Next up: Tsonga in quarters



Roger had to drop a set against Mikhail Youzhni today before eventually celebrated a strong 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory.

Both players served well in the opening set, taking it into a tie-breaker. Roger jumped to a 4-1 lead - only to just enter a short sloppy phase and eventually drop the set by losing the tie-break 5-7.
He found his rhythm better and better, managing to break Youzhni twice in the second set. He then continued dictating the game and finally sealed the victory to reach his 29th consecutive grand slam quarter-final!

Roger will now play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (ATP 19) of France on Wednesday.

http://www.rogerfederer.com/en/esp/news … inale.html

Roger Federer w wielkoszlemowym ĂŚwierĂŚfinale po raz 29...z rzĂŞdu!



Roger Federer, pokonuj¹c Michai³a Ju¿nego w 4 rundzie Wimbledonu 2011, awansowa³ po raz 29 z rzêdu do najlepszej "8" w turnieju wielkoszlemowym. Federer ju¿ podczas ostatniego RG pobi³ historyczny wyczyn Jimmy'ego Connorsa (27 kolejnych ÌwierÌfina³ów):
1.Roger Federer - 29 (2004-trwa)
2. Jimmy Connros - 27 (1973-1983)
3. Bill Tilden - 21 (1918-1930)

ÂŁÂącznie jest to juÂż 33 ĂŚwierĂŚfinaÂł wielkoszlemowy w karierze 29-letniego Szwajcara:
1. Jimmy Connors 41
2. Andre Agassi 36
3. Ivan Lendl 34
4. Roger Federer 33
5. Pete Sampras 29

WiĂŞcej:
http://www.mtenis.pun.pl/viewtopic.php?id=797

Wimbledon 2011 - wywiad po zwyciĂŞstwie w 4 rundzie

R. Federer bt. M. Youzhny 5 7, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3

Q. First time you dropped a set this tournament. Is it a sign that the games are getting harder as you go through?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, obviously. I mean, Nalbandian, I don't know if he's a lesser player than Youzhny. But, look, usually what happens is just that you get the players that are more in a groove naturally because they've played more tennis, you know, here.

I thought even though I lost the first set it was good tennis. He didn't have a breakpoint. I played a good breaker actually. Maybe got a touch unlucky with a net cord against me at 4 1 that could have gone my way. I turned that into 5 1, and I don't think I'd lose a breaker from there.

I thought overall we played a good match from start to finish. Good rallies, good atmosphere; it was fun.

Q. I heard on the TV saying you weren't used to No. 1 court yesterday.

ROGER FEDERER: It's like Centre to some degree, but open. Centre I have so many memories. I've played, what, maybe five times more on average on Centre than on Court 1. You never get an opportunity to practice anyway on all the show courts, so That just makes it just a touch more difficult when you show up on Centre Court on Tuesday when I showed up, or on Court 1 today. It's just not something you're a hundred percent used to.

But then again, there is a few center courts around the world that were somewhat built after Court 1 here at Wimbledon. So it doesn't feel completely unnatural. It's just that it's different and takes a bit getting used to.

Q. Do you have a preference among them?

ROGER FEDERER: What do you think?

Q. I could imagine what you think. I just need you to say it.

ROGER FEDERER: Centre Court. Very big surprise. I'd be in the wrong tournament if I picked Court 1. Even if that were the Centre Court, that would be fine, too.

Q. Court 1 is so much more modern.

ROGER FEDERER: No, it's just different. It's round. It's a different court, like all the courts are different around the world.

Q. He's by no means your imminent concern, but Bernard Tomic, have you seen his form? How do you think he'll go against Novak?

ROGER FEDERER: Honestly I haven't seen him play a lot. He played against Soderling on Court 1, but for some reason I missed that match. I guess I was practicing. It wasn't the longest match, so the next thing you know...

Yeah, I maybe saw like 10 points, and then I saw three games against Malisse today in the morning. Not much I can say.

But, look, he's doing well. I don't remember how old he is anymore, but he's still very young, I'm sure. It's great that he's doing his best runs at slams. I guess for him it's just important to back that up in other tournaments. But that's going to come naturally.

