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ATP - ROGER BLASTS THROUGH TO FINAL!
Roger showed another great display today to reach the Australian Open final! He defeated Andy Roddick in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 and is on course for a record-tying 14th Grand Slam title.
"Andy's been playing really playing well so I knew I had a tough match ahead of me," Roger said. "I thought I played really well tonight because Andy played good too, so it was fun."
With Rafael Nadal as the favourite for his semi final, Roger commented: "He's showing why he's the best player in the world. I would love to play him in the final, that's for sure."
The victory also meant that Roger emulated Pete Sampras by reaching 18 grand slam finals. The only person to beat Roger in a major final is Nadal, three at Roland Garros and once at Wimbledon. Ivan Lendl played 19 grand slam finals.
It was demoralising for Andy Roddick today, who came into the match revitalised by a change in coach but got off to an appalling start and argued with the chair umpire as the first set slipped past in 32 minutes. Roger had the seventh seed on a string and he reeled off 12 straight points to take the second, breaking for 6-5 and serving out with grim precision for the two-set lead.
Roddick tangled again with the umpire when he swore loudly and received a code violation, and was left staggered when Roger dug himself out of trouble with a brilliant drop shot, lob and stop-volley to hold for 5-5. The American was then guilty of a howler as he patted the ball to Roger's feet with the court begging, gifting the crucial break point which our champ converted with an unstoppable forehand before calmly serving out the win.
Roger can join Roy Emerson, André Agassi, Jack Crawford and Ken Rosewall as the only men to have won four or more titles in Melbourne. Way to go, Roger!
1st set: 13 / 5
2nd set: 18 / 6
3rd set: 20 / 4
1st set: 57% (Winner on 1st: 82% / Winner on 2nd: 46%)
2nd set: 69% (Winner on 1st: 95% / Winner on 2nd: 56%)
3rd set: 70% (Winner on 1st: 73% / Winner on 2nd: 73%)
Q. How did you right the match, and what was the key to the win?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I had a great start. That helped a lot. I mean, I thought that I played really solid out there tonight. I thought level was high throughout the match.
I had a couple good games where I served really well in the first set, and that gave me a lot of confidence going into the second one. I was moving well and getting a lot of balls back and making it difficult for Andy to get the upper hand from the baseline. That was kind of what I was hoping for.
Q. You had more aces than Andy, so you must have been pleased with the service game.
ROGER FEDERER: It's happened before that I served more aces than him. I thought tonight ‑‑ he still got a lot of service winners. They don't show, but he got a ton of those. That's frustrating as well, like the aces.
No, I mean, I served well when I had to. So many times at 30‑All I came up with big aces, and that saved me from a lot of trouble, which was good, because Andy was returning well and playing aggressive.
Q. Is there any chance of getting one of your towels?
ROGER FEDERER: No. We don't have that many. They're for my friends. I don't know you. But good try.
Q. You're getting to be a master of the challenges as well.
ROGER FEDERER: You need bad linespeople. They got to help you out.
Q. You had two on successive shots.
ROGER FEDERER: There was some really bad calls from the linespeople. The umpire missed them as well. I guess tonight is one of those nights you're happy there is a challenge system in place.
Q. Back in another Grand Slam final. It's a great start to the year for you, and so different, I suppose, than the feeling here last year.
ROGER FEDERER: Like I said on the court, I think I played well throughout the tournament last year as well, you know. Just kind of came up short against Novak. I thought he played a fantastic match against me. He was the aggressive one. He was serving his spots so well that night that he kind of made that difficult.
Even maybe if I would have been in perfect shape, you know, I think he deserved to win last year. I struggled maybe a bit. Maybe the draw was a bit better for me this year playing Andy in the semis who I have such a great record against.
I do feel better mentally. I'm obviously more healthy so I can focus on playing well. I'm really pleased about my performance so far in the tournament. The draw was difficult and dangerous if you look back on who I had to play.
Q. Last year you said you had created a monster of expectations. Has that faded for you given how you played in the year since, or do you still feel that weight?
ROGER FEDERER: A little bit. I'm still surprised how quickly the mood swings with the media, with the fans, with everybody.
If I lose a set or two sets against Berdych, everybody is like, Oh, my God, he's not the same anymore. And then you beat Del Potro and everything is back to normal. It's just not the way it's supposed to be, I don't think.
You don't lose your edge that quickly. It's just not possible. I know I'm playing well. I feel good. I know sometimes you can always run into a player that's hot and you can lose. I've been able to control my opponents, and definitely got close against Berdych.
I still think I fought hard and deserved the victory in the end. Came up with two great victories now against Del Potro and Roddick, and usually that's when I start playing my best: Towards the end of the tournament. I think this is where you should judge a great player.
Q. Rafa is the best player in the world at the moment. It's fair to say you'd pretty much rather play him in the final?
ROGER FEDERER: Depending what you look for. I'd like to play Fernando because he's never played a Grand Slam final before. I have an edge there. Playing Rafa is obviously, you know, more exciting because of the history we have playing in so many Grand Slam finals.
