Dec 31, 2007 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Dear fans

Happy New Year to all of you all around the world! I am really looking forward to all the coming challenges and am eager to start the new season. It will, after all, be a special year as the Olympic Games in Beijing add a spectacular highlight to the tennis-year. Furthermore, I will definitely be spending quite some time rooting myself – as the European Soccer Championships will be held in Switzerland and Austria in summertime. That will without doubt be a great soccer spectacle which I am also an official ambassador for.

It is wonderful to know that such a large group of fans always follows me to tournaments and venues all around the globe. I am looking forward to standing on court and hearing, seeing or even meeting you guys. Here’s to an unforgettable 2008!

Dec 29, 2007 from Herald Sun:
...[Chris] Johnson, who has also worked with Roger Federer's partner Mirka Vavrinec, has no doubt Dokic can rebound.

"I am a little bit surprised at Jelena's on-court intensity," Johnson said. "The way she is hitting the ball off the ground, forehand and backhand, she has still got the power. There is no doubt she can get back in the top 100."

Dec 28, 2007 from Financial Times:
...If not for the injuries, would Agassi still have a shot at it today? He doesn’t hesitate. “No.” Roger Federer is better, he says. “I think he’s the best we’ve ever seen.”

Dec 27, 2007 from AIPS:
WARSAW - For the fourth year in a row, Europe’s press agencies have voted Swiss Tennis star Roger Federer as the top sportsperson of the year.

In its fiftieth year, the poll for the best European sportsmen and women is organised by the Polish Press Agency (PAP.S.A.). This year representatives from 18 European agencies participated in the poll.

The agencies included APA (Austria), BELGA (Belgium), BTA (Bulgaria), BNS (Latvia), CTK (Czech Republic), DPA (Germany), EFE (Spain), ELTA (Lithuania), HINA (Croatia), ITAR-TASS (Russia), MTI (Hungary), NTB (Norway), SITA (Slovakia), STA (Slovenia), SDA-ATS (Switzerland), TASR (Slovakia), Ukrinform (Ukraine) and PAP S.A.

Dec 24, 2007 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Dear fans

Merry Christmas! Sunny greetings here from Dubai where I am busy getting ready for 2008 under perfect conditions. I must admit that it is a bit strange for me to celebrate Christmas in this kind of weather – the thermometer climbed over 25 degrees today. I remember that as a child our family used to spend a lot of time outside in the cold or even in the snow during this time of the year. But I just love the heat so I really enjoy being here.

I can once again look back at a year full of highlights. I am extremely proud to have reached such a large number of goals and milestones, thankful to be healthy and glad to be surrounded by so many great people. It is important for me to point out that all you fans out there are also part of my ‘family’. You play an important role with all your different ways of showing me your loyal support. I would like to address a huge THANK YOU to all of you for the cards or letters by post, via the web or the ones that were even handed over personally for Christmas and New Year. And I’d also like to say special thanks to everyone who supported the Roger Federer Foundation. Your contribution helps us support children via professionally run projects, building a better future not only for them but for entire communities. It seems that this thought is especially close at this time of the year. It makes me happy to see what we have been able to reach together in the four years during which the Foundation has now been active. It is most rewarding to see what change we can make – together.

If you’d like to help you can do so by buying products or by making a donation, the easiest way to do so is via my online shop. Thank you very much.

Have a merry, peaceful and relaxing Christmas!
Warm regards

Dec 21, 2007 from TIME:
...In terms of Switzerland's image abroad, where [Christoph] Blocher's antics have been generating headlines, no major changes are expected either. "We are not known around the world for the SVP or Blocher," Georg Lutz, a political scientist at Bern University, says. "We are known for Roger Federer and chocolate."

Dec 20, 2007 from AP:
NEW YORK - Roger Federer and Justine Henin are Tennis magazine's 2007 players of the year. It's the fifth consecutive time Federer has won the monthly U.S.-based publication's award.

"Roger's serve is more of a weapon than it may appear, and that forehand is deadly," 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras writes in the January-February issue.

"What most impressed me, though was the speed at which he can go from defense to offense. His ability to take command from any place on the court, at any stage of a point, may be his greatest gift of all."

The magazine said Federer's victory over Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon final was the best men's match of 2007, while Henin's victory over Maria Sharapova at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships was the best women's match of the year.

Dec 18, 2007 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Looking for the ultimate present for a Roger-fan? Well, this black Nike cap with the RF logo and Roger's autograph in the front is certainly something most exclusive. But hurry, there are only 200 of these stylish articles available. Proceeds from the sale go towards the Roger Federer Foundation. Get your cap now in the Roger Federer Fanshop.

Dec 17, 2007 from AFP:
PARIS - The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday that world No.1s Roger Federer and Justine Henin were the 2007 ITF World Champions.

