Spotlight

Aces high

Tennis champ Roger Federer takes time out to tutor young Thais

By Nuttaporn Srisirirungsimakul, Photographs courtesy of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

Did You Know : Andy Roddick set the record for the world�s fastest serve with a 246-kilometre-per-hour shot on June 11, 2004, in a match against  Paradorn Srichaphan.

It was the showdown that sports fans had been praying for. The world�s top two tennis aces, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, battling it out for first prize in the final of the Thailand Open 2004 on October 3.

And while Federer netted a staggering 3,136,500 baht for his win in front of the 10,000-strong crowd at Impact Arena, the crowd was not left wanting. The world�s No. 1 dispatched his opponent in two straight sets in just 57 minutes, becoming only the third player in history to win 12 major tennis titles in a row.

While in Bangkok, Federer took a day out from his tight schedule to give aspiring Paradorns professional advice at the Nike Camp at Piyarom Sports Club in Bangkok. So, with racket in hand, Student Weekly decided to tag along with the crowd to hopefully pick up some tips and tricks from the superstar.

WHAT A RACKET

As punctual as his serves, Federer arrived at the tennis seminar bang on time, dressed in a grey T-shirt and black shorts and accompanied by his girlfriend and bodyguards. The star immediately kicked off with an interview recounting the first time he picked up a tennis racket aged about 3.

�I really enjoyed anything to do with balls � basketball, soccer, squash � but I was best at tennis,� Federer said.

Inspired by fellow Europeans Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, the young Federer then devoted his life and career to the sport, becoming the world�s No. 1 at only 23 years old. This year alone, he beat the world�s top seeds to take home the three coveted Grand Slam trophies, Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open.

�I never believed that one day I�d be the No. 1 player,� Federer said. �But it sounds very good and feels very good.�

So what does it take to be a world-class player? Unsurprisingly, a lot of discipline, especially for Federer, who has been without a coach for almost a year. But to be No. 1 requires not only determination and dedication; it also means balancing the rigours of training with time out from the world of tennis.

�I need to get away from tennis to come back very strong,� Federer said. �I�ve to keep a balance about everything.�

Discipline isn�t the only key to Federer�s success � luck and support are also important. �You have to be at the right moment at the right time,� he said. �And I�m lucky to have a good group around along the way. I wouldn�t have made it here alone.�

TRAINING FOR THE TOP

After the interview, Federer joined 30 young Thais for a 20-minute training session. At first, the young players were nervous having to play against the world�s No. 1, but their anxiety eased up because of Federer�s friendly and down-to-earth personality.

�I�m happy to see so many kids here today and I�m glad that I can inspire them a little bit,� Federer said. He encouraged every kid to play at their best, but not to feel too let down by

a loss.

�You won�t always win,� he said. �You�ll lose, but you�ll learn more from a loss than a win, so just focus on the tennis and enjoy yourself.�

And how did Student Weekly fare against the world�s No. 1? We forgot our sports shoes and had to sit on the sidelines and watch. Never mind; maybe next year...

Vocabulary

ace (n): a person who is very good at doing something; also, in tennis, a serve that is so good that your opponent cannot reach the ball
showdown (n): an argument, a fight or a test that will settle a disagreement that has lasted for a long time
net (v): to catch somebody or obtain something in a skilful way
dispatch (v): to deal or finish with somebody/something quickly and completely
set (n): in sport, one section of a match in games such as tennis or volleyball
tag along (phrasal v): to go somewhere with somebody
inspire (v): to give somebody the desire, confidence or enthusiasm to do something well
seed (n): (especially in tennis) one of the best players in a competition
coveted (adj): wanted very much
discipline (n): the ability to control your behaviour or the way you live, work, etc.
anxiety (n): the state of feeling nervous or worried that something bad is going to happen
ease up (phrasal v): to become less strong, unpleasant, etc.
fare (v): in this use, to be successful/unsuccessful in a particular situation

Idioms

time out: time that is spent relaxing or taking a break from something more vigorous
down-to-earth: sensible and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly