Feb 28, 2007
DUBAI - Roger Federer moved into the quarterfinals of the Dubai Open with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Daniele Bracciali on Wednesday, extending his career-best winning streak to 38 matches. He will next face seventh-seeded Novak Djokovic.

Federer saved a break point in the third and fifth games of the first set. At 6-5 up and 30-30 on Bracciali's serve, Federer raised his game, hit a superb forehand volley and followed up with a backhand pass to break. In the second set, the top-ranked Federer went up 3-0 up and had eight break points in the fourth game, but Bracciali, ranked 88 in the world, managed to hold after 11 deuces.

"It was a bit of a struggle in the beginning but it's not easy to get the breaks here it seems," said Federer. "He was serving really well and it came down to 10 minutes for me really, the end of the first, beginning of the second. That made a difference and I could run away with it."

Federer highlighted his win with a spectacular shot in the second set. The world's top player ran down a lob and hit it between his legs for a winner down the line while his opponent stood at the net to lead 5-2. Bracciali jokingly went down on one knee in front of Federer as the world number one walked to his chair at the end of the game, and when video camera focused on him, Federer could not help chuckling at what he had done as the crowd cheered.

"I did like it," he admitted. "It was a shot which I have not hit for a long time, and the last time I did it for a winner was in the Davis Cup (2003) against Sjeng Schalken."

"I have had great shots over the years, and that was definitely one of them: Through the legs, from very far back in the court for a winner, it's just great," Federer said.

from Wilson Racquet Sports:
Wilson Racquet Sports officially unveiled (K)Factor at a global launch event today in Las Vegas. World #1 Roger Federer, who played an integral role in the development and design of the new (K) Six.One racket, addressed the audience from Dubai. In response to what (K)Factor does for his game, Federer states, "The (K) Six.One gives me incredible feel. With (K)Factor, Wilson has taken racket technology to a whole new level and I love what it does for the control of my game." Federer switched over to the (K) Six.One last month at the Australian Open.

The key umbrella technologies of (K)Factor include a proprietary next generation structure created through a unique process at the nanoscopic level resulting in more feel and an even stronger and more stable racket, 2 external wings molded into each side of the hoop to increase dwell time of the ball on the string bed upon impact, new frame engineering technology that enhances stiffness at key stress points on the racket for improved torsionnal stability, and new industrial design innovation that improves handling and maneuverability while providing additional feel. Directly inspired by Roger Federer.

Feb 27, 2007 from ATP:
Swiss Post is honoring Roger Federer with a special stamp, which will be available from April 10, 2007. The 25-year-old, who is the new record holder for most consecutive weeks (161) at No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings (since August 1973), breaking the almost 30-year record of Jimmy Connors, is an outstanding ambassador for Switzerland wherever he goes.

The Federer stamp is as unique as the sportsman himself, since living persons do not normally feature on stamps. The exact design of the special stamp with a face value of one franc is still under wraps. The Federer stamp will be available from the issue date at all Swiss post offices and philatelic sales points.

Bidding is underway now through March 12 on e-Bay for a very special auction: an Indesit Graffiti refrigerator with a huge tennis racquet drawn on the front and autographed by Roger Federer, the No. 1 player on the ATP circuit. This exceptional signature was put on the refrigerator during the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai in November 2006, which Federer won.

The proceeds from the auction, together with a donation from Indesit (ten times the ATP Race points accumulated by Federer in 2006), will go to the Roger Federer Foundation bearing the champion's name. The foundation was founded in 2003 and it works with IMBEWU (a Swiss-South African organization) on a major project to improve social conditions for kids in New Brighton, one of the poorest districts of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The foundation takes care of 30 kids, ensuring they get regular schooling and at least two meals a day. Place your bid here.

from Reuters:
Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher and Tiger Woods are all in the running for a third Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. The nominees in the seven categories were announced on Tuesday and the winners will be chosen by the members of the 43-strong Laureus World Sports Academy. They will make public their decisions in the eighth edition of the annual event at a televised ceremony in Barcelona on April 2.

from The Peninsula:
Doha - World number six Martina Hingis paid rich tributes to ATP Tour giant Roger Federer, calling him a genius. "He is a genius," Hingis said here yesterday. "I love watching him play. I am one of his fans," added the 26-year-old who is in town to take part in the Qatar Total Open.

from Lancashire Telegraph:
Earlier this month, staying at Dubai's luxury seven-star Burj Al-Arab, one of the world's best hotels, golfer Nick Dougherty came close to meeting one of his sporting idols, tennis ace Roger Federer.

