Federer celebrates birth of second set of twins

Roger Federer AP FILE PHOTO

MADRID — Roger Federer announced on Tuesday that his wife Mirka had given birth to the couple’s second set of twins, this time boys named Leo and Lenny.

“Mirka and I are so incredibly happy to share that Leo and Lenny were born this evening! Twins again.. miracle!” Federer wrote on his official Facebook page.

The couple already have four-year-old twin daughters.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion had announced on Tuesday morning that he wouldn’t be competing at the Madrid Masters this week to spend time with his family in preparation for the birth.

“I’ve decided to withdraw from Madrid to be with my wife Mirka during these next few exciting weeks for our family,” he said.

Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, confirmed to The Associated Press that the baby boys were born in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Federer and his wife Mirka are already parents to twin daughters.

Federer had said last month he was prepared to skip tournaments to be with his wife when she gave birth.

The 32-year-old Federer did not specify if he would return for the Rome Masters next week, but Godsick said the 17-time Grand Slam champion intended to enter the French Open, which begins May 25.

Screengrab from Roger Federer’s Facebook acount

“Roger has plans to play the French Open, and he’ll take it step-by-step as to what he plays before that,” Godsick said in a telephone interview.

Federer, a three-time winner in Madrid, hasn’t missed a Grand Slam tournament since 2000.

Federer’s 28-5 record on the season is the ATP’s best, with the former No. 1 having won a title in Dubai.

Polish player Lukasz Kubot took Federer’s place in the Madrid draw, and will face Gilles Simon of France in a second-round match.

Second-ranked Novak Djokovic also withdrew from Madrid because of a long-term wrist injury.

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