thought he looked a bit worried from time to time.

JAMES BLAKE: Really? I never see did his heart rate ever go up above about 60? He doesn't look too worried to me. I definitely feel like I maybe worried his game. I don't think he got that nervous, but, I mean, having set points in the first set, coming back the way I did in the third set, and then making an attempt to come back, having a breakpoint at 5 4 in the fourth, I definitely feel like he felt my presence. It wasn't just a walk in the park for him, I'd like to think. I don't know. He might come in here and say he just played terrible in the third set; I don't know.

But I definitely feel like I let him know that I can play. I hope he knew that already in seeing my results. But if not, I feel like I did the best I could, and it was close tonight. It wasn't there, but the way he's playing, I feel like he's he is legitimately a level above me right now. That's not to say I can't beat him on a given day, but there's definitely work to be done and I need to play better if I expect to be on that level consistently.

No one's been on that level lately, so I'm not ashamed to say that. I heard something on ESPN about two weeks ago saying Tiger Woods is gonna pass Michael Jordan as the best athlete of our time, and I think that's a joke not to take anything away from Tiger Woods because he's unbelievable best golfer. I'd make a case for Roger Federer being the best athlete of our time, not tennis player, athlete. I mean, Tiger's won 11 majors, but him in that match play situation and I don't think he's won he's won maybe two of those where it's a tournament where you have one bad day and you're out.

That's what we do every single week. Roger has I mean, is winning every Grand Slam except for the French, winning every Masters Series tournament. That means he can't have one bad day. I mean, that's incredible. Not to mention he has to be out here for four hours running as opposed to walking while carrying one club not taking anything away from golf. Tiger is an unbelievable athlete. He's proven himself every Sunday every time he has a lead. Look at Roger's record in finals, too. Grand Slam finals, he's 8 1. That's unheard of.

Q. Basic athleticism, hand eye coordination?

Sep 6, 2006 from DPA:
Roger Federer claimed another straight-set victory to move comfortably into the quarter-finals of the US Open Wednesday. Federer topped Marc Gicquel 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.

The Swiss popped 15 aces - the last for a pair of match points - to take down the 79th-ranked Gicquel, who was playing in his first Open. Federer was never in danger, he broke twice and saved five break point chances in the one-hour 46-minute win.

from US Open:
When asked how tough it would be to play four three-out-of-five set matches on hard courts in five days, Federer shrugs, looks you in the eye and says, "No problem.''

Considering how he's cruised through the draw so far, it's not hard to believe him. "I haven't used up much energy yet,'' Federer said matter-of-factly after his straight set win Wednesday over Marc Gicquel, his fourth straight-set win in a row. "For others, yeah, it's tough to go back-to-back if you play five sets. But [if you just play] three sets, it's no problem.''

from Sports Illustrated:
By Justin Gimelstob - Last year, the night before the Open began, I was collecting my things in my locker after a late practice and found myself alone in the locker room with Roger Federer.

I know Federer pretty well, and I saw he was carrying a framed plaque. When I asked him about it, he walked toward me to show me the humanitarian award he had just received. On his way out, he stopped and turned to me and said, in the most sincere tone I have ever heard, "Justin, I just wanted to wish you luck in the upcoming tournament."

Sep 4, 2006 from DPA:
New York- Roger Federer has politely declined an offer from Rafael Nadal to team up in doubles next month at the Madrid Masters. The top seed at the US Open, while charmed by the idea voiced by number 2 Nadal last week, said that he would have to keep his Davis Cup duties and his own fitness in mind as both players head into November's season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.

If any doubles were on the table for Federer, they would be with Davis Cup compatriot Yves Allegro, with whom he occasionally pairs for Switzerland. Federer said he received a text message on his cell phone from Nadal after reaching the fourth round in the US Open.

Sep 3, 2006 from US Open:
In an unprecedented night session at Louis Armstrong Stadium, forced by the five rained-out sessions earlier this week, Roger Federer routed Vince Spadea, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.

Spadea, ranked No. 84 in the world, acquitted himself rather nicely in the early on, hanging in some long, entertaining rallies and staying on serve until Federer broke him at 3-3 and then ran away with the set.

The second set was very similar. Spadea earned a couple of break points, but was unable to convert. Federer took advantage of his opportunities and again broke at 3-3, achieving a mirror-image set, 6-3.

Spadea was huffing, puffing and lunging as he tried to chase down Federer's juiced-up forehands and sharp-angled backhands. Federer, on the other hand, glided silently about the court.

King Fed really put the hammer down in the final set, streaking to a 6-0 win. Federer next faces Marc Gicquel of France.

Sep 1, 2006 from AFP:
Roger Federer made short work of Tim Henman in the second round of the US Open winning at a canter 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Federer will next play Vince Spadea for a place in the last 16.

Henman came into the match as one of the few players able to boast of a winning head-to-head record against the world No.1 at 6-5. But that was due to him winning six out of their first seven games from 1999-2004. Since then it has been four consecutive straight-set wins for the Swiss star.

Federer did not even have to work hard to move ahead as Henman served up three double faults in the second game to gift him a break. He pocketted the opener 6-3 in just 39 minutes, broke again for a 3-1 lead in the second.

Federer dictated the match from the baseline and even found the time to put in some serve and volley practice. That did cost him a service break at 5-2 up but he made no mistake two games later to go two sets ahead.

Federer was in cruise control in the third pleasing the crowd and drawing a wry smile from Henman with an audacious behind-the back, between-the legs shot which took the net-charging Brit by surprise.

from ESPN:
Roger Federer is only 25 years old, but some people think he is already on his way toward becoming the greatest tennis player who ever lived. What happened in the fifth game of the third set of his match against Tim Henman will never appear in his official resume, but it underlined why -- with all due respect to Rafael Nadal -- Federer's ball-striking skills are without peer.

Henman was in a familiar place, pressing the action at net. He rifled a volley straight at Federer's feet, who was caught a few feet inside the baseline. Federer, with an unconscious casualness, did not attempt to run into position to hit the ball. Instead, he reached his racket behind his back, lifted his right leg slightly and caught the ball on the fly between his legs -- without looking down. Technically, it was a volley.

The ball caromed straight to Henman, who seemed to be under the impression that he had won the point. Nevertheless, the Englishman managed a soft return to Federer's backhand. Federer jumped on it and sent a backhand winner screaming down the line. Sublime. Remarkable. Ridiculous.