roger federer

Shanghai Masters shootout: Murray rains on Federer’s parade

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Shanghai Masters shootout: Murray rains on Federer’s parade

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Is Pleased With The Man In The Mirror

What he said:

"Tonight I can see myself in the mirror and say, Yeah, you fight enough."

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is satisfied with his level of play despite losing his third successive Sunday match to Roger Federer in 15 days. (via Tennis-X.com)

The Frenchman succumbed to the Swiss master at the World Tour Finals in London.

What he really meant:

“Starting with the man in the mirror, I’m not asking him to change his ways. Just lose a little less.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Man, Roger fights more.”

Roger Federer: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Fedex Meets The Federer Express

What he said:

"I have never named a locomotive before, let alone one bearing my own name.”

Fedex or the Federal Express has a locomotive named after him—The Federer Express.

Roger Federer was honoured by National Suisse with a locomotive bearing his name and image.

Federer is the Suisse’s brand ambassador.

The National Suisse will contribute to the Roger Federer fund for every kilometre the locomotive travels.

Jeannine Pilloud, Head of the Passenger Division at SBB railways, said:

“Our passengers are world champions in rail travel. Now they can look forward to meeting Roger Federer, the best tennis player of all time, on all inter-city routes.”

What he really meant:

“How would you  like to do the Loco-motion with me?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Why can’t my sponsors be normal and name an airplane or a ship for me?”

Michael Luevano: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Michael Luevano Is Papal To Players’ Demands

What he said:

"Lock them in a room and throw away the key until they come out."

Shanghai Masters tournament director Michael Luevano insists that the only way to resolve tennis player concerns is to get all the governing bodies—ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slam tourney organisers—involved.

He called for a summit, “They need a summit with the Grand Slam present, the ITF present, the WTA present and of course the ATP."

Luevano added:

"It’s like voting for the Pope. Stay there [in the meeting] and we’ll wait for the white smoke."

Talking to BBC Sport, Luevano said that it is frustrating to lose top players to withdrawals and injuries.

Referring to Roger Federer’s withdrawal from his event, the Shanghai Masters boss said:

Especially with someone like Roger, we want him in the game for five more years.

If he’s not comfortable with how his body is feeling, and we just happen to be the tournament he can’t make, then so be it.

Luevano called for a balancing of  players’ demands and tournament needs:

It is very complex [the calendar debate]. There are a lot of moving parts, a lot of historic events, established market places.

By wanting to shorten the season, someone is going to suffer dramatically.

I think a lot of progress has been made by the ATP and from the tournament side what we’re looking for is player commitment which is how we build the event.

What Luevano really meant:

“Decisions and solutions don’t get made without coming to the dialogue table. Oh, by the way, can you ensure that my Shanghai sojourn continues in the mix?”

What Luevano definitely didn’t:

“There are plenty of empty rooms and seats right here in Shanghai. Let’s do it—now!”

Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

A Union Occupies Andy Roddick’s Thoughts

What he said:

"I don’t think we’re storming offices, but I think the sentiment is still there."

Andy Roddick contemplates the formation of a players’ union. The seemingly heretical idea has gained ground in recent weeks because of the atrocious rescheduling of matches at the US Open this year due to rain. Andy Murray earlier called for a strike if the number of mandatory tournaments during a calendar year are not curtailed.Players on the circuit play almost throughout the year specifically if they are also committed to Davis Cup.

Roddick said:

We need to be smart about it and take our time and make sure that it’s well thought out and not be kind of reactionary. But, you know, there is a discussion going on.

You have to have a voice in order to get it accomplished.Whatever our individual interests are and what we want changed, nothing is going to happen unless we’re on the same page.

Novak Djokovic pulled out of the Shanghai Masters to recover from a back injury sustained during the US Open final. Roger Federer has opted for six weeks of  rest and recuperation skipping the Asian swing.

