Jan 31, 2010 from Eurosport:
MELBOURNE - World number one Roger Federer became just the fifth man in history to win four Australian Opens when he beat fifth seed Andy Murray 6-3 6-4 7-6(11).

Federer, who is also the first father to win a Grand Slam since Andre Agassi won in Melbourne in 2003, joins Roy Emerson, Agassi, Jack Crawford and Ken Rosewall in lifting the Norman Brookes Trophy four times.

The win in Melbourne also means Federer has increased his Grand Slam record to 16 titles.

Murray had been attempting to become the first British man to triumph in a Grand Slam since Fred Perry in 1936, but in a repeat of the 2008 US Open final, he was once again out-played by Federer.

Going into the match, Murray had dropped just one set, to Croatian 14th seed Marin Cilic in the semi-finals, but Federer dismantled Murray in the first two sets before coming from 5-2 down to force a third set tie-break.

Despite pressure from Murray, the world number one finally sealed the win in two hours and 41 minutes when the Brit slapped a backhand into the net.

Federer was quick to pounce on a nervous start from Murray, breaking in just the second game with a blistering forehand winner straight down the line.

The Brit was quick to bounce back, breaking back in the very next game with a whipped forehand passing shot, before trading service holds with the top seed.

But Federer broke again into the eighth game with another forehand winner, this time firing the ball inside out across court, before easing through the service hold that sealed the first set after 43 minutes.

The early stages of the second set followed much the same pattern, with Federer breaking for the lead in the third game; battering consecutive forehand winners over the net before sealing it when Murray hit into the net off the backhand wing.

The Scot battled well not to concede a second break of serve, saving multiple break points in his next two service games, but Federer had already done enough and brought up three set points with his seventh ace of the match before sealing it with a forehand volley winner on the second.

Murray upped his level considerably in the third set, earning himself a break point in just the second game of the set, before eventually breaking in the fifth with a whipped forehand passing shot winner across court.

But Federer broke back when it really counted, when Murray was serving for the set at 5-3, drilling a forehand return of serve winner across court and on to the line before sealing it when Murray dumped a backhand into the net.

The players then traded service holds before Federer held once again, with an ace out wide, to force the decisive tie-break.

The 22-year-old Scot raced out to a 3-1 lead and looked to be heading towards a fourth set and even held five set points in a topsy turvy breaker.

from AAP:
Federer said it was impossible to isolate his proudest achievement from his countless accomplishments.

"Maybe the grand slam count, being at 16 now, already having been at 15," he told Channel Seven.

"Having won all the different majors, that's beautiful. I guess also the consistency I've shown because I wasn't famous at all for it.

"I used to come on tour and be a guy who could beat the top guys and not do it consistently and then lose against a guy ranked way lower than me just because the day wasn't the best one, because it was too windy maybe.

"So for me to come through and be 237 weeks, I think, at No.1 in a row, that's incredible.

"And obviously the (grand slam) semi-finals record (of 23 in a row), and the finals record - so many in a row - there's many things. It's nice playing for the history books but it's not everything."

The content champion insisted he had no more specific targets in mind that he needed to reach before putting his racquet away.

"I take it tournament by tournament. I try to do as well as I can," Federer said.

"I don't want to set myself a goal of, say, 18 (slams) and then you don't reach that until the end of your career and then you're like 'man, I didn't achieve my goal'. I'm happy with how far I've come already."

from AP:
More than just a champion, Roger Federer was recognized Sunday as a humanitarian.

A charity match initiated by Federer to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims has raised more than $600,000, said Tennis Canada head Geoff Pollard.

The match at the Rod Laver Arena raised about $125,000, with seats priced to sell at just under $10.

Donations poured in after that: the ATP Tour, the WTA Tour and the International Tennis Federation contributed a combined $265,000; the Grand Slam Committee gave $177,000, Pollard told the crowd on center court after Federer won his 16th Grand Slam final.

Players have also donated rackets that are being auctioned on eBay and have raised almost $40,000.

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland – Lindsey Vonn won a super-G race Sunday, clinching the discipline title in the final World Cup race before the Vancouver Olympics.

Vonn, a big tennis fan, revealed that minutes before racing she watched live television coverage of her friend Roger Federer in the Australian Open final.

"He was playing really well, and I didn't want to go down to the start," she joked. "Roger's friends are here supporting me. It was a pretty cool day."

It was the 31st career victory for Vonn who said she took inspiration from Federer.

from ATP:
As Roger Federer lifted his 16th major singles trophy, Indian doubles star Mahesh Bhupathi asked the Twitter world – "good time to debate who is the greatest. Vijay says Laver.. I say Roger.. Some say Borg. Fed on song is unbeatable.."

"courageous effort by Andy_Murray, but Roger Federer is the Greatest Tennis Player of All-Time, end of discussion," wrote former player-turned TV commentator Justin Gimelstob.

"Fed at 16 (majors)... He will get to 20. Still hungry and still better than the rest!!" commented Bhupathi in answer to his own question. "The stats Rog is putting up over the last few years won't be duplicated in my lifetime..that's for sure.. Number 1 in my book.."

"I'd say rog (Federer), (Rod) laver and pete (Sampras) are top 3 in that order but I put Lendl very high on the list too," answered American Rajeev Ram.

Indian Leander Paes partnered Zimbabwe’s Cara Black to his 11th Grand Slam win in Sunday’s mixed doubles final and believes he still has more to offer the sport at the age of 36.