If you can do it in slams it shows that you're mentally and physically somewhat tough. Even though grass is a different surface, I learned 10 years ago when I played Sampras you don't play the points the same here as you do other places around the world. You have to play differently when the other surfaces come around again.

But, uhm, I guess if he's gotten this far, somewhat comfortable. I mean, I'm sure he'll have a slight chance against Novak, too.

Q. Do you welcome the Australians having a tennis player for a change after their great heritage?

ROGER FEDERER: You talk like Lleyton isn't around anymore. Be careful.

Q. He's around, but fragile.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, but still around. Could have beaten Soderling. We'd be talking differently.

For me, he still remains a great champion, always will be. He almost seems a bit injured to me. I'm sure he's never going to say what was actually the problem with him. But he can really battle through, you know, I think tough moments. That's why I admire, you know, him as a player and his work ethic.

Now, I think it's always good that the Australians have players. I just think that's key for a country that hosts, you know, one of the big tournaments around the world. They love their tennis. I think it's still the number one sport in Australia.

When we come there, they have someone to cheer for like they have Murray here, and obviously the French and the Americans there are plenty of. But maybe in England and Australia have a bit fewer players, so it's nice when a guy is coming along.

I don't know if he's going to be in the top hundred yet, Tomic, but I hope he will be when the Australian Open kind of rolls around so he doesn't need a wild card.

Q. You could say your take away comment from Melbourne is, Let's wait six months and see where things are at. Now as you're advancing here, what are your thoughts? Do you think your comment is pretty justified?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, got to wait and see how this turns out to be. Because, again, it could be a repeat of the Djokovic/Murray final and then I was wrong. If it's not the case, then I was right.

At the end of the day, I don't care if I'm wrong or right. I know where my game is at. I know where Rafa's game is at. He was going for four Grand Slams in a row; he loses. It's a new year. I just struggle when it goes from one extreme to the next.

We've all been playing well, I think the top four or five guys really, for a long time. I think it's exciting for tennis. Trying to talk it down or talk about changes, I think it's nice that we're all playing good at the same time.

Q. Do you try to stay calm and within yourself?

ROGER FEDERER: Always. Yeah, I don't need to get into all that fuss. I just need to straighten the record sometimes, otherwise people go in a direction that's just ridiculous.

Q. What is your assessment on Tsonga's game?

ROGER FEDERER: I think he's a great player. He's proven it on numerous occasions. I played a really good match I thought against him in Qatar. I think we both played well in the semis there. He was somewhat coming back from I think he had an injury at the end of the year and he didn't play so much. I thought he played great.

Yeah, it's going to be good tennis. He was a guy I kind of expected to come through in that section. It happened, so it's going to be a tough match. I think he's got the weapons to be a huge threat on grass, make a run here. It's a tough draw, but I'm ready for it.

Q. You mentioned Lleyton. After his loss the other day he approached his children and they started squealing, Daddy, daddy. It was sort of a situation that sort of made your heart melt. What is it like to go back to your kids and you're just daddy to them?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, normally when you have kids, it definitely changes to some degree your mindset. For some who were maybe living in a bubble, that definitely pops that bubble and makes you think there's definitely something else in your life.

I thought I always had a very good perspective, you know, on life and on where I wanted to go, how important tennis is to me, how important other things are in life to me as well. I think I was always able to have a great balance.

So when the kids came around for me, it was natural. It was something I always wanted to do with Mirka. You have nine months sort of getting ready for it while she's pregnant. You sort of hope it all goes well, which it did.

Obviously it's busy, it's intense with twins, but I love every moment of it. I wouldn't want it to be any different. I don't regret having them while I'm playing. I'm actually very happy I do have them while I'm playing.

Yeah, maybe that day will come, too, when they will scream my name and come after me. Right now it's still just a bit early.

Q. If one of your children should say to you, I want to be a tennis player, you will be happy?

ROGER FEDERER: They won't. They can't string three words together yet (smiling).

Q. Would you be happy?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I'm okay. Sports is good. Any sports. Just not boxing maybe. I struggle to watch that stuff in the first place. Even though it's a nice sport...

