Australian Open diary: Roger Federer francly speaking

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  • Roger Federer plays a backhand during a practice session during day two of the Australian Open.

    ​You wouldn’t think that someone who makes about $60 million a year would worry too much about what’s happening with the economy but Roger Federer admits that the latest surge in the value of the Swiss franc has had quite the impact on him.

    – Wawrinka and Djokovic safely through Australian Open first round

    Last week, the Swiss National Bank (SNBN) decided to scrap its currency cap with the euro and the franc has strengthened about 10 per cent against the Australian dollar compared to last year’s Australian Open.

    Federer joked with reporters about it, implying he had to win more matches now to make more money. 

    “Does it mean I’ve got to win now?” he said after his first round victory. 

    Roger Federer waves to the crowd after victory in his first round match against Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei.

    “It definitely had a big impact all around the world, right? Switzerland’s an interesting place. It’s small but quite powerful in some ways. Clearly it had an impact on me, too, no doubt about it. 

    “Things were going up all the time, so it’s normal have it reset. But the way it was done, maybe there were some question marks behind that because nobody saw it coming. 

    “I’m not the expert, so I don’t know exactly what you want me to tell you. I guess for export or tourism it’s not ideal, but we’ll see how we’ll adjust to it now. Still think it’s a wonderful place to visit, so please come.”

    Li Na expecting first child
    Retired Chinese star Li Na chose Rod Laver Arena to share some exciting news with her fans – she is expecting her first child with her husband Dennis.

    Li Na, who won the Australian Open last year before announcing her retirement later in the season, was her typical hilarious self when she addressed the press on Monday and was quick to note that she wasn’t expecting Dennis to be the diaper-changing type.

    She confesses that it was always her “dream” to become a house wife and she is ecstatic that she will finally get to fulfil that dream. 

    Li Na poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup as she officialy opens the Australian Open during day one of the 2015 Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

    “I think for my dream is be a housewife. I think every child they learn from the family. I was learn from my mum, so I was feeling the woman has to be like housewife. But I guess I’m not bad to play tennis. So I was feeling, okay, because tennis was take care a lot. I think now is the time to turn back,” said Li Na.

    The 32-year-old admitted she is hoping for a daughter but would not confirm the gender of the baby and said she doesn’t want to tell her child that she was a tennis player. 

    “I think tennis was my job, it’s not their job, you know. I think everyone has personality,” she explained.

    Asked if she had the chance to go back and choose a career, would she have done things differently, she said laughing: “If I have next life, I will still choose tennis, I will still choose the famous Asian as well.”

    Forget tennis, the best thing this kid could get from his or her mother is her sense of humour.​

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