Father Federer savors "exceptional" Melbourne victory
From Reuters US Online Report Sports News | 2010-02-01 04:35:35
<div><p>MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Roger Federer supped champagne and partied until dawn in Melbourne Monday, savoring his first grand slam victory as a father but already looking forward to the defense of his French Open crown.</p><p>The 28-year-old Swiss defeated Andy Murray in the Australian Open final to extend his record to 16 major titles and dash British hopes of a first men's grand slam champion in 74 years.</p><p>Looking fresh after only a few hours' sleep, the father of six-month old twin girls said he had no plans to slow down and that he still had plenty to prove on the tour.</p><p>"I think I played some of my best tennis these last two weeks, especially the final yesterday against Murray," Federer told a small group of reporters, with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup perched on a table next to him.</p><p>"The win was exceptional and the performance from my side, so it makes me very happy and eager to await what's to come this year."</p><p>"As you grow older you enjoy the victories even more, you try to savor them as long as possible.</p><p>"Because you never know when it could be your last, even though I'm sure I have much more left in me."</p><p>After celebrating with a few dozen friends at his hotel until sunrise, Federer was delighted to return to his room to find one of his daughters awake.</p><p>"I quickly was able to see (Myla). Even though she has got obviously no clue what has happened and couldn't care less, but I still felt it was a special moment to hold her in my hands, and in my arms after what happened."</p><p>Federer's brilliant win at Melbourne Park quashed doubts about the world number one's hunger for success and the Swiss scotched any notion he might take a break from the game, like Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.</p><p>"That's not realistic or feasible for me," he said.</p><p>"Maybe (I could) take a few months off, but that doesn't mean half a season off. I just think it's too tough to come back after that. I don't know, the men's game's different, I think. It's brutal, the margins are so small."</p><p>NO GOALS</p><p>Federer has enjoyed a blissfully injury-free career and brushed aside any concerns about his fitness as a player entering his twilight years, saying that he understood his body "more and more" as time goes by.</p><p>"I remember in the beginning here in 2004 when I won the first time, I couldn't move the next day, (I was) so tired, the whole pressure."</p><p>"Now I'm like 'it's over, perfect, what's next?'"</p><p>"Obviously now with the family now and everything there is no time to be tired... I'm not allowed to show any fatigue (to wife Mirka)!" he joked.</p><p>Although his triumph at Melbourne Park has set up the tempting possibility of a calendar grand slam, the world number one has no new goals.</p><p>He just wants to prove that he can "still beat the guys at the top."</p><p>"I hope I can defend my French Open crown obviously, but first things first, vacation, practice and Dubai again," said Federer, referring to the Dubai Championships later this month.</p><p>He has enjoyed having his family follow him around the world on tour and said he had not spent a day apart from his children since they were born.</p><p>"I know eventually times will be tougher because if (the kids) are good now, at one stage they will scream or not be as easy you know."</p><p>"Whatever comes, comes really... It's not enough to be a tennis player, you need to also be a person.</p><p>"You don't want to feel like you have to play tennis. Now that I have it, I want to savor it as long as I can and for the fire to burn you need to be smart about how you do it."</p><p>(Editing by John O'Brien)</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=68225821&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>
Copyright 2010 <a href="http://www.reuters.com/finance">Reuters US Online Report Sports News</a></div></div>
Related Video by 5min
Related Articles
- Wilmington, North Carolina Area Resorts eHow | 2010-03-13 19:57:38
- Maine ski resort turns 50 The Record, New Jersey | 2010-03-14 04:56:00
- Lovina, Bali Hotels eHow | 2010-03-13 23:52:35
- TAKE IT MALTEASY News of the World, UK | 2010-03-13 16:36:50
- Best Spas in South Florida eHow | 2010-03-13 15:55:00
- The Calendar Miami Herald | 2010-03-14 03:18:11
Related Blogs
- Video Interlude: Mauntauk Seems To Be Treating Sam Talbot Just Fine Eater | 2010-03-10 13:13:11
- Spa Etiquette: What to Wear Luxist | 2010-03-13 10:15:41
- Enlivening Exclusive Resorts: Moving Forward in the Destination Club Industry Luxist | 2010-03-09 09:14:32
- Town Battles Supermarket Expansion and Wins TreeHugger | 2010-03-10 05:41:33
- FarmHouse Fresh Bourbon Bubbler Body Scrub Talking Make Up | 2010-03-08 23:19:02
Related Video
- WATCH IT: Crystal Mountain Skiers Emerge Unharmed CBS KIRO7 Video | 2010-03-08 12:04:51
- Violent attacks blight Acapulco BBC Video World | 2010-03-13 21:28:12
- WATCH IT: Missing Skiers Tired, Dehydrated But OK CBS KIRO7 Video | 2010-03-08 12:03:00