Sports - Roger Federer Appreciation #3: Career Slam, 15 majors, and number one again. No wonder he's considered the greatest ever

Wingster · 07-05-2009, 12:36 PM

Welcome to the 3rd Roger Federer Appreciation Thread!

*Country: Switzerland
*Date of birth: August 8, 1981
*Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
*Weight: 187lbs
*Hair Color: Dark brown
*Eye Color: Brown
*Turned Pro: 1998
*Plays: Right-handed; one-handed backhand
*Considers Swiss German his first language, but also speaks German, French, and English fluently
*Established the Roger Federer Foundation in 2003 to help disadvantaged people and to promote sports to youth.
*Former Idols: Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg
*Hobbies:Sports (golf, soccer, skiing), friends, Playstation, music, playing cards
*Appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF from 2006
*Named as one of the 100 most influential people in 2007

Singles Career to date

By Roger

"I fear no one, but respect everyone."
"A man who wins is a man who thinks he can"
"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."
"Every day is is a possibility to improve on something"

On his motivation as Unicef Ambassador: "I told the children that I would always be there for them. Children are our future, and for that reason I have tried to inspire them."
On his being named among the Sexiest Men in People Magazine:"..The more success you have, the better looking you get."

"Domination isn't down to poor competition, it's about making the difficult look easy"
"I recognize the responsibility of encouraging us all - player and fans alike - to look and act like champions.”
" When I lose I am disappointed, but I surely respect my opponent when he beats me and thus can congratulate him with a smile."
"I always believe if you're stuck in a hole and maybe things aren't going well you will come out stronger. Everything in life is this way."

"It's always what people see first — for them, that's what you are 'best at.' ... When you see me play, you see a 'beautiful' player — and maybe after that you maybe see that he's fast, maybe you see that he's got a good forehand, maybe then you see that he has a good serve. First, you know, you have a base, and to me, I think it's great, you know, and I'm very lucky to be called basically 'beautiful,' you know, for style of play. ... With me it's, like, 'the beautiful player,' and that's really cool."

"I'm who I am. I'm not trying to be like somebody else. I think every individual should have their own careers. I think nobody has got the same character so I'll be remembered as myself, not that I've been compared to somebody else"

"People are intrigued with crazy things, you know, in this day and age, especially with reality TV shows and stuff. I see where they are coming from, but ... I still believe that good manners and politeness is the better way to go. And if that's boring, then I'm sorry for the people who say that it is boring''

"I would rather be a role model for kids and myself. It's anyway the person I am and I am not going to go out there to be controversial to be just in the media. I think that’s the way to do it for me. Anyway people give me a lot of compliments but that not why I do it. I do it because it is me and it is genuine and so lets see how it goes in the future. Hopefully I stay out of trouble."

“It's not as though you get used to being No 1 in the world, but for me there is pressure at every tournament, from fans, sponsors, the media and not least myself. I expect a lot from myself. I try to give everything I have. It doesn't matter whether the tournament is Estoril or Wimbledon. I always try to give my best.”

"Be quiet, OK?".

About Roger

"Roger can produce tennis shots that should be declared illegal.” - Tracy Austin
"What he's done in tennis, I think, is far greater than what I've done in golf."- Tiger Woods
"I came up against, in my opinion, the best player ever to play the game" - Andy Murray
"Roger Federer is the best player in any sport today, and it's not close. It's not close."...-Mike Greenberg

"I've probably run out of adjectives to describe him on the court to talk about his excellence. He's just unbelievable." - James Blake
"[In the modern game], you're a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist or a hard court specialist ... or you're Roger Federer." - Jimmy Connors

"He’s the most gifted player that I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen a lot of people play. I’ve seen the Lavers, I played against some of the great players-the Samprases, Beckers, Connors, Borgs, you name it. This guy could be the greatest of all time. That, to me, says it all. He’s probably the greatest player that ever lived. He can beat half the guys with his eyes closed!" - John McEnroe

"Roger's got too many shots, too much talent in one body. It's hardly fair that one person can do all this - his backhands, his forehands, volleys, serving, his court position ... the way he moves around the court, you feel like he's barely touching the ground, and that's the sign of a great champion" - Rod Laver

