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Updated at 8:02 a.m., Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Tennis: Federer cries again, but tears of joy this time

Associated Press

MONACO — The tears streaming down Roger Federer's face came not from anguish but from happiness, and the person standing opposite the Swiss star was his new wife.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion, who is playing this week at the Monte Carlo Masters, spoke about his marriage to longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec for the first time Tuesday.

"A few tears here and there," Federer said about Saturday's wedding in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland. "It was nice."

Federer also broke into tears after losing to rival Rafael Nadal in five sets in the Australian Open final. As he was being awarded the runner-up plate in Melbourne, Federer said, "God, it's killing me."

Last weekend, it was a more joyous feeling that led to the weeping.

"I got very emotional, you know, yet again," Federer said. "It was just nice to know that she loves me so much, I love her so much. It was just a very nice day. We had perfect sky, perfect weather."

Ahead of his second-round match against Andreas Seppi of Italy on Wednesday, Federer spoke only briefly about tennis, saying he still hopes to finally win the French Open — the only major he has not won.

"I hope I can win the big one," Federer said. "That's what the focus is here."

Off the court, Federer said he is surprised how different he feels now that he has a wife.

"It's a very special moment. I thought it to be a bit more relaxed, because we've been together for so, so long," Federer said. "It definitely does change your mind-set, your life."

The pair married in a private ceremony, and they did a good job of keeping it secret.

"If you want to get married in private, you have to go to Switzerland," Federer said. "They don't actually care over there. They actually want to give you peace and privacy. That's why I love being a Swiss and living in Switzerland."

Along with chasing a record-tying 14th Grand Slam title at the only major he has never won and reclaiming his No. 1 ranking, Federer is looking for a name for his son.

"We'll see. There's quite a few books around that are that thick, so we'll see where it takes us," Federer said. "But, no, we haven't decided anything yet."