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/int … 82195.html

TSONGA STUNS FEDERER IN FIVE SETSS


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is through to his
fourth Grand Slam semi-final.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga became the first player ever to overturn a two-set deficit and beat Roger Federer in a Grand Slam match in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Wednesday. The Frenchman demonstrated all his flair and power as he rallied to defeat the six-time champion 3-6, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Centre Court.

"For me it's just amazing," said Tsonga. "The feeling is like maybe beating [Rafael] Nadal in Roland Garros, so it's just amazing. And for me it will be, for sure, one of the best memories in my career anyway."

"I felt so good on the court. I was quick. I was just perfect today. Every time I was feeling like a dream. Even at two sets down, because I was in the quarter-finals again Roger Federer. The stadium was full. I was not ridiculous. I was in my match. I'm the kind of player who likes these big moments. So I hope I will have some more."

Federer had commanded a 178-0 record when winning the first two sets in a Grand Slam match, and had only previously lost a two-set lead in five-set matches twice before in his career. The first instance came against Lleyton Hewitt in the 2003 Davis Cup semi-finals, before David Nalbandian repeated the feat in the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai final.

World No. 19 Tsonga is through to the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the first time, having fallen to Andy Murray in the 2010 quarter-finals at the All England Club. The Frenchman made his major breakthrough at the 2008 Australian Open, where he beat Rafael Nadal to reach his first final before finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic. Two years later he reached the semi-finals in Melbourne for the second time, when he was beaten by Federer in straight sets.

For a place in the final, Tsonga will face World No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who ended Australian qualifier Bernard Tomic's dream run with a four-set win. Read Match Report

Tsonga takes a 5-2 career lead into his eighth clash with Djokovic. Their last meeting came in the 2010 Australian Open quarter-finals, when Tsonga prevailed in five sets.

The Le Mans native had advanced to the last eight for the loss of just one set, against Grigor Dimitrov in the second round, but suffered from nerves in the early stages against Federer and paid the price as too many unforced errors saw him surrender his serve in the second game. Federer did not relinquish the lead, saving one break point in the fifth game but was otherwise dominant on serve as he closed out the opener.

Both players settled into a high level in the 47-minute second set, in which neither player was able to break serve. In the subsequent tie-break, Federer seized the initiative, racing to a 5-0 advantage before closing out the seemingly commanding two-set lead with a forehand winner.

The coach-less Tsonga did not let his head go down, though. Instead, the Frenchman stepped in to attack Federer and broke the Swiss’ serve for the first time in the match in the third game after converting his third opportunity with a forehand winner on the run that caught the edge of the line. Federer looked to repair the damage in the latter stages of the set, twice holding a 0/30 advantage on the Tsonga serve in the eighth and 10th games. He was unable to build further, though, and Tsonga’s comeback began as he clinched his third set point with an unreturned serve.

The 12th-seeded Tsonga swiftly built on his momentum, going after a Federer second serve in the third game of the fourth set and breaking down the Swiss’ defences with a blistering forehand winner. Solid on serve, Tsonga coolly went on to level the match with a love service hold in the 10th game.

With Federer reeling, Tsonga took full advantage, bullying the 16-time Grand Slam champion with his booming forehand and drawing a crucial error in the first game of the fifth set to gain an early service break. Federer would earn no chances to regain the break, and Tsonga went on to close out victory in three hours and eight minutes.

"I served just unbelievable," assessed Tsonga. "I feel really confident on this shot. I hope it will continue. It is difficult to play against him because you don't know exactly what he's thinking, what's happening in his head. He has all the time the same behaviour, and it's difficult because he plays so fast. You don't know if he's scared or not, and it's really difficult. I didn't look at him. I was just focused on me, on my serve, and that's it."

Tsonga is the fifth Frenchman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals in the Open Era, following Henri Leconte (1986), Cedric Pioline (1997), Sebastien Grosjean (2003-2004) and Richard Gasquet (2007). Pioline went on to become the only Frenchman in the Open Era to reach the final (l. to Sampras). The last Frenchman to win the title was Yvon Petra in 1946.