"He simply does not have any more weaknesses left in him. It is such a pleasure to see him play. To me, Roger Federer is the right model for anyone aspiring to be a tennis player. It is such a pleasure to just watch him play. His shot-making has got better and I doubt there is any shot he cannot make in any part of the court…. He is such a complete player that I do not see anyone getting better than him for a long time from now." - Bjorn Borg

"He's probably the most talented person to ever carry a racquet around-the shots that he can come up with, the way he's kind of become a totally complete player. But I think off the court, it's huge. There have been a lot of good champions, but he's just classy. He is never high and mighty in the locker room or anything like that." - Andy Roddick

"I am amazed, not only by the beauty of Roger's game, but also the consistency of his tournament wins. Even more amazing is the fact that he seems to love what he is doing and he handles the pressure so well. Roger is a great champion and ambassador for our sport." - John McEnroe

"He's a class guy on and off the court. He's fun to watch. Just his athletic ability, what he's able to do on the run. I think he can and will break every tennis record out there." - Pete Sampras

“Roger is like a good red wine, he’s getting better with age. I think his best years are ahead of him. I think his big years will be when he is 26, 27, 28, as that is when he will be both mature and at his physical peak. I think he will become a better player in many respects. Roger hasn’t even started to use a lot of his game. It’s a challenge for all those trying to stop him. But they are playing against a man who will probably enter tennis history as the best ever" - Tony Roche[/I]

Links
Roger's Official Site
Roger Federer Foundation

Vids
Roger Federer as Religious Experience
The 12 Grand Slams of Roger Federer
Top 10 Best of Roger Federer
The Great Roger Federer
Roger Federer - Simply the Best
Roger Federer can't stop laughing!
Roger Federer

Icons
(not made by me!)

Fed Fans

*Catherine*
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Previous Threads

Roger Federer Appreciation #1
Roger Federer Appreciation #2

*If anyone would like to be added to the Fed Fans list, or has any suggestions for the OP, please PM me*
**Credit to Anke for "Playing against history" and G.S.M banner, Jessie for the opening banner, and Credit to markeysworld for the beautiful gif!

Pure.Magic · 07-05-2009, 12:44 PM

TFTNT, Kush.

finally, a new thread!

neel luvs tony · 07-05-2009, 12:51 PM

Go Federer.

What a fantastic match, I couldn't watch and still had to watch. Such a relief when he finally own

Congrats to Federer

Add me please

Pure.Magic · 07-05-2009, 01:01 PM

It truly was a relief. I had almost been holding my breath, and when he won...

It was cruel last year when he lost, and it hit him hard.

I wanted this win for him so bad. And he did it!

Welcome to the thread neel luvs tony

Wingster · 07-05-2009, 01:02 PM

welcome...adding you

BrokenButterfly · 07-05-2009, 01:03 PM

Welcome to the thread!

Great pic!

Roger's presser

Quote:

]R Federer - 05 July 2009
Sunday, 5 July 2009

Q. How hard was that compared to other finals you've played here?
ROGER FEDERER: It was difficult, because I thought Andy played great. You know, I mean, I'm obviously ‑‑ I know how it is to play a Wimbledon final. I know how it is to play a fifth set in the final, in a Wimbledon final.

But it felt different. It was so different to what I experienced the last few years with Rafa, you know, where it was a baseline game. Today it was a serve and return game, which is more classical for grass.

You know, I mean, it's frustrating at times because I couldn't break Andy till the very, very end. So satisfaction is maybe bigger this time around to come through, because I couldn't control the match at all.

Q. What went through your head when you finally won the second set?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I thought the second set was obviously key to what came after. Maybe being down two sets to love, the way Andy was serving, would have always been a very difficult situation to be in, you know.

Even then down two sets to love it's still possible, but it definitely increased my chances of winning.

Q. What are your feelings for Andy now?
ROGER FEDERER: It's hard. Sports or tennis is cruel sometimes. We know it. I went through some five‑setters in Grand Slam finals, too and ended up losing. It's hard, you know.

But I think he did great, you know. He's not going to let his head hang down. I think he's gonna come back strong and play great in the States. I think it's one of the best matches we played against each other. Of course, conditions were very quick today.

