Mar 31, 2010 from Tampa Tribune:
Q: Who is your favorite non-golfer athlete?

Nick Price: I've always admired people who were successful but have humility as well, and Byron Nelson was one of those. Byron Nelson was one of my all-time favorite people in the world, as a golfer. As another athlete, I respect (Roger) Federer a lot because I think he handles himself with a humility and a grace. It's one thing to be a great athlete, but it's another thing to be grateful and thankful for the opportunity that you've had, and I think Federer has done a great job in doing that. (Hockey star Wayne) Gretzky was another one that I enjoyed. Probably one of those two.

Mar 30, 2010 from Sony Ericsson Open:
MIAMI - Tomas Berdych saved a match point in a pulsating third-set tie-break to snap an eight-match losing streak against Roger Federer and send the top seed crashing out of the Sony Ericsson Open Tuesday night.

In a riveting 2 hr., 51 min. contest that finished at 12.15 a.m. a record Tuesday night session crowd of 12,804 fans frequently broke into a chorus of ‘Roger, Roger' to cheer on Federer, who had been within two points of defeat in the second set.

Federer had the match on his racquet at 6-5 in the deciding tie-break, but Berdych responded with two massive forehands – the shot that had troubled the Swiss all night – to set up his first match point, which he converted when Federer hit his 61st and final unforced error, sending a forehand long.

Berdych was within two points of victory leading 6-5 15/30 on Federer's serve late in the second set, but allowed Federer to force a tie-break, in which the Czech made four unforced forehand errors.

But Berdych quickly atoned, breaking for a 2-1 lead in the third with a cracking, deep, flat forehand. But he handed back the break with a double fault when serving at 4-3 and soon after had to dig out of a 0/30 hole at 4-5 when two points from defeat.

Mar 29, 2010 from Sony Ericsson Open:
MIAMI - Normally one of the most ruthless ‘closers' in the game, top seed Roger Federer won on points instead of delivering a knockout blow to Frenchman Florent Serra in the Sony Ericsson Open third round Monday.

Federer suffered lapses when seemingly in control of both sets. He was broken when serving for the first set at 5-3 and ultimately needed a tie-break to close out the set. Then, leading 4-1 with a double break in the second, Federer was broken when he was cruising to victory.

He fell behind 0-30 in his next service game but steadied, only to lose his following service game when trying to close out the match at 5-4. Again he was taken to a tie-break, which he won routinely to clinch a 7-6(2), 7-6(3) win.

The rain couldn't keep the newest fan of the Sony Ericsson Open away from the action. Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris enjoyed lunch at the Collectors' Club as they waited for a break in the weather. When the sun came out, Kim made her way to center court to perform the coin toss prior to the Roger Federer match. The family took in a set from the photo pit before leaving.

from Miami Herald:
Whittling down a field of more than 200 men, women and doubles teams in just 13 days leaves little downtime for the tournament's participants.

But that didn't stop world No. 1 Roger Federer and doubles teammates Bob and Mike Bryan from taking time to sign autographs Sunday.

There is little doubt that the Bryan brothers had the better gig. They relaxed by the University of Miami pool with UM coeds Sunday afternoon.

Federer, the consummate company man, had an appearance at the Art of Shaving tent on the tournament's grounds.

Art of Shaving is a sister company of Gillette, which pays him a king's ransom to hawk its goods.

from Orange County Register:
Q: Who's your favorite player on the men's tour?

Roy Emerson: Federer. I like the way he plays. He's a great type of person for the young juniors coming up to try and emulate. The way he conducts himself on the court, there isn't a better No. 1.

Q: What did you say to Federer when you congratulated him (at the Swiss Open, when they gave him a cow, the week after he won Wimbledon the first time)?

Mar 27, 2010 from Sony Ericsson Open:
MIAMI - Roger Federer conceded just four points on his first serve while breaking Nicolas Lapentti three times in a 6-3, 6-3 win in front of 14,403 night-session fans Saturday night.

