Swiss tennis star Roger Federer is to be immortalised in a street name in the town of Biel in northwestern Switzerland.
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Federer’s manager and father have given the go-ahead for the town’s authorities to name a street after the former world number one. The idea has been in the works since 2010.
The player’s entourage keep a careful eye on the Federer brand name. Since turning pro in 1998 Federer has amassed career prize money of around $64 million (SFr56 million), itself a small fraction of the estimated $60 million he earns every year in sponsorship.
“It took some doing,” Biel mayor Erich Fehr said, adding that the town was not intending to make a profit from the name.
Biel is home to the Swiss Tennis association. Federer completed some of his training as a junior in the town. The road in question links the route to Solothurn to the Swiss Tennis buildings and future Biel stadium.
Federer has won a record 16 Grand Slam singles titles but has not won a title since January. He currently is ranked world number four.
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