Roger Federer focusing on Olympic gold after Wimbledon win

Roger Federer, fresh off his record-tying seventh Wimbledon title, strolled around the tournament grounds on Monday, conducted media interviews in several languages and marveled as workers began to dismantle the familiar signage and shops to make way for London Olympics organizers, who officially took over the All England Club on Tuesday.


The Olympic tennis tournament begins July 28, and many of the world’s top players will reconvene to compete for their countries on quickly refurbished grass. It will be the fourth Olympics for Federer, who has yet to win a singles gold medal.



Like Williams, Federer is eager to win Olympic gold. He finished fourth at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where he met his wife, Mirka, who was competing in tennis. In 2004, he entered the Athens Games as the No. 1 player in the world and heavy favorite. He was upset in the second round by 74th-ranked Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic. Four years later, in Beijing, Federer was again the favorite. He beat Berdych in the third round but was stunned in the quarterfinal by American James Blake, 6-4, 7-6 (2). Rafael Nadal went on to win the gold medal.


Federer said he isn’t sure if he’ll carry the Swiss flag in the opening ceremonies. He carried it twice, and said it might be time for another athlete to have the honor. He will not stay in the Athletes Village, choosing instead to stay in the same house he rents for Wimbledon, which is near the grounds. A house is more comfortable for Mirka and their twin daughters, who turn 3 this month.


He was asked whether the twins understood what he accomplished on Centre Court on Sunday, tying Pete Sampras’ record with seven Wimbledon titles, winning his 17th Grand Slam title and at 30 becoming the oldest Wimbledon men’s winner since Arthur Ashe in 1975.


He smiled and replied: "I don’t know about other 3-year olds, what they understand, but mine almost understand the difference between a match and a practice. So, there you go. Winning and losing? They don’t quite get that yet, which is a good thing, I think.’’



Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/11/2891727/roger-federer-focuses-on-olympics.html#storylink=cpy

Martina Hingis to be inducted into Rogers Cup Hall of Fame

Tennis Canada announced Wednesday that Jim Courier, Martina Hingis, and Lorne Main will be inducted into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame during the 2012 Rogers Cup in recognition of their contribution to Canada’s premier tennis tournament.


Courier and Hingis will be inducted on Centre Court in Montreal during Legends Night on Monday, August 6 where they will also participate along with Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova in an exhibition match. Main will be inducted into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame in Toronto during a special evening ceremony on semifinal Saturday, August 11.



As for Hingis, she was a prolific performer in Canada, not to mention the fact that she was always a fan favourite. The “Swiss Miss” is one of six players to win consecutive titles at the Rogers Cup (1999 and 2000) and one of three players to win the singles and doubles title the same year. 


At the Australian Open in 1997, at 16 years, 3 months and 28 days, Hingis became the youngest player in history to capture a Grand Slam singles title, the first of five she would win during her illustrious career.


In fact, Hingis was virtually invincible in 1997, winning 37 consecutive matches, six straight tournaments and three of the four Majors that year. While her peers were all about one-dimensional power tennis, Hingis utilized an all-court-game and every shot in the book to map out a Hall of Fame career.


Rogers Cup presented by National Bank will be held from August 4-12 at Rexall Centre in Toronto and from August 4-13 at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal.


oyetimes.com

Damn it why couldn't she be in Toronto for this with each passing year my chances of being able to see her live are dwindling.  Hopefully the whole ceremony will be televised.

Martina Hingis enjoying her time with NY Sportimes in World Team Tennis

Martina Hingis and the New York Sportimes visit the Washington Kastles on Thursday night at Kastles Stadium with hopes of ending their 18-match undefeated streak. But before she took the court, she addressed several topics in a press conference.


Hingis, who has been with World TeamTennis for five years, contemplated joining Switzerland’s mixed-doubles Olympics team with Roger Federer early this year, but she ultimately decided against it. Not only did the retired Hingis feel unprepared, she also felt it was the best decision for Federer, who will be busy competing in the singles and doubles in London.


“I haven’t played [professionally] in five years, so I’m not the same player,” said Hingis. “I wouldn’t be that kind of help that [Federer] would need in a partner.”


The New York Sportimes have been Hingis‘ home for the past four years, and she can’t help but enjoy the atmosphere of the team and the league.



“I love the team spirit,” said Hingis. “Even if you don’t feel great in the morning, you know you have to go out and play for the team. I feel like there is more responsibility and it’s great to share the memories and the victories.”