Him being the best player in the world at the moment, it would make it a very intriguing match.
Q. When you said you were able to control your opponents, what was the game plan tonight?
ROGER FEDERER: Tonight, I mean, there was not that much of a game plan. Against maybe other players here it's more about, Let's get the return back and then let's see what you can create. Concentrate on your serving so you always maybe get off to a good start, 15‑Love, or you get the first shot and you can be aggressive.
So that's what it's about with Andy. It's a game that comes down to a few shots here and there, and then you hope you come up with a good passing shot when you have to. That's my game plan, and it's worked well.
Q. When it was 5‑2 in the first set and the chair engaged with Roddick, how did you cope with that?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I'm used to Andy's attitude on court. He's got a great attitude. He has a lot of energy and he always likes to talk to the crowd, make jokes, talk to the umpire. He's a funny guy. I like Andy. We go way back. I enjoy those moments more than they disturb me, really.
Q. What sort of advantage have you got being the first through? You got the extra time now to maybe see the other game.
ROGER FEDERER: That's an advantage you mean?
Q. Do you think it's an advantage?
ROGER FEDERER: Not if Rafa comes through. He's had pretty simple straightforward matches. He's as tough as they come. Fernando looks fit, too. He had a five‑set against Murray, but four sets against Tsonga at night. He's into the thing. He might be more mentally drained because of the pressure.
I don't think it's going to come down to fitness on the final day.
Q. You obviously heard the criticism after the Berdych match. Do you get motivated by the swings you're talking about?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't think that it's criticism, just opinions. Everybody can have an opinion and everybody can say what they feel like. I know I didn't play the perfect match, otherwise I would have been able to beat him more easily.
But I can take criticism, no problem, any day.
Q. You're obviously very proud of what you achieved. How does it feel to be on the verge of some other new achievements?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I didn't know I reached my 18th finals in a Grand Slam. I'm very happy and proud about that. Like my consecutive semifinals I was also able to achieve. Shows how long I've been able to keep it up and stay in good shape, stay healthy.
That's really key for success really, at the highest of levels. It's nice to be at the same level as Ivan Lendl and the same as Pete in terms of Grand Slam wins. I hope I can win the next one, too.
Q. Do you have any of those sort of things in your mind when you came into the start of year?
ROGER FEDERER: No. More maybe kind of the thing starting the year well at Australian Open, winning maybe potentially your first French, getting Wimbledon back after the epic I had with Rafa there, and then winning my sixth at the US Open.
That's kind of what's in my mind. And then with good play at the ATP events, at the Masters Series, which I didn't play great last year in, I hope to pick up few of those to get my No. 1 ranking back. That's my mindset going into a new season.
Q. What was the key for you to play well early in the season at this Australian Open? What do you think is the key for you to play well here?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't think there's a real secret to playing well in the beginning of the season, to be honest. You go out there and try hard. You know, I mean, I've had ‑‑ I always make sure I have two to three buildups during the year, not just one in the off‑season.
I usually take one in February and one after Wimbledon and then one at the end of the season. So I basically have three buildups of two, three weeks where I can work really, really hard.
For me, in a way, the season never stops. It's just ongoing. I start playing some tournaments, you know, having not played for maybe sometimes five, six weeks. So I go through that occasionally. A new season means, Okay, let's go from zero maybe, but not a whole a lot of change to my mind.
Q. Before you mentioned the fact that sometimes the media puts you too much down.
ROGER FEDERER: I didn't say only you guys. There's many people.
Q. Then sometimes too much up if you win easily. Most of us make a lot of noise about the fact that you could equalize the record of Pete Sampras.
ROGER FEDERER: I'm thankful.
Q. But there was somebody called Rod Laver who couldn't play twenty Slams in five years, and Rosewall didn't play 11 years, so 44 Slams. So, you see, press sometimes emphasizes something. What's your reaction thinking about Laver and Rosewall and your record and Sampras?
ROGER FEDERER: I'm very well aware of the problems the old generation of Laver and Rosewall and all those players faced. That's why I always said I'm one of the players who's most thankful to them of what they've done for us. Look where prize money is today and the great sites we have.
Now there's even more money being pumped into the Australian Open. That's all thanks to them for not playing a lot of money and missing out on twenty Grand Slams. Back then, nobody knew what tennis was going to become, so it was also easier to say no to those kind of things.
Probably never quite know who was the greatest of all‑time in tennis, and I think that's quite intriguing as well. Of course, if somebody goes off and wins 35 Grand Slams then you made your point as a player.
But, still, I think it's fantastic that they named the center court after Rod Laver who did so much for tennis. Yeah, I mean, 14 is more ‑‑ the new generation, the Open era, I could maybe become the greatest of all‑time of that era, but never of all‑time.
I'm very well aware of that. I think it's an incredible opportunity to do well.