"It's always a tough match to lose today," said Federer, who also lost in the quarter-finals last year (l. to Berdych). "But I think Jo played great. Really from start to finish I don't remember seeing a break point after I broke him in the first game. But I was close. I had all my chances. He came up with some good stuff. So it was tough. I'm actually pretty pleased with my performance today. It's kind of hard going out of the tournament that way, but unfortunately it does happen sometimes."

The 29-year-old Swiss was looking to win his first major title since the 2010 Australian Open, and claim a record-tying seventh Wimbledon crown.

“It's the second year running that the talk has been about me equalling Pete's seven Wimbledons. I didn't feel that makes it particularly special. I love equalling any record Pete has made, but it's not the driving force behind my motivation really. I love Pete. It's always nice doing stuff that he did. But at the end of the day I'm trying to win a tournament.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … -Sets.aspx

FEDERER: I CAN WIN MORE SLAMS


Federer's attention shifts to the Davis Cup,
where Switzerland will square off against
Portugal from 8-10 July.

Despite losing in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the second straight year on Wednesday, World No. 3 Roger Federer remains upbeat about his chances to claim one or more Grand Slam titles in the future. When asked whether or not he sees himself hoisting another major title, a confident Federer said, “I think I definitely can, yes. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't the case.”

Federer won the first two sets against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but his French counterpart stormed back to hand the Swiss his first loss in 179 Grand Slam matches when holding a two-sets lead. The No. 12 seed rallied to win 3-6, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and Federer credited Tsonga’s ability to step up when it counted. “I really did play well, and I also thought Jo played an amazing match, as good as I've seen him play for such a long period of time. You can only respect that,” said Federer. “It was a great match from both sides. To talk bad about this match would be unfortunate.”

After breaking Tsonga in the opening game, Federer did not see another break point. The six-time Wimbledon champion believes there wasn’t much more he could do to reverse the outcome of the match “I can't blame my poor returning or my poor serving or my poor movement or anything like that in this match, and that makes it a bit easier to digest.”

Added Federer, “I'm actually pretty pleased with my performance today. It's kind of hard going out of the tournament that way, but unfortunately it does happen sometimes. At least it took him sort of a special performance to beat me, which is somewhat nice.”

The Swiss, who last won a major title at the Australian Open in 2010, is looking to capture a Grand Slam Championship for the ninth straight year, and will have one more chance to extend the streak at the US Open. In comparing his form to the past season, Federer finds that he is playing just as well, if not better.”The game is there. I'm happy. I'm healthy. I feel much better than sort of a year ago. That's very encouraging,” Federer assessed. “Even though I took a tough loss today, I don't feel discouraged in any way. I think that's key right now, to not let anything get to me.”

His attention now shifts to the Davis Cup, where Switzerland will square off against Portugal from 8-10 July for a chance to play in the World Group Playoffs. “I'll work harder than ever, the way I usually do, and hopefully come back extremely strong for Davis Cup first of all, and then for the American summer again.”

Federer has won 11 summer-hard-court titles since 2003, which include five triumphs at the US Open, four titles at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati event and two trophies at the Rogers Cup in Canada.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … itles.aspx

Wimbledon 2011 - wywiad po poraÂżce w ĂŚwierĂŚfinale

R. Federer def. by J. Tsonga 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6

Q. He really seemed to lift his game after getting into the match a little bit. He almost like slammed the door on you and you couldn't quite get it open again. Is that accurate?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, maybe. I don't know. I mean, it's always a tough match to lose today. But, like you say, I think Jo played great. Really from start to finish I don't remember seeing a breakpoint after I broke him in the first game.

But I was close. You know, I had all my chances. He came up with some good stuff. So it was tough.

Q. What would you say went wrong and what went right for you today?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, except the score, many, many things went right. I thought I played a good match myself. I'm actually pretty pleased with my performance today. It's kind of hard going out of the tournament that way, but unfortunately it does happen sometimes.

At least it took him, you know, sort of a special performance to beat me, which is somewhat nice. But, you know, like I said, I think he played an amazing match. Didn't give me many chances. There was some close ones along the way, but he always was able to sneak out on me. That made it tough for me.

But, look, I played well for myself, so it was pretty good.