But he played well. You know, I really thought I had to play my very, very best to come through.

Q. You said that as a boy you couldn't have dreamed of this. Was there a point as a boy where the game captured you, inspired you, and you said, That's what I want to be?
ROGER FEDERER: Sure. I mean, I wanted to be a tennis player or a soccer player from a very young age.

Q. Was there a final or something?
ROGER FEDERER: I think the Becker/Edberg final. I don't remember which year because they played a few times. Sitting at home in the living room, watching them play, thinking hopefully one day I can be like them, you know.

That's I guess where idols and inspirations are good. They push you forward. Then along the way you joke around and say it's coming closer. You know, when you win a practice match, you know, you just fake like you've just won Wimbledon, you know. All of a sudden it's really happening, you know.

But it's so surreal to think that far ahead, that it's amazing coming through in the end like this today.

Q. A lot of players go through their entire career never winning one Grand Slam. What's it like to win 15?
ROGER FEDERER: That's a good question. I like it. Makes me happy (smiling).

I don't know. I mean, it's staggering, you know, that I've been able to play so well for, you know, so many years now and stay injury‑free. Happy what I'm doing.

You know, I mean, of course there is a certain routine that's started to happen the last few years since I sort of became No. 1 in the world. I knew what it took to win the big ones. That's obviously, you know, a lot of experience that comes with it, you know, being there and giving myself chances.

Yeah, you know, so it's ‑‑ yeah, it's crazy that I've been able to win so many in such a short period of time, I think.

Q. Your first Grand Slam title was Wimbledon. Now your 15th is Wimbledon. Both titles are memorable. Do you feel destiny or anything?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I'm happy I broke the record here in some ways, you know, because this is always the tournament that's meant the most to me because of what we spoke about with my heroes and idols being so successful here.

So it definitely feels like it's come full circle for me, you know, starting it here and ending it here. Of course, my career is far from over. But it's also nice to think especially so many legends were sitting there today. You know, especially Pete, you know, who I had a great time with in Asia a short while ago.

I know how much the record meant to him and he knows how much the record means to me. In a way, I still feel like we share it, you know, just because he was such a wonderful champion. He still has one up against me here at Wimbledon. It's nice, you know, that he shows appreciation for what I'm doing, and it's just great seeing so many, you know, legends coming out and enjoying my tennis or our tennis today.

I don't know how to say. I used to get nervous when a friend would come watch me play as a kid, and then it was my parents, and then it was legends and people I really ‑‑ who meant something. Today it's okay. Today anybody can come and watch me play. I don't get nervous anymore. Today with Pete it was a bit special, you know. When he walked in and I saw him for the first time, I did get more nervous actually.

Q. He got here late actually.
ROGER FEDERER: I said hello to him, too, which is unusual. But I thought, I don't want to be rude, you know (laughter).

Q. When did you actually find out he was coming? It was a will he, won't he, will he, won't he for the last couple of days. Were you given notice he was going to be there?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, confirmation I only got it yesterday during the day, but he promised me long time ago that he would. So I always knew he would keep his word, you know.

Yeah, he hoped it was maybe going to be in New York so it's closest to him. He said maybe not Australia, if possible. But I think this works for everyone.

Q. You've reclaimed the tennis throne, winning the French, here, No. 1 spot, without facing Rafael Nadal. Does that take anything out of it in any way?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I don't think it should. Just because tennis, that's the way it goes, you know. Everybody expected Murray to be in the finals. He wasn't there. It's not the mistake of the one who wins at the end.

Of course, I would have loved to play him again. But, then again, I've also played Andy now in three great Wimbledon finals, you know, and I think he deserves the credit, too, for playing so well.

You never know how he would have played, but it's sad he couldn't even give it a fair chance, Rafa. He had the injury. Tennis moves very quickly, you know.

I'm happy at least that I became No. 1 in the world by winning the tournament, not just by him not playing at all, or me playing decent or someone else playing decent and getting to No. 1. That's not the way it's supposed to be.

It's supposed to be that you win big matches, big tournaments. That's how you get back to it.

