Federer Says Fatherhood No Hurdle

For most players, beginning a family while still a professional tennis player is usually the beginning of the end. For Swiss former No. 1 Roger Federer, fatherhood is an opportunity.

"I've always had the dream that once I became No. 1, that if I have a child I hope I have it early enough so he can see me playing," said Federer after winning his first round match at Indian Wells. "This is very exciting."

Federer says his schedule, typically not as heavy as other players, will be an advantage in parenthood.

"I think it's not going to really disturb my mindset on tennis a whole lot," Federer said. "I've always made sure that my schedule (lets me)get away from tennis a little bit and then come back when I'm ready to play again. I didn't play for the last five to six weeks [citing a back injury at the time]. I think it's going to be pretty much the same. I don't really have to adjust a whole lot. If it (the birth) does something to me, I think it's going to motivate me to play for a long time."