“God, it’s killing me,” Roger Federer said, crying, as he tried accept finishing as runner-up—behind Rafael Nadal—at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Federer has won 13 Grand Slam singles titles (3 Australian Open, 5 Wimbledon, 5 U.S. Open), currently just one win shy of all-time leader Pete Sampras. And Federer has just lost one chance to get it! But he still has two other chances to catch it. Let’s see what Chinese Astrology foretells for him this year.

Roger Federer was born August 8, 1981; In the Chinese Zodiac, his primary personality traits are ruled by the Metal Rooster. Of all the signs, the Rooster most symbolizes pure spunk.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, Federer is great at the projects he undertakes, thanks to his outstanding organizational skills. He goes about his work in the most efficient manner, aided by his keen eye for detail. At work or play enthusiasm characterizes his attitude, and it is infectious. However, the health of his self-esteem depends entirely on the image he creates for himself to believe in. In other words, he is far less spontaneous than he appears.

The Chinese Zodiac also says that Federer prefers to teach rather than be taught, and doesn’t mind working alone. But he is sentimental and wants someone by his side to hold his hand through the darkest hours.

For 2009, Roger bit off a lot more than most can chew in a lifetime. In the middle of last year he decided to undertake a challenging task. Now that he is wrestling with the thickest part, he almost wonders if it was worth trying to be his own hero. Nothing is as simple for Federer as it looked in the beginning when he was full of hope, with stars in his eyes about the outcome of his dreams. Nobody warned him that during the project in question he would be confronted with hurdles more challenging than he might ever have imagined.

Our advice? Don't give up. Hang in there Roger and show your mettle in order to advance your life in the manner you have been longing for.  While Chinese Astrology predicts some difficulties for Federer in achieving his goals this year, he should rely on his strengths of doing his best and never giving up – useful advice for us all in these difficult times.