Hingis is well-known for her abilities in doubles where she has won nine of her 15 Grand Slams, and she sees a lot of similarities even when she plays with the Sportimes. Teams are comprised of two men and two women, and doubles and mixed doubles are essential to a team’s success. 


“I feel more responsibility,” said Hingis on her role with the Sportimes. “Even more than when I teamed up with [Mirjana] Lučić and [Anna] Kournikova.”


Hingis began her professional career at age 14 and believes the current format of waiting until you’re 18 to play a full schedule hurts the development of young players. 


“From 16 to 18 is when you still can learn a lot and adjust your game to the top players,” said Hingis. “I wasn’t traumatized losing at [a young age] … you learn easier at 15 or 16 and waiting until 18, you lose two years.”


Hingis seems to be enjoying her time with her teammates, and a return to the Women’s Tennis Association seems unlikely. 

washingtontimes.com

Martina Hingis on Tennis fashion with Tonic

Martina Hingis, a former world number one, talks to The Tennis Space about her new clothing line – Tonic Tennis by Martina Hingis.


“Fashion is very important when you’re playing tennis. I remember when I was on tour, everyone would always be looking at everyone else to see what they were wearing. Someone like Anna Kournikova, she would look good in a potato sack – she could wear anything. I think everyone wants to look good on court, and when you look good you’re going to feel better about your tennis. I first saw Tonic clothing when I was in England filming Strictly Come Dancing and I was shopping on the King’s Road in London for some clothes to wear in the dance studio. I loved the look, feel and design of their clothes, and bought a few items in different colours as they were filming us in the studio and I didn’t want to wear the same thing every day, I wanted a bit of variety. I discussed with my manager about the range and she got in touch with Tonic and a year later following many discussions we launched my Tonic Tennis range. It was an exciting moment.


“Our clothes fit all sizes. Players comes in all sizes – someone like Maria Sharapova is tall and thin and I’m shorter and curvier. I’m really enjoying working with Tonic to produce clothes that women want to wear on court.  I work closely with the team at Tonic. They’re a fantastic team who are passionate about creating beautiful pieces that won’t let you down performance wise nor aesthetically. We spend many hours discussing the fabrics, colours, cuts and I also personally play-test the clothes and give my feedback regarding the performance aspect of the garments. The whole process for me is enjoyable and I love to hear feedback about the range. My mother sent me a photo the other day of her playing while wearing my clothing line, and that was great. I look forward to seeing more women wearing the range. I would get pleasure out of that.”


tennisspace.com

'Xena' body armor for U.S. Military Women?

The US military is developing “Xena: Warrior Princess”-style body armor for women that it hopes will give them greater protection on the battlefield, with more curves in the chest and hips.


It is a considerable engineering challenge to make body armor that better fits the bodies of female troops, US military officials acknowledge, and such armor may be years in the making.


In the meantime, Army engineers are forging ahead with improvements that they hope will provide much-needed changes after a decade of women serving on the front lines of an unpredictable battlefield.


Much of the impetus to change the body armor came in 2009, when the female soldiers of the storied 101st Airborne Division deployed to war and had some concerns about the gear they had to use on a daily basis.



“It rubbed on the hips, and the vests were too long in the front, so that when you had female soldiers climbing stairs or climbing up a hill or a tree, or sitting for a long time in a vehicle, that would create pressure points that in some instances could impact blood flow and cause some discomfort,” says Lt. Col. Frank Lozano, who helps develop female body armor.


Ill-fitting body armor is “more than a matter of comfort,” according to a subsequent US Army study. “It affects combat effectiveness.”


The study found that the poor fit of the body armor on female soldiers “made it difficult for [them] to properly aim their weapons and enter or exit vehicles.”



And so the Army set about to see what it could do to improve the fit of body armor for women. “It became clear to us that there was a difference in torso length,” says Lozano, who is the product manager for the Army’s soldier protective-equipment program. “The other point that we realized is that there is a significant difference in shoulder width. I read this data, and it seems so obvious.”


The most important goal is to be able to “spread out the energy” when a bullet hits the body armor plates, says Douglas Graham, a spokesman for the Army’s Office of Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment.

“Some people would like to eventually make plates so it’s like ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ and conforms to the shape” of female soldiers, he adds.

Yet there are engineering challenges. The more curves the plates have, the heavier they get. It also creates potential weaknesses in the armor, like creasing a paper, Lozano explains.

