The following quote appeared in the newspapers when Marat Safin ended Federer’s winning streak, ’’Ladies and Gentlemen, it is finally out now, Roger Federer is a human’’ . Such was the man’s legend of invincible run for the past few years. The only Grand Slam he has not won is the French Open.
Highlights:
He began playing tennis at age eight. His Idol growing up was Boris Becker and favorite player was Pete Sampras(He adore Pete Sampras).He has Compiled outstanding junior results, finishing as No. 1 junior in the world in 1998.Won Wimbledon junior singles (d. Labadze) and doubles titles (w/O. Rochus) that year.One of four players (Edberg, Cash, Borg) to win junior and men’s title at Wimbledon. Also reached final at US Open (l. to Nalbandian) and SF at Australian Open in ’98… Closed junior career with title at Orange Bowl in Miami (d. Coria)… Has a 26-10 career Davis Cup record (19-6 in singles) in 13 ties since 1999.Two days after winning Wimbledon in 2004, he was presented with a Swiss Alphorn from tournament organizers in Gstaad.Named 2003 ’’Swiss of the Year’’ by his country’s TV audience.In 2003, initiated Roger Federer Foundation which supports disadvantaged children in South Africa and promotes sport for young people.Enjoys being an ambassador for global promotion of tennis and is inspired by the cultural diversity of the world.Has a flair for aesthetics and class… Traveled throughout 2004 without a coach
Reached his first career semifinal as a wild card at 1999 Vienna
defeating Karol KUCERA (SVK) in the quarter final:
’I’m very happy to have broken the quarterfinal jinx. Vienna was my
fifth career quarterfinal and I’m happy to have finally made it to the semifinals.
It’s a lot of points.’
As a wild card he reached the final at 2000 Marseille,
however he lost in the third set: ’It’s tough to lose a final 7-6 in the third.
I’m not that disappointed it will be easier for me in the next final.’
In 1999 he was the youngest player to finish in the top 100, 18 years 4 months.
Boris BECKER said of FEDERER on Blick Online in Feb 2000:
Roger is one of the biggest tennis talents ever; if Roger continues to
develop like this, he’s going to be one of the absolute top earners.’
As a junior, won the 1998 Wimbledon Boys’ Singles champion and
was a runner-up at the 1998 US Open Boys’ Singles.
Andre AGASSI (USA) said of FEDERER: He can really play.
He has a real presence on court and is only going to get better.
Parents, Robert who is a salesman in the chemical industry and Lynette,
a South African, is an executive secretary; one sister, Diana who is
ranked number Swiss player in all junior age categories.
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Munchenstein, Switzerland
Major Achivements: Semi Finalist - Vienna, AUT - 1999
Quarter Finalist - Marseille, FRA - 1999
Quarter Finalist - Rotterdam, NED - 1999
Quarter Finalist - Basel, SUI - 1999
Hobbies: Watching television, computers, soccer,
basketball, golf and movies.
Most admired person: Growing up his idols were Stefan EDBERG
and Boris BECKER . Now he most admires Pete SAMPRAS
General Interest: Named ITF World Singles Junior Champion for 1998.
More Updates July 04 2005 (from rediff.com) :
Just two years after capturing his first grand slam crown, Roger Federer is already being hailed as one of the greatest players ever to have picked up a tennis racket.
The Swiss world number one wrote his name into the record books on Sunday after becoming only the fourth man -- following Fred Perry, Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras -- to win a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles since end of the Challenge round in 1922.
One bookmaker has already quoted odds at 9/4 for Federer to win the next three years and eclipse Borg’s run of five consecutive titles and at 7/1 to outdo Sampras’s haul of seven.
’’He is the greatest natural talent in tennis I’ve ever seen, ’’ said three-times former champion John McEnroe, who was commentating on the final.
’’He is the most beautiful player I’ve ever seen. I love to watch the guy play, he’s an awesome talent.’’
Federer first burst on to the scene as a 19-year-old when he snapped Sampras’s 31-match winning streak on grass in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2001.
Frustratingly for Federer, he never even cracked the fourth round during his next seven visits to the four majors.
But once he conquered his nerves to capture his first grand slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, critics and tennis players alike were quick to laud his talent.
’’I would be honoured to even be compared with Roger, ’’ said Australian great Rod Laver, the only player to win two Grand Slams.
’’He is such an unbelievable talent and is capable of anything. Roger could be the greatest tennis player of all time.’’
EQUALLY EFFUSIVE
Laver’s compatriot Tony Roche, who now coaches the Swiss, was equally effusive.
’’Like Rod, Roger has the skills with so many options and a wonderful variation of strokeplay, ’’ said Roche. ’’He can rally from the baseline, use the slice and drop shots and play the winning volley.
’’I haven’t seen such a complete player around for so long and I’d put him up there with Laver.’’
Federer a season-best 11 titles last year and has already claimed another eight in 2005, winning on three different surfaces.
Since Czech Jiri Novak beat Federer in the Gstaad title match two years ago, the Swiss has won a record 21 consecutive finals.
’’His demeanour on court is pretty similar to mine, ’’ Sampras has said. ’’He’s pretty relaxed, goes out and plays. He doesn’t have any holes in his game and he’s a great athlete.’’
Federer’s predecessor as Wimbledon champion, Lleyton Hewitt, went a step further this week after losing to him in the semi-finals.
’’There’s no doubt he’s in the top few with the greats, ’’ said the Australian.
Federer claimed his fifth grand slam at Wimbledon and his earnings are already nearing the $18 million mark, all at the age of 23.
’’The way he plays mixing up the shots and the way he approaches match after match, he has set himself apart from the rest of the guys in the game, ’’ said twice former Wimbledon champion Jimmy Connors.
’’He wants to set records, he wants people 15 years from now, 100 years from now to look back and say during his era, he was the absolute best