On their withdrawals, Roddick remarked:

They don’t get their money this week. Obviously, if they were feeling well and they weren’t worn down, then they would (be here). We’re not getting away with anything by pulling out of tournaments. I feel like that’s the way it’s presented sometimes. That’s just not the case.

What Andy Roddick really meant:

“What we really need is an ‘Occupy ATP and WTA’ campaign.”

What Andy Roddick didn’t:

“Fewer tournaments, more money. Can things get better than that?”

Roger Federer: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Roger Federer Pushes Stan The Man’s ‘Buttons’

What he said:

If Stan wants me to do some push-ups to pump him up, I’ll do that, if he wants me to sleep on the floor of his bed[room] I’ll do that, to keep him warm as we’re both missing our children and stuff, so whatever he wants me to do I’m relaxed at this point. I’ll be here tomorrow of course – except if he doesn’t want me.

Roger Federer was ready to do almost anything to help his Davis Cup teammate, Stanislas Wawrinka, clinch his tie against Lleyton Hewitt. Wawrinka needed just six points to win his five setter on Monday, 19th September, 2011. Switzerland beat Australia in Australia—the final score read 3-2.

What he really meant:

“No Mirka, no kids, just us guys. It ought to have been an enjoyable guys outing Down Under but  we’re home buddies now.Stan, let’s get back home—pronto.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Stan and I are gonna yodel into the night and read out aloud our kids’ favourite bedtime tale ‘Heidi’.”

Magnifique Novak Djokovic wins battle royale, US Open title

Magnifique.

In a veritable slugfest lasting a little over four hours, Novak Djokovic trumped the defending champion Rafael Nadal—6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1—at Flushing Meadows on Monday, Sept. 12,  2011.

The No.1 seed had an answer for everything the Mallorcan threw at him—from his top-spin forehands, ripped backhands, deceptive serves and breaks of service.

If Nadal would break the Djoker’s service, Djokovic would come roaring right back with his incisive return of serve. The Spaniard was outlasted, out-rallied and outplayed by the Serb on his own terms—from the baseline.

The US Open is his fourth major and leaves only the French Open to complete a career Slam.

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Roger Federer: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“No, I haven’t.  I might read it.  I don’t know.  I haven’t come across it yet.  He hasn’t given me one yet.  (Laughter.) If he doesn’t, I’ll go buy one.  That’s not the issue.  (Laughter.) No, I haven’t had the time yet.  I don’t know if it’s gonna happen soon.”

Roger Federer has not yet read Rafael Nadal’s biography “Rafa: My Story” co-written with John Carlin.

What he really meant:

“I would have if he had said nasty things about me. Then these questions would have been unavoidable.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Why are you asking me a silly question like this? It’s Rafa’s book, not mine.”

Novak Djokovic:What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"I’m aware of the responsibility that I have as a present number one to represent the sport in some ways off the court. So I need to do that in a best possible way. You know, I’m trying. You tell me, how am I doing?"

Novak Djokovic cares about being No.1.

What he really meant:

“It’s quite difficult, you know. Earlier, I could take the mickey out of Roger (Federer) or Rafael (Nadal) when they were ranked higher. But I can’t mimic myself, can I?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“That explains the Maria Sharapova Head commercials.”

Otto, the German Shepherd, analyses the US Open men’s draw

My dog, Otto the German Shepherd, is a tennis nut.

“You haven’t analysed the men’s draw for the US Open. Today’s the 27th and the tournament begins on the 29th.” pestered Otto.

“I know. I’ve just been a little wrapped up in other things.” I reply, tiredly.

“But you have to do the men’s draw. That’s like manna for tennis followers.” insists Otto.

“Oh, I’m sure, they are multiple draw analyses floating around the internet. The smart ones can visit USOpen.org and figure it out themselves.” I attempt to fob off my companion.

“But that’s not the point, is it? It’s good for you too. You can’t follow the US Open without delving into the draw. It’s like going into a dark night without a torch.” Otto is a member of the local debate club.

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