Tennis Player: Roger Federer
Date of Birth: 08/09/81
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Lives: Oberwil, Switzerland
Weight: 177lbs (80kg)
Height: 6’1” (185 cm)
Turned pro 1998
Roger Federer started playing tennis when he was eight, and during
his developmental years idolised Boris Becker and Pete Sampras.
He had a great junior career winning the Wimbledon singles and doubles
titles and getting to the final of the US Open and the semis of
the Australian Open. Roger defeated Coria in the final of the Orange
Bowl and at the end of 1998 became the number one junior in the
world.
Federer is a laid back character, off court he enjoys sitting on
the beach, playing cards, table tennis and is a big fan of his home
town football team FC Basle.
Federer is an ambassador for global promotion of tennis, in 2005
he supported Kofi Annan and the united nations in its promotion
of 2005 as the ‘International Year of Sport and Physical Education’.
He carried the Flag for Switzerland at the Athens Olympics and in
2003 was voted “Swiss of the Year” by his countries
TV audience.
His career in review
Roger Federer turned pro in 1998 and a year
later finished the season in the top 100.
He became Swiss number one in 2001. Won his first ATP tour title
in Milan and then won three matches in Switzerland’s defeat
of the USA in the Davis Cup. He really shot to fame when he ended
Sampras’ 31 match winning streak at Wimbledon, before losing
to Henman in the quarter finals.
Throughout his career Federer has shown great versatility winning
on all the major surfaces in singles, doubles and team play (Davis
Cup).
2004 was an outstanding year for Roger Federer,
winning 11 ATP titles including three Grand Slams and three Masters
Series events. His match winning percentage was .925 and he held
an 18-0 winning record against players in the top ten.
After beating Hewitt, Nalbandian, Ferrero, and Safin at the Australian
Open he became world No. 1, and after beating Hewitt in the US Open
final he secured the No.1 position in the ATP Race. He claims the
Wimbledon title as the highlight of the year (def. Roddick).
2004 was a great year and he narrowly missed the earnings record
(Sampras 1997 $6,498,311) winning a staggering $6,357,547.
It was always going to be tough to repeat the great year he had in 2004, nevertheless, he has given it a good shot and just added another US Open title (def. Agassi) to add to his second Wimbledon trophy. Can anybody stop this man?
One reason he is so good is his incredible shot making ability. He can hit winners from anywhere on the court. Check the tennis videos and action photo sequences of Roger Federer to see how relaxed he looks as he hits the ball.