"Me and my girfriend Claire Reynolds booked a helicopter flight for on top of the Burj," explained Dougherty. "We got asked if we would mind being 15 minutes late because Roger Federer was doing a promotion shoot. They said it would be great to take a photograph of me and Roger on the helipad. I was thinking Yeah, that's fantastic'."

Feb 26, 2007 from Sporting Life:
Roger Federer was well short of his best against Kristian Pless but still managed to celebrate his record-breaking run at the top of the world rankings by securing a place in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday.

Federer topped the rankings for the 161st successive week when the new list was unveiled today - surpassing Jimmy Connors' previous record of 160 weeks. "It was very special. It's a nice record to have. It's been a great day. I received some nice presents too," Federer said.

Despite dropping his first set of 2007, the Swiss master still found a way to secure a 7-6 (7/2) 3-6 6-3 victory against a player ranked 86th in the world.

"I am always happy when I win, it's great to be back in Dubai as I have had a great two years here but I usually struggle in the first round and this was no different," Federer said.

"The court's so quick and there's just no rallies. I just didn't want to get frustrated, especially as I haven't been playing for one month. The guy played very well. He has got a good serve. He played a good aggressive game. I knew it was going to be tough and I'm just happy I'm through, really. Losing my first set of the year doesn't matter much. The way I came through, I'm really pleased about it."

"The thing was to just try and get returns back into play and give myself opportunities. The worst is when you feel like you can't even say your forehand or backhand is bad because you're not playing any."

Federer, who played Pless at the junior level several times, had the better of the opening exchanges but squandered break points in the second and fourth games. Pless remained competitive and took it to a breaker in which Federer raised his game.

In the second set, Pless took full advantage of Federer's uncharacteristic slump, the 26-year-old breaking for a 3-1 lead which he held on to to level matters.

Even though he was clearly struggling with his game, the Swiss still found a way to win, breaking in the fourth game of the deciding set to edge through to a meeting with either Austrian qualifier Oliver Marach or Italian Daniele Bracciali.

"I wasn't nervous at all, which can happen sometimes when you haven't played for a long time. I was just looking to get my reactions going but I still wanted to play well," Federer said. "This was only my eighth match in the last three months or so. I'm getting match play and that's what I need looking forward to the French Open."

from Dubai Tennis Championships:
ATP World Number One Roger Federer was presented with a Waterford Crystal Trophy from Brad Drewett, ATP CEO, International Group, to congratulate him on his 161st consecutive week as the number one player in the ATP rankings, breaking Jimmy Connors record.

To mark the achievement, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, owners and organizers of the Dubai Tennis Championships, presented Federer with a Khanjar, a traditional Arabic dagger.

from AFP:
DOHA - Belgian World No. 2 Justine Henin on Monday has paid a glowing tribute to Swiss maestro Roger Federer, calling him an "amazing human being". Henin, who is in Doha for the 1.34 million dollar Qatar Open, was responding to a question whether she has of late come across any young player with the potential to match the world's top ranked player.

"Federer is a unique player, a genius," said Henin, who will be playing in only her third tournament since the break-up of her marriage. "I love watching him play. He is an amazing human being and has amazing human qualities. What makes him different is that he remains down to earth and simple. That's a lesson for everyone."

from Gulf News:
"I've been here for 10 days and hopefully this has helped me to acclimatise and get ready for my first round against [Kristian] Pless," Federer said of his Dubai opening round encounter tonight.

from Khaleej Times:
On the DDF Men's Open, Federer said he was prepared for it. "I will have to focus on the first round match against Pless. I hope to play another good tournament here to get confidence for the season. There are eight of the top fifteen players in the world here. That is good."

Federer is delighted with the improvement in all aspects of his play. "I am able to run and play more. I have changed things a bit. I have come a long way and am happy with the way I am playing now, better than before. The baseline shots are ok and I hit so many aces in my game."

from BBC:
BBC Radio Five Live's tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend caught up with John McEnroe in Belfast:

JO: Roger Federer has just broken Jimmy Connors' record to become the longest reigning world number one. Of all his achievements, where does that one stand?

JM: It's remarkable. Not the fact that he's so good, but the combination of consistency, his fitness levels and desire and absolute will to win every single week. Because he likes the game so much and enjoys being around the sport, he makes himself available to people. I commend him for that. He really is a class act and deserves this record.

Feb 25, 2007 from Gulf News:
Dubai - Roger Federer is enjoying his stay at the top of the ATP Tour rankings as long as he can. "My records will be hard to break and even if someone does break them – which will happen eventually – it won't be overnight… it will take some time before that happens," Federer told the media a day before the start of the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open.

