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Q. That was a pretty relaxed and amusing interview you gave Jim Courier. Is this as relaxed as you've been going into a Grand Slam final?ROGER FEDERER: Oh, I don't know. I mean, obviously I feel good about my game, you know. I didn't expect something even close to this kind of scoreline, so obviously it feels great.
Crowds were rather on the quiet side towards the end because, you know, also they were a bit surprised I think how fast it went.
I thought make it a bit more entertaining maybe in the on‑court interview after. So it was fun, you know (smiling).
Q. Are there days ‑ maybe this was one of them ‑ that you can feel it in your bones you're going to be Roger Federer plus?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, maybe after a few games, you know, I felt like this could be a good match for me. I'm hitting the ball well. You know, I'm not panicking. Because, you know, Jo, he's a talented player, with a lot of potential. I'm sure we're gonna see much more of him in the future. This is probably the last easy match I have against him.
I felt like right from the start I was hitting the ball well, even though the prematch feeling I have or the on‑court warmup I have, they don't predict anything to me. You know, it's really only after maybe the first four sort of two service games each. Then I have a little bit of an idea where it can take us.
But I felt good, you know. But then I didn't expect the second and third to sort of be able to be able to run away with the score the way I did.
Q. It's actually only 74 years since we haven't won a Grand Slam.
ROGER FEDERER: How many years did I say?
Q. You said 150,000.
ROGER FEDERER: I missed it by a little bit (smiling).
Q. Can you imagine what it is like for a nation to have wait for so long to win a Grand Slam?
ROGER FEDERER: You could be one of those nations that never had a Grand Slam champion, you know.
Q. Feels like it.
ROGER FEDERER: No, it doesn't (laughter).
No, I mean, it's just funny, you know, because that's the question he probably gets asked quite a bit. Wouldn't be surprised if he's a bit fed up by it. I think he's done really well, you know, handling the pressure and considering, you know, sort of the media in England is very strong. So I think he's done great, you know, under the pressure.
Maybe US Open you could think he crumbled there under pressure, being in the finals the year before. I think once your game is good enough, even on your off days to come through, I think that's what he's proving here at the Australian Open now. He's one match away. I'll make sure it won't happen. We'll see how it goes.
Q. Normally the guy who plays you has nothing to lose at all. Andy is in a slightly different predicament. Do you think that will affect his game at all?
ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, don't know. I mean, look, he's in his second Grand Slam final now. I think the first one's always a bit tougher than the second one. But now that he didn't win the first one, I think doesn't help, you know, for the second one around.
Plus he's playing, you know, me, who's won many Grand Slams prior to that, been able to win here three times so I know what it takes and how to do it, which is definitely an advantage.
I don't feel like the pressure's really on me having to do it again, because I did it before. I think he really needs it more than I do, you know. So I think the pressure's big on him.
But we'll see how he's gonna handle it. It's not going to be easy for him, that's for sure.
Q. Do you still feel a need?
ROGER FEDERER: I feel a need for myself that I spent three weeks here and I don't want to just give away a match. So I will make sure I will make it as hard, as tough as possible for my opponent. Hope I can play another good match.
I'm really where I want to be. Being back in a Grand Slam final is always an amazing thrill for me.
Q. Given the fact that Andy has had another 24 hours to prepare and rest, how important was it for you tonight to be off the court early, 90 minutes, done, finished?
ROGER FEDERER: Not too important going into the finals. I mean, if we would have played, you know, 150,000, 250, 5,002, you know, I don't know. Then it would have been obviously very different.
Look, I'm ready to play seven times five sets. If I go three or four, that's great. But it's the way it is. Last year the two days didn't happen. Rafa played a rough five‑setter, came through in another rough five‑setter against me to win.
I'm happy that I don't have to change my schedule around. I got one day off. It's the same thing I've been doing for the last two weeks now. But I don't think anybody has an advantage, you know, having one or two days off.
Q. Some of your shots you seemed to change mid‑stroke.
ROGER FEDERER: What do you mean 'mid‑stroke'?