Federer, who became only the second man to win the ITF's award in four straight years, joining Pete Sampras, said: "It is an honour to be named ITF World Champion for the fourth year running.

"Each year brings new challenges, and I am proud that I have been able to raise the level of my game when needed. It gives me great satisfaction to have won another three Grand Slam titles and maintained the number one ranking."

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti commented: "Roger Federer and Justine Henin both enjoyed outstanding seasons to maintain their status as the world's number one players. In particular their record in Grand Slam events saw them emerge as the clear choices for ITF World Champions."

The ITF also announced that American twins Bob and Mike Bryan (USA), and the Zimbabwe/US pairing on Cara Black and Liezel Huber were the 2007 ITF Doubles World Champions. The Bryans are men's Doubles World Champions for a record fifth successive year.

Dec 15, 2007 from Reuters:
BERNE - Roger Federer has been named Switzerland's top sports personality for a record-equalling fourth time.

Federer, who also won the Sportsman of the Year award in 2003, 2004 and 2006, was up against world time trial cycling champion Fabian Cancellara and marathon runner Viktor Roethlin.

"It's always an incredible feeling to win these awards from my home country, even if people always say I'm the big favourite," the 12-time Grand Slam champion said in a live video link from his training camp in Dubai on Saturday.

Federer, who follows former cyclist Tony Rominger as a four-time winner of the award, said he was close to tears after being congratulated in video messages from former champions Bjorn Borg, Roy Emerson and Pete Sampras.

Sampras, who still holds the record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles, told Federer to "have fun" breaking that record.

"It's amazing to hear messages like that," Federer said, "and of course breaking Pete's record would be a dream for me. Everyone says I'm just two wins away and it will happen this year. Well, that would be nice, but I'm just concentrating on staying fully fit and fully motivated."

from Tennis Week:
Manhattan's Madison Square Garden will stage the next installment of the Roger Federer-Pete Sampras exhibition series and you can buy tickets for the event next month. The current Grand Slam king and his potential successor are scheduled to square off on March 10 at Madison Square Garden. Though a definitive date for ticket sales has not yet been set, the exhibition's promoter said fans can expect tickets to go on sale in the beginning of January.

"It is looking like tickets will go on sale very shortly after the first of the year," StarGames, the exhibition's promoter said in a statement. Tickets ranging from $50-$1,000 will be available through Ticketmaster only.

from Guardian:
Ask Petr Cech, the Chelsea goalkeeper, to name his favourite sportsman, for example, and he does not hesitate: "That has to be Roger Federer. He just keeps on winning and winning and winning. He is at the highest level and his consistency is amazing."

Dec 12, 2007
As part of the Gillette Champions program, the online Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game promotion, which runs through April 15, 2008, will give one lucky consumer the grand prize of a three day, two night trip for two and a private golf lesson with champion golf coach Hank Haney.

Other instant prizes will include an MP3 player signed by all three Gillette Champions-Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Thierry Henry; a set of golf clubs and a golf bag signed by Tiger Woods; a tennis racquet signed by Roger Federer, and other Gillette Champions merchandise.

To enter the 'Get The Look of a Champion' Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game or for more information, visit www.gillettechampions.com.*

Dec 9, 2007
Peerless tennis star Roger Federer beat competition from Bryan Habana and Padraig Harrington to claim the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award. He became only the second person after Muhammad Ali to win the overseas award three times.

from Star-Ledger:
Justin Gimelstob never has held back his strong opinions, even when they fly in the face of company policy.

So, even though Sports Illustrated, he says, told him not to write about their choice of Brett Favre as "Sportsman of the Year" because they knew he would hammer them, Gimelstob instead told us what he thought of the choice.

"It's a joke," he declared. "Even though I'm a Sports Illustrated writer, I think it's a travesty. Roger Federer is the obvious choice."

Today Gimelstob will host a clinic at Centercourt in Chatham, his home base, beginning at 9 a.m. with more than 100 kids and some pros expected to attend. On Thursday he will play Hall of Famer John McEnroe at Centercourt at 7 p.m.

Also expected to be in attendance is Patrick McEnroe, the captain of the recent U.S. Davis Cup championship team, Mary Jo Fernandez and Erin Abrahamson, Miss New Jersey, USA.

To help raise money for the charity, there will be several auctions. Fans will have the chance to bid on rackets used by Federer, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, and they also can bid on private lessons donated by Sampras and Venus Williams.

Dec 8, 2007 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Dear fans

We have hit the 150'000 mark in terms of registered users today! This is great news and I am thrilled to see that we have had the privilege to welcome another 50’000 members this year. You might remember that we reached 100’000 at the beginning of the year, during the Australian Open. The 150’000th member will be receiving an autographed Roger Federer calendar, by the way!