"Becoming the number one is really tough and to stay there at the top takes so much of an effort," he stated.

Feb 23, 2007 from Scripps Howard News Service:
Ivan Lendl doesn't play tennis any more - "The last time I played for pleasure was 10 years ago," he was saying earlier this week from his winter home in Vero Beach, Fla. - but he keeps up with the sport. He thinks Roger Federer is playing the best tennis ever. He was not surprised by this week's news that Federer had tied Connors' record of 160 consecutive weeks with the No. 1 ranking.

"I'm not sure that's news," said Lendl, who held the No. 1 ranking for 157 consecutive weeks from 1985-88. "He might have all the records before he's done."

Don't, however, try to tell Lendl it was tougher in his time than it is for Federer now. True, Lendl's losses in Grand Slam finals came against the likes of Connors, McEnroe, Borg, Wilander, Becker and Cash. But Federer's dominance, he said, has nothing to do with an absence of fitting foes.

from New York Times:
Wimbledon, the oldest of tennis's four Grand Slam events, joins the United States Open and the Australian Open in handing out equal prize money to all male and female competitors for similar finishes. The United States Open has done so since 1973, the Australian Open since 2001. The French Open gives equal prize money to only the men's and women's singles champions, a practice it began in 2006.

The decision reversed a custom at Wimbledon that started in 1968, when the Open era began and professionals started competing at the club. That year, Billie Jean King, the women's singles champion, earned £750, while Rod Laver, the men's champion, received £2,000.

Several top women's players applauded the move. "I just feel that in the modern world with the modern thoughts, we all understand that everyone's equal," Venus Williams said at a news conference last night in Memphis. "So if someone else doesn't choose to live in the modern world and do the right thing, then thank God that the majority of people in the All England Club do."

Reaction from male players was mixed. Federer said it was "a great move," but Tommy Haas said, "I don't think it's really fair."

Feb 20, 2007 from The Bulletin:
Tennis: There may be no finer gentleman than Roger Federer. His complete and utter command over the sport is only matched by the graciousness with which he wins.

Feb 19, 2007

Roger will be on the cover of the next issue of Style Journal, which hits newsstands across Europe on Friday, March 2. Style Journal is a quarterly leisure magazine available free with The Wall Street Journal Europe (WSJE). The cover story will explore how does Roger dominate the way he does? And what's in his kit bag on court? The WSJE is available at international press outlets across Europe and sells for € 2.50 / CHF 4.20 / £1.30.

from AP:
Roger Federer tied Jimmy Connors' record of 160 consecutive weeks as the top-ranked player in men's tennis Monday. The 10-time Grand Slam champion, who has held the No. 1 ATP Tour ranking since Feb. 2, 2004, is assured of breaking the record next week. Connors was No. 1 from July 1974 to August 1977.

Federer couldn't be reached for comment Monday, but his mother was happy to hear that her son reached yet another milestone. "Of course I'm proud. It's super that my son has been No. 1 for three years," Lynette Federer said.

from Gulf News:
Dubai - Roger Federer declared that time would be the main factor in deciding whether he is the greatest tennis player of all time.

"I think I am on the right track at the moment. But only time will decide whether I am the greatest of all times," Federer told the media while attending the press conference to launch the Rolex sponsorship for the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday.

Attending the press conference to seal the tie-up between the two were tournament director Salah Tahlak, Hind Seddiqi from Ahmad Seddiqi and Sons, Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex head of international sponsorship and women's top seed Justine Henin.

"It feels nice to be compared to a great player like Rod Laver. But I would prefer to wait and see how my career unfolds and see if I can match up with some of the legends of the sport," Federer said. "I need to keep up all the hard work and I also need to enjoy what I am doing," Federer insisted.

At the 15th running of the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open, Federer is on the verge of breaking Jimmy Connors' record of 160 consecutive weeks as world number one. "That record looks very exciting and it will be a great day for me when it finally comes (today)," Federer smiled.

Federer is also gunning for the record of 14 Grand Slam titles currently standing in the name of Pete Sampras. "That too is within my sights. Records are important for the motivation and the will to do better with each match out there on court," the Swiss ace stated. "I need to achieve goals and make milestones for myself and for the game."

from Independent:
Q: If you were at your peak today how would you fare against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
Richard Krajicek: I think I would give Nadal trouble. The clay-courters never liked to play me because I kept the rallies short and they never had any rhythm. Maybe my serve-and-volley game could give Roger trouble. I used to beat Pete Sampras all the time by coming into the net. But the thing with Roger is that he makes Andy Roddick's serve look shitty. He gets all of his serves back. If he can get his serve back, he could get mine back. And if I don't have my serve, I am nothing.

