Swiss player Roger Federer will once again be the man to watch this year
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ROGER FEDERER
In the eyes of most tennis pundits, Swiss player Roger Federer will once again be the man to watch. Indeed the defending champion is looking even more dangerous than last year, having kicked off 2004 by winning the Australian Open and taking the number one spot in the world rankings.
Back in March he hammered the only player who had consistently beaten him, Tim Henman, at the Pacific Life Open in California. What makes him such a formidable opponent is his versatility. "He has a game that can beat different guys in different ways," says Andre Agassi.
The down-to-earth, 6ft 1in athlete lives in an apartment near his hometown of Basle. His management team consists of mum and dad Robert and Lynette, with long-time girlfriend Mirka acting as his publicist.
In his early days the pressure of big tournaments presented a problem for the champion, but nowadays he takes it in his stride. With his remarkable ability to challenge on grass, hard courts and clay, some pundits are even predicting he will one day manage "The Slam". The last man to win Wimbledon and the Australian, French and US opens all in the same year was Rod Laver back in 1969. "It's almost impossible," says Roger. "But I will try."
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