Grass ‘pet’ surface: Federer

Defending champion Roger Federer has the best grasscourt game on the circuit, extending his winning stretch to 18 matches on the surface, bu...

Defending champion Roger Federer has the best grasscourt game on the circuit, extending his winning stretch to 18 matches on the surface, but says he’s not quite as comfortable in natural green patches as his pet cow.

Swiss Open tournament organisers honoured Federer with a tan and white Bernese oberlander, named Juliette and outfitted in a large bell, to mark his Wimbledon win last year.

Asked if he was more at home on grass than the cow, Federer said he didn’t think so. ‘‘She should be more comfortable because she spends more time on it.’’

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Meanwhile, Federer can’t be accused of having an overloaded entourage at Wimbledon.

Attempting to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time, Federer still doesn’t have a coach or employ anyone to monitor his rivals.

“I don’t have any spies here. I’m the only spy around,” the top-ranked Federer said yesterday after his 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 win over Andy Bogdanovic in the tournament opener on centre court.

He lists Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick and Tim Henman as serious challengers. “They’re too far away in the draw really to send out scouts to see how they play,” Federer said.

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“If I make the quarters or the semis, obviously I start looking at their matches. But just now, if I watch their match, it’s more to enjoy than to study.”

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