Jun 30, 2010 from ATP:
WIMBLEDON – No. 12 seed Tomas Berdych beat Roger Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 31 minutes to reach the last four at The Championships.

As a result Federer will drop to No. 3 in the ATP rankings on Monday. It will mark the first time he has ranked No. 3 since 10 November 2003.

The Swiss superstar dropped to a 55-6 record at the All England Club. It marks the first time he has not reached a grass-court final since losing in the first round at Wimbledon in 2002. He had reached 13 straight grass-court finals since then, including seven at Wimbledon and six at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle.

Breaking serve at 3-3 in the first set, when Federer hit a backhand long, Berdych coolly claimed a set-lead after 34 minutes, having won 89 per cent of service points including four aces.

Federer rallied in the 37-minute second set. Capitalizing on three double faults from Berdych in the opening game, the Swiss levelled the scoreline.

But Berdych came storming back, breaking serve in the second and fifth games of the third set, which he closed out to love with an ace. Picking the right time to attack the net, Berdych won 20 of 30 points.

In the seventh game of the fourth set, Berdych converted his second break point opportunity with a brilliant cross-court forehand winner on the run to take a 4-3 lead.

Serving for the match at 5-4, Berdych found himself pinned behind the baseline on his match point at 40-30. Federer saved it with a backhand volley winner.

On his second match point, the Czech hit a forehand approach winner past Federer to set up a semi-final meeting against third seed Novak Djokovic.

from PA:
"It's disappointing to go out in the quarter-finals but I could have gone out in the first round," Federer said. "I had my chances but either I messed them up or Tomas played well. It was a frustrating match.

"After my first match my leg started hurting and then my back. It was frustrating not being able to play completely freely but my opponent was able to push me harder and further. He played a solid match."

"I haven't enjoyed the tour more than right now, with my kids and Mirka. We love the travelling," said Federer. "It is tough at times but we have so many great fans around the world. People love to see me and I love to play in all the arenas around the world, and I hope I can do it for many more years to come."

Jun 29, 2010 from Bloomberg:
Yen-Hsun Lu's longtime coach and manager, Dirk Hordorff said the Taiwanese player twice has won practice matches against Federer.

Lu was ranked outside the top 100 on the ATP World Tour in 2003 when Hordorff invited Rainer Schuettler and Lu to the Masters Cup in Houston. During the season-ending tournament, Federer's coach called Hordorff to ask if Schuettler wanted to practice with the Swiss.

"Rainer was not available, so instead Roger practiced with Lu," Hordorff said. The two hit for one hour, and then played a practice match. Lu won. Federer asked to practice with Lu again the next day, and again he lost, Hordorff said.

from AJC:
John Isner appeared on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" Monday night to do the Top 10 thoughts that went through his mind during the 11-hour tennis match.

...4. "Why couldn't I have played Federer? It would have been over in 15 minutes."

Jun 28, 2010 from AFP:
WIMBLEDON – Roger Federer strolled into the quarter-finals at Wimbledon with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over Jurgen Melzer on Monday.

"I felt great. I knew it could be a very tricky match and the start was vital. I found my range quickly and was playing well," Federer said.

"Jurgen is a great player and played well in Paris so this is a good win for me.

"My form is good now, that is what I really care about. It doesn't matter how I got to this stage.

"Opponents are getting more and more difficult but I know how to win here and that is a great advantage for me."

Federer dropped his opening service game but that was about the only slip-up from the Swiss star from the rest of the match.

Melzer, the 16th seed, had never reached this stage of the tournament before and Federer quickly reasserted his supremacy by breaking straight back.

Another break followed soon after as Federer took advantage of some hesitant play from the Austrian.

With Federer comfortable on his serve, Melzer was under intense pressure to hold his own serve and the left-hander crumbled under the strain in the second set.

Federer was able to produce winners on Melzer's first serve at will and he crushed his opponent's weak second serves to open up a two-break lead that proved more than enough to take the set.

Jun 26, 2010 from News Of The World:
The Swiss star's mum, Lynette, always sits away from his dad, Robert, because he winds her up by getting too nervous.

Federer revealed: "My dad gets a little emotional if it is not going well.

