BASEL, Switzerland — Roger Federer is going to be a father.

The Swiss tennis star said in a message on his Web site Thursday that girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec is pregnant with the couple's first child. The baby is due in the summer.

"This is a dream come true for us," the 27-year-old Federer said. "We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well."

Federer met Vavrinec at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"We are so happy to be starting a family together," he said.

Federer, a 13-time Grand Slam champion who is ranked No 2, is in Indian Wells, Calif., for a tournament that starts Thursday.

Federer lost to Rafael Nadal in five sets in the Australian Open final. He pulled out of Switzerland's Davis Cup series against the United States and withdrew from the Dubai Tennis Championships because of an injured back.

"I arrived in Indian Wells earlier this week and I am eager to get back out on court," Federer said. "My back is feeling much better and I am ready to go."

Federer is seeded second behind Nadal at Indian Wells, a tournament he won from 2004-06. He will open against Marc Gicquel or Simone Bolelli.

___

On the Net:

Roger Federer: www.rogerfederer.com