Federer, who advanced to a meeting with Frenchman Florent Serra, is chasing a third Sony Ericsson Open title, following back-to-back victories in 2005-06. He is looking to clinch a record-equaling 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title here in Miami.

Mar 23, 2010 from Miami Herald:
Roger Federer has been in Miami with his family since last week getting used to the weather conditions. He hit on the tournament grounds on Sunday with rising U.S. junior Jack Sock, who lost in Monday's qualifiers.

Dining a deux at Mr. Chow on Thursday night: Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade. Doing the same on Saturday, Swiss tennis champ Roger Federer and at another table, Swedish pinup girl Victoria Silvstedt.

Mar 22, 2010 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Roger was appointed as an honorary member of the Swiss Tennis Association on Saturday in Bern (Switzerland) at Swiss Tennis' 115th delegates meeting. For the first time in its 114 years, the Swiss association honoured an active athlete. Since Roger is currently in the United States, his godfather Arthur Dubach collected the award in his place. "I am proud to receive this award today on behalf of my godchild. The nomination as an honorary member is a great honour to Roger and he would like to the Central Committee as well as the delegates of Swiss Tennis for this award."

from Sun Sentinel:
Five promising juniors from the Andrei Kozlov Tennis Academy in Pembroke Pines weren't typical fans watching the best players in the world practice for this week's Sony Ericsson Open.

"I came to watch how they practice, their emotion, and how they communicate with their coach,'' said Stefan Kozlov, 12, winner of the 2009 Eddie Herr Junior International Tennis Championships. "Try to practice like them and enjoy it.''

Kozlov and younger brother/doubles partner, Boris, 9, hit the jackpot, getting to see former or current No. 1s Justine Henin, Juan Carlos Ferrero and finally Roger Federer, who hit with blossoming American teen Jack Sock on stadium court.

from AP:
PARIS - The French tennis federation says the French Open needs to get bigger or move from its historic site if it wants to stay competitive with the three other Grand Slam tournaments.

Gilbert Ysern, the general director of the federation, said Monday the relocation of the tournament was reviewed and that a decision could be made next year.

Ysern said that four projects were studied, including one that would see the French Open move next to the Versailles castle.

The clay-court Grand Slam could also stay at Roland Garros, but the building of new facilities would be required. Construction work at the site would cost about $270 million while building a new stadium outside Paris would cost an estimated $810 million.

"We live in a very competitive environment. The three other Grand Slam tournaments improved a lot during the past 20 years and we are behind them," Ysern said, "both in terms of the services we can offer to the players and regarding the stadium facilities."

Ysern said Roland Garros has become too small for its 450,000 annual spectators, and that players also complained about the lack of private spaces dedicated to them.

Mar 21, 2010 from ASAP Sports:
Q. You speak with a lot of respect for Andy Roddick; you call Roger Federer your friend. In the past in tennis, relationships between players have often been much more fractious. We hear Nadal speak of Federer and Federer speak well of his fellow players. What do you attribute the change in atmosphere to?

IVAN LJUBICIC: I think there's huge respect between us. I mean, I don't know what was happening before and why the guys were not respectful to each other, or if that's actually true. Because I'm not sure.

Of course, you know, I was really close to Goran, so he was very respectful for some guys, but not for all of them.

But the fact is that I think Roger himself brings a lot, you know, of that to all of us. I mean, he kind of -- the fact that he won the Stefan Edberg Award for so many years that's been voted by the players as the most fair player on tour, being No. 1, kind of guys, young guys how to behave in the locker room, on court, you know, in the press room.

He's the leader. Obviously he's our leader. I think, you know, because we have him as a leader we all try to respect each other. I think Rafa and him showed a lot how, you know, two champions should, you know, respect each other.

I just respect everybody out there. I think, you know, whoever is there is there for a reason, and everybody's different. We all know that. But doesn't mean that you shouldn't like somebody or shouldn't respect that.

I think it's great actually to have different personalities like Roger, Rafa, Novak, and Andy, all four of them -- even Andy Murray; he's different. Everybody's different.

I mean, for myself, I can only talk for myself. My life learned me I should respect everybody because everybody's different. That's the way it is at the moment.