"My mum says she can sense it and it gets her nervous too. It's a little funny to see them not side by side but I can understand their feelings.

Jun 25, 2010 from Bloomberg:
WIMBLEDON – Roger Federer dropped only eight games in a straight-set defeat of Arnaud Clement to reach the fourth round.

Federer won 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 against Clement and advanced to a match against No. 16 Jurgen Melzer.

Federer broke the Frenchman's serve in the first game and forced a double break at 4-1. Unlike his two previous rounds, the top-seeded Federer also played serve and volley on several occasions. He made only one unforced error in the first set and wrapped it up when Clement missed a return.

Federer again broke in the opening game of the second set. Clement, the oldest man in the singles draw at 32, had no answer to Federer's ground strokes and serves. The Swiss closed the second set with a service winner.

Up a double break for 5-2 in the third set, Federer set up his first match point with an ace. He won the match as Clement dumped a forehand into the net.

Clement, one of an Open era-record seven Frenchmen in the third round, has lost seven matches in a row to Federer. The 86th-ranked player won two previous meetings in a major -- at the Australian Open in 2000 and 2001.

"I've had a tough first week," Federer said. "It's been tough mentally but I'm excited I'm still in the tournament rather than watching Wimbledon from the couch at home."

Jun 24, 2010 from AFP:
LONDON – Queen Elizabeth II lit up Wimbledon on Thursday as she walked through the grounds to huge cheers and mingled with tennis legends past and present.

The sovereign brought the All England Club to a standstill as she made her first visit to The Championships since 1977. She was given a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd when she appeared in the royal box.

Andy Murray and Jarkko Niemenen revived the tradition of bowing to the royal box and received a huge cheer themselves when they stopped just short of their seats, turned and bowed to Her Majesty.

Earlier, in bright sunshine, the Queen walked past Aorangi Terrace -- commonly known as Henman Hill -- before meeting stars of the game on the members' lawn.

The monarch, 84, took lunch with reigning men's champion Roger Federer, his wife Mirka, and five-times champion Venus Williams, as well as British former champions Virginia Wade, Angela Barrett and Ann Jones, plus home favourite Tim Henman.

Strawberries and cream were on the menu, preceded by orange and honey marinated chicken.

Queen Elizabeth walked past Court 18, where John Isner and Nicholas Mahut made tennis history on Wednesday by playing the longest-ever match before darkness stopped play.

The sovereign, wearing a powder blue outfit and matching hat, saw an exhibition of junior tennis on Court 14 before strolling through the cheering crowds to meet the players.

The Queen was introduced to defending champions Federer and Serena Williams; past Wimbledon winners Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King; and some of this year's top seeds, including Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic.

A smiling Federer, wearing a smart grey suit, bowed as he shook hands with the Queen.

"It is a big honour for myself on a personal level and it's a big honour for the club," the Swiss star said.

"After 33 years there is huge happiness that she should visit this year for the fans. I'm just so glad I got a chance to meet her."

After Murray beat Niemenen 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, the pair were invited for an audience with the Queen on the terrace over the main Centre Court entrance, before she left the grounds.

Queen Elizabeth is the club's patron, but the last of her three Wimbledon visits was in her 1977 silver jubilee year.

from ESPN:
Roger is nominated for Best Record-Breaking Performance (most Grand Slam singles titles) and Best Male Tennis Player ESPY awards. The 2010 ESPYS, which are set for July 14 in Los Angeles, will be hosted by Seth Meyers and televised live (9 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Jun 23, 2010 from AP:
WIMBLEDON — Well-rehearsed in the role of gracious winner, Roger Federer patiently waited for his opponent to tuck his racket into a bag, and they walked off the court side by side and smiling at the crowd's long, loud roar.

When they reached the exit, Ilija Bozoljac allowed Federer to go through the door first, bound for the third round at Wimbledon.

It has been a surprisingly arduous journey so far. After rallying from a two-set deficit in his opening match, Federer endured plenty of tense moments Wednesday before beating Bozoljac, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (5).

"As long as you're moving on, especially at Wimbledon, I'm a happy man," Federer said.