"One of the first questions I was asked at my age, to continue winning Grand Slams," said Paes. "That was something we were talking about at the prize ceremony. 21st Grand Slam final, 11th win. The beauty of continually putting in the hard work day in and day out in the gym or on the track when you're not feeling great, these are the things you play for.

The 2010 Australian Open enjoyed a record tournament attendance of 653,860, beating the previous record of 605,735 set in 2008.

"I'm very thankful to the legends of the game who created this great platform for us," said Federer. "We did have another record crowd attendance at the Australian Open. For me to be part of something like this is something also very special, of course."

Tennis fans logged on to the official Australian Open 2010 website - www.australianopen.com – in record numbers. Prior to the men’s final, unique visitors were at 9.38 million, while page views jumped 41.4 percent to 302,270 million.

The most popular male players on the website were Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick while in the women’s event Justine Henin, Maria Kirilenko and 2010 champion Serena Williams led the field.

from Tony Parker's Facebook:
Hello congrats to Roger Federer for his win at the australia open with his 16 majors. i think he’s the best tennis player ever i hope he will win some more

Jan 29, 2010 from ATP:
MELBOURNE - Roger Federer reached his 22nd Grand Slam singles final on Friday, after defeating No. 10 seed and 2008 runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in a one-sided semi-final that lasted just 88 minutes.

The 28 year old will next attempt to capture a 16th major title on Sunday against fifth-seeded Briton Andy Murray.

It wasn’t until the fourth game that Federer created two break point opportunities on the Tsonga serve at 15/40, courtesy of a forehand drop volley winner that left Tsonga stranded behind the baseline. Federer eventually clinched a 3-1 lead, on his third game point, with a scooped crosscourt forehand winner off a short Tsonga volley.

Federer confirmed the service break after a 10-point game and maintained a three-game cushion to 5-2, when Tsonga fell to 0/40 — after two unforced errors and one double fault. He regained one point when Federer hit a crosscourt forehand into the net, but at 15/40 miss-timed a backhand down the line to hand his Swiss opponent the first set after 30 minutes of play. Federer had won nine of 12 points on approach to the net, hitting two aces and nine winners, while Tsonga committed nine unforced errors and won 19 of 37 total points.

Federer dropped only eight points through his first seven service games, while Tsonga struggled for consistency on serve. Both players won straight forward holds of serve through the first five games of the second set, until Federer created one break point opportunity in the sixth game.

Attacking the net off a forehand return, Federer put Tsonga under pressure at 30/40 with a backhand volley winner. In a short rally, Tsonga ran around a backhand to miss-time a forehand stroke — hitting the ball long of the baseline to hand Federer a 4-2 lead.

Despite this setback, spectators watching inside Rod Laver Arena continued to urge Tsonga back into the match but Federer, with a 129-1 record against players ranked outside the Top 5 in Grand Slam play since 2004 Wimbledon, was not to be denied the second set. He took a two sets to love lead on the hour mark, having hit 10 winners and just four unforced errors.

In the third game of the third set, Tsonga dropped to 30/40 when Federer snapped a backhand volley above his head for a crosscourt winner. The Frenchman saved the break point with an aggressive serve, but could not win Federer’s second break point opportunity when he hit a backhand into the net.

Tsonga was once again in trouble at 15/40 in the fifth game, when Federer hit a forehand approach winner down the line. Although the Swiss missed his first break point opportunity when drawing Tsonga to the net and lobbing a crosscourt backhand wide, Tsonga gifted him a 4-1 lead with a double fault.

Serving for the match, Federer dropped two points to reach his fifth Australian Open final. On Sunday he will look to capture his 62nd tour-level titles, which would move him into joint-sixth place with Guillermo Vilas for most title in the Open Era (since 1968).

Jan 28, 2010 from ATP:
Stephen Hendry, a seven-time snooker world champion, has wished Murray every success in his quest for a first Grand Slam championship title.

"I’m a Federer fan because I like to see the very best players win in any sport," said Hendry, at the Welsh Open on Thursday. "But on Sunday like all of Scotland, I’d love to see Andy triumph. He will deserve the acclaim and the recognition if he wins because he will have beaten the very best to do it."

Jan 27, 2010 from AFP:
MELBOURNE — Roger Federer made it to his 23rd consecutive Grand Slam semi-final after ending Nikolay Davydenko's hot streak at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Federer misfired for the first set and a half, then went on a winning run of 13 games before holding off a late comeback to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5 in two hours 36 minutes. He will now play 10th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Friday's semi-final.

Federer had been beaten by sixth seeded Davydenko in their two previous matches and yet again the Russian gave him problems before the Swiss sealed it on his second match point.

Federer also ended the Russian's 13-match unbeaten streak stretching back from the ATP World Tour Finals in London last November.

The victory continued his amazing Grand Slam sequence of having never missed making the semi-finals since his third round defeat to Gustavo Kuerten at Roland Garros in 2004. No other player in history has appeared in more than 10 consecutive semi-finals.

The win also ensured that Federer would stay the number one player in the world when the new rankings are released on Monday.

Federer was woefully off-form in the first 13 games, clocking up 27 errors, before he got his first break point on Davydenko's serve in the sixth game of the second set.

He broke the Russian with a scorching forehand deep to the corner as he went on a demoralising run of 13 games to seize control of the match.

The Russian steadied and both exchanged service breaks before Federer missed his first match point in attempting to serve out for the match.