Mar 20, 2010 from Sun Sentinel:
KEY BISCAYNE - About 30 minutes before top-ranked Roger Federer began practicing on stadium court late Saturday afternoon in preparation for this week's Sony Ericsson Open, Guillermo Canas, the tenacious Argentine who stunned Federer in the early rounds of back-to-back Masters tournaments at Indian Wells and the Sony in March 2007, was toiling on the practice courts in his new role as coach.

"There were many highlights, but beating Roger two weeks in a row was amazing,'' smiled a still-chiseled Canas after a practice session with one of his disciples, 100th-ranked Wayne Odesnik of Fort Lauderdale.

"I was great for me and then in 2008 I was in the top [15] again and one year after that I'm coaching, and will make my retirement official this week.''

Federer, who came to Miami a week before his first match to get acclimated to the conditions after a third-round loss to Marcos Baghdatis at Indian Wells, did beat Canas the next two times to even their series 3-3.

"He was always a grinder and always gave his best on the court, so you always knew you were in for a tough match,'' Federer said after a hitting session with 351st-ranked Filip Krajinovic.

Mar 18, 2010 from ASAP Sports:
Q. You're good friends with Roger, so how difficult was it to have the friendship grow when he was the guy, during your top years, stopping you time and time again?

IVAN LJUBICIC: How difficult...

Q. How difficult is to keep up the friendship when the one guy that is stopping you...

IVAN LJUBICIC: No, it's not a problem at all. I mean, I always enjoyed playing him even though I lost many times. I always felt like I was a better player right after finishing the match against him. He was the one -- I think it was not only the case with me, but with everybody else. He really raise the level of everybody else.

Every time when I walk off the court against him, even though I lost, I felt like I learned something. You know, I was respecting that. There were times when I was really upset with the loss, like Rotterdam final. I was 4-2 up in the tiebreak of the third; Miami final, three tiebreaks when he won the tournament by hitting the let.

Mar 16, 2010 from BNP Paribas Open:
INDIAN WELLS - Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis stunned Roger Federer in a Tuesday night classic at the BNP Paribas Open, fighting off three match points to oust the three-time champion 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(4).

Federer closed the opening set with a break, and looked poised to clinch the victory in similar fashion as he held two match points on the Cypriot's serve at 5-4. But instead of an early night for the Swiss, Baghdatis pushed back – winning the next four points, breaking Federer in the ensuing game and then serving out the set.

Although the World No. 1 built up a 4-1 lead in the third set, he failed to maintain the advantage as Baghdatis broke back in the seventh game. Federer put himself in position close the match at 6-5 as he put away a forehand volley at the net to earn a third match point, but placed a backhand into the net.

Federer, who finished the match with 46 unforced errors, gifted Baghdatis the mini-break at 4-4 in the tie-break as a backhand return sailed wide and Baghdatis won the next two points, claiming his biggest career win after Federer was unable to return his serve on match point. After the match, Baghdatis got on his knees and kissed the court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Swiss Marco Chiudinelli was presented the 2009 Comeback Player of the Year Award by his compatriot and World No. 1 Roger Federer on Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open.

“It's a great honor to get this award voted by my fellow players,” said 28-year-old Chiudinelli. “It was a hard time for me to get back and I'm very proud of having achieved a great comeback, and it feels great that other people recognize that effort.”

Two ninots depicting Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer are displayed in Valencia, Spain, 16 March 2010. The falla is an installation of parodic huge papier-mache, cardboard and wooden sculptures. Las Fallas is a mass festival held in Valencia region annually from 15 to 19 March to mark San Jose, the patron of carpenters. The fallas are burned on 19 March to end with the festival. (Photo by EPA)

Mar 14, 2010 from BNP Paribas Open:
INDIAN WELLS - Roger Federer was honored on court Sunday evening at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, receiving three ATP Awards following a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 win over Victor Hanescu in the second round of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis tournament.

ATP Executive Chairman and President Adam Helfant presented the 28-year-old Swiss with trophies for 2009 Player of the Year, ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favorite Player of the Year presented by RICOH, and the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award.