Federer had trouble finishing off Bozoljac, an obscure but flashy Serb who won the crowd's affection. A qualifier ranked 152nd, he hits an unorthodox two-handed forehand but also a booming serve that kept Federer on his heels.

"He played really well," Federer said. "I served well at key moments and I'm very happy with the way I got through. It could have gone five, so I'm happy."

Federer found himself two points from being forced to a fifth set against Bozoljac. Then Federer swept the final three points of the match, one with a bold drop shot when trailing 5-4 in the tiebreaker.

The defending champion said he's unfazed to be tested so severely by lesser players.

from New York Observer:
Roger Federer delayed a press conference to watch the game (between Nicolas Mahut and John Isner).

Jun 21, 2010 from ATP:
WIMBLEDON - Top seed Roger Federer came within three points of exiting The Championships on Monday, but he held his nerve to beat Colombian Alejandro Falla 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(1), 6-0 for only his sixth comeback from a 0-2 sets deficit in 875 tour-level matches.

Playing the first match on Centre Court for the seventh year running, Federer was outplayed by Falla in the first two sets. Falla required treatment for a groin injury prior to the start of the third set, but at 4-4 in the third set he squandered four break point opportunities. He missed a forehand volley at the net on his third point, which spurred Federer into fighting back.

Federer won the third set on his first set-point opportunity when Falla hit a forehand wide at 30/40. But Falla remained in contention for the third Top 10 win of his career.

Falla capitalised on three double faults to break Federer's serve in the first game of the fourth set. He went onto serve for the match at 5-4, but looked nervous and dropped to 15/40. Federer levelled the scoreline on his second opportunity with a powerful forehand winner, before running through the deciding set in 27 minutes.

from Wimbledon:
Roger Federer helped develop the menu here (the Competitors' Restaurant) and is known to have been particularly influential in fine-tuning a plain tomato sauce. It is a myth, however, that all is clean, healthy eating. Reassuringly, players reveal themselves to be human and also go through mountains of doughnuts and muffins with coffee while the chunky varieties of chocolate bars fly out faster than the shelves can be re-stocked.

from Globe and Mail:
Turning 29 in two months, Roger Federer has now been centre stage in tennis for seven full years. He has been asked every question imaginable and dutifully answered in English, then Swiss German and then French. On Sunday, his defending champion's pretournament press conference lasted more than half an hour. Again today, it was more than 35 minutes in the three languages, and that does not include additional television and radio interviews. He, admirably, always makes an effort to feed the media beast.

As an example, he told the BBC recently he had derived inspiration during the endless 16-14 fifth set against Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final last year by looking up at his pregnant partner Mirka Vavrinec, now his wife. He told of how, even though she was "going to the toilet" seven times a night, she had remained in her seat for the entire match, which lasted 4 hours 16 minutes. That may be too much information but it shows just how he has opened up his life to an inquiring public.

Jun 20, 2010 from Globe and Mail:
Sunday, speaking in French about his loss to Lleyton Hewitt in the final in Halle, Germany, two weeks ago, Federer said that at the end of the match, "I had a little something in my leg and a little something in my back."

...Federer hit with Jarkko Nieminen Sunday in a less vigorous manner because he plays his opening match Monday.

Jun 19, 2010 from The Sun:
Roger Federer hopes to play a massive part in two successes on grass - at Wimbledon and in South Africa. The Swiss superstar kicks off his bid for a record-breaking 17th Grand Slam when he faces Alejandro Falla in the first round at the All England Club on Monday.

Yet the six-time SW19 champion has also featured in his country's World Cup dream after being brought in by coach Ottmar Hitzfeld to give the team a pep talk about dealing with pressure.

This followed Switzerland's humiliating 2-1 qualifying loss to Luxembourg but they then finished their group unbeaten in eight matches - and then caused the shock of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over pre-tournament favourites Spain.

Federer, 28, said: "I was nervous against Spain. It was not like we controlled the game but it was great. I was really nervous. It was an historic win and amazing for my country.

"I was invited to meet the team after the Luxembourg game. I always said 'If you ever need me, I'd love to meet the guys'.

"The coach said maybe it could be an inspiration to the team and they could ask me questions about pressure and how I play great every day.