Q. What is going to be your next priorities?
ROGER FEDERER: The next priorities?

Q. From here.
ROGER FEDERER: What do you think? Not tennis.

Q. Do you feel like you're the happiest person right now?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know. I mean, I'm very happy. I don't know if I'm the happiest person in the world. I don't think so. I think there's many happy people out there. Tennis doesn't make you ‑‑ tennis doesn't do it all for me. There's more to life than just tennis. But I feel great.

Q. Up till this point of your career, do you still have some regrets in your personal life and professional life?
ROGER FEDERER: No. I mean, I think in my tennis life I think I tried as hard as I could. Maybe some regrets when I was a junior. But I think it's important to go through that period of time where you don't know what it takes, so you try all sort of different things. And then you're not professional at times because you're not supposed to be because you're young, you're a junior, you're enjoying tennis.

On a personal level, I'm very happy. I'm together with a lovely wife for almost 10 years. It's great, you know. I'm happy it's the way it is really.

Q. 15 slams is such an incredible accomplishment over a long period of time. What qualities are you most proud of that you brought to this achievement?
ROGER FEDERER: To the sport?

Q. No, that you brought to achieving the record of 15 slams.
ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, just the fight, you know, because I'm famous for, you know, being all casual and relaxed out there, not showing much. But, you know, we all know how different it was, you know.

So for me to come get the player I am today, I mean, I'm surprised, you know. Just because I didn't expect it first of all. I never thought I could be this consistent, that great of a player with so many qualities, you know. Because I know I have qualities everywhere in the game. I know I have also some deficit, you know, which is normal, too.

Unfortunately, you can't practice everything in tennis. We play too many tournaments. So we don't have the chance, you know, to work on our games enough. That would be interesting to see if we had six months off, you know, how could you evolve as a player.

But there is a certain calendar, and we got to work with it, you know, trying to play well for the short period of time we can, and then also try to work on the game but also have enough breaks.

So it's quite interesting how a career goes. But I think I've handled many things the right way, you know, including the media, my personal life. I'm happy where my life has sort of improved, I would say, because it's so much fun on the tour right now.

I love traveling. I always kept things happy. I think that's key, you know, to a long career.

Q. What does it say on your T‑shirt?
ROGER FEDERER: "There is no finish line. Far from done."

Q. How do you feel about being a legend, except feeling good?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know if you're a legend as long as you're still playing the sport. So let's wait and see.

Pure.Magic · 07-05-2009, 01:18 PM

What a great interview.

Thanks Catherine.

I wanted to qoute stuff, but I thought that would make my post look like an essay.

Scarlet's Walk · 07-05-2009, 01:44 PM

Thanks for the new thread

I flove this title...And thanks for adding me too

That was a great interview! Roger is very honest and I love it. He knows how to give credit where it's due

And the pic is just classic...Two legends standing next to each other

Wingster · 07-05-2009, 01:50 PM

great pic...i'd love to have that as an icon

Pure.Magic · 07-05-2009, 01:52 PM

Thats what I love. He's giving Andy his credit he even said in the post match interview, that the match could have gone on for another couple of hours. He knows Andy played brilliantly. And he accepts it. And wishes him well.

Thats why he's such a great man, He's humble and genuine.

Wingster · 07-05-2009, 01:55 PM

YouTube - Roger Federer and Pete Sampras interview after winning 2009 Wimbledon against Andy Roddick

i love this...especially after the pics...3 legends and one future one just chatting like equals
plus the top 3 players of all time (Laver and Sampras)

Pure.Magic · 07-05-2009, 02:00 PM

Make that 4 legends. Fed already is one.

Thanks for the interview.

Avatar · 07-05-2009, 02:57 PM

The first thging that came out of Fed's mouth was a compliment to A-Rod... I can't believe that people call him smug and arrogant.

stumps101 · 07-05-2009, 04:37 PM

I'm so happy for him !!

Wingster · 07-05-2009, 06:33 PM

i can't either avatar...he's one of the classiest guys in Tennis

Roger Federer Surpasses Tiger Woods, Pete Sampras, and Rafael Nadal | Bleacher Report


Fan Forum > General Discussion > Sports > Roger Federer Appreciation #3: Career Slam, 15 majors, and number one again. No wonder he's considered the greatest ever