“I'd like to thank the fans for voting for me,” Federer said to the crowd after receiving the Fan Favorite Award for a seventh straight year. “You guys are amazing. Thank you. As you know, you guys make this even more worthwhile traveling around the globe from January to November. I love coming back here, so it's very nice to get presented the awards here.”

A video tribute celebrating Federer's career followed the presentation.

Hanescu delayed Federer's awards presentation by 22 minutes after pushing the match to a third set. The Romanian finally broke Federer's serve in the second set as he capitalized on his sixth break point to assume a 4-2 lead. Though the World No. 1 managed to recover the service break three games later, he was forced to play catch-up throughout the tie-break. He netted a volley to give the Romanian set point, and Hanescu took advantage.

A business-like Federer returned in the third set. He won the opening three games, broke his opponent again to establish a 5-1 lead and served out the match at love. The Swiss finished with 62 winners to Hanescu's 20.

from Wilson Tennis' Blog:
On March 14, Jon Muir received the 2009 Tennis News Person of the Year Award from Tennis News Publisher Bob Larson and Steve Bellamy on Center Court of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden during the BNP Paribas Open. Prior to the ceremony, Muir also received a congrats from Wilson’s top player Roger Federer.

Mar 10, 2010 from China Daily:
While the winner of Sportsman of the Year of the Laureus World Sports Awards is still up in the air until tonight's awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi, Roger Federer has been considered the best athlete of the past decade by both Edwin Moses, chairman of the Laureus Sports Academy, and Boris Becker, the vice-chairman.

"It is very difficult, it is very difficult … but if I had to choose, I would say Roger because what he did was not only winning but his passion on the court really attracted fans all around the world. Every time he won a big match, he cried and you know it is real," Moses said on Tuesday.

His opinion was shared by tennis legend Becker.

"In my eyes, Roger is the real champion. He won 16 Grand Slams. I come from the world of tennis; I know how difficult it is to win one Grand Slam, but this man managed to win every year one Grand Slam or more over the past seven years," Becker said.

Mar 9, 2010 from Time Out Dubai:
Boris Becker on Roger Federer: ‘He's the ultimate tennis professional in my eyes. You know, his wife had twins last August; it didn't matter to him. He played and he went on to play the final at the US Open, where I'm sure his mind was on his family, not on the tennis. For him to keep coming back each year, again winning the Australian Open, it's just something that has never happened before. He defines what you're supposed to do as a good athlete, because he breaks every record. He has won the first grand slam and he has not many records still open. He's never going to admit it, but I'm sure he's thinking about the grand slam right now. Is it achievable? For Roger it is. A lot depends on the French Open.'

Mar 8, 2010 from Los Angeles Times:
Roger Federer, who will be at Indian Wells, is glad Larry Ellison came on board.

"Obviously, it's great for someone to spend so much money on our sport and even more so because it's a person who obviously does love the sport, loves the game," Federer said. "It will be interesting to see how much he will be around."

from Sky News:
A man who donated a series of gambling bets to Oxfam when he died, could raise the charity £330,000.

Nicholas Newlife, from Kidlington, Oxfordshire, placed £4,420 on the long-term wagers with William Hill between 2000 and 2005. When he died in 2009, aged 69, Oxfam were delighted to discover he had left them his entire estate - including the betting slips.

A flutter on Roger Federer winning 14 Grand Slam titles has already won Oxfam £16,750, after the Swiss tennis ace's victory over Robin Söderling at the French Open last year.

Nick also put £1,520 on Federer to win Wimbledon at least seven times before 2020, at 66/1. If Federer takes the title this year, Oxfam will collect an extra £101,840.

And if all the bets turn out to be winners, the charity's windfall would total over £330,000 - enough to provide emergency rations for 46,000 famine victims, or to supply safe drinking water for 350,000 people.

Cathy Ferrier from Oxfam, said: "We're enormously grateful to Mr Newlife for his generous gift, and will be keeping a close eye on Wimbledon this year as a result.

