Federer's sparkling scare
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ByEurosport
Published 23/10/2006 at 09:44 GMT
A rolled ankle was not Roger Federer's only injury scare at his Madrid Masters win on Sunday, as he almost succumbed to a congratulatory champagne attack by beaten rival Fernando Gonzalez. The World No. 1 hit the deck after the surprise toast, but laughed
TENNIS 2006 Masters Series Madrid Roger Federer Fernando González González Entrega de trofeos
Image credit: EFE
"It's dangerous for my eye. I thought I lost it," Federer said. "I was looking for it on the ground. It was just rolling away."
"He got me good, Fernando. Good fun. It's fun. In five seconds it was okay."
The bigger fright came in the opening set, when Federer needed treatment on his ankle after slipping during a backhand and rolling his right ankle.
The accident clearly had no affect on his game, however, as Federer went on to handily beat Gonzalez 7-5 6-1 6-0.
"Well, I can walk now, so it's okay. And I could continue to play," Federer said after the win. "It happened to me in Toronto. It happened to me at the U.S. Open against Blake as well. It's the third time it happened. Every time I could get up, continue to play."
"I definitely will have to see how it reacts tomorrow morning to know exactly how I feel. I'm confident, you know. As usual, I'm a positive thinker. I don't have pain now. That's a good sign."
Federer promised to play in his home tournament at this week's ATP Basel for the first time since becoming World No. 1 after missing the last two years due to injury.
"I hope I get over this little issue with my ankle so I can play Basel. And then I hope that I feel fine also after that tournament so then I can play Paris. That's the plan."
Federer said winning in Basel was more important than the more prestigious Masters series in Paris, which he is yet to win.
"It's obvious the win in Basel will be much more emotional because I went through the whole system of being a ball boy, my mom doing the credentials there, and having so many people and friends there."
Follow LIVE coverage of the ATP Basel, including streaming video all week on www.eurosport.com.
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