"They were all sitting in front of me at their training camp like they were in school.

"I am happy it helped. We made the World Cup and now we have beaten Spain. Hitzfeld is a nice man - he was very excited after the win against Spain."

Federer was speaking at the All England Club yesterday and admitted the locker room was buzzing over the World Cup. He said: "You see the players, even the women, and end up speaking about the World Cup when normally you'd say 'Hi'.

"We are all patriotic. It is tough for those whose countries did not qualify. They show the matches in the locker room and that is good."

Federer lost his last match, against Lleyton Hewitt in Germany, and it is clear none of the top 10 are playing at their best. The Swiss added: "There was also a big surprise at Queen's Club that the top six seeds did not do too well.

"Some did not have the right preparation, some had too much pressure, some are not playing well - some ran into another guy playing hot.

"Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have not been at their best these last few months - I haven't either. That is why it is a very important tournament for a lot of the players."

Federer also admitted he is stunned that only two British men - Murray and Jamie Baker - are playing singles.

He said: "I am surprised the wild cards you have don't go to the English. I am sure they have their reasons behind it.

"It is a sign they want juniors to work harder and want the system to work - to let the players know you won't just get a Wimbledon wild card because you are British.

Jun 18, 2010 from The Guardian:
Federer looks to have an easy passage through to at least the quarter-finals, with Feliciano López or Jürgen Melzer his first test of note. The Swiss was in confident mood today, itching to get started as he tries to equal Pete Sampras's modern era record of seven men's titles. "I am feeling great," said Federer. "Maybe I don't have the most dangerous players on grass but you cannot underestimate anybody."

Federer admitted Nadal appears to have received the rough end of the stick but said they both just had to take care of what's in front of them. "We are good enough to beat anyone on our terms," he said. "Ahead, it always looks tough but when you start racing through draws you realise it is great as it makes you play good tennis. It looks like Nadal has an interesting draw but my focus is on my draw."

from New York Times:
...Even Federer, who became the instrument of Roddick's torture by beating him in all three finals, is behind Roddick, with certain preconditions.

"I think Goran proved that your luck can change eventually, and, hopefully, Andy one day will, as well," Federer said in an interview. "Not through me, hopefully, but we'll see."

Federer said if he couldn't win, he wanted Roddick to do it.

"I would think so; I mean it was so close last year," Federer said, still sounding relieved. "This is one of those matches you don't even want to watch the end anymore, because you feel like, ‘Oh my God, how close was I to losing this match, really!' It's hard, because at the end, it really felt just like a coin toss."

Federer has often maintained that Roddick is underappreciated, which is, in part, Federer's fault for beating him 19 times in 21 matches. But Federer said he admires Roddick's staying power.

"You don't always need to beat the best, but you need to be there in contention, and that's what he's done over and over again," Federer said. "I think that's what I did at the French Open before I won, and I think that's why I've been so respected in Paris. And I think he'll be respected as much in Wimbledon, and I think it's going to be nice for him.

"Because — how do you say? — he has a tendency to be a bit erratic behaving on the court, and people don't know what to think of him. ‘Is he happy or not?' And I think after seeing how gracious he was in defeat last year, like me similarly the year before against Rafa, that could help his case. And I hope it does, because he's one of the guys who deserves support, because he's stuck around and is a great character for the game. And we need Americans to do well in the sport, as well."

Jun 17, 2010 from Wimbledon:
The All England Club's award winning book Centre Court: The Jewel in Wimbledon's Crown is one way you can keep the SW19 magic alive.

This coffee table treasure, which celebrates the sport's most historic and iconic venue, has been updated to include an extra 16 pages.

The new edition includes spectacular images from last year's Centre Court Celebration, where Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters and Tim Henman competed in an exhibition match under the new roof as part of a magnificent opening ceremony.

Elsewhere, Roger Federer is captured walking out to greet the public, trophy in hand, after earning his 15th major title, which eclipsed the previous all time Grand Slam mark of 14 set by Pete Sampras.

Readers can learn about the history of Centre Court as the book charts the All England Club's move to its present Church Road site in 1922 and a behind the scenes glimpse of the world's most traditional tournament is also revealed.

