Mirka’s No.1 now, not me: Federer

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:38

Fresh from winning the French Open and Wimbledon back to back and returning to the top of the world rankings, Roger Federer has put tennis to the back of his mind with the birth of his first child drawing ever closer.

The 15-time Grand Slam champion immediately entered baby-watch mode back home in Switzerland after polishing off his ceremonial and media duties following his sixth All England Club triumph.

With wife Mirka believed to be due in early August, the couple have headed to their lakeside home in Wollerau near Zurich.

The world No.1 was unsurprisingly tight-lipped on the subject of his wifes pregnancy during Wimbledon, other than to report that things have been going well.

But it was clear that Mirka is in the last stages of the pregnancy and the question of what Federer might have done had she entered labour during the tournament, even during one of his matches, was mooted around the world.

Swiss Davis Cup coach Severin Luethi was even spotted with a mobile phone tucked into his sock during Federers practice sessions, presumably to alert Federer should there be any urgent news.

But it didnt happen. And asked after his Wimbledon triumph about his plans for the coming weeks, he simply smiled and said, what do you think?

Despite the imminent arrival of his child, Federer, who now holds three of the four major titles, is expected to play at next months Rogers Cup Masters 1000 event in Montreal as is Rafael Nadal, the man whose time at No.1 Federer brought to an end with his Wimbledon triumph.

The Spaniard has played down rumours that he is struggling to recover from the tendinitis in both knees that was diagnosed after the French Open and forced his withdrawal from Wimbledon.

“Rafa is in Manacor alongside his physiotherapist and his physical trainer, working intensely on his recovery”, said his spokesman Benito Perez Barbadillo. “He is not playing tennis. He only touched his racket the week before Wimbledon, for training and exhibition games before deciding not to try at the event itself.”

But it has been a turbulent few months in Nadals own personal life with reports that his parents, Sebastian and Ana Maria, have separated and are expected to divorce emerging during the Championships.

The world No.2 is said to be crushed by the events back home, and had referred to non-specific personal reasons for his ailing form after a surprise defeat to Juan Martin del Potro in Miami earlier in the year.

He has talked about resetting his body in the wake of his withdrawal from Wimbledon. In reality, he might be called on to reset his entire life at the age of 23, something that could prove a lot tougher for a player renowned for playing with heart.

Hopefully both Federer and Nadal will come through these testing times in their lives. tennishead wishes both the very best and hopes to see them back on court in Montreal.

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