“There are some complex curvatures that come into play with female hard-armor plates,” he says. “I could make female hard armor, but it would be twice as heavy.” As a result, some of the Army’s developmental efforts involve “unique chemical designs” to create plates that are lighter and conform to different body shapes.

Currently, female soldiers have a choice of 11 male body-armor sizes.

Now, the Army is testing eight additional sizes made specifically for women, with, among other changes, more-narrow shoulders and “bra-shaped darting” in the chest.

Some 100 women of the 101st Airborne Division, who will soon be headed to Afghanistan, are testing them and have given positive early feedback. “They say, ‘I could wear this all day,’ ‘I could run a marathon in this,’ and ‘It feels much lighter,’ even though it really isn’t any lighter,” Lozano says.

Now, he adds, the challenge will be finding the money, in the midst of robust calls for cuts in defense spending, to mass-produce them.

MSNBC

It's amazing how a little show like Xena Warrior Princess still serves as an inspiration in all kinds of different areas all these years later.

Roger Federer post championship Q & A

Q. A seventh. Got to feel unbelievable. But how different does it feel because of the circumstances around here? Very unusual today.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think any Grand Slam final, particularly here at Wimbledon, are unusual. You never quite get used to it. Today was unique because of playing Andy. Obviously, you know, being able to play or finish a match under the roof, I don’t think that’s ever been done before here for a final. So that’s been different, as well. And nice, of course.

I know the occasion and how big it was for Andy and myself. I’m happy I got a victory today, but obviously it was a very, very special ‑‑ I mean, yeah, we’ll talk more about it I guess as questions will come.


Q. You have a good memories in Wimbledon, seven titles. Do you feel destiny in Wimbledon?

ROGER FEDERER: Look, yeah, I mean, I guess to some degree. You know, of course I feel better here for some reason. I don’t know why. But it’s very unique and special in many ways, this tournament.

From the get‑go I really felt sort of I’m supposed to play well here, I guess. Over the years I’ve been able to keep up, you know, a great run. Obviously, last couple of years maybe slightly disappointing, but, again, I thought Berdych and Jo both played unbelievable the last couple years against me.

This year I guess I decided in the bigger matches to take it more to my opponent instead of waiting a bit more for the mistakes. Yeah, this is I guess how you want to win Wimbledon, is by going after your shots, believing you can do it, and that’s what I was able to do today.

It’s special.

Q. Can you rate this win among all your Grand Slams?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, honestly this one hasn’t quite sunk in yet for some reason. I guess I was trying to be so focused in the moment itself that when it all happened I was just so happy, you know, that it was all over and that the pressure was, you know, gone basically.

I guess that came due to the tough loss I had here last year. US Open, as well. A couple tough, you know, moments for me the last couple years, you know, I guess. So I really almost didn’t try to picture myself with the trophy or try to think too far ahead really.

So now even right now, I mean, there was so much on the line, so I didn’t try to think of the world No. 1 ranking or the seventh or the seventeenth. So I think that’s going to actually, for a change, take much longer to sort of, you know, understand what I was able to achieve today.

Yeah, it was crazy how it all happened under the circumstances. Yeah, I played terrific.

Q. How hard was it to listen to the same questions done in different ways about will you win a Grand Slam again?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it didn’t happen the day after I won Australia. Right then things were great. Like they will be tomorrow. Then the day after they are going to go, When is he going to retire, again?

It hasn’t always been like this, the pressers. I think they’ve been somewhat easier for me since I was able to win here three years ago and since I was able to win in Paris. Things are much more easy now in the press room. They’re at peace, even though I understand everyone wants to be the first to have mentioned it or said it first that, Okay, this is the decline.

I also said that I think this is just a temporary thing. That maybe down the stretch, like with Agassi I guess in some ways, you’ll be happy that I’m still playing a few years from now. So I see it more as a steppingstone, a period I have to go through as well. That I’m, you know, going to win 90% of my matches throughout the year, it’s impossible every single year. So you’re always going to go through ups and downs.

But I knew how close I was for the last few years, and some people didn’t quite see that maybe out of different reasons. But I knew and I think the belief got me to victory today, and almost two other ones in the last couple years, as well.

Q. Andy said you were one of the greatest athletes of all time, rating you alongside Pele. Do you consider yourself that way?

ROGER FEDERER: Anyway it’s opinions of people, you know. It’s nice, obviously, having had I’d say a positive effect on the game of tennis in the first place, that I was able to live a dream in the first place, I guess, here in tennis.