Q. Did Andy throw any new look at you today? There's been a lot of talk about his footwork improving. Can you empathize with a player who's trying to get better in mid‑career?
ROGER FEDERER: I thought he played a bit more aggressive with his backhand. I think he already tried to do that against me in Miami. Played a bit more flat, so the ball goes through a little bit more.
I really think he improved the returns. The second serves he takes more easily. I have the feeling he's improved at the net. He's a bit better mover. Before he didn't run a whole lot for dropshots. Today I didn't play 25 dropshots, but I still felt he was running for every ball. He wasn't always doing that. That's also a big key to his game.
ATP - ROGER FIGHTS BACK FROM TWO SETS DOWN!
Roger survived an early scare today before bouncing Tomas Berdych (ATP 21) out of the Australian Open with a heroic comeback from two sets down: 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2!
"I am very proud of my performance today. Tomas puts great power in his forehand, backhand and also his serve. That's what makes playing him that difficult. There was loads of adrenalin in the match today, I had to keep pushing myself forward. I then managed to commit less errors, I served well, that was the key. I am very happy with the result - I was, after all, almost on the plane back home already."
It was only Roger's fourth career recovery from the depths, he also preserved a Grand Slam quarter-final run dating back five years. Our champ had difficulties right from the start, losing serve five times in the first three sets. Only after reducing the amount of errors from the third set on did he take the lead.
Roger will meet Juan Martin Del Potro (ATP 6) in the quarter finals. Roger has won all three encounters with the Argentine so far.
Jim Courier(JC):
今日は2セットダウンから巻き返したけどどうだった?
Roger Federer(RF):
1stsetを落とした時は5set matchを覚悟したよ。ベルディヒがすごい勢いでハードヒットして攻撃してくるから、耐えてついていくしかないと思ったよ。2ndセットは少しチャンスがあったんだけど、かなり追いつめられたよ。
JC: USオープンでも4Rでフルセット戦って、そのまま上がっていけたよね。いいサインなんじゃない?
RF: こんな試合は滅多にないから楽しめたよ。あと2,3ゲームできるくらい元気だから良いサインかもね。
JC: 2セットダウンから逆転した相手って覚えてる?
RF: え〜っと・・・。う〜ん・・・。皆知ってる?
JC: 僕は知ってるよ。
RF: 君は知ってるだろうねw う〜ん、全仏でかな?違う?
JC: 違うよ。(会場の皆が笑う)
RF: アメリカの選手の誰かかな?
JC: 三回答えたよ。もう時間がないよ。早く答えて。
RF: 教えてよw
JC: ラファだよ。それじゃね。
Q. How tough was that today?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, it was difficult, because the opponent was dangerous and tough and playing well, I thought. He put me under a lot of pressure, but thank God I was able to react, you know. He doesn't give you that many chances, so I was happy. I hung in there.
Q. At the end the second set, did you sit at your chair and think, Surely he can't keep playing as well as he's playing? His standard was so good.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it was excellent. I didn't think I played a whole a lot worse later on, I was just able to play better and get a bit more length in my shots. I gave him an easy break in the first game and I never really recovered from that. I was kind of under pressure for a set.
I should have held my break, and then things would have been maybe a bit different. But letting him come back into the match in the second set, that kind of put me under quite a lot of pressure.
Then, obviously, in the breaker he played good tennis. You know, he was really aggressive, especially off the second serve as well. Seemed like every corner he wanted to hit, he got it. He was playing excellent.
To kind of weather the storm against him, it's not easy to do. Once I got serving and moving and playing better, I was able to turn it around. So that was nice.
Q. Did the seventh game of the third set turn it around?
ROGER FEDERER: What happened there?
Q. He had five game points and three shots I could have made, but not at that situation.
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I don't quite remember anymore what happened. I remember I was against the wind and to get the break then was crucial. I think he was maybe up 40‑Love on that game.
Anyway, I came back and I guess that really gave me momentum. I kind of never looked back.
Q. Did you feel flat at all in the beginning or did he just make you look like that?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. That would be him. No, I mean, I was feeling fine. I just had a bad start. I think if I would have maybe been only broken once in the first set, I think I could have challenged him a bit more.
He served it out well at 5‑4. And being down two breaks against such a good player, that's not going to be enough. That was my problem. Once you start running behind against a player who can take such huge cuts at the ball, he was only getting more and more confident and that made that really, really difficult for me to find rhythm.
Yeah, it was tough for me today. I found a way. I'm very happy about my performance in the end.
Q. Since the Olympics, is there always a bit of a feeling that this guys goes crazy and it's going to be very, very tough?
ROGER FEDERER: This guy?
Q. Berdych goes crazy and has a fantastic match it's going to be very tough for you or anybody.
ROGER FEDERER: The Olympics, yeah, way back. No, I mean, yeah, I mean, I know the danger of playing Tomas. He's top 3, top 5 guy with most powerful shots in the game. You combine serve, forehand and backhand, it's incredible how he ‑‑ the pace he gets with little effort.
