Roger Federer hopes to celebrate his 27th birthday on August 8 by carrying the flag again for Switzerland at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

"It's my birthday on the day of the opening ceremony," Federer told reporters on Monday at the Hamburg Masters. "Maybe I will carry the flag again for Switzerland. I'd be very honoured.

"The Olympics is a dream for all sports people," added Federer, who was surprisingly beaten in the second round by Tomas Berdych four years ago in Athens and lost the bronze medal match in 2000.

Federer will be in his third Olympics, having also participated in Sydney. He will likely bump into Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard, ranked second in the world behind Federer, is also looking forward to playing in Beijing and staying at the Olympic Village ?? even if it means slumming it a bit.

"The Olympics will be important," said Nadal, who played in the doubles at the 2004 Games. "It'll be a nice experience to be with the top sportsmen of the world. I have big expectations," the Spaniard said.

"If you go to the Olympics you have to stay in the Village. Tennis players always have good facilities, a nice hotel personal transportation. It will be different, but if you go to the Olympics you can't not stay in the Village."

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily May 14,2 008)