Q. You were going to play a dropshot and you played a longer one.
ROGER FEDERER: Once, I think.
Q. How much is instinctive and how much is thinking during the rally and during the shot?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, tonight was definitely one of the nights where I felt like I had that extra split second more time to think where I was going to play, what I was going to do with the ball.
So you always feel like you almost have a second option. Then you also tend to do stuff like this. You have to be careful you don't overdo it. You still go with the right plays.
You know, usually when you do the dropshot, you're also going to hit it. You're not going to fake him and play long, because then you can make mistakes. Sometimes we know how it is: one point can change an entire match. So you have to be careful.
I felt like it was the right shot. I ended up winning the point. But he was there. I got a bit lucky on it.
Q. On nights like tonight, does it ever bother you at all that it might be a boring match to watch?
ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I don't think for myself it wasn't boring at all. For me it was very challenging bringing it over the finish line. Last time I played him, probably most of the entire stadium didn't know I was up 6‑1, 5‑1 and ended up losing.
That wasn't a boring match for me either. Ended up being a horrible match. I didn't want the same thing happening. So for me it was trying to put the hammer down and like finish him off. I was able to.
Here I am sitting very relaxed and excited about the finals, not still battling it out there. It was a great match. I'm happy.
Q. You were not expecting anybody from the corner of Muhammad Ali to throw the towel in the middle of the match?
ROGER FEDERER: No, never thought of that. That was only you with those ideas, you know.
Q. He got you to run around a lot early on in the game. You matched every challenge there. Besides hitting a thousand tennis balls in practice, what do you do to keep yourself so aerobically fit?
ROGER FEDERER: I thought the beginning was extremely physical. I felt quickly the pulse was racing. It was a tough few rallies we had early on. I think it was key to stay with him there and even take control of the match.
Of course, I work extremely hard in the off‑season. I was joking a bit with Courier, but I do work hard. I do all kinds of stuff. I think that's what's nice about us tennis players. It's not very sort of how you say always the same thing. It's not just running and that's it.
We do a lot of agility work, weights. You name it, you can combine it with tennis and conditioning. I do all sorts of different things, you know. So it's worked out for me well over the years.
You know, I'm a strong believer that the tennis player needs to work on what he needs on the tennis court. Before maybe running sand dunes and stuff like this, it works for some players. But I believe you work on the court and it's going to benefit your tennis more than running sand dunes.
Q. What has been the maximum number of hours in a gym in one day in your life?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know in a gym. Three hours maybe. Three hours in a gym. But then do tennis, as well, you know. Maybe on a tennis court four and a half hours in a row.
Q. You've won finals against Andy, but he's got the better record. Why do you think that is?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, because, first of all, he's a good player. I don't think otherwise you're just gonna start having good records against me.
But, no, without having any ‑‑ taking anything away from him, but I think a few times he played me I wasn't at my very, very best. I think I played him on a couple of occasions. Dubai the first time we played, I just came back from resting, my mono, and everything. I know some don't like to hear it. Some still don't believe me for some reason.
I played him maybe at times when I wasn't at my very, very best. We had some close matches on many occasions where I thought I was in control and I ended up giving the match away by making errors of my own. That was definitely because of his play and the way he plays.
So I think the head‑to‑head could be quite different. But that's why I don't really care too much about how the head‑to‑head stands. Every match is played differently. Best‑of‑five is anyway very different. He's done well against me to win so many matches when he was able to beat me when he was supposed to.
Q. Has he improved since the US Open final from what you've seen?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think he's still as good, you know. Let's put it that way. He was already an excellent player back then. I just think now he has more, again, more matches in his body. He knows what to expect from the crowds, from the opponents, from the conditions and everything.
And I think that's a big step, just playing a lot of tough matches on center courts. He 5knows his fitness more now, where maybe in the beginning it was unsure if he was fit enough for tough matches.
This is stuff that Tsonga went through, for instance. He knows more where he is now on a physical level. I think Andy knows that now. I think the last two years have given Andy many answers.