And then to represent tennis, you know, across sports has been nice, you know. Not that I feel like obliged to do all the right things or whatever, but it’s nice to be compared to other sporting greats.

If I can help the game of tennis with the image or with, you know, making it more popular, that’s enough for me really. I want to leave the game better off than when I came into this great game, which was already unbelievable with the great rivalries we had: Becker‑Edberg, Courier and Agassi and Sampras. You name it, there were so many other great ones I must have forgotten.

So I think that, for me, is most important, you know. And then the other sports, I mean, that’s so different anyway that you can’t compare.

But I drew a lot of inspirations from other great athletes in other sports. I think like Pete and Edberg and Becker, I don’t know, maybe Jordan, Tiger Woods, you name it, Valentino Rossi. They inspire me to keep on pushing further.

You know, not just being happy with world No. 1 or being happy with a Grand Slam title, but maybe to reach for more. Then obviously I have to drive myself. But you sometimes do need to see someone else do it for a long time so that you feel it is actually possible.

Q. This title and No. 1 didn’t happen in two weeks. It’s a process. Is there a point you can pinpoint when the run up to this actually began?


ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, wonder when. Maybe French Open last year potentially. I played an amazing French Open last year. I was very close against Rafa in the finals. And I think did play actually very well here, as well, you know, against Jo. Things just didn’t turn out well for me here.

I guess it had a little effect on me through Toronto and Cincinnati potentially. But then again, I did play great as well at the US Open. Again, unlucky; Djokovic played well, whatever you want to call it. But things were tough for me there.

So I think it was a time where I just had to believe that things were going to turn around for me, and not just naturally, but work at something. You know, this is where I did take a long break off. Mean, I did play Davis Cup after the US Open in Australia. You know, just took a break.

Because I played a lot of tennis, good tennis, but I wanted to win titles, not just lose in quarters and semis. I think when I came back to Basel, which was a home tournament, things obviously changed for me to winning ways again, I would believe.

Then the confidence rose as I went to Paris and also to London. I think this is when I realized a lot is possible in 2012.

Q. You mentioned Tiger Woods a moment ago. He’s obviously also trying to regain the major tournament magic which you had today again. He tweeted that we saw why you’re the greatest. What are your thoughts on receiving that message from him?

ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, I didn’t need to get it through Twitter, I got one from himself. He was very pumped up these last couple days, you know, for me. He was very supportive.

Yeah, it’s nice, you know, when other greats like this do, you know, believe in me. They push me further, even in the rain delay basically when they cheer you on. You know, so it was big.

Yeah, I mean, I wish him the best as well. He knows that. Obviously with all these Facebook and Twitters and all this it’s much more public now.

But it feels great, you know, to receive so much support from such great athletes.

Q. What did he say to you specifically?

ROGER FEDERER: Just happy, you know. Whatever. You can make it up.

Q. What concessions, if any, have you had to make to age in the last couple years? Schedule? Training?

ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, well, people forget sometimes I do have twin girls, you know. That has had a massive impact on my life. My game, I think it’s helped my game more than anything because I think I’m playing some of the best tennis of my life right now, and since a long time now.

But just to be able to juggle everything together has been, you know, a challenge. And I think you learn from mistakes. You try to make it work for everyone involved. Hasn’t always been easy, you know. I admit that.

But, of course, the victory today is a dream come true today for me and my family, you know, seeing them there. Yeah, it’s big.

Q. Did you change your tactics at all after the rain delay?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I tried to play more aggressive. Obviously there was a lot of wind involved as well in the first couple of sets. There was sort of a downwind from the right‑hand side of the umpire’s chair, which maybe makes you play more with the elements and less with tactics at times.

And when the wind is gone you get more back into tactics you know, what you can do, what you can’t do.

Yeah, I tried to take it more to Andy, and I was able to do that. I think, yeah, I went to maybe fetch victory more than he did potentially. I don’t know, but I’m happy that closing the roof maybe helped me today, because I wasn’t sure if that was going to help me or not.

Q. I imagine when you were 22 that you felt like a better tennis player than you were at 18. I’m curious, how you feel about that now? Do you feel like you are a better tennis player now than you were than five years ago?

ROGER FEDERER: I hope so. God, I’ve practiced so much that I ‑‑ you don’t want to be worse five years later, you know. (Laughter.)

I feel I have, you know, a great game today. But then again, maybe there were times I had such incredible confidence that you do pull triggers and you pull off shots that maybe today I don’t because I maybe do play a bit more the percentages.