That's why he's dangerous. Still in the fifth even though he looks like he's beaten. You have to be so careful. Even the last game you saw it. I make one stupid mistake and then all of a sudden he can hit three screamers.
I know the danger of playing Tomas. I wish he was higher up in the rankings so you don't have to play him that early. I think today he showed why he could be a wonderful player.
Q. Did you see a scouting report, because he seemed to be more in control when he played Stan the other night than he used to be in the past?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I didn't speak to Stan.
Q. You were extremely satisfied to come back from two sets to love down.
ROGER FEDERER: Sure, it's great satisfaction. Doesn't happen every day. I don't play five setters every day so it's a very nice feeling. I guess especially coming back from two sets to love when you feel like everything is going your way in the end and the other guy is all of a sudden under pressure, you know, after you felt this way for one and a half, two hours, then to be able to turn it around and then be leading all of a sudden is a great feeling.
I was feeling still fresh if the fifth. I think you could see it. That's kind of the way I want to feel in a fifth set. That's why I worked hard. I worked hard for this victory today. This is great.
Q. What is your sense of anticipation for the second week here? I think from the neutral looking at it, it's got the makings of probably one of the most exciting second weeks of a Grand Slam for a long time, with the matchups and players and what have you and the levels they're reaching. Do you sense that as well?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, yeah, maybe. You know, you can make something up. But I think you're concentrating on your own section of the draw, and my next opponent is Del Potro now. I've only played him once and he played great at the Open. He almost beat Andy in the end in the quarters. I mean, that was really close and both were looking very tired. Who knows what would have happened in the fifth.
No, think it's going to be a nice match for me playing him. Like you said, I think there's many, many seeded guys around still, which makes it like we have great matchups. I think the only guy not seeded is Marcos now, but he's been in the finals here before.
Q. What do you think about Hawk‑Eye?
ROGER FEDERER: What do I think about it? It's horrible. I don't like it, no.
Q. Why?
ROGER FEDERER: Because Tomas doesn't like it since today. Finally one guy understood. Look, it's there to be used. I don't care. But if I get a good or bad challenge, you know, I'd rather challenge too much and not have them left.
But I don't think you win or lose a match because of them. If it's 9‑All in the fifth set, you know, you got to use it and there's a terrible call because the linesperson was sleeping and the umpire was drinking coffee, of course then it's good you have it.
But, God, you have four eyes looking at every line. You could really mess up. Yeah, the ball Tomas was questioning was out. But still, a system like this is in place it shouldn't happen, right? That could be the crucial moment for Tomas. It wasn't because it was clearly out. Still, it's not so much fun for him, I guess.
Q. What do you think about the last six months of Del Potro?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, he's had a great run after Wimbledon was it? I think he won four tournaments in a row: Two on clay and two on hard court, I think. Yeah, kind of out of the blue. They were not the biggest tournaments in the world, but still, he was able to dominate some good players. I think he beat Roddick and other players like Tommy Haas.
On hard court, that's a great effort. Then he backed it up by playing well at the Open. For a young guy to cope with the pressure and make it to the Masters in the end, I think, was a great effort from his side.
So I think he's done really, really well. It's going to be an interesting match for me. I'm excited playing against him.
Q. You said that after three and a half hours you were still fresh and fit. There's a lot made of Murray and Nadal's fitness. Do you feel you're as fit as these guys?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. I mean, I've played five hours against Rafa on clay and against other players as well. These kind of tests don't come around very often. I had a time in my career I hardly played five‑setters, like for two or three years, so I didn't know why where I was until all of a sudden that crazy match with Safin here in 2005.
Then I knew where I was. I was in pain because of my feet. That was a different issue. It's good to have five‑setters to see where you're at. I don't know how fit Murray is. I'll take him on any day in a five‑setter. He's younger so he's probably not so experienced, you know.
In the end it becomes very mental, and I know that this is where my biggest strengths always comes into play. That's why I'm always going to favor myself in a fifth set.
Q. Today when you were two sets down, is there a little bit of panic that comes, or do you start to ever to say to yourself, I'm in trouble?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know what I feel. I wasn't thinking of losing, that's for sure. The finish line was still very far for Tomas. I knew that. You can still concentrate on playing just the points instead of thinking, Oh, my God, what's going to happen?
I didn't feel that way. I kind of felt after a terrible first set from my side that if I probably want to win this it's going to go to five sets. I just felt it. I knew Tomas was dangerous, and if I played even still a great set or three great sets it's probably not going to happen. He would squeeze one great set in there somewhere, second, third, or fourth.
That's why I kind of was prepared for five from the start. I think that's what made me be so determined towards the end. It was nice being in a battle with him. It was fair play. It was tough, good tennis towards the end. I believed in it all the way, and I think that was key in the end.
