A tennis rivalry is revisited and the world's fastest men compete for gold. Here are five things to look for Sunday at the 2012 London Games:
Roger Federer kept his gold medal dream alive after a marathon semifinal battle with Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro at Wimbledon Friday.
Defending Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic and six-time winner Roger Federer will meet in the last four after both came through quarterfinal matches with comfortable straight sets victories Wednesday.
Roger Federer staged a remarkable fightback on Friday to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon and avoid following great rival Rafael Nadal in exiting the grass-court grand slam before the end of its first week.
Roger Federer breezed through to the third round of Wimbledon, losing only five games on his way to victory over Italy's Fabio Fognini.
Germany's Tommy Haas upset Roger Federer in straight sets to win the ATP tournament on the grass courts of Halle Sunday.
Roger Federer recorded the 234th grand slam win of his career Wednesday to break Jimmy Connors' record for most victories in major championships.
Like so many of his opening round matches at major championships, Roger Federer's win over Tobias Kamke was comprehensive, but it secured the 16-time grand slam champion another record.
Boris Becker talks to CNN's Pedro Pinto about Madrid's controversial blue clay and the resurgence of Roger Federer.
World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic cruised past Roger Federer in straight sets 6-2 7-6 to reach the final of the Masters 1000 event in Rome Saturday.
Roger Federer talks to CNN's Ray D'Alessio shortly after his tennis victory at Indian Wells in California.
You can't imagine that one of the greatest players in tennis history has ever lacked confidence, but Roger Federer is bubbling with it again after bouncing back from some heartbreaking defeats in the past few months.
Great tennis rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will lock horns once again in Saturday's semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters event in California.
A mystery stomach bug is striking down men's and women's players at the Indian Wells Masters tennis event, but former world No. 1 Roger Federer shook off illness to cruise to victory in his opening match.
Former world No. 1 Roger Federer has paid tribute to his "wonderful friend" Ivan Ljubicic after the Croat announced on Wednesday he will end his 14-year playing career next month.
Roger Federer brushed aside the challenge of Andy Murray on Saturday to claim his fifth Dubai Open title.
Indian players have won 24 Grand Slam doubles titles, but have yet to win a singles Grand Slam. Why is that?
It was a match of two halves for world No. 3 Roger Federer as he moved into the second round of Dubai Championships with victory over Michael Llodra.
World No. 3 Roger Federer ended a seven-year wait for a second World Tennis Tournament title after beating Juan Martin del Potro in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.
Roger Federer is through to the final of the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam after a hard fought semifinal victory over Nikolay Davydenko on Saturday.
World No. 3 Roger Federer moved into the semifinals of the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam after a narrow victory over Jarkko Nieminen.
Roger Federer made light work of his opening match at the ATP Tour 500 event in Rotterdam on Wednesday beating Nicolas Mahut 6-4 6-4.
Switzerland have been knocked out of the Davis Cup by the U.S. after Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka lost their doubles match against Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish in Fribourg on Saturday.
So let's start with some intersport comparisons, a favorite activity here. A few minutes after the Super Bowl, I asked via Twitter if Giants quarterback Eli Manning is the NFL's Rafael Nadal, and Patriots QB Tom Brady is Roger Federer.
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal battled from behind to win another epic encounter with his great rival Roger Federer on Thursday and earn a place in the Australian Open final.
From the moment Rafael Nadal threw that verbal jab at Roger Federer, exposing their vastly different views on the tennis schedule, the Australian Open has been a referendum on the two men's styles. Now we get the best possible window into their simmering feud: a semifinal matchup Thursday night in Melbourne (3:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2).
MELBOURNE, Australia -- For all those adjectives that seem to genuflect before Roger Federer, you seldom hear him described as "sentimental." Sentient? Yes. Sensational? Sure. But not "sentimental."
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer remained on course for a semifinal showdown at the Australian Open with untroubled passage to the third round on Wednesday, but top American hope Mardy Fish became the first high-profile casualty of the men's draw.
Having been criticized by his great rival Rafael Nadal for not taking a stand over players' rights, Roger Federer began his bid for a fifth Australian Open title with a comfortable straight-sets victory on Monday.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are used to meeting in grand slam finals, but the dominance of Novak Djokovic in 2011 means the two great rivals will feature in the same half of the draw for the first time in seven years at the Australian Open.
Roger Federer pulled out of his defense of the Qatar Open Friday with a back injury before his arch-rival Rafael Nadal was beaten in the semifinals of the $1 million tournament by Gael Monfils.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer remain on course for a showdown in the Qatar Open final this weekend after both players won their quarterfinal matches on Thursday.
Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on Dec. 5. Here's one of the nominations for that honor by an SI writer. As writers, we aspire to paint pictures with words, to use phrases and images to express the art of sport. But, damn, if there aren't times when a good highlight clip can't help us make our point.
So, was the ATP's World Tour Final a year-ending tennis tournament or was it a deodorant commercial? It was sometimes hard to tell given how often the eight players -- who faced off in a high-stakes round robin format -- addressed and assessed the state of their freshness.
Roger Federer fended off an audacious comeback by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win the ATP World Tour Finals for a record sixth time in London Sunday.
Roger Federer is on course to win a record sixth end-of-season tennis championship after beating David Ferrer in London on Saturday to reach his 100th career final and return to third in the world rankings.
With world No. 1 Novak Djokovic struggling at the ATP World Tour Finals, a tired Rafael Nadal exiting early, and third-ranked Andy Murray limping out of contention, the scene is set for renewed protests by tennis stars about their testing tournament schedule.
Outside of the four grand slams, it's the most coveted title in men's tennis.
Defending champion Roger Federer has been drawn with longtime rival Rafael Nadal in the group stages of the ATP World Tour Finals in London next week.
Roger Federer finally clinched his first Paris Masters crown Sunday after a straight-sets victory over Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Roger Federer will play home hope Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the Paris Masters title after the pair secured contrasting semifinal victories Saturday.
Third seed Roger Federer returned to winning ways after a 10-month title drought with a convincing straight sets victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori in the Swiss Indoors championship in Basel.
He came out on court wearing a Halloween mask, but Novak Djokovic had to overcome a fright of his own before winning his comeback match in Switzerland on Tuesday.
Home favorite Roger Federer is through to the second round of the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel after a straight sets victory over Italian Potito Starace on Monday.
NEW YORK -- The temptation is to write off Roger Federer after Saturday's most recent come-from-ahead capitulation, a 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 loss to Novak Djokovic that ensures the 30-year-old Swiss will finish without a Grand Slam title for the first year since 2002.
Amid all the tiresome discussion of whether the loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bodes ill for Roger Federer, I'm surprised only passing mention has been made of the fact Federer had only 11 unforced errors over the course of a five-set match, including a tiebreaker! Has any player ever lost a five-setter while making 11 or fewer unforced errors? -- Peter Repetto, Toronto
I am mourning. And honestly, I did not see this coming. Roger Federer doesn't make it to the finals for the second year in a row. The Williams sisters crash out on the same day, in the fourth round! Three players with 15 Wimbledon titles between them. Three players that brought me to tennis in the first place. Is this really the end of an era? Tell me there is reason to hope. Can I please have [you] reassure common folks like me that Roger will face Rafael Nadal in another major final, and that Serena Williams will fight off another championship point! -- Charith, Bangalore
History repeats itself as Rafael Nadal defeats Roger Federer to win his sixth French Open title.
Some "second screen" viewing: a Monday French Open Baguette ...
One can only imagine Roger Federer's reaction if he took the time to watch Novak Djokovic's 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory over Rafael Nadal in Sunday's Key Biscayne final. Federer had simply been dismissed by Nadal in the semifinals, blown off the court in a troublesome swirl of errant shots and negative body language. Now here was Nadal at the edge of exhaustion, actually bending over with hands on knees to catch his breath in the tiebreaker, and you wondered: Did Federer ever push Nadal to that point -- even at the height of their rivalry?
It has been an interesting tournament so far at Key Biscayne, none of the headline-makers more interesting than ... Martina Navratilova?
1. Just for kicks. When Roger Federer and friends created the "Hit for Haiti" exhibition in Australia last year, it qualified as one of the cooler demonstrations in recent memory. With no goading and no meddling agents and no side deals, the best tennis players -- male and female -- joined forces to raise money for a beleaguered country on the other side of the globe. It was proof that players didn't live in bubbles. That they could think globally. That they realized the power of their platform and their good fortune. More gratifying, it inaugurated a tradition. Federer and Nadalheadlined a "Hit for Queensland flood relief" exhibition in January. Last week in Miami, players again joined forces, this time to benefit Japan's Disaster Relief. There was a soccer game. There was a dinner. Players went into the stands to solicit funds from fans. Male and female. Stars and journeyfolk. Rookies and veterans. For all the congenital screwiness of tennis, for all the marketing challenges, you
Roger Federer had a champion's response at the Australian Open when journalists asked him if a torch was being passed, saying, "Let's talk again in six months." Federer surely can't wait to prove a few points in March, when the prestigious Masters 1000 events will be contested on the hardcourts of Miami and Indian Wells.
