Thursday, November 27, 2014
Despite rumors Roger Federer & Stan Wawrinka are still BFF's
A week after Mirkagate struck fear into the hearts of Swiss tennis fans, it has now been confirmed that Roger Federer has nothing but love for Stan Wawrinka and Stan Wawrinka has nothing but love for Roger Federer.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Roger Federer to play Lleyton Hewitt in Australian exhibition next year with new format
Roger Federer will help launch an Australian-developed fast format of tennis when he plays an exhibition match against Lleyton Hewitt in Sydney in January.
The format features four rule variations from the traditional game, with no advantage scoring, no lets, a tiebreaker at three games-all, and the winner of a set being the first to reach four games.
"The new format is a game changer and is set to revolutionise the game of tennis, particularly at club and social levels," Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
"Time today is precious and this new fast format is perfect for any player who wants to fit their tennis matches into a busy lifestyle."
The exhibition, which will help launch the format around clubs in Australia, will follow Federer's warmup for the Australian Open at the Brisbane International earlier in January.
"I can't wait to come to the beautiful city of Sydney for this very special match against my old friend and rival, Lleyton Hewitt," Federer said in a statement on Tennis Australia's website (tennis.com.au) about the Jan. 12 exhibition.
"We've had some amazing battles over the years and I think we still bring out the best in each other every time we play."
Great friends off the court, Federer and Hewitt have one of the most enduring rivalries in tennis. The pair, both aged 33, have faced each other 27 times since 1999, with Federer winning 18 of them.
Their last four matches have been split, with Hewitt winning their most recent encounter at the Brisbane International final in January.
"Playing Roger in this new format will be an exciting challenge for both of us and a lot of fun," said Hewitt.
"It's a fantastic innovation for tennis, and one that I hope will take off."
Another new format makes its debut this week in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), a team event with one-set matches, a shot-clock and a timed shoot-out at 5-5.
Federer, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are among the big names playing the made-for-TV competition, which starts in Manila and will also visit Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai.
telegraph.co.uk
The format features four rule variations from the traditional game, with no advantage scoring, no lets, a tiebreaker at three games-all, and the winner of a set being the first to reach four games.
"The new format is a game changer and is set to revolutionise the game of tennis, particularly at club and social levels," Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
"Time today is precious and this new fast format is perfect for any player who wants to fit their tennis matches into a busy lifestyle."
The exhibition, which will help launch the format around clubs in Australia, will follow Federer's warmup for the Australian Open at the Brisbane International earlier in January.
"I can't wait to come to the beautiful city of Sydney for this very special match against my old friend and rival, Lleyton Hewitt," Federer said in a statement on Tennis Australia's website (tennis.com.au) about the Jan. 12 exhibition.
"We've had some amazing battles over the years and I think we still bring out the best in each other every time we play."
Great friends off the court, Federer and Hewitt have one of the most enduring rivalries in tennis. The pair, both aged 33, have faced each other 27 times since 1999, with Federer winning 18 of them.
Their last four matches have been split, with Hewitt winning their most recent encounter at the Brisbane International final in January.
"Playing Roger in this new format will be an exciting challenge for both of us and a lot of fun," said Hewitt.
"It's a fantastic innovation for tennis, and one that I hope will take off."
Another new format makes its debut this week in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), a team event with one-set matches, a shot-clock and a timed shoot-out at 5-5.
Federer, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are among the big names playing the made-for-TV competition, which starts in Manila and will also visit Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai.
telegraph.co.uk
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Martina Hingis still regrets not winning the French Open
Martina Hingis has conquered tennis courts the world over but missing out on clay at the French Open still rankles. “I have played tennis for a very long time to have some regrets and some really special moments.
But the one that’s right up there is not winning the French Open,” the five-time Grand Slam women’s singles champion told this newspaper in an exclusive interview.
“In the final of 1999 when I played Steffi Graf, I thought I had a fair chance to win the title. There were some decisions that should have been in my favour. Back then there were no referral system and the match referee was a little sluggish. The replays showed the ball was in and so did the ball mark (referring to the third game of the second set when Graf went 30-0 up). I should have won that final,” Hingis recalled.
Asked if Rafael Nadal nine-time French Open men’s singles winner would have helped her with some of his expertise, she candidly said, “what Nadal does is something really unbelievable. He plays with such power and is blessed with a strong physique. I am more of a Roger Federer kind of a player. It’s more of class and elegance than power. I don’t have a physique that would have helped me play his style of tennis.”
A lesser-known fact about the Swiss star is that she was born in Czechoslovakia and she had to move to Switzerland after her parents had separated. It was difficult for her to adapt to a new country at age seven. “When we moved, it was difficult as a kid. Had to leave my friends behind, make new ones and adjust to the situation. It was not easy but I had to move on. In a way it helped me grow stronger,” she said.