Q. Do we have a chance to see you back here next year?
MARAT SAFIN: I doubt it. I really doubt it. I really doubt it.
Safin(RUS):Federer(SUI)
1st Serve % 51%:60%
Aces 14:9
Double Faults 2:1
Unforced Errors 33:28
Winning % on 1st Serve 63%:85%
Winning % on 2nd Serve 59%:64%
Winners (Including Service) 33:26
Receiving Points Won 24%:39%
Break Point Conversions 0/0:3/4
Net Approaches 9/21:6/13
Total Points Won 76:103
Fastest Serve Speed 212KMH:208KMH
Average 1st Serve Speed 201KMH:192KMH
Average 2nd Serve Speed 156KMH:158KMH
Q. Today Marat and Fabrice played probably the last matches here. Can you assess who they are in the tennis, what they represent?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I hope Marat will not. He told you. He's pretty sure about it.
Q. Yeah.
ROGER FEDERER: That's disappointing. I love playing the guy. It's not like it's the end, right? I'm making it sound like he's not going to ever play tennis again.
Anyway, I love playing against the guy. He brings something different to the tennis world with his character, the way he is on the court and the way he is off the court. He's larger than life.
Yeah, I respect him for what a competitor he is. I hope it's not the last one tonight. If it were to be the last one at the Australian Open, I think we both kind of feel good about having played each other at the highest level. We tried to come with a good match.
On Fabrice, I guess he's one of those magicians that's going to leave the game. It's unfortunate, but I think his time is coming too. His game is not very easy to play at this stage. Players are getting stronger and faster and more powerful. He doesn't have that much of possibilities from the baseline, but still makes it work.
It's incredible effort what he has been able to do over all the years. There again, I was fortunate enough to learn things from him, because he's quite a tricky player to play against. He teaches you how to treat a tennis ball. You know, not to go crazy about it.
Marat can write a song about playing Fabrice. I'm happy I understood how to play Fabrice, because it's a tricky way to play against him. It was great. There again, I hope I'll get a chance to play him again.
Q. When the time comes for you to make a similar decision, do you think you'll announce it at the start of the year? Or do you think when you've played your last match you'll just say, That was that?
ROGER FEDERER: That's a tough call. I guess saying it one year in advance it's kind of tough, too. Everywhere you go they make a big deal about it. Is that what you want? Okay, that's fine. That's is what you choose to do.
If you just say, like Agassi, for instance, he did it at Wimbledon, right? The US Open it was all done. It's a shorter period. Maybe less pressure to play, and then that's it.
But people just do it also last match, this is my last tournament. Bang, that's it. I don't know what type of guy I am. I'm not thinking about it. Obviously I don't know what's going to happen. Yeah, a year seems a long time to me.
Q. To beat him in straight sets you must feel pretty good.
ROGER FEDERER: I thought it was a good match for me. I played well from the start. I didn't give him a whole a lot. I don't think I have to save breakpoint, which I guess is great against such a good returner like Marat can be.
I understand that I didn't play Marat in his prime. Still, there was moments where he did play very well for like, I would say, maybe in the third set I think he played great.
He just couldn't keep it up for the entire three sets. So he kind of missed too much in the first two. I took advantage of that. For me, it was a rock solid match. I came up with some good shots when I had to, and one them was the match point. I'm very happy about it.
Q. How much better are you feeling this year than last year at this tournament?
ROGER FEDERER: Just feel better overall. I'm more secure and I know with where my game is at. Physically and mentally I'm fresh, whereas last year I came in kind of tired. This year around I was just come out of a rough five‑setter. This time it's different.
It doesn't mean anything. I have to take match by match, and next round is, again, tough as hell. I played him last year in the fourth round. It was a really dangerous match. I played him at the Olympics and he's a great ball‑striker.
Q. Could you put a percentage on how much better you're feeling?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know. You choose. I don't care.
Q. You make it look so easy sometimes on the court. Winning in three sets, do you think it acts as a bit of a warning to the rest of the field left at the Australian Open?
ROGER FEDERER: It's not really my goal, to be honest. I'm trying to win the matches, come through to the semifinals, and then hopefully win the tournament. That's my goal. Sending out massages? What's that good for? Doesn't make you win the tournament.
But, sure, I mean, it's nice winning in straight sets and it's nice beating great players like Marat in straight sets. It just makes you feel better and more confident for the next match. That's the only really benefit I see.
Q. Did you think your opponent feels the fact that you're confident with a straight‑sets win?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, well, I'm playing smart at the moment. I'm making it tough on my opponents. That's what it's about for me. I come up with an occasional great shot that hopefully makes a difference. That's what I got to rely on.
Q. Did it make a difference playing in the evening session and saving your energy instead of playing out in the hot sun?
ROGER FEDERER: That's what we build for is to play in the tough heat. That's what why I go to Dubai and practice at 45 degrees in the summertime. This is not a problem, 40 degrees.