Jan 26, 2010 from AP:
"Looking at Rogers game made me feel a new comer in tennis," No. 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova tweeted about Federer's three-set win over Lleyton Hewitt on Monday night.

from Hello Magazine:
It's an event that's 12 months in the making - the culmination of hellomagazine.com's most attractive and most elegant polls draws interest from around the world and gets readers clicking in their thousands.

In total the three categories – most attractive man, woman and most elegant woman - attracted nearly three quarters of a million votes.

At the close of the poll over 500,000 votes had been cast in the most attractive man category alone and last year's winner Robert Pattinson was eventually beaten into second place by Hugh Laurie.

from Australian Open:
Top-ranked tennis players competing at Australian Open 2010 are donating their racquets to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

All proceeds will be sent to aid organisation, Partners in Health www.pih.org, nominated by world No.1 Roger Federer at a special fund-raising event the Swiss champion initiated at Melbourne Park on Sunday 17 January 2010.

Bids for these racquets will close at 10pm on Sunday 31 January Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) +1100 UTC following the conclusion of the men’s final at Australian Open 2010.

Fans have the opportunity to bid on racquets used by the following players at Australian Open 2010: world No.1 Roger Federer, No.2 Rafael Nadal, No.3 Novak Djokovic and reigning US Open champion Kim Clijsters.

Q. You said Graf is your favorite and Justine is your third favorite. Who is number two?

JIE ZHENG: Number two is Roger (laughter).

Q. You mentioned Roger Federer is your most favorite male player. He watches videotapes. How do you learn about tennis? How do you get the strategy?

from ESPN:
While the rest of the world -- at least that's the way it seems -- is waiting with baited breath about how the last season of ABC's "Lost" will end, you better believe Daniel Dae Kim is shaking in his cutoffs, waiting to see how the rest of the Australian Open will pan out.

Kim, who plays Jin-Soo Kwon on the head-scratching series, counts himself as a Roger Federer fan, and when he's not trying to survive the wilds of the jungle, he's likely got a tennis racket in his hands.

The series, which is shot in Hawaii and is about to air the two-hour premiere on Feb. 2, is such a hotly watched show that when President Obama toyed with the idea of delivering his State of the Union address on the same date, fans of the show aired their grievances loudly.

That has nothing on Kim's affection for tennis and the powerhouse swing of Federer. The 42-year-old actor was so impressed with the tennis ace that when his series was on hiatus this past summer he treated one of his sons to a real thrill.

"We just went to Wimbledon this summer, and it was his first grand slam," Kim said. "So it was really special watching him watch Federer."

If you're a Federer fan -- and Kim is -- it was a score, given that Kim and his family got to witness firsthand the historic fifth set in the final between Federer and Andy Roddick, the longest in Wimbledon history. To be sure, Kim and his boy were ecstatic that Federer collected his sixth Wimbledon title and a record 15th Grand Slam.

But that wasn't the best part of the match, which kicked off not too long after Father's Day weekend.

Jan 25, 2010 from ATP:
MELBOURNE - Roger Federer produced a sublime display of attacking tennis to beat No. 22 seed Lleyton Hewitt 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 at the Australian Open Monday for a place in his 23rd straight Grand Slam quarter-final.

Federer recorded his 15th straight win over Hewitt in one hour and 55 minutes. It was the Swiss superstar's eighth victory (8-0) over Hewitt in Grand Slam encounters.

Hewitt, who had not dropped a set en route to the last 16, had his serve broken in the sixth game of the first set when he hit four unforced errors. At 5-2, Federer sealed the 32-minute set and a second service break with a crosscourt forehand winner.

Federer charged into a 4-1 lead in the second set with a backhand winner down the line and Hewitt was forced to fend off further break points in the sixth game. Hewitt kept fighting and broke Federer's serve for 4-4 in the third set, after dropping his serve for a fourth time in the seventh game.

from The Age:
Hewitt began playing Federer long before their match. On the hit-up court in late afternoon, coach Nathan Healey attempted to replicate Federer's thumping serve, but managed only seven successive faults; Hewitt smiled wryly. Then they were interrupted by a roar as Federer emerged on an adjacent court. Intriguingly, the gallery for Federer was twice as big as for Hewitt.

On Rod Laver arena, a similar phenomenon was observable. For once, the Fanatics could find no traction with the crowd, their anthems and chants eliciting a blank response.

from AP:
The difference between a good player and a champion is stress management, says tennis great Billie Jean King.

Champions are calm in moments of intense pressure. It makes them thrive. They stay on top because they love the idea of being No. 1.

Look at the emotional makeup of Roger Federer and Serena Williams, says King, who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 Grand Slam doubles titles before her retirement in 1983 at age 40.

"Roger is the guy to beat. He's still No. 1 in the world. He knows how to win and he thrives on it," King said Monday at the Australian Open. "The guy loves tennis. He's passionate about it."

Some players talk about the burden of being No. 1 and feeling the weight of the tennis world on their shoulders.

"Some players don't enjoy being No. 1. They don't like it, so they're not going to be No. 1 for long," said King, the American who was ranked No. 1 five times between 1966 and 1974 and was in the top 10 a total of 17 years.

King is the co-founder of World Team Tennis, which is making its Australian debut at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

"It's the person who can enjoy the moment of having pressure, that they actually look forward to it," King said.

A champion, for example, will not pray for a double fault when facing an opponent's serve.