World number two Roger Federer talks to CNN's Pedro Pinto about his friendship with Rafael Nadal and his targets for 2011.
Not only is tennis' offseason farcically scant; we don't exactly ease into the campaign. Here it is, the first week of January, and -- apart from being a week away from commencing a Slam -- most name players were in action. We caution reading too much into one week of play, especially the first week back from vacation. Still, there were some curious results.
Esther Vergeer has the best record in tennis, 401 straight wins and still going. CNN's Candy Reid investigates.
Ten things I'd like to see as the 2011 tennis year unfolds:
We were prepared to offer our annual Baggie Awards. But several of you suggested we wait a week in order to give Serbia's Davis Cup a little love. We do as we're told. A quick 'Bag and we'll hand out awards next week.
On the road this week, but back next week with our annual Baggie Awards.
Ten thoughts on the ATP Tour World Finals, culminating Sunday with Roger Federer's convincing 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Rafael Nadal ...
CNN's Pedro Pinto profiles World Number 2, Roger Federer as he competes in the ATP World Tour Finals.
What do you make of Roger Federer losing yet another match after holding multiple match points? I'm sure questions about his mental toughness that have plagued him on and off throughout his career will be in full force again. --Aidan Encarnacion, Fremont, Calif.
1. Reckless gamble: I was talking to a prominent men's doubles player recently about pressure. Playing for the Wimbledon final, he asserted, was nothing compared to the stress of playing a pro-am match in the Huggy Bear tournament. Come again? The Huggy Bear is the Skull and Bones of tennis events, a private affair held before the U.S. Open on private courts in the Hamptons. No TV, no sponsors, a small handful of fans. But some of the most intense matches of the year.
Best of five during an unexpectedly big week for tennis:
I want to start by saying that I received an overwhelming haul of mail from readers commenting on the athletes and depression column from last week. A lot of your stories were poignant and deeply personal and I wish I could reply personally to them all. I'm not sure what I can say that isn't trite or superficial, but know you're not alone. Also the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention can be accessed via its website, and if you or someone you know is in need of immediate help, call 1-800-273-TALK.
NEW YORK -- Winds from the northwest, as fierce as a Rafael Nadal forehand, registered gusts as high as 31 mph. Napkins soared above the court as if they were butterflies, and so chilly was the air at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night that much of the gentry was forced to pile blue blankets over the latest fashions from Ralph Lauren and Prada Sport.
Your Best of Five with one week left until the U.S. Open:
It was one of the great shots of the year. It was the kind of shot that, not so long ago, had the likes of Rod Laver and John McEnroe calling Roger Federer the best they'd ever seen. The Rogers Cup title was on the line, between rainstorms in Toronto on Sunday night, so it couldn't have come at a better time.
Hi, everyone. Two housekeeping notes:
Jon, so Ana Ivanovic loses 6-3, 6-4 in the first round to Shahar Peer. Seriously, I am baffled as to how this player could reach the Australian Open final and win the French Open title in 2008, and since winning the French has not made it beyond the fourth round in a major since. ... What gives? Do you think there's any way we, Ana's fans, can get the WTA Tour to kick her off the tour? Harsh, I know, but then again at least her fans would no longer have to endure her miserable career slump anymore. -- Keith, Minneapolis
Perhaps there's no resurrecting Roger Federer. Maybe he dropped the definitive hints at recent Wimbledons, strolling onto the court in those over-the-top evening jackets, as if preparing for a bit of pipe smoking with Alistair Cooke. Perhaps the rest of his career is just one big barnstorming tour -- "Come see the greatest player who ever lived!" -- as he swats those legendary groundstrokes, generally dominant but occasionally laying a massive egg.
Before we get to your questions, let's discuss Roger Federer's massive scare in the opening round on Monday ...
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's and women's seeds at Wimbledon. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses to watch and his predicted winners.
PARIS -- For five years, the world has been waiting for it to come into focus, the face of the man who could break the stranglehold No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 2 Rafael Nadal have on the men's game. It almost looked like Novak Djokovic for a while, then Juan Martin del Potro, then Andy Murray, but always the picture went blurry again.
