Sports
Federer to play in Hopman Cup after 15 years
Melbourne : World No.3 Roger Federer, will return to the Australian city of Perth to play in the 2017 Hopman Cup tennis tournament for the first time in 15 years, it was announced on Thursday.
The 34-year-old Swiss tennis legend, who last competed at the Perth tournament in 2002 with wife Mirka, said the Hopman Cup would be the “perfect” way to start off his 2017 season, and lead into the Australian Open which begins on January 16, reports Xinhua.
“I do remember it was a good preparation … so I thought it would be nice to do it again. I’m very happy it’s happening … and I can’t wait to come back because I think it will be the perfect tournament for me to start the season with,” Federer said in a video released by Hopman Cup organizers on Thursday.
The Hopman Cup is an Australian tournament that takes place in January where mixed-gender teams – one male player and one female – compete on a country-by-country basis.
Federer won the Perth competition in 2001 as a 19-year-old with fellow Swiss and champion women’s player, Martina Hingis.
Now a 17-time Grand Slam winner, Federer said he was inspired to return to the tournament after watching it on television before the Australian Open earlier this year.
“I was watching on the television the Hopman Cup when Nick (Kyrgios) was playing and (Andy) Murray was playing and I just thought it would be cool to be a part of that,” he said.
“On TV it looked great, the atmosphere was really nice and the stadium looked fantastic so I look forward to playing in that environment.”
Perth’s acting Premier and Tourism Minister, Liza Harvey, said it was great news for the state.
“We are thrilled that Roger Federer has chosen to start his 2017 season here in Perth,” Harvey said at the launch of the Hopman Cup on Thursday.
“The Hopman Cup has welcomed some of the biggest names in tennis over its 28-year history, and the 2017 line-up is off to a terrific start with one of the greatest players of all time.”
Federer will partner world No.16 and 19-year-old, Belinda Bencic.
The Hopman Cup is played from January 1-7.
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.
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