Roger Federer leaves Australia and becomes one of the most respected people in the world

Written by: Global Chick on 20th September 2011

Roger Federer leaves Australia and becomes one of the most respected people in the world

Switzerland's Roger Federer (L) signs autographs for fans after team mate Stanislas Wawrinka defeated Australia's Lleyton Hewitt during their Davis Cup world group play-off in Sydney, Australia, on 19 September 2011. Wawrinka defeated Hewitt in the first game after the resumption of play. EPA/DEAN LEWINS EDITORIAL USE ONLY |

Superstar Roger Federer updated his Facebook status, “Leaving Australia….I had a great time in Sydney, I love Australia and can’t wait to be back in January for the Australian Open.” Over 30 000 people pressed the like button and almost 3000 fans made a comment. The Swiss player’s popularity is growing each day. A study has been conducted and it showed Roger Federer is the number two on the list of the most respected and admired personalities in the world. The FedExpress was slightly less popular than the former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Behind Roger Federer on the list you can find Queen Elizabeth, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. English soccer star David Beckham finished on the 24^th place.

Federer has left Australia and won’t be back until middle of January. Roger and his team mate Stanislas Wawrinka left Australia with a 3-2 win in the Davis Cup World Group playoffs. After this weekend’s win over Australia Switzerland will gain a spot in the Davis Cup World Group next year.

The former world number one arrived into Sydney on the Wednesday before the tie. On Friday he played Lleyton Hewitt in the second rubber after Australian number one Bernard Tomic took out Wawrinka to take a 1-0 lead. Federer levelled the match 1-1 on the first day. Hewitt did call Fed “as close as you can get to Superman”, a very nice comment from the normally not so friendly Australian former No. 1.

The Swiss team lost the doubles to Hewitt and Chris Guccione on the second day. A little surprising maybe. Roger Federer came out firing on the third day and he brushed Bernard Tomic aside despite losing the third set and being down a break in the second set. Roger seems to be able to find an extra gear most days. He did lose in the semi-final of the US Open to Novak Djokovic after having a couple of match points – 2011 was a tough year at Flushing Meadows for Roger.

Wawrinka came out in the press conference after Switzerland’s win and said, “It’s amazing to be in the same team but for sure in Switzerland it is never easy because it doesn’t matter what I am going to do or which ranking I am going to have because it’s never going to be enough for Swiss people because they always look to Roger….”

It must be hard to be a Swiss tennis player and always being compared with the big man. Despite having Nadal and Djokovic ahead of him in the race, we are hoping to see more Grand Slam wins from the elegant and respected Swiss Maestro.