Federer''s hunger fired by impending parenthood

By Kevin Fylan

LONDON (Reuters) - Even if Roger Federer gets his record 15th grand slam title at Wimbledon on Sunday retirement will not be an option -- for the simple reason that his heavily pregnant wife has ruled it out.

"Mirka''s dream was always that our child can see me play as well," the 27-year-old Federer said on the eve of the final against Andy Roddick. "So there you go. I have to play a few more years just because of Mirka.

"And, anyway, the 2012 Olympics here at Wimbledon is something I''m going to be a part of.

"Awaiting our first child, it''s quite something on a personal note. Also I''m playing wonderful tennis at the moment. Everything seems just great. I''m not really worried about my motivation in any way, because I love this game too much."

Federer shares the record of 14 majors with the American Pete Sampras, who won the last of his seven Wimbledons in 2000.

If going out on his own at the top of the list was not motivation enough, victory would also see Federer reclaim the number one ranking he lost to Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard beat him in last year''s French Open and Wimbledon finals.

"It''s nice to hang on to the top ranking, going through life being the best, being called the best by everybody," he said ahead of his seventh successive Wimbledon final.

"You''re not just really a champion, you''re the best at something. That''s a nice feeling to have. That''s why I hope I can become number one in the world again, hopefully from Monday on again. I have to play well on Sunday and focus on Roddick."

SMOOTH RUNNING

Federer''s progress through to the final has been serene, with the Swiss dropping just one set in six matches.

The 26-year-old Roddick, who won his one major title at the U.S. Open in 2003, has had to scrap a lot harder, particularly in seeing off Lleyton Hewitt in a five-set quarter-final before beating home favorite Andy Murray in four in Friday''s semi.

Federer has won all but two of the 20 matches he has played against Roddick but the unquenchable spirit shown by the American during these championships, to go with a serve that can be unreadable, should mean he has options on Sunday.

"No matter what surface you play him on, no matter where you play him and how bad the record is for him, he''ll always have that shot just because he can serve so great," Federer said. "He probably has the best second serve in the game as well."

(Editing by Miles Evans. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)