FEDERER BREEZES THROUGH
THERE’S perfection. And then there’s Roger Federer.
When Federer sauntered on to centre court to open Wimbledon’s 132nd championships, he did so as top seed, defending champion and owner of a new clothing contract reputedly worth $410 million.
The 10-year deal with Uniqlo is touted to cost the Japanese manufacturer $41 million a year until Federer turns 47 – with a clause that allows him to pocket the bounty whether he plays or not.
As in all facets, Federer excels on an unmatched scale.
Rumours over a split from Nike after 24 years had swirled for months.
Federer, 36, deftly avoided confirmation or denial, wearing a business jacket to his pre-tournament interview to avoid discussion over sponsorship arrangements. to be applied for everyone. – Victoria Azarenka reflects on the fact that she did not get a seeding last year after becoming a mother. AUSSIE ALERT Queenslander John Millman was the lone winner on day one, with Jordan Thompson, Jason Kubler, JP Smith and Nick Kyrgios’ girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic all heading for the exits.
With signature timing and impact, Federer waited for the ideal moment to uncork the truth –when he walked on to the most famous tennis arena in the world clad Uniqlo.
Gone was the famous Nike swoosh – apart from those on his shoes – with the only sticking point being the custody of the “RF’’ logo he prizes.
He hopes a compromise can be struck with his former backer to release the emblem, insisting there are “deep roots” with Nike while firmly pointing out: “They are my initials, they are mine.”
The ageless Swiss has long occupied a parallel universe, seemingly immune to the ravages – and controversies – that affect mere mortals.
The first man in the open era to contest 20 consecutive Wimbledons, Federer marked the transition by sweeping into the second round in a style befitting his pristine attire. in
Serb Dusan Lajovic was his 92nd All England Club scalp, brushed aside 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 in just 79 minutes.
Leaving the court, Federer donated one of his new headbands to a spectator.
“Yes, they want a watch, a car, a racquet, a shirt, they can have it all at this point,” he said, smiling.
By day’s end Federer was left to reflect on another productive day at the office.
Five seeds – including his Halle conqueror 10 days ago, Borna Coric, and Grigor Dimitrov – had tumbled from his quarter of the draw.
By anybody’s standards, was a perfect day.
By Federer’s, standard.
Standard perfection. it it was
Froome clean broom
REIGNING Tour de France champion Chris Froome says a “huge weight” has been lifted off his shoulders after he was cleared by cycling’s world governing body of any wrongdoing in a doping case. The British cyclist faced the prospect of being barred from entering this year’s Tour de France by race organisers due to ongoing uncertainty over an adverse analytical finding related to a test during last year’s Vuelta a Espana. But Tour director Christian Prudhomme confirmed yesterday that race organiser Amaury Sport Organisation would not seek to bar Team Sky’s Froome from taking part in the race because the International Cycling Union’s decision to clear Froome had rendered any such attempt obsolete.
Mundine plan for fans
ANTHONY Mundine has a bold plan to donate thousands of bleacher tickets to Indigenous and disadvantaged communities so that his proposed fight with Jeff Horn will take place before a packed Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Mundine’s representatives Emaid Dib and Sydney lawyer Adam Houda met Horn’s promoter Dean Lonergan in Sydney again yesterday and will have further talks today as they try to reach an agreement for a mid-November fight.
Diamonds back to top
AUSTRALIA is the first country to qualify for next year’s netball world championships in the UK as England moved into the top two on the world rankings for the first time in history. The Diamonds returned to the top ranking despite losing to England in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games — a result which lifted England above New Zealand and into second place on the rankings. As hosts of the next world championships, England also have a guaranteed place at the event.
War on mouthing off
THE International Cricket Council has declared war on verbal abuse, unveiling new penalties and allowing stump microphones to stay on throughout games in a concerted push to stamp out bad behaviour. The ICC board agreed that broadcasters should be allowed to use stumpmicrophone audio at any time, including when the ball is dead. “There is a clear desire here to reclaim cricket’s unique proposition as a game that people can trust in,” chief executive Dave Richardson said.
Clubs fly the coop