Question 1: You just said in Madrid that winning “Golden Slams” is “almost impossible”, but could you please tell us the weight and importance of the Beijing Olympic Games in your heart? And what makes you believe Asia is so important to the development of the sport of tennis? The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games is August 8th, also known as your 27th birthday.  Will you treat the opening ceremony as your birthday party?

Federer: The Olympics are a major event for all sportsmen not only tennis players.  I already competed in Sydney and Athens and I look forward to another chance of winning my first medal in Beijing.
I like to play in Asia, I have always had a great welcome there, China, Japan, Thailand.  I enjoy discovering new places and learn about new cultures.

I carried the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics and it was a memorable experience.  It is such an incredible coincidence that the opening ceremony in Beijing will be on my birthday.  It will be double special day.

Question 2: 2007 is another productive year for you with three Grand Slam tournament championships. However, you lost more matches than in 2004, 2005 or 2006 and your winning percentage in finals is not as impressive as that in the past three seasons. Do you feel other players are getting closer to you? Among those eight losses, which one made you feel pity most? Roland Garros final?

Federer: I lost a couple of close matches but I still made the final in almost all of the tournaments that I played, which is a great achievement.  I again won three of the four Grand Slams and reached the final of the fourth.  Yes, the Roland Garros final loss was the one that hurt the most as I got so close again to winning there for the first time.

Question 3: Let’s talk about another continent, Africa. We all know the Roger Federer Foundation has already done lots of charity work for South Africa. In the one-on-one interview I did with you in 2005 you talked about the possibilities of bring more tennis tournaments to Africa. How is that going now? Tell me more about your work with your Foundation.

Federer: For me it is natural having been so lucky in my life to give back to the people in need.  We continue to work hard and support the efforts of IMBEWU in South Africa.  My trip there was a memorable one and I look forward to returning soon.  I hope I can contribute not only to the well being of those underprivileged children but also bring about some sporting opportunities there.  I believe that sport can help in many different ways to give more opportunities.


Question 4: You have made an incredible amount of money but you just admitted that your property portfolio is limited to a flat on Lake Zurich and one in Dubai. It’s really hard to believe for Chinese because lots of people here are crazy about chasing fortune under the new wave of materialism. What does money mean to you, are you willing to share some thoughts and your philosophy with us?

Federer: Thanks to my success I can live a comfortable life but money has never been a motivation for me. 

Question 5: I am also impressed by another story about you. When the VOGUE magazine did an interview with you earlier this year, you asked the reporter if you could sit in the bigger couch because you were a little tired after the match. I wonder how you could be so humble and a big star at the same time. Is that because you come from a peaceful country, or because of your family education, or you learn from your life?

Federer: My parents brought me up this way and there is no reason to change now because I am now an international star.  I treat everyone with the respect, it’s normal for me.

Question 6: Here are a couple of more questions about fashion since it’s one of the main coverage of the Bund Pictorial. We know Rolex and Gillette both are your sponsors. They chose you not only because you are world number one, but also you are a man with good sense of fashion. Do you think so? What is your definition of fashion?

Federer: That’s a nice compliment.  At the beginning of my career I did not think much about things other than tennis but since I have been with Mirka I have explored more outside of tennis and that includes fashion.  I follow fashion more and more whenever I have time.  I have enjoyed doing a few photo shoots, I’ve been to shows in New York and have become friend with Anna Wintour of Vogue.  I always try to be ready for every occasion.