Q. The last two matches where you did beat him and stop the four‑match losing streak, were there any things in Murray's game that you found that you could exploit more now?
ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I always felt, you know, if I played well, I had my chance. If I don't play well, I'm gonna lose, you know. It's been against many sort of counterpunchers, guys that keep the ball in play.
Hewitt used to be that way. Nalbandian used to be that way. I knew if I was not going to play a good match, you know, you could just walk off the court and shake hands and say, Well done.
But I usually don't play bad matches anymore. If I do, it's maybe a few games here and there like everybody else.
No, I mean, you know, he's consistent. He's one of the best return players we have in the game. He's been able to improve many things in his game that make it harder today to beat him. I just think I played a good match in London. He didn't maybe catch his best day. So it was one of those matches I got the better of him.
Q. When is the last bad match you played?
ROGER FEDERER: Last bad match? I don't know. A long time ago, I think.
そういえば、今年はWOWOWオンラインサイトでインタビューの邦訳が載ってないですね。
残念。。。
Q. After the Hewitt match, you described yourself as a great frontrunner and the importance of winning first sets. How deep did you have to dig today to get out of it?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, very much so. Was in a tough situation at 6‑2, 3‑1 down and 15‑40 on my serve. I knew I wasn't looking very good, you know.
But that's the beauty of best of five sets. I wasn't panicking, even though I maybe would have lost the second set had I lost another point there at that stage.
But, you know, I just relaxed and thought, you know, maybe if the sun goes and his level drops just a little bit, the whole thing might, you know, change for the better. It did. I couldn't believe the way it changed.
But I'm happy the way I was able to go on an incredible run and get the cushion with the extra break at the beginning of the fourth.
Q. What was happening with the sun?
ROGER FEDERER: It was just tough to play, I mean, for both players, you know. When the sun comes from the side, you get the feeling that obviously the one side's in the sun and the other one is in the shade because of it.
The ball seems half the size and is just hard to hit. Then there was a bit of a breeze and he was playing terrific. That was just more psychologically trying to be positive more than anything else.
We play in conditions like this all the time at the US Open, Indian Wells, and here. Just something you got to get used to.
Q. Serving for the match in the fourth and Davydenko fires those two rocket returns; what were your thoughts when they came back and he broke you?
ROGER FEDERER: It's not necessary, I thought. I was like, Why now? You could have played those some other time when it wasn't so important. I remember it happened once to me before. I hit a great serve on match point against Alberto Costa in Miami. I had flashbacks. I was like, Oh, my god, I had match point there. I served a great serve wide. He blocked it back. I didn't have a chance or I didn't have a play on match point. No regrets really.
And all of a sudden you're against the wind, he's starting to play better, and it was tough. You know, especially also the Hawk‑Eye call at deuce. You know, that was unfortunate, too, maybe.
But I believed still that even if it's maybe through the breaker or maybe even if I have a slight chance to break that I was gonna be able to win it. I'm happy that I believed in it and played great.
Q. 23 straight Grand Slam semifinals. Where does that rank in your accomplishments, and can you believe it?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, it's incredible looking back on how many years that is now, you know, I'm able to deliver at Grand Slam play, especially, you know, this year. I think looking at the draw with Hewitt in the fourth round and Davydenko in the quarters, who has been on fire the last weeks and even today, you know, we saw big signs of it, why he's, you know, such a great player.
So for some reason I was just a bit worried I was not gonna make it this time in the semis. You always believe the streak is gonna be broken. I stopped thinking about it after the second round on and just started focusing on the tournament.
It helps once the tournament starts. You focus match for match and point for point, so I forget about the record. Now obviously that it's safe again and I've been able to add one. It's amazing. Definitely one of the most incredible things I have in my resume.
Q. So many incredible records. This one today is one that maybe nobody will ever remember. You won 6‑Love in the third set hitting only two winners. How does it come? How do you explain it?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, if you look at the match it's pretty easy to explain. You know, he hit so hard form the baseline and so flat, and it's hard to look for too many angles, you know. We had many, many forced errors.