SI.com caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim after Robin Soderling defeated Roger Federer in the French Open quarterfinals, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
How do you think Uncle "Fly coach, drive Kia" Toni feels about Rafa's $525,000 watch? --Christina Davis, Boston, Mass.
Classic scene from an old black-and-white Western: huge brawl breaks out, chairs flying across the room, saloon girls bopping unruly cowpokes, just complete and utter chaos. Just as the last punch is thrown, the piano player slides onto his stool, cracks a smile, and hammers out a lively tune. A little honky-tonk to settle things down.
Roger Federer tells CNN's Pedro Pinto about his hunger for more titles, family life and his tennis legacy.
So it has come to this in the world of big-time tennis: You're 28 years old, absolutely in your prime, cherishing the game -- and you're some kind of mythical superhero, a miracle of longevity and commitment.
So much about the Australian Open suggests a year of intrigue and fresh storylines, but there is disturbing familiarity to the biggest story: Rafael Nadal's fading invincibility, and the notion that we've seen the best of his rivalry with Roger Federer.
• Men: Roger Federer. He's alone atop the mountain, not just for the past decade but for always. Put simply, he is the GOAT, the greatest of all time. Since Wimbledon of 2003, Federer has won 15 of the 26 majors he's entered -- including each of the four at least once -- to set the all-time record. Plus, he has done it with a singular combination of will and grace.
You can lament the length of the season. You can mourn a confusing ranking system, greedy administrators and tape-delayed broadcasts. You can mourn the corruption of the word "retirement." But say this about tennis: It's never boring. This year's episodes included cocaine kisses, crystal meth cover-ups, unraveling hairpieces, no-fault foot faults, and $9 million payoffs.
Preliminary programming note for our off-season 'Bag this week. We'll hold our annual Baggies Awards ceremony for 2009 next week. And 60 Minutes will be shown immediately following the game, except on the West Coast where it will air at its regularly scheduled time.
Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on Nov. 30. Here's one of the nominations for that honor by an SI writer.
A few thoughts as the season comes to an end ...
When I was young, I used to practice tennis trick shots. It was my way of handling the monotony of tennis practice. Well, I was never good with monotony. I would stand in the supermarket parking lot, and hit shot after shot after shot after shot into that brick wall, and I would imagine being on Centre Court facing John McEnroe. Then I would imagine being at the U.S. Open facing Jimmy Connors. Then I would imagine hitting the ball so hard that it would knock back the bricks, a millimeter at a time -- WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! -- until finally I hit the final ball so hard that it would break through the wall and come out the other side, right into the produce section where it would hit the guy spraying lettuce with a water bottle. These reveries would usually sustain me for as long as 15 minutes. Then I would practice trick shots.
But the 15-time Grand Slam champ still finds changing his twin girls' diapers "hard"
CNN's Richard Roth talks to Roger Federer as he prepares to play his 6th U.S. Open, his first as a dad to twins.
Instead of the Ad-In, Ad-Out format, we're going to try something new on Monday, a "best-of-three" recap of the week plus other random thoughts:
I am a Roger Federer fan, but it gets harder to support him after postmatch interviews where he bashes his opponents and fails to credit them with good play. Case in point: the interview after his loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Rogers Cup. Federer choked, and Tsonga stepped it up. Enough said. At what point does greatness turn into arrogance? -- Jose, San Antonio
The tennis ace decided to "play along" with the media until his daughters' arrival July 23
Daughters Charlene and Myla arrived Thursday night in Switzerland, the tennis star announces
It's always struck me as shabby when a commentator or columnist ignites controversy and then slips away like Laura Dern in the last scene of Citizen Ruth. Last week, I took issue with Roger Federer's Wimbledon attire -- and, more specifically, the Nike taste-makers who determined Federer's dignity and humility required more edge.
It's always struck me as shabby when a commentator or columnist ignites controversy and then slips away like Laura Dern in the last scene of Citizen Ruth. Last week, I took issue with Roger Federer's Wimbledon attire -- and, more specifically, the Nike taste-makers who determined Federer's dignity and humility required more edge. The responses, pro and con, were as intense as they were numerous.
While mourning Mathieu Montcourt and thinking how downright creepy it is that two players penalized recently by the ATP for petty gambling infractions --Federico Luzzi is the other -- have died ...
These lists are not mere compilations of all-time bests in their respective sports but all-time bests at quickening the pulse and evoking a visceral response from those fortunate enough to have witnessed their artistry.
CNN's Errol Barnett sat down with Roger Federer after claiming his record 15th grand slam win and sixth Wimbledon title.
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|