‘2003 Davis Cup defeat to Hewitt was one of my toughest losses,’ says Federer

Melbourne, Sep 16 : Swiss tennis star Roger Federer insists that his 2003 Davis Cup failure against Lleyton Hewitt, having led by two sets and 5-2, was one of his “toughest losses”.
Federer’s comment comes after he failed to convert two match points in his US Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic that condemned the 16-time major winner to his first year in the past nine without a grand slam title.
“People might think Djokovic was tough, but it was nothing compared to the loss back in ‘03, just because I thought I should have won so bad. And today, I’m not 22 years old any more, I’m 30, so I take losses much easier,” the Age quoted Federer, as saying.
“But back then, it was a very tough loss for me. But still the atmosphere was incredible on Rod Laver Arena and it was a privilege to be part of such a great match and a great tie,” he added.

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Warne eyeing Oz Twenty20 Big Bash comeback

Melbourne, Sep 16 : Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has confirmed that he is considering coming out of retirement to play in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League. Warne had retired from all forms of cricket in May following the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 41-year-old, however, said that he was balancing family and business responsibilities before deciding if he could commit to the Twenty20 tournament.
“Re Big Bash - yes keen to be with a team, play a few games - help off field and help the younger players learn the game - could be fun!” stuff. co. nz quoted the leg-spinner, as tweeting.
“My number one priority is my children and everything works around that. But if all things fall into place re scheduling etc big bash - yes!” he added.
The Big Bash has been revamped for the 2011-2012 season, changing from a six-team tournament into an eight-team event.
It was earlier reported that The Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars had approached Warne, while one of two Sydney teams have also reached out.

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Sexy lingerie Ladies Football League set to make waves Down Under

Melbourne, Sept 14 : A Ladies Football League with lingerie ladies is being launched in Queensland with the help of X Girl Tala Schultz.
The concept, which is based on the Lingerie Football League in the US, is said to be the first official women's 11-on-11-tackle gridiron football league from Australia.
"It (lingerie) adds femininity to the game and just highlights that even hot athletic chicks can hit as hard and run as fast as some of the guys," the Courier Mail quoted Schultz as saying.
"I'm not about making a statement about gender. I'm making a statement about the possibility for anyone to perform.
"We want to take on the America women when the Lingerie Football League tour in 2013. We will be ready. Bring it on," she stated.
Schultz claimed that more than 30 athletes have already expressed their interest in the "beautiful ladies" league, who will be dressed down in camouflaged lingerie outfits with knee pads, shoulder guards and ice hockey helmets.
"The majority are studying. There are a couple of lawyers, some studying medicine, others are full time athletes and soccer girls.

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Davis Cup: Federer will still fire in spite of short preparation: Hewitt

Melbourne, Sep. 13 : Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt believes that a short preparation time won''t hurt Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer heading into the Davis Cup World Group playoff tie in Sydney this week.
Swiss team management revealed on Tuesday that Federer would arrive in Sydney on Wednesday, just two days before the tie starts.
"For a freak like Roger, it doesn''t matter," Hewitt told reporters on Tuesday.
"I haven''t seen a lot that Roger hasn''t been able to do, so he''s as close to Superman as it comes," he added.
Hewitt was pleased with his physical condition after missing the US Open through injury and said he was prepared to play both singles and doubles if required.
Switzerland''s second-ranked player Stanislas Wawrinka revealed he was battling a foot injury he suffered at the US Open, but hoped to be fit for Friday.
Switzerland boast the two highest ranked singles players in the grass court tie, with Federer at No. 3 and Wawrinka at 14.
Asked what it will take for Australia to win the tie, Hewitt said: "I''ll have to play a lot better than my ranking I guess, 188 in the world probably won''t do it."

Continue Reading... Tags: Australia, Lleyton Hewitt, Melbourne, Tennis