"You want to say, 'Give me your best shot. I want the ball,' " King said.

When faced with a speeding ball, champions possess "a sense of alertness but calmness," King said, that allows them to line up the perfect shot without getting frantic and missing their mark.

On the women's side, King admires the drive of 11-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams.

Jan 24, 2010 from Daily Telegraph:
SAINT - We make Roger Federer the saint every time he's in Australia. His intiative last week to set up a fundraiser for the earthquake in Haiti was typical of the most decent man in world sport.

Jan 23, 2010 from Daily Telegraph:
MELBOURNE - The remarkable Roger Federer notched another piece of history yesterday when he became the first man to win 50 Australian Open singles matches at Melbourne Park.

Federer was largely untroubled in beating Spanish No. 31 seed Albert Montanes 6-3 6-4 6-4 in a third-round encounter that lasted 1hr 48min. Montanes did not have a single break point opportunity in the match.

The top seed was never threatened by baseliner Montanes and broke his service three times.

He broke the Spaniard in the fourth game of the opening set, in the ninth game of the second set and in the opening game of the final set to cruise into the fourth round.

Montanes only won 11 points in the first seven games as Federer rolled through the gears in his most consummate performance of the tournament.

The victory improved Federer's Australian Open record to 50-7, which makes him only second to Stefan Edberg's 56-10 (some of his wins came at Kooyong) for most match wins here in the open era.

from AAP:
"I'd love to play Lleyton again," Federer told Swiss reporters after crushing Albert Montanes in straight sets in the third round.

Jan 21, 2010 from BBC:
MELBOURNE - Top seed Roger Federer eased into the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-2 6-3 6-2 dismantling of Victor Hanescu on Rod Laver Arena.

Federer hit 52 winners and was not broken once by his Romanian opponent. He settled quickly against Hanescu, reeling off 20 winners in an opening set that lasted just 34 minutes.

The second set was captured in 33 minutes, despite Hanescu managing to nick three games, with the Swiss continuing to pepper the lines with winners.

Federer had already raced into a 3-0 lead in the third set when Prince William arrived, to the applause of the near-capacity 14,000 crowd, just an hour and 15 minutes after the start of the game.

from Australian Open:
The future King of England, HRH Prince William of Wales, came face-to-face with the king and queen of the courts today, dropping in on the night session at Melbourne Park.

The Prince paid a post-match visit to world No.1 Serena Williams before heading on to Rod Laver Arena to take in some of Roger Federer's second round match against Victor Hanescu.

HRH's entrance onto court was greeted by a warm round of applause from the assembled fans, delaying play for a couple of minutes. At the end of the match Federer addressed the Prince from courtside, saying: "welcome to tennis".

Jan 20, 2010 from The Times:
By Matthew Syed - ...Three days after that, a Swiss dressed in azure and white took to the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to begin his quest for the Australian Open title. Roger Federer is the most successful tennis player of all time He has also made it to the semi-finals of 22 successive grand-slam tournaments stretching over five years. That is a record of consistency without precedent. And yet there is no tennis player who has played with more beauty than the 28-year-old.

Even today, after almost a decade of familiarity, I get dewy-eyed watching Federer. He evokes a phrase that is so overused that it has lost much of its resonance: poetry in motion. As Federer glides around the court, flicking forehands and caressing backhands, I guess I am not the only one who is put in mind of Tennyson. "All experience is an arch wherethrough gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades for ever and for ever when I move." There is, indeed, cadence in Federer's craft.

Jan 19, 2010 from Reuters:
MELBOURNE - Roger Federer came back from a set down to beat Igor Andreev 4-6 6-2 7-6 6-0 in the first round of the Australian Open Tuesday.

The Swiss world number one saved three set points to close out the third set and break Andreev's spirit, before breezing through the fourth in 28 minutes to seal the win at Rod Laver Arena.

"I just hoped that I was going to hang in there ... He was a wonderful player and it was tough," Federer said in a court-side interview.

"It was a fortunate third set for me today, but all in all I'm very happy with my performance."

Andreev came out swinging against the Swiss maestro and was rewarded with a break at 4-4 after clubbing two big service returns.

Serving for the set at 5-4, Andreev blew one of two set points by hitting long, but sealed it after Federer hit a net cord that lobbed the ball past the baseline.

Federer knuckled down to win the second, but at 5-5 in the third was out-rallied by the Russian, who slapped a forehand volley to break the Swiss and take a 6-5 lead.

Andreev raised three set points serving for the set, but succumbed to the pressure on each of them, cradling his head in his hands after sending three regulation forehands into the net.

The spell broken, Federer returned to the business of being the world's number one tennis player in the last set as a shell-shocked Andreev pondered his missed chances.

from Australian Open:
Q. Of all the players you named, could you single out who was the best in those four decades?

FABRICE SANTORO: It's always really difficult to compare generation. But when you look at McEnroe, was a genius on the court. What he was doing on the court was amazing. Uhm, but when you look at the matches, we were lucky to see in the past two years with Roger/Rafa, the big Grand Slam final we had, Wimbledon, here last year. When you look at Sampras. It's very tough to make a ranking.

from ESPN:
John Isner's week at the Australian Open began well.

Strolling near the player cafe Sunday, he was stopped in his tracks by all-world star Roger Federer, who extended a hand and congratulated the surging Isner on winning his first title Saturday at Auckland's Heineken Open. It probably made up for his bags not arriving from New Zealand on time.

