• The day after his loss in Melbourne, Roger Federer tore up his left knee while giving his daughters a bath. He had surgery, was out for much of the year and fell out of the top 10 for the first time in 10 years. And when playing the lovable Brit Marcus Willis at Wimbledon, he was actually booed. Still, 6,000 fans in Rome watched him practice and he drew plenty of comment and, of course, he remains beloved.
• “I need the fire, the excitement, the whole roller coaster.” – Roger on playing on the tour
• “Federer never looks like he’s imposing his will…He’s playing off the music of the opponent.” – coach Steve Stefanki
• “I can’t believe that some of the shots Roger’s been playing since he was 12 are now flying long…It’s such an uncharacteristic display. He’s been discombobulated.” – Craig Willis as Roger struggled in Australia
• “Roger has a John Wayne, Pete Sampras fading-into-the-sunset moment [in him]. He’s going to make a run at some point.” – Paul Annacone
• “Mirka is totally committed, totally happy, the kids love it, and I’m still hungry, and now I’m even refreshed and rejuvenated.” – Federer on returning to the circuit
• “Can I still do it…Can my body still do it? Can my mind still do it?” – What Federer told the New York Times were the key questions he now faced
• “When you do something best in life, you really don’t want to give it up.” – Federer
