Sunday, January 13, 2008

SLEEPING TIGER AWAKENS

Roger Federer has strongly defended the Australian Open's grand slam status, saying the tournament should retain its position as one of the four majors for the forseeable future.

Federer said the grand slam tournaments should remain as they were, and that the history of the game in Australia must be respected. He suggested history was more important than population or market size - factors which favoured China as a prospective grand slam venue.

Federer acknowledged the growing importance of China in tennis, but said Australia's history was more significant.

"China's going to get their tournament in Shanghai, it seems, like in the future. They had the Masters Cup there. They're going to get a Masters Series … There will always be little changes but I think the grand slams should stay where they are."

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