Jan 18, 2010 from The Age:
Blocks and balls are all in a day's work for Roger Federer, especially in his arduous role as ambassador for Lindt. The sweet tennis ace melted girls' hearts in Collins Street when strolling into the Chocolat Cafe to judge a competition of chocolates made in his honour. And after tasting Kate Fairbairn's macadamia, pineapple, white chocolate and coconut creation, she was declared the winner. Another treat for Federer was a life-sized chocolate tennis racquet and chocolate tennis ball, but he'll get further in the Australian Open with sturdier gear. Federer and chocolate are never too far apart. At last night's white-themed IMG tennis party at Crown, also graced by Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal, a white-chocolate fountain flowed. The tennis balls were white, but not the edible type.

Jan 17, 2010 from AFP:
MELBOURNE - The top stars in tennis raised at least 200,000 dollars (185,000 US) for the Haiti earthquake victims Sunday in a hastily-arranged charity doubles match led by Roger Federer and Serena Williams.

Federer organised the event in Rod Laver Arena on the eve of the Australian Open after watching the tragic events in the Caribbean nation unfold on television.

"I followed it on the TV and saw the devastation," said the Swiss superstar.

"On Saturday morning I thought we should do something, I called up Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley and said 'is it possible?'

"He said probably not.

"I called up a few players just in case and they were like, 'we should do it straight away.' In 24 hours we were able to pull this thing off."

Federer managed to rustle up fellow world number one Williams, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and Australian favourites Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur.

Despite the late notice, it was sell-out with 15,000 fans packing Rod Laver Arena and paying 10 dollars (nine US) each, with all the proceeds going to Partners in Health, a charity aiding Haiti.

"Tennis Australia did an amazing job promoting the event in such a short time," added Federer.

"It is wonderful to see, I am happy it was such a success."

Tiley said it was too soon to put a figure on money raised, but said it would be at least 200,000 dollars (185,000 US).

from Globe and Mail:
Australian tennis fans responded in huge numbers on Sunday to a last-minute organized benefit day for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Rod Laver Arena was packed to capacity and 10 minutes before the event began, people getting off the trams outside Rod Laver were warned that it could take an hour just to get to the front of the line to buy a $10 ticket.

It was doubles and basically hit-and-giggle tennis with all the players miked and hamming it up to the delight of the crowd.

At one point, discussing a line call, Roddick said to Federer, "what about if I hit the ball within four feet of the line?" Federer, never a fan of the electronic-line calling system responded, "it doesn't matter, Hawk Eye doesn't work anyway."

Greetings are always exchanged as the extended family of tennis reassembles Down Under for the first Grand Slam event of the year. In a hallway in Rod Laver Arena yesterday, Roger Federer's father Robert greeted Rafael Nadal as he walked past. "How's life," said the friendly Federer Sr. Nadal responded that things were good and then said to Roger's dad, "so you're a grandfather now."

Both had a little laugh and then Nadal headed on his way into the locker room.

Jan 15, 2010 from SMH:
Roger Federer will head into the Australian Open at Melbourne Park confident the forearm that troubled him during the Qatar Open won't hamper his quest for a fourth title.

The 28-year-old Swiss champion lost his semi-final in Qatar against Russian Nikolay Davydenko and later said his right forearm hurt during their match. After arriving in Melbourne, Federer pulled out of this week's Kooyong Classic.

In Collins Street yesterday, where the world No.1 was judging a competition for chocolate manufacturer Lindt, he said his arm was ''no problem'' and he trained for three hours on Wednesday, two hours yesterday and would have another two-hour session today.

''It [the forearm] was just the one thing that hurt me in the match itself, but not something that hurt me that much that I couldn't play,'' he said.

''I finished the match and Davydenko was the better player - that happens, but I'm sure it's going to be fine for the Aussie Open.''

Federer missed his traditional Kooyong warm-up tournament two years ago due to illness, but said his decision to pull out this year was based more around spending time with his family.

''This year is very different. It [was] a precaution, but also I've played quite a bit of tennis already.

''I played six matches in eight days in the Middle East and when I came here I wanted to enjoy the family, settle into Melbourne and then see where it takes us.

''I've had a couple of hits, it's been good weather [and] I've been hitting well, my forearm is where it's supposed to be and I'm moving well and that's always important at the beginning of the season.''

After breaking Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles and again finishing last year as the highest-ranked men's player, Federer has looked to adding to his astonishing record.

from AP:
PARIS – Roger Federer says he's spoken to his friend Tiger Woods by phone and predicts he will be back soon "as the wonderful golfer we know."

The tennis star said in an interview published Friday that Woods' car accident in November and subsequent reports about his private life have been hard on the golfer and his family.

Federer told French sports daily L'Equipe that he expressed his support, and said Woods' troubles were "instructive."

"The tabloids are going crazy, sponsor contracts are falling apart. ... I've always been aware that the image you patiently construct for an entire career can be ruined in a minute," Federer said. "It scares you a bit, but that's the way things are."

Woods has not played since winning the Australian Masters on Nov. 15. Two weeks later, he ran his SUV into a tree outside of his Florida home in the middle of the night, and allegations of rampant affairs soon followed. He confessed to "infidelity" and said Dec. 11 he would take a break from golf to focus on becoming a better husband, father and person.

Woods hasn't been seen in public since the accident, and other friends have said they have tried — unsuccessfully — to reach him.

Jan 13, 2010 from FoodWeek:
Tennis ace and newly appointed Lindt ambassador, Roger Federer, will make an exclusive appearance at Melbourne's Lindt Chocolat Cafe at 271 Collins St from 5pm, on Thursday January 14.

One of his first public appearances prior to the 2010 Australian Open, Federer will taste and judge three finalists on their proposed creations, a limited edition Lindt chocolate that best personifies the tennis star.

Finalists have put forward their ideas to Federer, including dark chocolate topped with crystallised rose petals; a spiced creme brulee creation with hints of cardamom; and finally, a whole roasted macadamia dipped in pineapple mousse.

Also appearing at the press conference is Lindt CEO, Ernst Tanner, visiting Melbourne for the occasion and celebrating the recent opening of Melbourne's flagship Lindt Chocolat Cafe. Australia is the first country in the world to develop this concept.

from The Age:
Roger Federer flew into Melbourne yesterday. To welcome him, at a light training session, there were more cameras than most players face in a grand slam match. It has long been so and if he even noticed their presence, he did not show it.

He was back where he has spent so many hours - on centre court at Rod Laver Arena, under a closed roof and with the lights on despite the sapping sunshine outside.

from Herald Sun:
Where do tennis's biggest stars love to go in Melbourne: Roger Federer prefers to eat in Crown's restaurants and enjoys the privacy of the hotel's tennis courts and staff gym. He is also a fan of Nobu, and eats breakfast at the Crystal Club with wife Mirka. The couple have been spied shopping at David Jones and Versace.

Jan 12, 2010 from ESPN:
Federer practiced Tuesday with good friend Stefan Koubek in Rod Laver Arena.

Jan 11, 2010 from Reuters:
MELBOURNE - Roger Federer will not warm up for the Australian Open at this week's Kooyong Classic in Melbourne.

Federer had decided to rest before next week's grand slam at Melbourne Park, tournament director Colin Stubs said Monday.

"Tony Godsick from IMG said Roger had decided to pass on the spot this year," Stubs said. "It's possible he'll play an exhibition match."

Organisers had pledged to hold a place for the 15-times grand slam champion until the day before the January 13-16 tournament.

from Herald Sun:
Roger Federer's management flatly denies the Swiss champion is in doubt for the Australian Open.

Federer complained of soreness in his right arm after losing to Nikolay Davydenko in the Qatar Open semi-finals in Doha.

His decision not to contest the AAMI Kooyong Classic this week, coupled with minor injury, prompted speculation Federer was battling to be fit for Monday's start to the Open.

But Federer's manager Tony Godsick today rebuffed claims the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion is in doubt.

"Not true," Godsick said as Federer prepared to practise in Melbourne.

Jan 8, 2010 from More than the games:
DOHA - Nikolay Davydenko chalks up a second straight victory over Roger Federer with a 6-4, 6-4 win to reach final in Doha

Davydenko raced into a 3-0 with two breaks of serve before Federer could gather himself and reduce the deficit to 3-2. But the Russian refused to wilt - instead serving out the first set with consummate ease.

At 1-1 in the second set Davydenko again secured the vital break to move into a 3-1 lead. Federer could not force a way back into the match as Davydenko's imperious serve was seemingly indestructible.

At 5-3 down and serving to stay in the match Federer saved a match point and threatened to embark on stirring comeback but Davydenko was in no mood to relinquish his lead and duly booked his place in the final.

Jan 7, 2010 from ATP:
DOHA - Roger Federer was made to work hard for his semi-final berth at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open Thursday, losing the second set to Latvian Ernests Gulbis before prevailing 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 at the ATP World Tour 250 hard-court tennis tournament in Doha.

The Swiss comfortably secured the opening set of the pair's first meeting, taking advantage of Gulbis' unforced errors to break serve twice. However, his Latvian opponent provided a sterner challenge in the second set and, after missing opportunities to break serve in the eighth game, took his chance in Federer's following service game to level the match as the top seed scooped a backhand volley up and wide.

Federer struggled to close out Gulbis' challenge in the third set, squandering a service-break advantage as he paid the price for a lack of first serves and the Latvian levelled at 3-3. However, in the pursuit of his third Doha title, Federer proved to have the edge in the deciding stages, breaking Gulbis' serve in the ninth game as the tight 21 year old over hit a forehand and serving out the victory after one hour and 47 minutes.

from Gulf Times:
Doha - Tennis fans saw Moroccan sporting icon Younes El Aynaoui in action for the last time yesterday. The veteran had come into the tournament with a wild card so that he could retire at the venue where he won the title in 2002.

The 38-yr-old made the most of this opportunity by defeating American Ryler DeHeart on Tuesday, to become the oldest player to win an ATP Tour match since Jimmy Connors, who was 42, when he triumphed at the Halle Open in 1995.

However yesterday he failed to repeat the magic and was no match for Belgium's Steve Darcis, who won the contest in straight games 6-2, 6-1.

"I hoped I could go one more match further and maybe meet Nadal but Darcis was just too strong today. I have always had a great time on court and I would like to thank Qatar Tennis Federation for providing me this opportunity," an emotional El Aynaoui said after getting a standing ovation from the crowd.

The Moroccan also had words of praise from World No 1 Roger Federer. "He (Aynaoui) is a great character on and off the court. He is a great entertainer and will surely be missed. I have played him in Morocco and in Switzerland and his achievements are appreciable."