A lot has happened since my first website which allowed users to register went live in September 2003. Looking at the entire period of time since then, almost 100 users joined the rf.com community every day! I am so proud to have such great support on the web and so happy that my initial goal - giving my fans the possiblity to interact and enjoy the incredible ride with me in some way - has worked out so well. I’d like to thank you all for having helped make this happen. I will be writing you my next newsletter very soon – just in time for Christmas – to fill you in on all the details.

Right now I am still enjoying a very relaxing beach-holiday together with Mirka in order to recharge my batteries. I’ll be returning home in a few days before taking up serious training again!

Sunny regards
Roger

Dec 7, 2007 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Get your hands on a copy of Roger’s official fan calendar 2008! It features the most beautiful and exciting moments of the past year as well as exclusive impressions of Roger’s life off court. Thirteen high-quality images – some of published for the first time - bring back memories of the past season, give you a glimpse of Roger’s childhood and show private moments. A gem for true fans and the ideal present for anyone with a passion for tennis. Orders can be placed in the official online shop.

from Times Now:
Sundar Iyer: What is the best compliment you've received from somebody on the tour?

Sania Mirza: It didn't come to me. I know Roger Federer told Mahesh Bhupathi during the US open session when I beat Martina Navratilova. Mahesh messaged me and said that Roger told me that Sania is on fire. When Roger say someone is on fire, it is a big compliment.

Dec 6, 2007 from IBN:
Rupha Ramani: It [Wimbledon] is also another player's favourite Grand Slam - Roger Federer. So what was the first thing you said to him?

Sania Mirza: The first time I ever met him, I actually hit with him for about 5-10 minutes. I was finishing my session and he was starting his session. So he said just warm me, so we warmed up. That's how we met.

Dec 5, 2007 from SouthAfrica.info:
South African Tennis Association CEO Ian Smith praised the South African Airways' support of the sport, saying: "SAA is the official airline for the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and it also sponsors the South African Open, showing that tennis is a top priority at the airline. It has also helped us to support Roger Federer's Imbewu Project in the metro."

Federer has been involved with Imbewu since May 2004, through his Roger Federer Foundation; he supports children through the non-governmental organisation's programme, with the assistance of his South African-born mother, Lynette, and his father, Robert. His mother travels to South Africa twice a year and she and her husband recently visited Imbewu in October.

Dec 2, 2007 from The Age:
The Australian Open will have an on-site weather station and weather forecaster as part of its new heat policy this year.

Top players including Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and David Nalbandian criticised the tournament's policy last year, which required matches under way on outside courts to be completed in the heat and the roof to remain open if a match started before the rule was invoked.

The new policy means that if the referee decides to halt play because of adverse weather conditions, matches will be stopped at the end of the set, not the end of the match.

The Bureau of Meteorology will provide a forecaster and set up the station to monitor temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.

Tournament director Craig Tiley said: "This new policy allows the referee to take impending weather patterns and other factors into play. He isn't just ruled by a figure. It's going to be a much more objective, calculated decision, based on all the information."

Previously, officials had used a specific cut-off point — based on calculations of weather readings — to decide whether to halt play. Now, those decisions will be solely at the discretion of the referee.

Bureau forecaster Bob Leighton said Melbourne readings previously had been taken from a station on the corner of La Trobe Street and Victoria Street. "Weather measurements taken at Melbourne Park will be combined with the other bureau weather observations … to provide an unprecedented level of weather information," he said. The new station also will help with decisions on rain and the timing of roof closures.

Dec 1, 2007 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Gillette has announced the second global advertisement starring the three Gillette Champions, world #1 golfer, Tiger Woods; world #1 tennis player, Roger Federer, and all-time leading French goal scorer, footballer Thierry Henry.

The spot, titled “Home Movies” will run throughout the holiday season starting on 19 November in certain markets. This marks the second advertisement in which the three Champions have appeared since being introduced as Gillette Champions in February 2007. The voiceover narration for the commercial was recorded by Tiger Woods.

“The creative concept behind the spot draws a parallel between the sports equipment given to the young Champions, and the Gillette Fusion, both of which enable their recipient to be at their best,” said Steve Fund, Global Marketing Director, Gillette Male Premium Systems. “Searching for and giving that perfect gift is something that everyone can relate to at this time of year. While you may not have the next Tiger Woods in your family, being the best a man can get in every facet of life is something that everyone can strive for.”

Filmed on location in Orlando, Florida and Paris, in October 2007, the fifteen-second commercial will break in France, Portugal, Belgium and Holland on 19 November and roll out in other countries including the United States, Spain, Canada, and Latin American markets in the following weeks.