I like playing in the daytime because of the wind, the heat. Makes it all a bit more difficult for the mind. This is where I'm very strong, so I know this actually suits my game.
Yeah, I mean, look, day or night I have to take it. Usually night is going to make the decision here because the finals is played at night.
Q. Speaking to your new role as players' leader, player council, what are your thoughts on the fact that, again, there were horrible crowd scenes outside today?
ROGER FEDERER: No, it's disappointing. Terribly disappointing. Tennis is a game of a lot of fairness. You know, we treat each other well on the court, the players. Fans are always very polite. You don't applaud bad shots, only good shots. That's the way tennis is.
Fans, 99.9% of the time, are always great. Then you have some people who carry it outside of the tennis courts, lose their minds. It's unfortunate.
It's not what's supposed to happen. I think we set an example as players, and the fans should follow. I know it's only a small amount of people doing it, but it kind of disrupts the tournament. This tournament works so hard all year long to make up a good event. I call it the "Happy Slam." Then you come here and you see these scenes. They don't deserve it, this tournament. It's disappointing. I think the tournament will get over it.
Wilson’s New Bags (Fed’s Included)
Here are some new shots of Wilson’s 2009 racket bag line up. To satisfy the inner tree hugger in all of us, their top line is the “Eco Pro Tour” which is said to be recyclable while the other line is just the “K Pro Tour. ” Check out the shots below.
Having been deposed to World No. 2, does Roger Federer have what it takes physically and mentally to become just the second player after Ivan Lendl to reclaim his place as ATP World Tour Champion?
As 2009 begins, Roger Federer has entered a new phase of his career that is potentially daunting, dangerous and distinctive. Daunting because he is trying to earn back his No. 1 ranking. Dangerous because the likes of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and a host of rising new stars are nipping at Federer’s heels, eager to step up and make their own mark on tennis history. But, yes, distinctive because the possibility is afoot that Federer in 2009 could join Ivan Lendl as the only former ATP World Tour Champion to finish the year ranked at the top of the ATP computer after losing that spot.
Over the last half-decade, the 27-year-old Swiss had set the bar so high even he joked that, “I’ve created a monster.” Holding the World No. 1 ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks, Federer took the concept of dominance to entirely new levels.
Though 2008 was a year most players dream of – three Grand Slam finals, including his fifth straight US Open title – it was also a year of tumult and challenge. As Federer said the evening of his win in New York, “To bounce back straight away after losing the No. 1 ranking, this is the best scenario ever.”
Federer’s frustrating year kicked off with a bout of mononucleosis that cast a shadow over his physical health and mental confidence. Not until April did he earn his first ATP title of the year. No sooner had spring ended with a rough loss in the Roland Garros finals to Rafael Nadal than summer commenced with an epic defeat at Wimbledon.
“I was always positive,” said Federer as he reflected on his frustrating 2008, acknowledging that things didn’t always work in his favour. “I lost quite a few matches I should have never lost, and they hurt.”
The notion of a vulnerable Federer, of a king seeking to reclaim his throne, has only enhanced appreciation for his incredible tennis legacy. One man with particularly keen empathy for his plight is Ivan Lendl. Twenty years ago, Lendl too had lost his No. 1 ranking after holding the top spot for 157 consecutive weeks. Like Federer, Lendl was thoroughly committed, disciplined and willing to put in the long hours – and make the personal sacrifices – required to hold the top spot.
Federer and Lendl also shared their enjoyment of holding the top spot. While the likes of John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Jim Courier and Yevgeny Kafelnikov struggled emotionally with being the hunted instead of the hunter, for Lendl, the view from the penthouse was splendid.
“Being No. 1 was great,” says Lendl. “There were a lot of perks, and really no pressure, because the way I see it pressure is self-created. Pressure is all about expectations, which is quite different than winning tennis matches.”
Like Federer, Lendl had been deposed by a man who had first made his mark on clay – Mats Wilander – but in due time broadened his game to excel on all surfaces. While Nadal’s rise to the top was triggered by a win over Federer at Wimbledon, Wilander also won an epic, beating Lendl in a five-set thriller in the finals of the 1988 US Open, a victory that ended Lendl’s three-year run in New York.
Unlike Federer, who’s won three Australian Open titles, Lendl began 1989 never having won Down Under. He worked feverishly in the off-season with his coach, Tony Roche, the legendary Aussie who from 2005 to May 2007 was also Federer’s coach, and arrived in Melbourne in superb shape.
With on-court temperatures during that 1989 Australian soaring past 60 degrees Celsius, Lendl won the title. It was the first of 10 tournaments he’d win that year, an effort that made him the ATP World Tour Champion at the age of 29. But as Lendl ponders Federer, he sees the Swiss pursuing even bigger game – just one title away from matching Pete Sampras’s Grand Slam record.
“Roger is looking at a different goal now,” says Lendl. “He’s trying to pass Pete so he can have that record and considered the greatest player ever. Winning the Australian can ease the pressure.”