Speaking about the 209 weeks she spent as the no.1 ranked women’s singles player, Hingis said: “When you are in it, you don’t have the time to look back and think if it was a dream or reality. You just have to look ahead and ask yourself what’s next. But now that I have retired (from international singles) I have the time to think about it and say, ‘wow’ that was something. I am really proud of it.”
If not winning the elusive French Open was something that Martina regrets, her three back-to-back Australian Open titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 are something she cherishes.
“The Australian Open has been my favorite hunting ground. The tournament began at the start of the year and I was always up for it.
“I have always enjoyed playing there and the surface is so similar to the one we built back home which helped in preparing for the event,” she said.
“In the final of 1999 when I played Steffi Graf, I thought I had a fair chance to win the title. There were some decisions that should have been in my favour. Back then there were no referral system and the match referee was a little sluggish. The replays showed the ball was in and so did the ball mark (referring to the third game of the second set when Graf went 30-0 up). I should have won that final,” Hingis recalled.
Asked if Rafael Nadal nine-time French Open men’s singles winner would have helped her with some of his expertise, she candidly said, “what Nadal does is something really unbelievable. He plays with such power and is blessed with a strong physique. I am more of a Roger Federer kind of a player. It’s more of class and elegance than power. I don’t have a physique that would have helped me play his style of tennis.”
A lesser-known fact about the Swiss star is that she was born in Czechoslovakia and she had to move to Switzerland after her parents had separated. It was difficult for her to adapt to a new country at age seven. “When we moved, it was difficult as a kid. Had to leave my friends behind, make new ones and adjust to the situation. It was not easy but I had to move on. In a way it helped me grow stronger,” she said.
Speaking about the 209 weeks she spent as the no.1 ranked women’s singles player, Hingis said: “When you are in it, you don’t have the time to look back and think if it was a dream or reality. You just have to look ahead and ask yourself what’s next. But now that I have retired (from international singles) I have the time to think about it and say, ‘wow’ that was something. I am really proud of it.”
If not winning the elusive French Open was something that Martina regrets, her three back-to-back Australian Open titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 are something she cherishes.
“The Australian Open has been my favorite hunting ground. The tournament began at the start of the year and I was always up for it.
“I have always enjoyed playing there and the surface is so similar to the one we built back home which helped in preparing for the event,” she said.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Roger Federer & Stan Wawrinka win Davis Cup for Switzerland!
FRANCE 1, SWITZERLAND 3
Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France (Indoor, Clay)
Roger Federer added to his legacy Sunday by helping Switzerland clinch its first Davis Cup trophy, one of the few tennis jewels to have eluded him, against nine-time former champion France.
The World No. 2 was in sparkling form against Richard Gasquet, casting aside any fears about his back injury, in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory in the first reverse singles rubber of the final at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille. Switzerland is the 14th nation to capture the Davis Cup crown.
France’s captain Arnaud Clement opted for Gasquet over his original selection,Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but Federer proved to be too strong a force and recorded his 73rd singles match win in 85 matches this season, which included five individual titles from 11 finals. The 33-year-old Swiss ends his 2014 campaign as the oldest year-end No. 2 in Emirates ATP Rankings history (since 1973).
Federer lost to Gael Monfils on Friday, but teamed up with Stan Wawrinka in Saturday’s doubles to give Switzerland a 2-1 advantage. World No. 4 Wawrinka, who beat Tsonga in the first rubber of the final, had been due to meet Monfils in the fifth rubber.
Federer was noticeably nervous in the early exchanges against Gasquet, who put into place a game plan of targeting the Swiss' backhand and striking approach shots to Federer's forehand. Federer quickly picked up on this, stepping into the court to gain a foothold in baseline rallies. He broke Gasquet to advantage for a 2-1 lead, with a forehand winner down the line, and then fought back from a 0/30 deficit to settle his nerves.
With better movement, Federer's confidence grew. Gasquet saved one break point at 2-4, 30/40 with two exquisite backhand volleys to hang in the opener. Federer kept the pressure on Gasquet, who saved three sets points at 3-5, 15/40 and Ad Out. In contrast, Federer won three love service games in a row. He won 21 of his 25 service points in the 45-minute first set.
Federer raised his level of play in the second set, despite Gasquet's attempts to bring the French crowd into the rubber. Federer broke serve twice, in the first and seventh games.
Gasquet kept fighting in the third set, but Federer was relentless in finding holes in the Frenchman's game. Federer came into the net on every short ball as Gasquet played three metres behind the baseline. In breaking Gasquet for a 3-2 lead, Swiss spectators started celebrating Federer's performance and the role of Wawrinka in bringing the nation its biggest trophy. Federer completed the one-hour and 52-minute victory with a backhand drop shot winner.
