Roger Federer received a huge standing ovation upon his entrance to Rod Laver Arena to play his first tour-level match since 8 July 2016. But what brings Federer to his feet? Musicals. “I'm always one of the first guys to give standing ovations because I think it's really important because these guys do amazing,” Federer said Monday night in Melbourne after his first-round win at the Australian Open. “The amount of memorising they have to do, I find that mind-blowing. I'm not very good at remembering stuff like that.” But Roger certainly proved he’s remembered his way around the tennis court. The four-time champion, who had been sidelined due to a knee injury, opened his campaign at the Australian Open...
Watch highlights of Roger Federer returning to tour-level action against Jurgen Melzer at the 2017 Australian Open. Getty Images photo. Video Courtesy: Tennis Australia.
Roger Federer has been named the world's most marketable sports person in 2016, according to researchers at the London School of Marketing. The Swiss superstar earned nearly £50 million ($60.7m) in sponsorships and endorsements, despite missing six months of last season and undergoing knee surgery in March 2016. Jacques de Cock, faculty member at London School of Marketing said, "Despite Roger Federer's slow year in terms of success in his sport, his successful endorsement deals show that personal characteristics can also be an important part of long-lasting sponsorships." Federer is listed ahead of NBA basketball player Lebron James (£44.3m/$53.8m) and golfers Phil Mickelson (£41m, $50.2m) and Tiger Woods (£36.9m, $44.8m). Tennis players Novak Djokovic (£27.9m, $33.8m) and Rafael Nadal (£26.2m,$31.8m)...
Roger Federer made a welcome return to the highest level of professional tennis on Monday night at the Australian Open, in his first tour-level match since 8 July 2016. Federer, who had been sidelined due to a knee injury, opened his campaign over former junior rival and fellow 35-year-old Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and five minutes. “I thought my serve was on and off in the beginning, which surprised me a little bit, because in practise it's been going pretty well,” said Federer. “I was feeling nervous once the match actually started. I was actually fine all day, warming up, in the warm-up five minutes with Jurgen. I felt fine. Then I hit four frames...
Listen to Roger Federer talk about going for his fifth Australian Open title. Rolex is the official timekeeper of the Australian Open. Getty Images photo.
