Tennis: Former world no.1 and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has not missed a single Grand Slam since 2000 Australian Open and has a streak of appearing in 57 consecutive Grand Slams, but it may come to an end now.
The Swiss star announced that he may not appear in the 2014 French Open as his wife Mirka is expected to give birth to his baby. Federer was speaking to media after winning the first round at Monte-Carlo as he revealed that.
Federer said, “It’s a priority for me trying to be there (at the birth), trying to support my wife”. 32-year-old Federer broke South Africa’s Wayne Ferreira’s record of appearing in 56 consecutive Grand Slam at this year’s Australian Open in January.
Federer played 57 Grand Slams in a row from 2000 Australian Open to 2014 Australian Open. Federer believes he has achieved enough and played so much Tennis that missing a tournament would not be a problem. He said, ”I’ve played enough tennis matches.
Missing a tournament or missing a match wouldn’t change anything for me.” As it is still not confirmed when Mirka will be giving birth, Federer is happy at the moment and hopes the dates do not collide. He also added, “As we don’t know when it’s going to be yet, I’m happy playing at the moment.
Right now we hope it’s not going to be that way. If it is, that’s what it is.” Mirka was also pregnant when Federer won the 2009 French Open and 2009 Wimbledon, when he broke the record for winning most Grand Slams. Mirka had then given birth to twins Myla Rose and Charlene Riva in August.
There are speculations that it will be twins again, though family has not said a word on this yet. French Open is clearly Roger Federer’s least favourite Grand Slam as it is the only tournament that he has not won more than once.
But he still has a record of more than 80% wins there. He won the title in Paris in 2009 and finished runner-up in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011. All the losses in the finals came against Rafael Nadal. This is also the Grand Slam where Federer became second player after former world no.1 Andre Agassi (Rafael Nadal became third in 2010 US Open) to win Grand Slams on three different surfaces and complete the Career Grand Slam.