Jan 6, 2010 from ATP:
DOHA - Roger Federer cruised into the quarter-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Kazakhstan's Evgeny Korolev Wednesday at the ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament in Doha.

The top seed improved to a 17-2 mark at the tournament since making his debut in 2002 with a quarter-final effort (l. to Gambill).

The Swiss made a fast start to the pair's third encounter, breaking serve in the first game. The No. 53-ranked Korolev soon settled into the match and was able to briefly cut Federer's lead, but the Swiss immediately regained his advantage and broke serve twice more to seal the first set.

Korolev provided a sterner test in the second set and Federer was forced to wait until the 10th game before earning a key service break, which sealed victory for the right-hander after 63 minutes. "I thought it was heavy conditions," assessed Federer. "There wasn't much coming out of the racquet. Sometimes [it was] a bit frustrating because you're used to more happening, more spin coming out of the court. But you play at night here, when it cools down, and it has an affect on how the match is being played, so you have to construct the points better and be a bit more patient. I think I did that well today. I was against an opponent who's very dangerous. He's up and coming as well so it's nice to get victories against those kind of players."

Jan 5, 2010 from The Peninsula:
DOHA - Roger Federer crushed Christophe Rochus 6-1, 6-2 to enter round two at the Qatar Open.

Federer hardly broke a sweat as the Swiss completed his win in only 56 minutes. The Swiss star, who completely dominated the match, fired 47 winners against a mere 18 from his Belgian opponent.

Federer launched his 2010 campaign by breaking Rochus in games four and six - the Belgian guilty of three unforced errors in each game - to take the first set at 6-1. The Swiss broke Rochus in games one and seven to seal the match in straight sets.

"I think he's not a top-10 player so that makes things a little easier. Besides I got good practice in Abu Dhabi and I was able to create points," Federer said after his win. "He's a short guy, but a skillful one. He won the extended rallies in the second set."

"I don't mind the long rallies as long as you win them. It was good to get on a roll. My movement was explosive. I am happy how I played out there," the Swiss said.

"The court here was a bit slower than the one in Abu Dhabi and this allowed me enough time to get the ball to where I wanted. Also, unlike last year, it's not that cold this time round."

"I feel like it could be a great season," Federer said. "I had a break after the US Open and another one at the end of 2009, and I've come into this season pretty refreshed."

Jan 4, 2010 from AP:
DOHA — Now that Roger Federer is back atop the world rankings, he intends to stay there in 2010.

"I would like to stay No. 1 for an obvious reason—getting to No. 1 from No. 2 was very hard work," the 28-year-old Swiss player said Monday.

"Nadal played so well to stay No. 1. Now, I want to stay No. 1 for as long as possible. I am sure if I stay healthy, I can win tournaments and stay No. 1."

"I am healthy now," Federer said. "I know I can win many more tournaments than I did last year. Last year was fantastic, but I am looking at one match at a time at each event I play this season. Right now, my focus is on the first match here."

The 15-time Grand Slam champion said he enjoys the pressure that comes with being arguably the greatest player of all time.

"There's always pressure from one quarter or the other," Federer said. "There's pressure from yourself, pressure from fans, your team. But I play better under pressure."

Winning tournaments has become easier after a decade on top, he said.

"You go back to your roots," Federer said. "You tell yourself how you became a good player. You enjoy competition. You tell yourself how you have been around for so long. You have to have regard for the hard work you have put in."

Federer, who competed in all 40 Grand Slam tournaments in the last decade, said his technique allowed him to avoid serious injury.

"My movements are very smooth. That has helped me stay injury-free. And if there was a niggling injury, I would listen to my body. I would listen to signals my body would give me," Federer said.

from SMH:
Australian Open director Colin Stubs is still awaiting confirmation of Roger Federer's plans for the tournament lead-up, with Federer's agent Tony Godsick advising yesterday that a decision on the Swiss champion's AAMI Classic participation would be made during this week's ATP event in Doha.

Jan 3, 2010 from AP:
DOHA — Roger Federer expects to carry on his momentum from the middle of 2009 into the new year now that his back injury from last season has fully healed.

"Last year, I had problem at the start of the season with my back," Federer said Sunday. "I lost to Murray, Djokovic and Rafa, who got the better of me at the start of the season. But I feel fine now because I have been practicing enough to feel confident of winning."

"I got better and better as the season went on," Federer said. "I was able to bounce back and was on a roll. (Winning in) Paris and Wimbledon showed that I was unbeatable. I can do it again. That's a good feeling to have, that I can do it again."

The Qatar Open starts Monday and Federer will meet Christophe Rochus in his first match. He is drawn to play sixth-ranked Nikolay Davdyenko in the quarterfinals.

"It is hard to be competing against the best, but I know I can win more tournaments this year," said Federer, who finished third Saturday in the season-opening Capitala exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

from The Sun:
Colin Montgomerie saw red at a swanky tournament in Abu Dhabi after another fan made off with his souvenir from Swiss ace Roger Federer.

Monty, 46, was the Wimbledon legend's guest at the World Tennis Championship in the Arabian Gulf state.

The Scot sat in a VIP courtside seat with wife Gaynor, 42, to see Federer beat David Ferrer - and was thrilled when the racket ace hit an autographed ball towards him.

But the burly butterfingers failed to catch his gift. And that kicked off an almighty scramble as eager fans rushed to grab the memento.

