French Tennis Federation denied expansion of Roland Garros

The French Tennis Federation has expressed its "astonishment" after plans to expand Roland Garros were scuppered by a tribunal.

Proposals for the French Open site, which included installing a Wimbledon-style roof, had been approved by the Parisian authorities two years ago, with work scheduled to start later this year.

But three local associations objected to the scheme on environmental grounds, with the expansion due to encroach into neighbouring botanical gardens.

In a statement, the FFT said: "The French Tennis Federation noted with

astonishment the decision of the administrative tribunal of Paris on the

agreement allowing it to bring the project to modernise Stade Roland Garros.

"Contesting the grounds for cancellation, and convinced that the project is

respectful of the site, it will appeal the decision and request a stay of

execution.

"The determination of the FFT to carry out this project remains intact. Its

realisation is indeed vital for the sustainability of the French Open, a major

French sporting heritage that contributes to the international influence of

France and gives French tennis the means to develop.

"The FFT will, on Monday, contact the Paris authorities to clarify what we

need to do to carry out this necessary modernisation."

skysports.com

Martina Hingis Tonic clothing line story

Roger Federer into the quarters at Dubai Open

Dubai:  Defending champion Roger Federer eased into the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships on Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marcel Granollers of Spain.

The second-ranked Federer was joined by Juan Martin del Potro and Tomas Berdych who also won in straight sets. Berdych saved 12 of 14 break points to beat Tobias Kamke of Germany 7-5, 6-1, and Del Potro defeated Somdev Devvarman of India 6-4, 6-4 before hitting a few balls with Argentina football great Diego Maradona.

Federer looked much more confident than he did in his opening, three-set victory over Tunisian wild card Malek Jaziri. His serve was almost untouchable — he won 84 percent of first serve points — and he was much more aggressive, winning several key points at the net.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner broke the 34th-ranked Spaniard to go up 4-2 on the way to winning the first set. Federer broke a second time to make it 3-2 in the second and closed It out with a dominant serving game — including an ace and a final serve that Granollers returned wide.

"The last four sets have been pretty good, you know, so I'm happy I bounced back after a rough opening first set here in the first round," Federer said. "I think I was sharper today. I had a more, clear plan. I knew what I could and couldn't do."

Federer will next face Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, who beat Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-4, 7-6 (2). Federer has an 18-2 record against the Russian and hasn't lost to him since 2010 in Qatar. But the Swiss star said he still had to be ready for a player who once was ranked third before sustaining a series of injuries.

"I'll never disrespect a guy like Nikolay. He's done too much in the game," he said. "That's why I know it's a dangerous round next match... I know what he can do on his absolute best day because I was one of the guys that got crushed by him as well during that time."

ndtv.com

Roger Federer taking a 2 month family vacation after Indian Wells

Roger Federer will not play for two months after the Indian Wells event in March to spend time with his family and prepare for the clay-court season.

The Swiss, 31, returns to action in Dubai this week and will then head to Indian Wells, which ends on 17 March.

Federer, a father of two, then plans a holiday with his family before practising on clay in Switzerland and returning to action in Madrid in May.

"I can't play a year like I did last year every single season," he said.

"That isn't the point I'm at in my career. I'm not 22 where I have to play 25-30 tournaments a year. Plus, I believe I'll be really ready for the tournaments I've entered."

Indian Wells is followed by another high-profile hard-court tournament in Miami, but Federer is allowed to skip the usually mandatory Masters 1000 events as he meets the ATP's three criteria of being aged 31, having played more than 600 matches and competed for over 12 years.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion's leading rivals, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, are all scheduled to compete in the American events, although Nadal's presence is far from certain as he carefully manages his return from a knee injury.

"I'm trying to be smart with my scheduling because I'm in a totally different situation than they are - they are right in their prime," said Federer, the world number two.

"For me, it's very challenging and why I need to make the right decisions with personal life and my family. None of the guys have that, so I have many more things to worry about than they do."

Federer married long-term partner Mirka in 2009 and later that year the couple became parents to twin daughters Myla Rose and Charlene Riva.

In 2012, he played 83 matches across 17 ATP and Grand Slam tournaments, as well as two Davis Cup ties.

"The last few years have been really tricky in terms of my practice schedule, especially through an Olympic year (in 2012)," he said. "This year is totally different. Family is very important, so I also want to spend quality time with them."

Asked whether he felt he could one day return to the top of the rankings, Federer said it was "absolutely realistic", and added: "Eventually, it will be clear that it is time to stop but the time is definitely not now.

"But then again, things change very quickly. You have to be ready for it and open to it. I'm not naive that I can play for 15 more years but I would like to give myself a chance to play for many more years to come. I'm happy with where my body is at.''

bbc.co.uk

Making of Roger Federer Credit Suisse commercial

I think I'm starting to like Swiss-German :).

Roger Federer survives first round scare at Dubai Open

ROGER Federer has motored through a few opening-match stutters to produce a turnaround 5-7 6-0 6-2 victory over Tunisian wildcard Malek Jaziri at the Dubai Open.

The Swiss second seed, playing for his sixth trophy at the Aviation club, was caught out by the national number one, who surprised the 17-time Grand Slam winner by winning the first set after Federer had missed on three break point chances.

But the fairytale evaporated after the 41-minute set, with Federer settling into his game and running out the winning with ten aces and five breaks of serve from 11 chances.

"The margins are small," said Federer, who is defending his title from 2012.

"He played a great first set. I struggled with the wind; it was also a first round.

"I'm happy I made the turnaround. It's a big relief for me. I'm glad to get another chance to move ahead."

Federer improved to 8-2 on the season after beating his number 128 opponent, who lost in Dubai qualifying a year ago.

heraldsun.com

Kim Clijsters & husband Brian Lynch expecting baby #2!

Hi everyone, we have some exiting news to tell you... Jada is going to be a big sister :-) ! Xxx Kim , Brian and Jada

— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) February 25, 2013

Former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters has announced that she is pregnant with her second child.

The Belgian retired from the sport at the US Open last September for the second and what she called the final time. Clijsters had also retired in 2007 and then came backin 2009 after the birth of her daughter Jada.

Clijsters won four singles grand slams during her career - three of which she won as a mother.

Her last season on tour - 2012 - was marred by a number of injuries.

Clijsters took to Twitter to announce the news to her fans and was immediately flooded with a number of congratulatory messages from fellow tennis pros and fans.

Yay! awesome news congrats to them both! :)

tennisnow.com