Roger Federer [Images] is to become a father for the first time, the world number two announced on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Swiss revealed on his website that his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec is pregnant.

"Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer," Federer said from Indian Wells, where he is playing in an ATP tournament.

"Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family together. This is a dream come true for us. 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 and Vavrinec met at the 2000 Olympics [Images] in Sydney.