Mar 7, 2010 from Daily Telegraph:
Stephanie Gilmore has opened her assault on a fourth consecutive world surfing crown with victory in the Roxy Pro at her home break.

The 22-year-old will rub shoulders with the biggest names in world sport as a finalist for the Laureus World Action sportsperson of the year.

Mar 6, 2010 from DPA:
Indian Wells - Five days after arriving last weekend in Zurich from Dubai, Roger Federer was already on the practise courts of the Indian Wells Masters after recovering from his lung infection.

Pictures showed the world number one who missed the Barclays Championships last week in Dubai due to his illness, racket in hand on the hardcourts under the Californian desert sun Friday.

The Swiss has a week until he's due on court for the Hit for Haiti 2 benefit next Friday night which precedes his opening match next weekend.

Federer apparently received the all-clear from Swiss doctors this week before travelling nine time zones west to California.

More injury pullout news hit the first Masters 1000 of the season as Argentine Juan Del Potro withdrew with his lingering wrist injury and Chile's Fernando Gonzalez pulled out to work on earthquake relief in his homeland after this weekend's Davis Cup tie against Israel.

The number 10 Gonzalez reportedly hopes to take a page from Federer's philanthropic handbook and organize a relief effort for his earthquake-ravaged homeland within days.

from Gulf News:
Boris Becker sees no-one except Rafael Nadal as a worthy challenger to Roger Federer in men's tennis.

"Nadal came along in 2008 and challenged Federer. This only helped Federer to raise his level and play even better but now with Nadal out with an injury, I can see no-one capable of challenging possibly the greatest player of all times," Becker told Gulf News from Germany yesterday.

Becker will be one of the stars and legends of sport attending next week's Laureus Awards in Abu Dhabi.

"Federer has 16 Grand Slam titles at the moment and it was Nadal who has been consistently challenging him. All we need is a tough competitor who will come along and challenge Federer. But there is no-one at the moment, not even Murray," the German added.

"I've played some of the greats including Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg and Bjorn Borg a bit. I was at the Australian Open in January [Federer versus Murray] and I am yet to see a player of Federer's calibre," Becker stated.

from News Of The World:
Tottenham Hotspur's Peter Crouch: "As a boy, I knew I always wanted to be in sport. I played tennis when I was a kid but then I had to make a decision about tennis and football. Football won. I played tennis for the county when I was 13. I was a natural at it - a serve and volley man.

"I would have loved to go into it but I think I made the right choice! I still follow it and get to Wimbledon when I can. I love watching Roger Federer - he is a legend.

Mar 3, 2010 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Dear Fans I am feeling really good again and I was happy to hear from my doctor today that I have the green light to start working out again so I plan to try and play in Indian Wells next week. See you all soon! Roger

from USA Today:
Fernando Gonzalez, Chile's highest-ranked tennis player, has told news media in his home country that he might not play next week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., in order to help raise money to help his nation's earthquake victims.

"What I want is to help, and I'm looking at the possibility of not going to play at Indian Wells and to stay in Chile to help," Gonzalez said. "I have several ideas and in a couple of weeks I'll try to do something to generate resources. I want to send a message of hope to all of Chile. What does not kill strengthens. I have received many messages from my colleagues, including Roger Federer, who is very concerned about what happened in Chile. I hope that we pull through this."

from World Economic Forum:
Geneva – The World Economic Forum has announced its Young Global Leaders (YGLs) for 2010. The honour, bestowed each year by the Forum, recognizes and acknowledges up to 200 outstanding young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world

For 2010, the Forum has selected 197 Young Global Leaders from 72 countries and all stakeholders of society. Drawn from a pool of almost 5,000 candidates, the Young Global Leaders 2010 were chosen by a selection committee, chaired by H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and comprised of eminent international media leaders.

Mar 1, 2010 from ATP:
Shark Bites: Roger Federer is the only active player to win both the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami in the same year, accomplishing the feat in 2005 and in 2006. Other Indian Wells & Miami champions in the same year are Andre Agassi (2001), Marcelo Rios (1998), Pete Sampras (1994), Michael Chang (1992), and Jim Courier (1991).