Federer: Brazil must improve tennis facilities

 SAO PAULO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Roger Federer says Brazil needs to improve its tennis facilities if it is to hold future ATP world tour events.

The 17-time grand slam winner is currently in Brazil for an exhibition tournament at the 10,000-capacity Ibirapuera gymnasium in Sao Paulo.

Speaking after his 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Federer said Brazil needed "to think bigger" to stage elite¹ tournaments in future.

"I think some things need to be improved if you want to make sure the fans have the best experience possible," the Swiss world No. 2 told Estado de Sao Paulo.

"The international media will always make comparisons. You have to think big. Obviously the ATP sets high standards regarding facilities.

"This venue² (Ibirapuera) is a little old and it needs to be bigger but the atmosphere is great and the fans incredible. There is no need to worry about that side of things."

World No. 8 Tsonga said the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics could provide the boost tennis in Brazil needs.

"I think in the future Brazil is going to improve a lot," Tsonga said."It will host the World Cup and the Olympics which are going to be great events. I am sure that in the future Brazil will be able to host a big tennis tournament."?

1 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

2 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。