There’s no question that a player who’s been No. 1 for an extended period of time generates the scrutiny of the occupant of a fish bowl. Just about anyone who’s ever toted a racquet had thoughts last year on what was plaguing Federer, how he could improve, tactics and techniques he must employ to beat Nadal and regain his preeminence.
“No, I don’t think it got me, but I was aware of it,” Federer said of all the armchair analysis conducted on his behalf. “Sometimes to a point a bit annoyed, because all sorts of crazy people started writing me. You’re laughing but it’s just the way it goes. People come out of the closet and think they can start helping me now. It’s just a pain.”
But however disturbed Federer was by what Sampras used to call “commentary,” throughout much of 2008 he was not commanding the court the way he previously had.
And then, like all champions, he found a way to get inspired. It came from an unusual source – but a familiar one to Federer. The Olympics had always been meaningful to him. His fellow Swiss, Marc Rosset, had earned a gold medal in the singles at the 1992 Barcelona Games the summer Federer turned 11, a moment he remembered quite well. Eight years later, Federer began his romance with his current girlfriend, Mirka Vavrinec. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, he was very upset upon losing to Tomas Berdych.
So it was that this past summer in Beijing, despite losing in the quarter-finals of the singles to James Blake, Federer found himself keenly motivated in the doubles. Paired with Stanislas Wawrinka, Federer competed with increased passion, showing off impressive aggression – and, upon winning, exceptional emotion.
“Right now this is quite a surreal moment,” Federer said as he held up his gold medal. “The joy of sharing this victory with somebody else who I like very much, who we had a great two weeks with, we’ve mentally been preparing for hopefully this moment, it’s quite different to anything I’ve ever gone through.”
The doubles win rekindled his spirits both emotionally and tactically. At the US Open, Federer showed more of a willingness to move forward, come to net and press opponents. As his childhood hero, Stefan Edberg, noted recently, “He must have realised the need to be more offensive in his game. He has to play more serve and volley and get in more variation so that he can come back to where he was."
The history of former ATP World Tour Champions attempting to regain their spot is sobering. Bjorn Borg held the top ranking at the end of 1979 and ’80, dropped to four in ’81 – and announced his retirement a year later. After a four-year run as No. 1, John McEnroe slipped to two in ’85 and finished ’86 ranked 14 (though he’d rise back to four in ’89). Wilander reached the pinnacle in ’88, but as Lendl pointed out, “that was the end of Mats,” who within a year of that US Open win was out of the Top 10 for good. Lleyton Hewitt, the youngest man ever to finish as the ATP World Tour Champion two straight years in 2001-02, also saw his ranking slide into double digits in ’03.
Lendl has a hard time believing Federer is in such a precarious position. “One thing Roger has in his favor is that everything comes so much easier for him,” says Lendl. “He can win points more easily. That’s never the case with Nadal, who’s more like Mats in that he has to get an opponent to miss or come up with a passing shot. Guys like Roger, McEnroe, even myself, we could hit a lot of winners, so there’s not the need to grind as much match after match.”
So with 2009 underway, what can we expect from Roger Federer? More emotion? Perhaps, but don’t expect him to ape Jimmy Connors’s fist-pumping. More sorties to the net? Quite likely, but he’ll never charge forward repeatedly in the manner of Edberg. While the great champions certainly learn and borrow techniques and tactics from other all-timers, what makes them excel is their ability to successfully execute their own personal style. “I imitated lots of players when I was growing up,” says Federer. “But eventually there comes a time when you have to do what works for you, to build your own game and playing style.”
Says Lendl, “Roger’s on his way to becoming the greatest player ever.” Asked what counsel he’d give Federer now, Lendl spoke with signature bluntness: “Advice? Roger doesn’t need any. Just go and get it.”
ATP - ROGER EASES INTO NEXT ROUND
Roger cruised into round three of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Evgeny Korolev. He will next face another Russian in Marat Safin, who beat him in the 2005 semifinals.
"I'm happy to be playing Marat," Roger said. "We've had some battles over the years."
Today's victory saw our champ move above Boris Becker into seventh place for the most open era grand slam match wins with a 165-25 win-loss record. The first set took just 28 minutes as Roger got two early breaks, thanks largely to the 20-year-old's 15 unforced errors, to go 5-1 up and then claim the first set 6-2. His opponent showed plenty of tenacity and at times a little audacity, to extend the rallies but ultimately it was futile. The second set went with serve until the eighth game when Roger got the breakthrough and then served out for the set and he broke the Russian twice early in the third to race to a 4-0 lead. Korolev held to make it 4-1 but with the youngster's unforced error count mounting Roger closed out the game with ease in one hour 27 minutes.
Roger has beaten Safin nine times but lost out in a classic semi-final at Melbourne Park in 2005, when the Russian claimed the title.
Q. Another good win today. You must be feeling good with yourself.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it was a nice match. I was happy the way I played. I knew it was going kind of difficult because he takes a lot of risks. Yeah, I'm happy the way I came up with a good game plan.