Q. Was his speed a strong factor in getting balls?

ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, I mean, look, I've played Jo before. It's not like he's 16 years old and I've never seen him play before. I know what to expect from Jo. He can come up with some good stuff and some poor things at times, you know.

He had basically good return games along the way in the third, fourth, and fifth. I think especially the third set, the break I get is very unusual. He chips back a couple; they stay in. He ends up picking a couple of sides and he ends up breaking me in a way I don't think he deserves as much.

But, look, he hung in there. I was controlling the match. Next thing you know, he just continued serving great, which for me was important to get at least a couple of chances.

But the chances were slim. And then again, he only needed a couple of breaks to end up bringing it home. So he did a really good job doing that very well.

Q. Giving up that early break in the fifth, were you discouraged? Did you feel he sort of has you out of it? What was your psychological state?

ROGER FEDERER: I think he played well. Every time it got important on sort of my service games he played great. He took all the right chances. He believed in shots, you know, that maybe you don't hit as often. But exactly when he needed them, he was able to pull them off. That's a big credit to him, for believing that he can, you know, pull shots the way he did.

And for me it was tough obviously. He was taking huge cuts at the ball. When it got important, he went for it. It all worked out for him today.

Q. You've been invincible in matches in majors when you've had a two sets to nothing lead. How would you describe what turned things around from the first two sets here?

ROGER FEDERER: Not much. I mean, I think we just played both well from start to finish. We didn't give each other many looks on our serves. It reminded me to a degree of the Roddick match I played here in the finals. It was that tough getting sort of Love 30, 15 30, 15 40 leads. They were very rare.

Whenever you would get a ball back somewhat decent, you know, the other guy slams the door every time. Forehand in the corner. You're trying to get out of that position, but it's hard.

I think we both did a really good job of doing the 1 2 punch. I knew he could do it. It was not really a surprise to see him do it for five sets. But it was good tennis. You know, I really enjoyed it. It was unfortunate at the end I wasn't able to come out of it.

From start to finish I felt also I was playing well. Didn't take much time between points. It was a quick match for both of us. Before you know it, all of a sudden you're down a break in the fifth. You know, things don't look so good, but you're feeling actually pretty good, which is a bit unfortunate.

Q. Whenever you come after a defeat in a slam, after five minutes you are in the press room. Is it because you just want to get rid of everything and go away and forget about everything or not?

ROGER FEDERER: No. They told me I have a chance now or in an hour. I prefer to do it now and then do doping after and then hopefully they let me go and I can go back.

No, why hang around? I have nothing more to do here, even though I like it here. Who knows, maybe I'll stay in Wimbledon for a few days. I don't know what I'm going to do yet next.

No, I mean, you guys don't like to wait, right? So I'm doing you guys a favor (smiling).

Q. How long will it take you to get over this?

ROGER FEDERER: This is part of the process. I mean, look, I think this one for some reason's gonna be easier to digest than the last year's defeat. Even though this one was in five sets and I was up two sets to love, I don't really feel like I lost from two sets to love up.

Kind of a strange feeling because I did play well myself. There's not much I can't blame my poor returning or my poor serving or my poor movement or anything like that in this match, and that makes it, I think, a bit easier to digest.

Who knows, maybe it's going to hurt me more in three days. I doubt it. I'll be able to move on quickly. Nevertheless, it's disappointing that I loss.

Q. In Australia you did say, Let's wait six months and we'll see then. Now you just came off the court obviously, but if you could reflect on your place in the game, what would you say?

ROGER FEDERER: Like I say, I think I'm playing well, you know. I thought my game was plenty good enough this year to win the tournament. Unfortunately there's only one that can win it, and the rest go home empty handed. That's what happened to me today. I think Jo played an amazing match, like I said, so obviously it's disappointing.

But the game is there. I'm happy. I'm healthy. I feel much better than sort of a year ago. That's very encouraging really. Even though I took a tough loss today, I don't feel, you know, discouraged in any way. I think that's key right now, to not let anything get to me.

I'll work harder than ever, the way I usually do, and hopefully come back extremely strong for Davis Cup first of all, and then for the American summer again.

