Articles written by: Xavier
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Im from Switzerland but represented Luxembourg at various high level junior tennis tournaments. I have also trained at some of the biggest tennis academies in Europe. However, now im in China studying.
Roger Federer beat his fellow Stanislas Wawrinka in an exhibition game 62 64 and in that way avenged himself for the defeat in Monte Carlo a few weeks earlier.
Federer showed throughout the game a high level of tennis and showed himself satisfied: “I recovered very well from my match against Rafa last Sunday and am very satisfied with my game.”
The courts in Paris were almost identical and playing in front of 1′500 spectators is always a pleasure. Even though he beat Nadal, Federer said he did not want to change anything in his preparation for Roland Garros: “The victory makes me more confident though,” Federer told Eurosport.
Federer and Mirka have been a couple for almost nine years now. For the past seven she almost never left his side. And now since Easter they are married.
But not is seems as if they will have to separate from each other. At least for some time. Why? Because two months before a child’s birth pregnant women should not fly anymore. Will Federer therefore hit the road on his own in the near future? Federer:” We will see how Mirka is doing. Luckily the upcoming tournaments are all not too far away. I am happy I don’t have to go all the way down to Australia or the States… All the flights are pretty short at the moment. If she feels okay and the doctors tell her she can take the plane then she will come with me. Otherwise she will just stay at home and rest.”
According to Federer the baby should be born nefore August 10th, which is when the Masters-1000-Series event in Montreal is taking palce, a tournament that Federer usually plays. Federer made it clear though, he does not want to miss any tournament!
And what about after the birth? Will they travel together? “We think so,” reckons Federer,”but if the child or Mirka don’t feel well then they will just stay at home. So far she still wants to travel a lot. But we will decide according to the child and do everything to keep it healthy and raise it in a healthy environment.
Last Sunday the French Tennis Federation (FFT) confirmed that world number 23 Richard Gasquet was positively tested on cocaine. “If it is a true, it would be sad news for Richard, for tennis in general and for the French tennis of course,” was their comment. Gasquet has so far until July 12th been banned from the circuit. That already means that he will miss Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Gasquet, whose residence is in Switzerland, didn’t play that well the last few months and was frequently injured. He last had to abandon in Miami where he then attended a party of French DJ Bob Sinclair and was positively tested on cocaine.
Meanwhile Richard asked for an other independent test to proof that he is not consuming cocaine regularly. “I am collecting evidence for my innocence and I will express myself at the given opportunity.”
Concerning his penalty, what will be relevant is, if it will be judged as during competition or not during the competition. If it is not during the competition he won’t face a penalty. But since he was playing Florida and only forfeited only right before his first game things don’t look that well. Then he might face a two year penalty.
Let’s wait for more evidence…
World number two Swiss Roger Federer said :”My aim is the title! It is not going to be easy, but if I play well it is possible. The Swiss Champion is of course talking about Rome not about Roland Garros yet.
His statement is of course psychological warfare, if this is how we can call it. His intention is to show “Hey guys, I am still here, don’t forget about me! I can still win this thing!”
Nadal and Murray on the contrary stay very modest. Nadal said I am not even thinking about the quarters yet, the first round has yet to be played and Murray seems to feel the pressure of the English press. “I am not that good on clay so I can only think about the first round, everything else would make no sense.”
Roger Federer is since last October without a victory in what so ever tournament. It is time he frees himself again from this pressure. Let’s see what awaits us this week…
On Sunday May 10th, Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka gave an interview to a Swiss newspaper. Here an extract translated from German:
Mr Wawrinka, how is it possible, that even though you have had a lot of success over the past few months, you can still walk around in Zurich almost unrecognized?
Wawrinka: Well for the people a quarter or half final victory in a big tourney is not that important.
But the Swiss people’s interest for tennis is bigger than ever, isn’t it?
Wawrinka: Yes, but since Federer won almost everything over the past 4, 5 years winning just became like “normal”.
Are you upset about this?
Wawrinka: I just think it is a shame. People don’t recognize the performances of other athletes anymore. We do not have a lot of professional sportsmen in Switzerland, and therefore the encouragement of the public is even more important. But everything is just about Federer. For the people it doesn’t matter what we others are doing. Everybody just thinks it is easy to win, because Federer kept on winning and winning. They can’t imagine how difficult it actually is only to be in the Top 50 of the World!
If Switzerland hadn’t Federer would you be a Star?
Wawrinka: (Laughs) Yeah, maybe. But my goal is just to do my best. that is all that counts.
Roger Federer has over the past few days been spotted training in Wohlishoffen, Zurich (SUI). He has been preparing there for the upcoming tournaments in Madrid and Paris.
He has been training with his coach and Swiss Davis Cup Captain Severin Lüthi and Roman Valent (25) as a sparring partner.
Last week Federer lost against Djokovic in Rom and blamed some weaknesses in his serve. He said that his intention was to get rid of this weakness before the start of the next tourneys so as to be ready for Roland Garros!
We will see…
Tennis Beauty Ashley Harkleroad, who right before the Olympics last year undressed for the Playboy magazine, is now expecting a child. It will be a boy. For Ashley a long awaited dream comes true. She said though that her career is not over yet: “I feel young and fit. I will come back on the tour.”
Let’s wish her luck then!
Finally it is done. Wimbledon’s centre court has its new roof. Finally no more hours of waiting to see the stars play!
At the same time, they raised the prize money this year by 6.2% up to 12.55 million Pound. However, due to the economic crisis and the Pound’s low exchange rate, it doesn’t really make any difference.
Here we go for some pics of the new roof:
World number 2 Federer married silently and secretly his long time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec on April 11th. The night before Federer was with a few friends having fun cart racing. Even the food was pretty simple: just specialties from Switzerland, namely the famous Swiss dish called “Zuercher Geschnaetzeltes”.
The pictures that have been taken at their wedding are being sold for a good cause. The Swiss Magazine “Schweizer Illustrierte” has the exclusive rights for them and in
return made a donation to Federer’s foundation helping kids from poor families.
Federer after the wedding: “That’s my wife. It just sounds better. I didn’t think it would make such a big difference, but it just feels great!”
Roger Federer confirmed shortly after his wedding that their child is going to be a boy. He said they are now looking for a name.
Got any suggestions?
Miroslava “Mirka” Vavrinec and Federer announced a couple of weeks ago that they are excpecting a child and shortly afterwards got married. the child is expected this summer.