Q. Nice to see the chipping and charging.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, occasionally I like to do that. Yeah, I tried to mix it up a bit today, you know. I don't know, just tried to hit with him, and it worked out well today. It was nice.
Q. Is playing Marat still a very exciting prospect?
ROGER FEDERER: Absolutely. It's going to be a nice match for sure. We have a history. We have played a few times. We've played in Majors before and played some good matches before. Played in Davis Cup before.
So yeah, we go way back. Him, of course, being a former No. 1, same for me, former Grand Slam champion, it's an intriguing matchup. Back when he was really at his very best -- we had different personalities growing up. I sort of chilled out and he kept on going.
It was just always, I thought, a good matchup. So I was actually happy.
I think it was last year at Wimbledon I played him. We had a good match there. Yeah, I expect it to be tougher here on the hard courts, which should suit his game more.
Q. Do you have a preference whether it's a day or night match?
ROGER FEDERER: Not really. You know, I don't think the guys are going to have a problem with the heat. I think he has a great five-set record. He's tough and never has any really physical problems. I have no preferences.
Q. Still seems a bit strange when you said “former champion like me.”
ROGER FEDERER: Former No. 1 I said.
Q. Former No. 1. Does that seem a little bit strange?
ROGER FEDERER: For both of us. I didn't say former champion. I said former Grand Slam champion and former No. 1.
Q. I misspoke.
ROGER FEDERER: Exactly.
Q. Does that still seem a little bit strange, to use the word "former"?
ROGER FEDERER: That's the way it is. It's a fact, right? I was a very proud man for a long time and still today about the record. Today Rafa deserves it because he's hung in there for a long time. He could have lost his No. 2 position for a long time against Djokovic, so he deserves it. It's fine.
Q. Did you catch any of his match last night?
ROGER FEDERER: No. I was at dinner. But I'm not surprised.
Q. Do you have any thought about the changes the ATP made this year about the schedule and points system?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, what do you want me to say? What do you want to hear? Good or bad. Nobody changes rankings, so that's been okay. Would have been good to change a few spots here and there.
No, it's all right the way it is. We've had better and worse times.
Q. What do you think of Ivan's sudden departure from the ATP board?
ROGER FEDERER: I was involved in the whole process, so I was, of course, disappointed. Ivan is a close friend of mine, and I know how tough the decision was to make. I still hoped he was going to continue. But at the same time, he's still an active player and wants to give it one last shot until the end of his career. Everybody completely respects that. It's not end of the world.
Q. What about his suggestion that you would be an ideal replacement?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, well, maybe not tomorrow. Maybe at some stage. I never thought about it, really. Of course it's nice that he thinks of me, that's for sure.
Q. Have you talked here with Etienne's replacement? And if so, any first impressions?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. He came to Dubai. I met him in December, and he also saw Rafa and Novak before he got appointed, sort of get the definite okay. Everybody met him, the top 3 guys.
I met him here again, yes, and I have a good impression. He's a smart man, smart and honest. I think a guy who can do an excellent job for the ATP.
Q. Were you concerned that he wasn't European?
ROGER FEDERER: That was Rafa's concern. I figured, let's get a good man. Doesn't matter where he's from. I guess that's why it was important for Rafa to meet him before, because I knew Adam from Nike.
So for me it was important that Rafa got to meet him and got a good feeling about it. If Rafa maybe wouldn't have agreed 100% chances would have been slimmer for him. I'm not sure.
I think Rafa was comfortable with the decision, and he also then realized it was just important to get the right man and not an American or European. At the end of the day that doesn't matter.
Q. Does he need a second in command that knows more about the professional game of tennis?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, the question was at some stage also do we a appoint someone who's already in the game, who know a lot about tennis and has maybe even played himself, or do we take somebody outside.
So there was a few guys left at the end. The best man basically made it in the end. But I think you learn quickly in tennis. I think he wants to learn a lot right now.
I think it's great we have a Grand Slam in the first week of the year. It's not like he's never been to a tennis tournament before. He's been into sports and he's been to tennis tournaments. I remember meeting him like five years ago here already.
He's been in the game a long time, so it's not like we get a complete stranger who's got no idea about the rules of tennis. That's not the guy we appointed here.
Q. Your opponent today, he kind of goes for every shot. So does that remind you of yourself maybe five years ago?
ROGER FEDERER: Maybe ten years ago. Five years ago I was a bit more ‑‑ I think a bit more easy already.
Q. Last year you said you created a monster. Do you feel like that monster is still there?
ROGER FEDERER: To some degree everybody still expects me to win every match. But, well, I mean, it went overboard there for a while already back in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Every match I played, when I lost a set it was incredible. It was kind of just a bit exaggerated from everybody.
People like that quote. You know, I like it too, because I'm happy I created that monster. I was very successful and still am, so I hope I can create it again.
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