Soccer fan Federer happy to be on home ground

Roger Federer may have cursed his luck on Monday when he was drawn in the tough top half of the draw for the Swiss Indoor tennis tournament.

But at least it meant he could keep Tuesday evening free and make his tournament bow on Wednesday.

For him, as for most soccer fans in this northern Swiss city, keeping Tuesday evening clear was important because it meant he would be able to see his beloved FC Basel seek Champions League revenge against Valencia.

In a week of high-quality sport in the city, following Basel-born Patty Schnyder's dramatic victory over American favourite Lindsay Davenport at the Swisscom Challenge WTA tournament in Zurich at the weekend, the visit of the Spanish soccer champions has added an extra dimension.

Basel lost 6-2 in Valencia when the two sides met three weeks ago.

"It is going to be a great match," said the pony-tailed Federer, last year's losing finalist and third seed this time as he bids to hold or improve on his sixth place in the ATP Champions race on the run-in towards the Masters Cup in Shanghai next month.

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"I am a big fan of FC Basel and when I am away from home I have a friend who always sends me text messages to keep me up to date. When I was at the U.S. Open, for example, I got a message straightaway telling me about the win against Glasgow Celtic.

"It really gave me great motivation before my doubles, with George Bastl (another Swiss). It felt great and we went out and won our match."

Federer's love of his homeland and his home town has been recognised by the organisers of this year's Swiss Indoor tournament who have used a picture of him in their publicity posters all around the city.

The tournament also features Briton Tim Henman, the defending champion, who beat Federer in last year's final.

Federer has been invited by Basel coach Christian Gross to practise his soccer skills and prove his enthusiasm for the game by joining his favourite team in training.

"It would be really interest me to do it," Federer said. "It is true that Christian did invite me to training. It is very flattering. It is very difficult to find a suitable time so far but I am looking forward to it."

As a youngster, Federer, now 21, was a ball boy at the Swiss Indoor but on Monday, in the city's main council chamber at the town hall, he was a guest of honour sitting alongside American player Andy Roddick as the draw was made.

It gave him an opportunity to reflect on his progress and his friends in the sport who have helped him to reach the top level.

TWO COACHES

In particular, he said he would always remember Peter Carter, the Davis Cup coach who was killed in an accident earlier this year, and his personal coach Peter Lundgren.

Federer said he would never forget Carter or his contribution to his success. "He is always with me and he is the man who really taught me all about tennis and the tactics when I was young. The day I had to decide on one of the two coaches, Carter or Lundgren, was one of my hardest resolutions."

Asked who had been the biggest influences in his career, Federer cited Lundgren, his parents and his girlfriend Miroslava Vavrinec, a Slovakian-born tennis player who is currently recovering from injury.

"It is difficult for her when she is injured and we have learned now when to talk about tennis and when not to talk about it," he said.

This week, he said, his mind would be on tennis and on securing his elusive first Basel triumph after two successive losing finals.

"I love to come home and to be in Switzerland. I feel my best here," he said. "That is why I have bought a house, together with my parents, so that I can come home easily when I want to. Here I can switch off -- and it is great to be in a tournament and go home to sleep in your own bed.

"We go all over the world in our jobs. Miami is mad and very funny. The city there combines good weather, the beach and the sea and it is fun. For me, beautiful weather is important. I love Australian and Sydney, too.

"But here I can come home and relax."