Federer signs up for Thailand Open
Published on Sep 15, 2004
[TENNIS] Newly crowned US Open champion Roger Federer of Switzerland is looking forward to extending his winning streak when he leads an elite field in the US$550,000 (Bt22.7 million) Thailand Open at the end of this month.
“As the 2004 US Open champion I look forward to playing my first event in Bangkok at the Thailand Open. I’ve never played in Bangkok, but I’m sure it will be a huge thrill to be in the draw as the new US Open Champ,” said the world No 1, who has won three Grand Slams this year, missing only the French Open.
He is the first person since Mats Wilander in 1988 to achieve the feat.
Federer’s win at Flushing Meadows confirmed his status as the World’s No1 player, but Federer is still relishing the challenge of the Thailand Open.
“I will need to be on top form as so many great players have entered for Bangkok and they will all want to beat the US Open champion,” he said.
Federer faces a tough task if he is to win his 10th title of the season.
He will have to overcome the hard-serving Andy Rodd!ck, who is out to gain revenge for his Wimbledon defeat, and a host of other stars who are all looking to gun down the World No 1, including the experienced Carlos Moya, mercurial Marat Safin, 2003 winner Taylor Dent and Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, who wants to win in front of his home crowd.
The ATP Thailand Open will be held at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, from September 25 to October 3.
There are a limited number of tickets and hospitality boxes still available from Thai Ticketmaster on 02-262-2345.
Ticket prices are Bt300 for the qualifying rounds on September 25-26, Bt500 and Bt800 for September 27-30 and Bt800 and Bt1,200 for the last three days of the tournament from October 1-3.