Q. You can still lift Grand Slam trophies with some ease?

ROGER FEDERER: Is it easy for anybody at the moment? I don't know. I don't think so. I think it's pretty tough for anybody right now to win Grand Slams. But one will win the tournament. The other 120 something players will not. That's what's tough in tennis. Knock out systems are pretty rough.

But I think I definitely can, yes. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't the case.

Q. Is there any special significance for you in any way, either the Pete Sampras record or your record? Was it sort of like a routine Grand Slam event for you, or was there any special meaning to it this year for you?

ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, obviously it's the second year running that the talk has been about me equaling Pete's seven Wimbledons. I didn't feel that makes it particularly special. I love equaling any record Pete has made, but it's not the driving force behind, you know, my motivation really.

Look, I love Pete. It's always nice doing stuff that he did. But at the end of the day I'm trying to win a tournament. It always feels very special coming back to the grounds.

Just, like I said beginning of the week, I feel great here. I think I played some good tennis these last 10 days or whatever it's been. Yeah, I enjoyed myself here once again. Definitely feels special. Was there anything extra special? I'm not sure. There is always something. I always love it here, so...

Q. Does it feel like the end of an era, because we're so used to seeing you win here?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I don't think so. Look, I played too good to wasn't a shocker second round loss in straight sets, some stupid match I played. It was a great match, I think, from both sides. To talk bad about this match would be unfortunate, I think. I really did play well, and I also thought Jo played an amazing match, as good as I've seen him play for such a long period of time.

You know, you can only respect that. I do that. That's why there's no reason to look too far ahead, to be quite honest.

Q. Your record speaks for yourself, but in the fifth set there is something strange. You played 29 matches and you won 16 and you lost 13 today. Just a little bit more than 50%. How do you explain it? A player like you, you're effortless, so you should win more in the fifth set than the others. How do you explain the record is not that great?

ROGER FEDERER: Because when I was probably losing four matches a year I wasn't even in fifth sets. I could have done nicely for my records probably and gone down two sets to one in every match and probably still would have won in five because I was so much better than everybody else.

These records to me don't really sound so right. Was it a physical effort today? I don't really think so. It was more just a serving contest. Good 1 2 punches.

Sure, it takes its toll. What was it, 3 hours 15 match? We can do it in our sleep, to be honest. I don't think five set records come into play so much.

But, sure, it can show a few things. I don't think Jo has a particularly good five set record. How come he played so well today? I don't know. It's all a matter of how you look at it, so...

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/int … 47256.html

KrĂłl Roger powoli odchodzi

- WielkoœÌ Federera polega³a równie¿ na tym, ¿e wp³yn¹³ na rozwój innych tenisistów, którzy dziœ z nim zwyciê¿aj¹ - mówi Boris Becker, wieszcz¹c powolny koniec ery 30-letniego szwajcarskiego mistrza

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pokonaÂł w ÂśrodĂŞ Federera w ĂŚwierĂŚfinale Wimbledonu 3:6, 6:7 (3-7), 6:4, 6:4, 6:4, sprawiajÂąc najwiĂŞkszÂą sensacjĂŞ turnieju. We wszystkich wczeÂśniejszych 178 przypadkach, gdy Szwajcar zgarniaÂł w Wielkim Szlemie dwa pierwsze sety, schodziÂł z kortu jako zwyciĂŞzca. PrzegraÂł kilka dramatycznych piĂŞciosetowych batalii w Pucharze Davisa, a w 2005 r. daÂł siĂŞ dogoniĂŚ Davidowi Nalbandianowi na Masters Cup w Szanghaju, ale w Szlemie dwa wygrane sety zawsze oznaczaÂły jego koĂącowy sukces.

Drugi rok z rzêdu odpad³ w ÌwierÌfinale Wimbledonu, bo w 2010 r. w podobnych okolicznoœciach znokautowa³ go niespodziewanie Tomasz Berdych. Czech te¿ œwietnie serwowa³ i przewy¿sza³ Federera si³¹ ataku.

