Roger Federer says he's spoken to his friend Tiger Woods by phone
and predicts he will be back soon "as the wonderful golfer we
know."
The tennis star said in an interview published Friday that
Woods' car accident in November and subsequent reports about his
private life have been hard on the golfer and his family.
Federer told French sports daily L'Equipe that he expressed
his support, and said Woods' troubles were "instructive."
"The tabloids are going crazy, sponsor contracts are falling
apart. ... I've always been aware that the image you patiently
construct for an entire career can be ruined in a minute," Federer
said. "It scares you a bit, but that's the way things are."
Woods has not played since winning the Australian Masters on
Nov. 15. Two weeks later, he ran his SUV into a tree outside of his
Florida home in the middle of the night, and allegations of rampant
affairs soon followed. He confessed to "infidelity" and said Dec.
11 he would take a break from golf to focus on becoming a better
husband, father and person.
Woods hasn't been seen in public since the accident, and
other friends have said they have tried -- unsuccessfully - to
reach him.
"Tiger needs calm. And soon he'll become the wonderful golfer
that we know again," Federer said.
