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Tennis: Federer delighted by Martina comeback |
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2/27/2006 12:54:59 PM |
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 DUBAI: Roger Federer has marked his return to the tour after a month’s rest following his Australian Open triumph by acclaiming Martina Hingis for the excellence of her comeback.
Federer, who will be trying to win a fourth title at the Dubai Open this week, believes his compatriot’s comeback is one of the best things that could happen to the sport.
Asked what it meant to Switzerland, he expanded the question by saying: "I think it means a lot to women’s tennis and to ourselves and to fellow players, more than Swiss tennis.
"She has always been a role model for children in Switzerland. Now after having seen her play, I have no doubt she will be very highly ranked at the end of the year," said Federer, who revealed he had written Martina a letter to say how happy he was that she had returned.
"I was a little surprised how well she’s playing but it shows what a great player she is. I always enjoyed watching her and now I can again.
"I don’t know if it (her comeback) is enough to win big tournaments, but I think she’s right up there and can upset anyone," he said.
"To do it on a consistent basis, that’s the big question. Now she’s beaten players like Maria Sharapova (in Tokyo two weeks ago) it’s a very good sign."
Martina has moved on from Dubai, where she reached the quarter-finals, to Doha, just 250 miles along the Gulf, while Federer is preparing in the sunshine for a title defence which begins against his Davis Cup colleague Stanislav Wawrinka.
Federer is hoping that his lack of tennis this year – he has played only two tournaments so far – will not cause a slow start, especially as he has a possible quarter-final with Tomas Berdych, the dangerously improving Czech who beat him in the Olympic Games in Athens 18 months ago.
"It was nice to have time off," Federer said. "It made time to rest and get ready.
"Hopefully I will be. I have had some fantastic results on hard courts. Hopefully I can keep it up."
Federer and Rafael Nadal, the world No 2 who is playing his second tournament after three months out of the game with a foot injury, are seeded to meet each other in Saturday’s final.
However, Andre Agassi is one of the dangers lurking in the half of the 19-year-old French Open champion from Spain, who admits he is some way from his best yet.
Agassi announced he is going to miss the French Open, in order to rebuild his fitness.
The 35-year-old American wants to ensure that he is fit to compete at Wimbledon, which he missed through injury last year. – AFP
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