- GraÂłem dobrze, na poziomie pozwalajÂącym wygraĂŚ turniej. Nie polegÂłem w II rundzie, to nie byÂła gÂłupia wpadka. ZwyciĂŞzca moÂże byĂŚ tylko jeden - wzruszaÂł ramionami po poraÂżce Szwajcar. Czy wierzy, Âże dalej moÂże zwyciĂŞÂżaĂŚ Szlemy? - OczywiÂście. Jestem zdrowy, mam motywacjĂŞ - odparÂł.

W¹tpi¹cych jednak przybywa. Federer za pó³tora miesi¹ca koùczy 30 lat. Ostatniego Szlema zdoby³ w styczniu 2010 r. w Melbourne. To jego szósty z rzêdu wielki turniej bez tytu³u. Tak d³ug¹ posuchê mia³ ostatnio przed 2003 r., czyli zanim na dobre rozkrêci³a siê jego kariera.

"Roger chciaÂłby wrĂłciĂŚ, ale czas na Wimbledonie nie stoi w miejscu dla nikogo" - napisaÂł "The Guardian". Ostatnim triumfatorem po trzydziestce byÂł Arthur Ashe w 1975 r., czyli w czasach drewnianych rakiet i zwolnionych prĂŞdkoÂści. Po 30. urodzinach Szlemy wygrali poza Londynem: Petr Korda (Australian Open 1998), Pete Sampras (US Open 2002) i Andre Agassi (Australian Open 2003). "CiÂągle mam w pamiĂŞci poraÂżkĂŞ Samprasa z Federerem w 2001 r. Wtedy skoĂączyÂła siĂŞ era. I dziÂś teÂż" - zauwaÂżyÂł na Twitterze dziennikarz "Daily Mirror".

Jeszcze trzy-cztery lata temu wydawaÂło siĂŞ, Âże Federer pobije niemal wszystkie tenisowe rekordy. Licznik SzlemĂłw zdobytych przez Szwajcara zatrzymaÂł siĂŞ na 16, czyli na dwĂłch wiĂŞcej niÂż osiÂągniĂŞcie Samprasa, wczeÂśniej najlepsze. Amerykanin, ktĂłry urodziÂł siĂŞ i rywalizowaÂł dokÂładnie dekadĂŞ przed Federerem, sam podkreÂślaÂł wiele razy, Âże Roger bĂŞdzie wiĂŞkszy od niego. DziÂś wydaje siĂŞ, Âże Szwajcar we wszystkim Samprasa jednak nie przebije - Amerykanin zwyciĂŞÂżyÂł w siedmiu Wimbledonach, dÂłuÂżej prowadziÂł teÂż na liÂście ATP. Po piĂŞtach Federerowi depcze teÂż Rafael Nadal. JeÂśli 25-letni Hiszpan wygra w Londynie, bĂŞdzie miaÂł juÂż 11 SzlemĂłw.

- Druga z rzêdu pora¿ka w ÌwierÌfinale turnieju, który wygra³o siê szeœÌ razy, musia³a zaboleÌ. Bez wzglêdu na to, jak bardzo Roger stara siê to ukryÌ. Kiedy jesteœ na szczycie i nagle zaczynasz przegrywaÌ, ciê¿ko znieœÌ to psychicznie. Przed Rogerem du¿o rozmyœlaù o przysz³oœci - mówi Boris Becker, ekspert BBC, trzykrotny król Wimbledonu z lat 80. Niemiec przypomina, ¿e jego kariera skoùczy³a siê w³aœciwie w momencie, gdy pojawi³ siê Sampras i zda³ sobie sprawê, ¿e jest ktoœ lepszy od niego. Federer te¿ wie, ¿e dziœ lepszy jest Nadal, ¿e coraz czêœciej przegrywa z Djokoviciem, Murrayem, Del Potro, a od czasu do czasu tak¿e z Bedrychem i Tsong¹. Ile jeszcze pora¿ek wytrzyma?

- Federer gra³ magiczny tenis, ale jego wielkoœÌ polega³a te¿ na tym, ¿e zainspirowa³ rozwój innych. To dziêki niemu mêski tenis jest dziœ na takim poziomie, bo rywale za wszelk¹ cenê chcieli go dogoniÌ - podkreœli³ Becker.