The breathtaking tome also includes profiles of great champions, revisits 39 of the most memorable matches ever to be played out in the magical sporting theatre and ends with an informal snap of the legends of the men's game – Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer standing by the entrance to the prestigious sporting arena.

The book, edited by John Barrett and Ian Hewitt and first published in May 2009 by Vision Sports Publishing, this year earned an award for Best Illustrated Sports Book at the 2010 British Sports Books Awards held in London.

Barrett describes it as a "stunning experience". "It has the ‘wow factor'. There are 27 new photos including some of the roof in action. Last year it was just computer generated graphics of the roof," he said.

"There's a new biography with Serena because she won her third Championships last year and she wasn't in the last book."

Hewitt said: "The book will appeal to a wide range of sports fans particularly those who might be excited by iconic sports stadia. This is as much a book of images as it is a book of words.

"We are delighted that Roger Federer agreed to write the foreword. It's not something he does very often. He is proud of being a member of the AELTC and was delighted to receive his copies last year."

Jun 16, 2010 from AP:
WIMBLEDON – Roger Federer was the No. 1 seed for Wimbledon ahead of Rafael Nadal in a reverse of their world rankings.

Wimbledon uses its discretion to seed players based on their grass-court record.

"While the seeding positions of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are reversed from their current rankings, there is no practical effect since they remain the leading seeds in their respective halves of the draw," Wimbledon referee Andrew Jarrett said.

The draw will be held Friday, with the two-week Grand Slam tournament starting Monday.

Jun 13, 2010 from AP:
HALLE — Roger Federer remains confident heading into Wimbledon even after losing on grass for only the second time in more than seven years.

The No. 2-ranked Swiss, who came into the final at the Gerry Weber Open with a 76-1 record on grass since 2003, lost 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to Lleyton Hewitt in Sunday's title match.

"I was unfortunate not to come through today, but the loss here does not worry me in any way," said Federer, a six-time Wimbledon champion. "I thought it was a good tournament for me. I have got to ensure I draw the right conclusions for Wimbledon."

Hewitt beat Federer for the first time in 16 matches dating to 2003. The 29-year-old Australian was playing in his first final of the season.

Top-seeded Federer had won his previous 29 matches at the tournament. It was Hewitt's first appearance at Germany's only grass-court event.

Federer started strongly, earning two breaks on Hewitt's first service game, and appeared to be in control after taking the first set 6-3.

Hewitt broke early in the second set, but Federer broke back immediately before both players held serve to set up a tiebreaker. Hewitt won the tiebreaker, converting his fourth set point to even the match and become the first player to take a set from Federer in Halle since 2006.

The final set belonged to Hewitt, who broke again in Federer's first service game. Hewitt took his first match point with a bit of luck as the ball clipped the top of the net, handing Federer his first loss in Halle since a semifinal defeat against Nicolas Kiefer in 2002.

from ASAP Sports:
Q. What do players think of Federer losing today in Germany? Does that perhaps give you hope or do you think that's maybe just a blip?

SAM QUERREY: Not really. I mean, he's still Roger Federer. He's lost early -- he's lost matches before and come back the next week and gone on to win events plenty of times in his career. I think guys are still gonna fear him. He's still the most feared player at Wimbledon even though he lost today to Lleyton. Maybe he's lost a little bit of his game, but he's still -- he's still, you know, the greatest player ever and the defending Wimbledon champion and the guy that -- you know, I definitely am gonna fear him more than any player.

Jun 12, 2010 from AFP:
HALLE — Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt are set to renew their rivalry when they meet in the final of the ATP grass-court Halle tournament here on Sunday. Federer seeing off Philipp Petzschner 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.

Federer came back from a break down twice in the first set to win the tie-break and a break in the fifth game of the second set put him on the way to victory.

"He played great from the beginning and the first set could have gone either way," said Federer.

Jun 11, 2010 from AFP:
HALLE – Roger Federer extended his unbeaten record in Halle to 28 matches on Friday with a 7-5, 6-3 quarter-final victory over Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber.

The Swiss player has won the ATP Gerry Weber Open on his last five visits, and now has a 75-1 record on the grass here going back to 2003.