Federer first competed for Switzerland in the international men's team competition in 1999. Prior to this year, he had helped the nation reach the 2003 semi-finals (l. to Australia). He has a 38-12 singles record for Switzerland (51-16 overall).
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Federer & Wawrinka give Switzerland advantage over France in Davis Cup final
FRANCE 1, SWITZERLAND 2
Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France (Indoor, Clay)
Switzerland is on the brink of capturing the Davis Cup trophy for the first time after Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka combined to give the 1992 runner-up a 2-1 lead against nine-time former champion France.
Federer and Wawrinka broke a four-match losing streak as a doubles team in Davis Cup rubbers by beating France's Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 on Saturday. It was Federer and Wawrinka's first doubles team win on a clay court.
"I am really happy with the way we were playing today," said Wawrinka. "We were really aggressive, we knew what we had to do. I think we did a good job."
Federer and Wawrinka, who clinched the 2008 Beijing Olympics doubles gold medal, hit 67 winners, including seven aces, and won 40 of their 53 points at the net for victory in two hours and 12 minutes at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
World No. 2 Federer will look to give Switzerland an unassailable 3-1 lead on Sunday when he meets Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first reverse singles rubber. Should Federer lose, Wawrinka is scheduled to face Gael Monfils in the fifth rubber.
Wawrinka, buoyed with the confidence of beating Tsonga on Friday, stepped into the court to fire two winners to help break Benneteau’s serve for a 4-2 lead in the first set. Almost unplayable on serve, Wawrinka set up Federer for routine putaways at the net. The Swiss pair lost just five of their service points against Benneteau and Gasquet, who won the 2012 London Olympics bronze medal, in the 28-minute first set. They hit 17 winners.
Benneteau, who normally plays in the deuce court with his regular partner Edouard Roger-Vasselin, and Gasquet failed to convert any of their five point opportunities in the second set. Gasquet faltered on his serve at 5-5, leaving Benneteau open to a barrage of powerful groundstrokes. Federer hit a break-clinching backhand return at 15/40, as Benneteau crossed anticipating a poach. Federer closed out to 15, as the Swiss proved to be tactically adept when the set got tight.
One break of serve, in the fifth game of the third set, proved to be enough for Federer and Wawrinka, who sealed victory with an angled volley winner. First-time pairing Benneteau and Gasquet won only 19 of their 87 service return points.
Switzerland's captain Severin Luthi had originally selected Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer for the doubles rubber.
Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France (Indoor, Clay)
Switzerland is on the brink of capturing the Davis Cup trophy for the first time after Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka combined to give the 1992 runner-up a 2-1 lead against nine-time former champion France.
Federer and Wawrinka broke a four-match losing streak as a doubles team in Davis Cup rubbers by beating France's Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 on Saturday. It was Federer and Wawrinka's first doubles team win on a clay court.
"I am really happy with the way we were playing today," said Wawrinka. "We were really aggressive, we knew what we had to do. I think we did a good job."
Federer and Wawrinka, who clinched the 2008 Beijing Olympics doubles gold medal, hit 67 winners, including seven aces, and won 40 of their 53 points at the net for victory in two hours and 12 minutes at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
World No. 2 Federer will look to give Switzerland an unassailable 3-1 lead on Sunday when he meets Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first reverse singles rubber. Should Federer lose, Wawrinka is scheduled to face Gael Monfils in the fifth rubber.
Wawrinka, buoyed with the confidence of beating Tsonga on Friday, stepped into the court to fire two winners to help break Benneteau’s serve for a 4-2 lead in the first set. Almost unplayable on serve, Wawrinka set up Federer for routine putaways at the net. The Swiss pair lost just five of their service points against Benneteau and Gasquet, who won the 2012 London Olympics bronze medal, in the 28-minute first set. They hit 17 winners.
Benneteau, who normally plays in the deuce court with his regular partner Edouard Roger-Vasselin, and Gasquet failed to convert any of their five point opportunities in the second set. Gasquet faltered on his serve at 5-5, leaving Benneteau open to a barrage of powerful groundstrokes. Federer hit a break-clinching backhand return at 15/40, as Benneteau crossed anticipating a poach. Federer closed out to 15, as the Swiss proved to be tactically adept when the set got tight.
One break of serve, in the fifth game of the third set, proved to be enough for Federer and Wawrinka, who sealed victory with an angled volley winner. First-time pairing Benneteau and Gasquet won only 19 of their 87 service return points.
Switzerland's captain Severin Luthi had originally selected Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer for the doubles rubber.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Roger Federer loses to Monfils in Davis Cup final
FRANCE 1, SWITZERLAND 1
Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France (Indoor, Clay)
Gael Monfils held his nerve on Friday to record one of the biggest wins of his career and get nine-time former champion France back on level terms at 1-1 against Switzerland in the Davis Cup final.