An onlooker said yesterday: "Roger wanted to give Monty a present, so after his match he gave him a nod, then knocked a signed ball to him.

"But Monty fumbled it and the ball bounced around until one guy crouched down and just grabbed it. Monty stood up thinking the guy was going to give it to him - but he kept it.

Jan 2, 2010 from More than the games:
ABU DHABI - Roger Federer got back to winning ways in some style in Abu Dhabi with a comfortable straight sets win over David Ferrer.

Federer was back to his domineering best against the Spaniard, ranked 16 places below the Swiss, to chalk up a comprehensive 6-1, 7-5 win in the Capitala World Tennis Championships.

"I thought it was a great match and I'm especially happy with how the first set went," said Federer. "The wind was swirling around a bit which made it quite difficult at times but I'm pleased with the performance.

"David is a great player, he's one of the great grinders on court and he never gives up so it's never easy against him.

"And it feels great to finally get my first win in Abu Dhabi - I love coming here.

"It's obviously excellent to be back to world number one but the key is to stay there for the end of the season and I managed that last year.

"Hopefully the same will happen this year because, again, I've started the season in Abu Dhabi."

If Federer was sluggish against Soderling he was anything but against Ferrer and he raced into a 6-1 lead with a display of awe-inspiring tennis.

from Capitala World Tennis Championship:
Roger Federer and Colin Montgomerie, the European Ryder Cup Captain 2010, enjoyed a brief catch up at the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi today.

The two met shortly before Federer was due to hit centre court at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex where he was playing David Ferrer in a third/fourth play-off.

Jan 1, 2010 from Khaleej Times:
ABU DHABI - Robin Soderling claimed his first victory over Roger Federer at the 13th attempt, finally seeing off the world number one 6-7 (8) 7-6 (1) 6-2 at the Capitala World Tennis Championship in the Abu Dhabi Tennis Complex.

Both the players dominated the first set as they managed to hold on to their serves. In the tie-breaker, Federer was in supreme touch as he won 6-7 (8-6).

Federer continued his dominance and went a game up leading 3-1 against Soderling in the second, but the Swede was quick to bounce back as he broke Federer immediately to level it 3-3. The set again entered the tie-break when both the players held on to their games.

In the second tie-breaker, Soderling was way ahead of Federer and lost just one point in the pursuit to his second set victory.

That gave enough confidence for Soderling, entering the decider. He gained the crucial break in the third game and then saved four break points in the next game before breaking Federer again in the seventh game to take the set 6-2.

Though the shadows during the first set did not pose to be much of a problem to Soderling, Federer said it was tough for him to play. "It was tough conditions in the first set since there were shadows. With one side shadows and the other sun it becomes difficult."

The Swiss said that it was disappointing to lose but praised Soderling for his splendid game. "He was good. He is playing really well this season."

"Magnus (Norman), his coach, has been doing a great job with him and I'm sure we will be playing a number of times in the future. It was hard to play him in the very first match of the year, but I had fun," Federer said.

"I am very happy to finish the year as No 1. This was my biggest goal after winning the French and the Wimbledon this year," said Federer, who lost to Robin Soderling in the semifinals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship.

"I wish I could have won some of the tournaments at the end of the season. But overall it was a great year for me. And I am looking forward for the next season," the 15 Grand Slam winner said.

Despite the loss, Federer said he was fresh and keen to perform well in the season. "I am happy that I got another chance to play tomorrow. I did not have that option last year when I lost. From here we go to Doha and get to play another tournament. That is also an exhibition tournament but that provides sufficient preparations for you to be ready for the Australian Open."

Federer felt that the facilities at the Abu Dhabi Tennis complex were amazing and had the status for hosting ATP events. "The site is ready to go. It only requires some temporary stands to be built, but otherwise it is perfect. The problem is there are not many slots available in the Tour but I don't think that should matter. The organisation has been amazing and it is far better than many of the ATP events."

from The National:
"For me, it is not easy to start a season against such a good player," said Federer. "Last year, bang: Murray. This year, bang: Soderling. Both matches have been close, but losing is down to a lack of match play and it is all about getting into the rhythm, trying out a few things, making a few wrong decisions, especially on a quick court like this one.

"But it was good practice and with a crowd it is just so much more fun to play and you can build up momentum.

"You go for a lot more crazy shots than you would in practice and sometimes maybe get a little carried away."

One such "crazy shot" came in the fourth game of the third set. With Soderling having just broken the Swiss, Federer unsuccessfully attempted to replicate his through-the-legs strike that he pulled off to such great effect at the US Open in September.

"It's a lot of fun playing to this crowd, they seem very knowledgeable and it is not far from the place where I spend three months of the year [Dubai]. I am very happy to get a second chance to play in front of them – even though it's not the final."

But when pressed on the possibility of the annual Capitala event joining the Tour, Federer, while praising the facilities, questioned the logic.

"They have the site already, they wouldn't even have to put temporary stands in or anything," he said. "It is an ATP facility, but there are not many ATP slots available.

from Capitala World Tennis Championship:
Over 100 local tennis enthusiasts and fans got the chance to pick up some top tips from the world's best players including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at exclusive clinics taking place during the Capitala World Tennis Tournament. The lucky participants soaked up advice on playing, training and diet and volleyed with the players during the one hour sessions.

Participants included winners of the Capitala Community Cup. Taking place across Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the run up to the Capitala World Tennis Championship, the Community Cup aimed to give local tennis players the chance to play competitively.