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Tennis: Djokovic admits he is a relieved man

February 25, 2013 11:46
Novak Djokovic may be the runaway world number one right now, and favourite to take away Roger Federer's title here at the Dubai Open this week, but he has started this year a relieved man. Djokovic, who should meet Federer in Saturday's final, has been less worried by the reputation of the sport's greatest legend than by his own. The 25-year-old Serbian's sensational spell of success in becoming a triple Grand Slam titleholder within one season left him feeling, he says, that he might never live up to the new image of himself which suddenly emerged.

Tennis-Federer plans extended break ahead of clay court season

February 24, 2013 12:45
By Matt Smith DUBAI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Roger Federer will take a near two-month break from competitive tennis following the Indian Wells tournament in March as the 31-year-old opts to spend more time with his young family and prepare for the clay-court season.

Tennis: I can become number one again, says Federer

February 24, 2013 10:01
Roger Federer bristled a little when it was suggested to him that his days as world number one might be at an end because of his reduced schedule, and only a few seconds were needed for him to knock that idea back. The 31-year-old top-ranking record-holder is only planning to play 14 tournaments this year, even dropping his home town tournament in Basel and the Miami tournament which has sometimes been described as the biggest outside the four Grand Slams.

Tennis: Djokovic aims to take Federer's title

February 23, 2013 22:15
Novak Djokovic's first tournament since his successful defence of the Australian Open title offers him a chance to show why he could remain the world number one for the forseeable future. The 25-year-old Serbian's triumph in Melbourne saw him avenge a defeat in the US Open final to his most contemporary rival, Andy Murray, making him an even stronger favourite to win back the title at the Dubai Open, which starts on Monday.

INTERVIEW-Q&A-Tennis-Federer's heart is in South Africa

February 21, 2013 22:15
By Xola Potelwa GOVHU, South Africa, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Roger Federer was back in South Africa for the first time in eight years and it was not long before he was surrounded by a swarm of three-year-old toddlers tugging at his shirt and hankering to play a game of tennis. Unlike many of the fans the 17-times grand slam champion usually encounters, these children hold a special place in the Swiss champion's heart as his charitable foundation is helping to educate them.

FEATURE-Tennis-Federer plays big brother to village children

February 20, 2013 15:30
(Repeats feature moved at 0300 GMT) By Xola Potelwa GOVHU, South Africa, Feb 21 (Reuters) - "Big brother Roger," as the village schoolteachers call him, smiles at the small children and asks them to guess which sport he plays. Most of the bright-eyed three-year-olds have no idea who their visitor is but one, quicker than the rest, pipes up: "You play tennis!".

Tennis: Nadal back in business with Brazil triumph

February 17, 2013 16:31
Rafael Nadal showed he is back in business by clinching his first title since ending a seven-month knee injury layoff, winning the Brazil Open on Sunday. The Spanish former world number one, who has yet to fully shrug off the lingering effects of his knee problems, beat Argentina's David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-3 in 78 minutes. Currently the world number five, Nadal went on the attack from the start, breaking his opponent's service before racing to take the first set.

Tennis: Nadal casts off injury woes to triumph in Brazil

February 17, 2013 15:16
Rafael Nadal showed he is back in business by clinching his first tournament title since ending a seven-month knee injury layoff, winning the Brazil Open here Sunday. The Spanish former world number one, who has been complaining of nagging knee pain, beat Argentine David Nalbandian in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in 78 minutes. Currently the world number five, Nadal went on the attack from the start, breaking his opponent's service before racing to take the first set.

UPDATE 1-Tennis-Del Potro beats Benneteau in Rotterdam final

February 17, 2013 13:45
(Adds details, quotes) ROTTERDAM, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro clinched his first title of the year as he overcame Julien Benneteau 7-6 6-3 in the final of the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam on Sunday. Del Potro, beaten in last year's final by Roger Federer, lost his serve in the first set but Benneteau had no answer to his solid baseline performance which earned him the tiebreak 7-2.

Tennis: Del Potro wins Rotterdam title over Benneteau

February 17, 2013 12:00
Juan Martin del Potro defeated Julien Benneteau 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 on Sunday to win the Rotterdam World Tennis and deny the Frenchman's dream of a first career title. Del Potro played the last game with cotton wool stuffed up one nostril due to a bloody nose which came on after the previous game in which Benneteau saved four match points. But the Argentine second seed, who lost the final here a year ago to Roger Federer eventually defeated Benneteau, Federer's conqueror in the quarter-finals, with 13 aces and three breaks of serve.
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