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Federer hopes to bear flag on birthday
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-20 09:30

 

Roger Federer of Switzeland serves during the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai in 2006. Yang Shizhong

Roger Federer's birthday falls on the opening day of the Beijing Olympics, and the top-ranked tennis player hopes to celebrate by bearing the Swiss flag when the athletes march into the opening ceremony.

"I would be very proud to carry the Swiss flag again, like I did in Athens," said Federer, who will turn 27 on Aug 8.

"To be at the Olympics, it's one of the greatest things for an athlete," he said.

Federer, who has reigned as the No 1 player in the world since 2004, has already waged two Olympic campaigns and says he is looking forward to another chance to add a gold medal to his resume.

"For me, it's a big priority of the year," Federer, a winner of 12 grand slam titles, said.

"The (ATP) tour actually bases its entire schedule around the Olympics Games and I follow that scheme. I want to play in this year's Olympics and I'm going to be there.

"The 2008 season to me is the Olympic year so I'm excited, and hopefully I can do better than last time," the Swiss said.

Federer finished fourth at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and was beaten in the second round at the 2004 Games in Athens.

Despite the previous losses, he said playing at the Games was one of the highlights of his career.

"When I played in Sydney I thought it was an incredible feeling. It was such a happy couple of weeks for me in my life that I couldn't believe it," he said.

"Adding to that I met my girlfriend there, which was great," he said, referring to Mirka Vavrinec, a former tennis player who now acts as his manager.

Apart from the Olympic gold, the only other major title missing from his impressive resume is the French Open crown.

But the 12-time grand slam champion refuses to put too much pressure on himself to win the claycourt slam.

"The French Open is a major goal to me but I'm not going to sacrifice everything for it," he said.

Federer acknowledged that for many the major tournaments of Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the Australian and US Opens remain the benchmark of success.

"You're going to be judged on the Grand Slams you win and No 1s," Federer says. "The Olympics are a new thing to tennis.

"That's one of the reasons I understand decisions like Andy's (see right). Maybe in 50 years' time it will also become one of the big tournaments to win. For me it is already, but maybe some players and some fans need more convincing that the Olympics is big for tennis."

While the overall experience, including bonding with teammates from more traditional Olympic sports, is part of the attraction of the Games, stars such as Federer face the problem of being celebrities in the Olympic Village.

Federer has said he will consider foregoing the village in order to prepare better for his matches. He was a little troubled with his experience in Athens in 2004 when he lost early on to Tomas Berdych and fears that some of the shortcomings of those Games might be repeated in Beijing.

In Athens the world No 1 from Switzerland felt several things inhibited his performance.

"It was quite difficult in Athens," Federer said. "Taking the bus and not being in control of my own schedule, and many people recognizing me in the village.

"It was not as enjoyable as Sydney, which I loved. I still have not made up my mind (whether to stay in the Olympic village)," he added, perhaps concerned as to whether there would be traffic and commuting problems for visiting athletes.

Asked about the inconvenience of being recognized so much, Federer elaborated by saying: "Every time I go to eat everyone taps on your shoulder. I don't mind it but I wish it was different one day of the week."

American Mardy Fish, who captured the men's singles silver in Athens, said he wasn't surprised.

"We had Venus Williams on the team at that time and she stayed in the hotel," Fish recalled.

"But she came one afternoon and ate lunch with us in the athlete's lunch place, and she was having a hard time walking around without having to sign an autograph every 10 seconds.

"I read that he (Federer) probably wants to stay in a hotel - I imagine that would probably be a pretty good idea for him."

Agencies - China Daily

(China Daily 06/20/2008 page8)