"Ten strong minutes led to today's success," said the 28-year-old Federer of the time between going 5-5 up in the first set to 3-0 in the second.

He sealed victory on his first match point after 68 minutes to set up a semi-final with another German Philipp Petzschner who saw off Slovak Lukas Lacko 6-4, 6-3.

"It was a bit of a bumpy start, but then I found my rhythm," said the Swiss after Kohlschreiber had made the stronger start before failing to convert his only break point on Federer's serve.

Federer remains wary of his semi-final opponent Petzschner.

Jun 10, 2010 from AP:
HALLE — Roger Federer eased into the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open, beating Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday.

Federer won in 52 minutes and will play Philipp Kohlschreiber, who defeated Marco Chiudinelli 6-4, 7-5 in this grass-court Wimbledon tuneup.

The Swiss star conceded just two break points in his second-round match on center court but saved both of them.

"I think I controlled the game and dominated at times," Federer said. "The result does not lie, to be honest. I was able to vary things well, play cleverly and I knew I would have chances on his serve, and I took them."

Federer knows his quarterfinal match against Kohlschreiber, the home favorite, won't be as easy.

Jun 8, 2010 from AP:
HALLE — Roger Federer has eased into the second round of the Gerry Weber Open with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.

Nieminen held out valiantly until his fifth service game before the 64th-ranked player's resistance was finally broken by Federer, who took control of the match on Center Court as dusk fell on Tuesday.

Federer broke Nieminen's serve again at the start of the second set and the game followed serve, allowing him to wrap up victory after just over an hour.

Jun 7, 2010 from ATP:
HALLE - World No. 2 Roger Federer and Swiss countryman Yves Allegro suffered a first-round doubles exit Monday at the Gerry Weber Open, an ATP World Tour 250 grass-court tennis tournament in Halle. Defending champions Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated the wild card duo 6-4, 7-6(6) in 73 minutes.

Federer was contesting his first match on grass since winning a record-breaking 15th Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon last year in a dramatic five-set victory over Andy Roddick. He and Allegro were playing together for the second time this season, following a quarter-final showing at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.

Jun 4, 2010 from Roger Federer Official Site:
Earlier this week, Roger attended the ITF World Champions Dinner at the Pavillon d’Armenonville in Paris, despite his elimination in Roland Garros. He appeared in an elegant smoking in the middle of dinner and was treated to a standing ovation by the 400 guests present, thrilled to see our champ.

"I remember coming here in 1999 to receive the trophy as Junior World Champion. I was playing a tournament in Croatia at the time and had to take a bus and the metro in order to collect my prize... Today I just had to be here. It's an honour. And I also wanted to express my respect to Gustavo Kuerten." Gustavo Kuerten was presented the Philippe Chatrier Award as three-time Roland Garros champion.

from Roland Garros:
Getting to know... the ball kids: Max Paul (13, Rennes)

"I'll never forget these three weeks. Everything has been incredible. My favourite part was being a ball boy for Roger Federer. He's really nice. Sometimes he thanked us when we gave him the balls."

from F1 Badger:
Q: Who is your sporting hero outside of motor racing?

F1 driver Timo Glock: I'd say Roger Federer is the big man for me. He really knows how to keep up his level over many, many years and I guess he's had quite an interesting life.

Jun 3, 2010 from Daily Mail:
Most top sports stars disappear from an event as soon as possible after they're knocked out. But multi-champion Roger Federer showed his class by staying on in Paris after his unexpected defeat in the quarter-final of the French Open to honour a promise to attend an International Tennis Federation awards function just hours later, as well as doing a 15-minute interview on stage with Andrew Castle.

Jun 2, 2010 from Marketing Week:
Gillette has confirmed that Roger Federer will front its new sensitive skin campaign.

Gillette is promoting its recent accreditation by the British Skincare Foundation, and claims it is the first razor brand to achieve the accreditation.

The campaign launches this week with TV and press activity. The campaign has been localised in the UK to feature a grass tennis court, while in ad spots around the globe, the campaign will feature hard tennis courts.

A digital and PR campaign will follow later in the summer in time for the Wimbledon Championship.