Monfils was at his aggressive best to beat World No. 2 Roger Federer of Switzerland for the first time in 14 months, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3, in the second singles rubber of the tie.
Earlier in the day, Stan Wawrinka beat France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead.
"That definitely [is] one of the top three matches in my life," Monfils said. "To be honest, I was very nervous in the beginning. For sure when Jo lost, it's extra pressure because we need to get back on the road to win the title.
"Then, I think I like that atmosphere, the big court. The crowd was very good. They helped me a lot, gave me a lot of energy. At the end [it] helped me a lot because I went for my shots, which made me serve big [and hit] big forehands."
There was to be no repeat of September’s US Open quarter-final, when Federer bounced back from losing the first two sets to defeat Monfils 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2.
Federer, who had won 18 of his past 19 matches since the US Open, was largely powerless against Monfils, who hit 44 winners, including 10 aces for his 36th match win of the season. The pair’s 11th meeting lasted one hour and 46 minutes and it was Monfils’ first victory over Federer since the 2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters.
France's captain Arnaud Clement has selected Julien Benneateau and Richard Gasquet for Saturday's doubles rubber against Swiss Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer. But Clement and Switzerland's captain Severin Luthi could ring the changes for what would be the pivotol match.
"I'll definitely make myself available if I feel that I can play proper tennis," said Federer. "I started to feel better as the match went on. That's very encouraging, I must say. I would think that I'm going to get better as the weekend goes on. I hope I’ll be fine tonight and tomorrow morning to give maximum possibilities for Severin and back up Stan and the rest of the team."
The 28-year-old Monfils was rock solid on serve – winning 17 of his 17 first service points in the first set, 16 of his 16 second service points in the second set and 11 of his 12 first service points in the third set. The Frenchman denied Federer two break points en route to recording his 10th Davis Cup match win in 12 singles rubbers.
Federer, who has an ATP World Tour-best 72-12 match record on the season including a 5-6 record in finals, committed 29 unforced errors in the end. He is now 37-8 in singles ties for Switzerland, having suffered his first singles defeat in the competition since losing to American John Isner in February 2012.
Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France (Indoor, Clay)
Gael Monfils held his nerve on Friday to record one of the biggest wins of his career and get nine-time former champion France back on level terms at 1-1 against Switzerland in the Davis Cup final.
Monfils was at his aggressive best to beat World No. 2 Roger Federer of Switzerland for the first time in 14 months, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3, in the second singles rubber of the tie.
Earlier in the day, Stan Wawrinka beat France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead.
"That definitely [is] one of the top three matches in my life," Monfils said. "To be honest, I was very nervous in the beginning. For sure when Jo lost, it's extra pressure because we need to get back on the road to win the title.
"Then, I think I like that atmosphere, the big court. The crowd was very good. They helped me a lot, gave me a lot of energy. At the end [it] helped me a lot because I went for my shots, which made me serve big [and hit] big forehands."
There was to be no repeat of September’s US Open quarter-final, when Federer bounced back from losing the first two sets to defeat Monfils 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2.
Federer, who had won 18 of his past 19 matches since the US Open, was largely powerless against Monfils, who hit 44 winners, including 10 aces for his 36th match win of the season. The pair’s 11th meeting lasted one hour and 46 minutes and it was Monfils’ first victory over Federer since the 2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters.
France's captain Arnaud Clement has selected Julien Benneateau and Richard Gasquet for Saturday's doubles rubber against Swiss Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer. But Clement and Switzerland's captain Severin Luthi could ring the changes for what would be the pivotol match.
"I'll definitely make myself available if I feel that I can play proper tennis," said Federer. "I started to feel better as the match went on. That's very encouraging, I must say. I would think that I'm going to get better as the weekend goes on. I hope I’ll be fine tonight and tomorrow morning to give maximum possibilities for Severin and back up Stan and the rest of the team."
The 28-year-old Monfils was rock solid on serve – winning 17 of his 17 first service points in the first set, 16 of his 16 second service points in the second set and 11 of his 12 first service points in the third set. The Frenchman denied Federer two break points en route to recording his 10th Davis Cup match win in 12 singles rubbers.
Federer, who has an ATP World Tour-best 72-12 match record on the season including a 5-6 record in finals, committed 29 unforced errors in the end. He is now 37-8 in singles ties for Switzerland, having suffered his first singles defeat in the competition since losing to American John Isner in February 2012.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka & others in hilarious Swiss comic strips
HA!
And my 2 absolute faves! *dying from laugher*
And one about the supposed fight Federer vs Wawrinka
minipeople.ch
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