NOTEBOOK: Federer says family life no hindrance to top tennis

Sep 10, 2010, 16:50 GMT

New York - Father-of-two Roger Federer is living proof that family life doesn't diminish a player's career, with the number two winning another Grand Slam and playing a final since the birth of his twins in July 2009.

'I have the same fire, the same drive,' said the 16-time champion at majors. 'I thought it might have a little impact on my schedule, might play less, have an impact on how I practised.

'But it's so well set up. (Wife) Mirka takes such great care. I can place my practice whenever I want. I still have enough time to be with the family. The transition was very smooth and I'm very happy about it, of course.'

The Swiss, who married his longtime girlfriend in spring 2009, said that nuptials tend to come later for tennis players, as opposed to footballers.

'I guess in soccer guys marry and have kids much faster than in tennis. In tennis, very often financially you're never quite safe. Injury can hit at any time. You don't have a five-year contract.

'It's very much living day by day. We're not in one place like maybe soccer players are. You have a tendency to marry later, and later also in your career you start to maybe not play as well.'

But Federer admitted that things are different for him: 'I feel married since a long time, not just since last year - that's for sure.'

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NOTEBOOK: Wozniacki rolls with the punches in boxing

New York (dpa) - US Open top seed Caroline Wozniacki has learned to roll with the punches as she uses boxing drills as a keep-fit tool for tennis.

The 20-year-old Dane says that mixing it up in the ring, though, does have its limits. Asked if she had ever floored a training partner, the world number two responded demurely: 'Of course not, I'm a good girl.'

Wozniacki believes that her cross-training pays dividends on court. 'It's just a different way for me to work out. It's fun, it's interesting, and it's great because I have this great coach who knows how to get me in good shape and what I need for my tennis, as well.'

She said the idea came 'when I wanted to try something different, something that was not the usual thing.

'I just love the training. It's great. It's really hard not only physically, but also the conditioning. And, you know, it's great to have a coach there also who just pushes you to the limit.'