Jun 1, 2010 from ATP:
PARIS - Fifth seed Robin Soderling avenged his 2009 Roland Garros final defeat to Roger Federer on Tuesday, when he snapped a 12-match losing streak for his first victory over the Swiss superstar.

The Swede triumphed 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in two hours and 30 minutes on Philippe Chatrier Court to bring to an end Federer's record of reaching 23 straight Grand Slam semi-finals dating back six years, when he lost to Gustavo Kuerten in the third round, on the same court.

Federer was able to settle into the quarter-final encounter quicker than Soderling, who was forced to save one break point opportunity with a backhand volley winner in his opening service game.

Unable to dictate play and finding himself increasingly off balance in long baseline rallies, Soderling was broken in the eighth game when he hit a forehand volley wide at break point.

Federer, rarely troubled on serve in the opening exchanges, wrapped up the 32-minute set with a forehand winner – his 16th of the match.

Soderling found himself in trouble on serve at 30/40 in the first game of the second set, but the Monte-Carlo resident hit a well-placed serve that Federer returned long. Eight points later, he punished a short Federer forehand with a backhand crosscourt winner to take a 2-0 lead and maintained the break advantage throughout the set as light drizzle began to fall at Stade Roland Garros.

Picking up free points and playing inside the baseline, Soderling regularly registered over 220 kilometres on serve and he was able to convert his third set point opportunity when Federer hit a backhand crosscourt into the net. For just the third time in 13 meetings with Federer, Soderling had won a set.

Neither player came close to breaking serve through to 4-5 in the third set, when Federer created his first set point opportunity. Serving at 30/40, Soderling failed to put away a smash and watched in horror as Federer – scrambling to retrieve the ball, close to the advertising hoardings, well behind the baseline – jumped to hit a smash response. Soderling coolly leapt to hit a backhand smash into an open court.

He then hit two unreturned serves to level the score at 5-5 before heavy rain began to fall and suspended play at 5:38 p.m. local time with Federer serving at 30/15 in the 11th game of the third set.

Play resumed at 6:52 p.m. local time. At 5-5, Federer served at 40/15 and lost four straight points as Soderling hit pinpoint accurate forehand winners to gain a crucial break of serve. Soderling clinched the 44-minute third set on his second set point opportunity with an ace.

A lapse in concentration by Soderling gave Federer a 2-0 lead in the fourth set, but the Swede immediately bounced back when he put Federer in trouble at 0/40 in the third game.

Play was briefly suspended again at 7:19 p.m. local time, due to light drizzle, and after a five-minute interruption Federer was forced to save three break points at 3-3.

Roger Federer's immediate hopes of setting a new record for most week spent at No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings now rest in the hands of Rafael Nadal. Federer's loss to Swede Robin Soderling in the Roland Garros quarter-finals Tuesday means that Nadal will return to No. 1 next Monday if he wins his fifth Roland Garros title in six years.

In an astonishing mathematically happening, Federer could lose top spot one week before he was expected to equal Pete Sampras' all-time record of 286 weeks at No. 1. If Nadal wins Roland Garros, he would have 8,700 points to Federer's 8,390 – a 310-point lead. With a maximum of 250 points on offer the following week in Halle (where Federer is playing) and Queen's (where Nadal is playing), Federer could not regain No. 1 ahead of Wimbledon, where he is likely to lose further ground to Nadal. Federer cannot add points at Wimbledon, because he will lose the 2000 points he earned by winning the title last year. Nadal, however, could pick up as many as 2000 points (if he wins the title) because he missed the tournament through injury last year and thus has no points to defend.

If Nadal does not win the Roland Garros title then Federer will be assured of equaling Sampras' record of 286 weeks. But if Novak Djokovic wins Roland Garros he would move within 75 points of Federer and could possibly dethrone Federer the following week before he breaks the Sampras record.

from ITF:
The tennis family gathered on Tuesday night for the annual ITF World Champions Dinner at the Pavillon d'Armenonville in Paris to honour the 2009 ITF World Champions and present the Philippe Chatrier Award to three-time Roland Garros champion Gustavo Kuerten.

Around 400 guests attended the evening, which was hosted by former British Davis Cup player and current television broadcaster Andrew Castle.