I u schyÂłku kariery mistrza wreszcie go dogonili.

- Nie mog³em uwierzyÌ w pora¿kê Rogera. Wydawa³o siê, ¿e po tak udanym Rolandzie Garrosie, na swojej ulubionej nawierzchni trawiastej, zaprezentuje siê jeszcze lepiej - mówi Wojciech Fibak, ÌwierÌfinalista Wimbledonu z 1980 r. - Moim zdaniem za wczeœnie na skreœlanie Federera. Za rok wci¹¿ ma szansê - dodaje Fibak. Jego zdaniem Tsonga, tak jak przed rokiem Berdych, zaskoczy³ Federera œwietnym serwisem. Pokona³ Szwajcara nieco wiêkszym atletyzmem i odpornoœci¹ psychiczn¹.

Podobnie myÂśli John McEnroe. - Federer wygra jeszcze Szlema. W meczu z TsongÂą nie prĂłbowaÂł niczego zmieniĂŚ i to go zgubiÂło w koĂącĂłwce - stwierdziÂł Amerykanin, trzykrotny mistrz Wimbledonu.

Kolejna szansa, Âżeby przekonaĂŚ siĂŞ, kto ma racjĂŞ, pod koniec sierpnia na US Open.

Jakub CiastoĂą

http://www.sport.pl/tenis/1,107387,9874 … hodzi.html

2-0 against Portugal



Roger had to fight back from one set down in the Davis Cup rubber today to eventually defeat Portugal's Rui Machado 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

It was our champ's first Davic Cup match after almost two years. He struggled with too many errors in the opening set but continually raised his level of play. Thanks to early breaks in the following sets, Roger worked his way into the lead and sealed the victory after a little more than two and a half hours.

Switzerland now leads 2-0 against Portugal after the first day of play as Stanislas Wawrinka won the opening match, obviously thrilling the 8'000 Swiss fans in the Swiss capital.

http://www.rogerfederer.com/en/esp/news … tugal.html

Federer pomoÂże dzieciom z Malawi

SÂłynny szwajcarski tenisista Roger Federer zamierza pomagaĂŚ dzieciom z jednego z najbiedniejszych krajĂłw na Âświecie - Malawi.ZwyciĂŞzca 16 turniejĂłw przyznaÂł, Âże prowadzona przez niego fundacja dobroczynna przekaÂże 3,3 mln dolarĂłw na opracowany 10 lat temu projekt dotyczÂący pomocy w edukacji dzieci z Malawi. Celem jest umoÂżliwienie rozpoczĂŞcia nauki 54 tysiÂącom najmÂłodszych mieszkaĂącĂłw paĂąstwa poÂłoÂżonego w poÂłudniowo-wschodniej Afryce.

- Jako ojciec dwĂłch cĂłrek (bliÂźniaczki Myla Rose i Charlene Riva majÂą po dwa lata), na co dzieĂą obserwujĂŞ jak dzieci niewiarygodnie szybko siĂŞ uczÂą i rozwijajÂą - powiedziaÂł 29-letni tenisista, obecnie trzeci na liÂście Âświatowej.

Projekt zakÂłada prowadzenie nauki w 80 centrach edukacyjnych w szeÂściu z 28 dystryktĂłw w Malawi. WedÂług statystyk, w tym kraju ponad trzy miliony dzieci poniÂżej oÂśmiu lat nie chodzi do szkoÂły, a analfabetyzm jest ogromnym problemem.

IstniejÂąca od 2003 roku fundacja imienia Rogera Federera pomaga dzieciom m.in. w Tanzanii, Zimbabwe i Republice PoÂłudniowej Afryki oraz sportowym talentom w Szwajcarii.

Dwa tygodnie temu Federer niespodziewanie odpadÂł juÂż w ĂŚwierĂŚfinale turnieju na trawiastych kortach w Wimbledonie. PokonaÂł go w piĂŞciu setach Francuz Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. W przeszÂłoÂści Szwajcar szeÂściokrotnie wygraÂł londyĂąskÂą imprezĂŞ.

PAP

http://www.sportowefakty.pl/tenis/2011/ … -z-malawi/