Feb 16, 2007 from New York Times:
LAS VEGAS - Andre Agassi took a break from his schedule to watch nearly all of the Australian Open, marveling at the dominance of the champion, Roger Federer.

"The guy's the best in the world at four or five areas of the game," Agassi said. "That's absurd."

Feb 12, 2007 from Contra Costa Times:
SAN JOSE - Now that the SAP Open has reeled in European star Marat Safin, when does it aim for Roger Federer? It turns out preliminary talks have occurred. And, if tournament director Bill Rapp's prediction comes true, Federer will make his San Jose tournament debut in the next two years.

Rapp acknowledged he was "semi-joking." The truth of the matter, Rapp said, is he and Federer's dad, Robert, had monthly talks before last year's SAP Open about what it would take to get Federer to San Jose.

There are challenges, most significantly that Federer plays few tournaments and likes to stay closer to his native Switzerland during this part of the season. Rapp said Federer's dad eventually reopened the door, telling him, "I think Roger and I would like to figure out how he can come to San Jose."

Feb 5, 2007 from Zee News:
DUBAI - Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and Thierry Henry were at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai on Sunday night to promote shaving products. The star trio lathered up with shaving foam for the cameras before talking about their aspirations for the year ahead.

Federer and Woods have been seen in each other's company on a few occasions now and the tennis' top player has the utmost respect for his golfing equivalent. "At the US Open, he came to watch me play. I follow even more close even though I've always been following Tiger over the last five years or even more and I've admired how long he's been able do it so now to actually know him in person."

Federer has dominated tennis for the last three years and the big question is whether he can win all four Grand Slam tournaments. "I don't know if it's possible. I've been like, one set and a few points away from doing it last year, so, you've got to believe it's possible but it's definitely very hard."

Like Federer, Woods has dominated his sport and is talked about as being one of the best, if not the best, of all-time. So maybe it isn't a surprise that the two have become good friends with Woods a fan of the Swiss star's confidence and attitude. "He found out that I was a huge fan of his and he wanted me to come to the US Open and so he invited me to the finals of the US Open. Well, don't you have to win six other matches to get to the final and he says, 'Well, I'll see you at the final'. I'm like, 'Yes, sweet, I like that.'"

Woods also has his own dreams of winning all four of golf's majors in the same year. "To win all four in one year, it'd be a dream. I've done all four consecutively but not in one year. Hopefully, one day before my career is over and done, I'll be able to make that happen."

Feb 4, 2007

Roger Federer, Thierry Henry and Tiger Woods shave during the launch of the new Gillette champions programme in Dubai February 4, 2007. The company launched on Sunday its champions programme featuring the three sports stars. (Photo by Ashraf Mohammed/Reuters)

Tiger Woods greets Roger Federer and his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec on the 13th green during the fourth round of the Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. (Photo by Laurent Rebours/AP)

Roger talks with Michael Schumacher on the 16th hole during the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic on the Majilis Course at Emirates Golf Club. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

from AP:
On the 13th hole, with Roger Federer and Michael Schumacher looking on, Tiger Woods barely missed a 30-foot eagle putt, the ball resting on the rim of the cup and Woods falling to his knees in dismay. The American tapped the ball in for a birdie, then strolled over to greet Federer. Woods finished the tournament 17-under-par, two shots off the winner Henrik Stenson.

from Business Wire:
BOSTON - Gillette® today announced the launch of the new Gillette Champions program with the unveiling of Gillette's newest brand ambassadors -- three of the best-known, most widely respected and successful athletes competing today: Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Thierry Henry.

The three ambassadors will be fully integrated into Gillette brand programs and will be leveraged through multi-faceted marketing initiatives, including global print and broadcast advertising, consumer promotions, point of sale materials, online and public relations in support of Gillette's premium shaving products. The Gillette Champions program is scheduled to roll out in over 150 markets in the first year, making this the largest current sports marketing initiative for the brand.

Consistent with the program values, these three ambassadors were selected not only for their sporting accomplishments, but also for their behaviour away from the game. They are as much champions in their personal lives as they are in their sports.

Chip Bergh, President, Global Grooming, at Gillette, comments on the new program and athlete affiliation, "The Gillette name is synonymous with being the best. These three athletes have proven they have what it takes to be a champion on the course, the court or the pitch. They were chosen not only for their outstanding sporting performances, but also for their performance off the field, in their charitable actions, support of social causes or their reputations as icons of true sporting values. That is what the Gillette Champions is all about. Millions of men, women and children around the world look to these athletes, who raise their level of play and bring the game to a new level. They set the standard in sports and style."