I know how hard it is, you know, to pull off those great shots and I know how easy it is to miss, so I’m more aware of these things.

But I’m so happy I’m at the age I am right now, because I had such a great run and I know there’s still more possible. You know, to enjoy it right now, it’s very different than when I was 20 or 25. I’m at a much more stable place in my life. Yeah, I wouldn’t want anything to change. So this is very, very special right now.

Q. Clearly very emotional for him. You must have felt for him.

ROGER FEDERER: For Andy?

Q. Yes.

ROGER FEDERER: Yes. I mean, are you kidding me? Yeah, I mean, I told him it’s supposed to be easier, this part, than playing the match. It’s hard. I mean, I’ve been there, as well. I think he’s done so, so well, to be quite honest. Because I see him every day. I see him, what he goes through on a daily basis on tour.

At Wimbledon I think he handle is it so perfectly, to be quite honest. I think he’s giving himself so many looks at big titles. Grand Slams I think is what you guys are focusing on the most. I really do believe deep down in me he will win Grand Slams, not just one. I do wish him all the best. This is genuine. He works extremely hard. He’s as professional as you can be.

Things just didn’t quite turn out for him in the finals that he hoped for. But today I’m sure he got another step closer to a Grand Slam title for him. I really do believe and hope for him that he’s going to win one soon.

Roger Federer reigns supreme with lucky #7 Wimbledon title!

Blowing kisses cuteness personified♥

 That look and the tears of joy one of many reasons I love watching this man play

menstennisforums.com


WIMBLEDON, England — Once the Centre Court roof was closed, nothing could stop Roger Federer from winning his record-tying seventh Wimbledon title.


The 30-year-old Federer finally equaled Pete Sampras’ record at the All England Club, and won his 17th Grand Slam title overall, by beating Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 Sunday.


Once Murray’s forehand landed wide on match point, Federer collapsed to the grass with tears welling in his eyes. He got up quickly and shook hands with Murray at the net.


Up in the players’ box, Federer’s wife and twin daughters cheered and smiled as Federer took his seat to await his seventh Wimbledon trophy presentation.



Federer is now 17-7 in Grand Slam finals, including 7-1 at Wimbledon. Murray dropped to 0-4 in major finals, with three of those losses coming against Federer.


Besides Sampras, 1880s player William Renshaw also won seven Wimbledon titles, but he did it at a time when the defending champion was given a bye into the following year’s final.


Britain has been waiting 76 years for a homegrown men’s champion at the All England Club, and the expectations on Murray were huge. Thousands of fans watched the match on a huge screen on “Murray Mount,” but left the grounds still waiting for a British winner.


Inside the stadium, Prince William’s wife, Kate, sat in the Royal Box along with David Beckham, British Prime Minister David Cameron and a slew of former Wimbledon champions.


Many of them left a bit disappointed as well.


With his victory, Federer regained the No. 1 ranking from Novak Djokovic, allowing him to equal Sampras’ record of 286 weeks as the top-ranked player.


At the start of the match, Murray was the one dictating play and winning the tough points. He broke Federer in the first game of the first set, and then broke again late before serving it out. It was the first — and only — set Murray has won in his four major finals.


The second set was much more even, and both had early break points that they couldn’t convert. Federer, however, finally got it done in the final game of the set, hitting a backhand drop volley that Murray couldn’t get to.


Both held easily to start the third set, but then the rain started abruptly, suspending play for 40 minutes. Shortly after they returned, it turned into a one-man show.


With Federer leading 3-2, they played a 26-point, 20-minute game in which Federer finally converted his sixth break point — after Murray had slipped on grass three times.


Federer lost only five points on his serve in that set.

nationalpost

Sorry Andy, guess you'll just have to wait another year for your first one, or you know until Roger retires :P.

No but in all seriousness I did feel sorry for the guy he played really well especially given this was his first ever Wimbledon final (handled the pressure a lot better then I thought he would).

Most of my tears consisted of happiness though.  Cried right along with Federer as he dropped to the ground on that last point.

And how cute were his twin daughters waving and blowing kisses to their daddy as he posed with his 7th Wimbledon trophy.  Adorableness ♥♥.

So that's number 17 overall & a return to number one ranking.  Not bad for an old (30 year old) guy eh?.

Congrats Roger!.  Knew you could do it!.  17 and counting :).  You are and still remain the Greatest of All Time.

Still on such a happy high at the moment might comeback and add some more coherent thoughts on the match another day.  For now I am busy simply basking in the joy.