That's why I never look at the ‑ how do you say it ‑ the stat sheet. You know, some are fanatics about it. How many aces and double faults did I hit, how many points won, or first serves. I couldn't care less about all those stats.
Same with winners and errors did you hit. I don't care if I was in the positives or the negatives. What matters is how you play your opponent, and the wind and tactics and everything. There are so many more important things, you know.
I thought through the second and third set we were playing extremely hard from the baseline. He was just missing a touch earlier, you know, so I didn't have to go for that much more. I was just happy with serving well and playing sort of exceptionally tough tennis.
Q. When you were on the run today, so you feel that was that some of your best tennis?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, sure, winning that many games in a row against a player that's been on fire like this, it's a great sign. I've always had those spells, you know, if you look back at my Grand Slam play, that all of a sudden went on a terror and I was able to sort of dominate and create the difference this way.
I remember a few years go here, maybe in 2006 when I won against Baghdatis in the finals that year. I went on ‑‑ I think like in three matches I went on an incredible run. I'm happy I was able to do it again against a wonderful player.
Q. Do you feel you can get better still? Does that drive you to make your game better still?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, if we would have more practice, you know, I think I would have many more opportunity to improve.
You got to sort of deal with what you have. We have a season that goes from January to November. What makes you tough is normally matches, not practices. It makes you fit, but not tough. I'm happy where I am.
And when I have practice the few weeks of the year, I try to improve my strengths and my weaknesses and see where it takes me. What's important is I believe I can always improve. I think tennis is a very unique game because you're always on the move and you're always adjusting.
So you can practice two or six hours. Sometimes it doesn't matter. It's about the quality.
Q. Do you feel like you can still get better, though?
ROGER FEDERER: Same question, right?
Q. Yeah. Just be clear.
ROGER FEDERER: Is that your headline, or...
Q. Can you talk about how your game matches up against Tsonga and Djokovic?
ROGER FEDERER: How I match up. Let me think. Tsonga I think I've only played twice as far as I remember, so I don't know that much about him. I think he's only played his first five‑set match of his life. It's quite amazing at this age to only be pushed there, or for himself to be in that situation.
So it's interesting to see how he's gonna hold up and come out and play Djokovic, one of toughest guys we have on tour. But, yeah, he's a dangerous player. Very athletic obviously. You know, good athlete, both of them really. So regardless of who I play in the semis it's gonna be tough.
Safe bet tonight is Djokovic because he's been there before. But I think Tsonga has a pretty good record against him. But I think Djokovic maybe hasn't been tested that much in the tournament, so it's gonna be an interesting match for Novak as well.
Q. Are you the sort of character that seeks revenge given that Novak beat you last time here?
ROGER FEDERER: Oh, no, I'm not like that.
Q. Now that the defending champion is out, are you feeling a little bit less pressure?
ROGER FEDERER: Who's out? The defending champion, Rafa? You know, not really. I mean, I was ‑‑ I think that changed. That was the only time in my life I think I went through this was the French Open. Thank God I was able to win it, you know.
That was a huge affect. It had a huge affect on me that Rafa lost at the French, you know, just knowing the opportunities I had and being already occupied with my own game and opponents. It was ‑‑ that was ‑‑ had a big impact on me.
But not that Rafa lost this time around. I've won the Australian Open before. I thought Murray played a wonderful match. I think I had my hands full today with Davydenko, and I knew that last night watching it.
Q. There are many players that don't read much and don't know much about tennis. You come here and you say that you know Tsonga played for the first time five sets and you know that Tsonga beat four times out of six Djokovic and things like that. That means you read a lot? You like to keep yourself informed on what happens during a tournament? You read papers?
ROGER FEDERER: A little bit. Some days I do and some days I don't. Then I just like to listen to the commentary as well and see what they say. It's actually not really to study opponents. I watch it more as fan, I think.
I didn't watch last night's match going, Like, Hmm, that's interesting, you know, how they're playing. I couldn't care less. I just like to see a good tennis match and see how they battle it out and see the intensity of both players, you know, and watching how important it is for both of them to come through.
So I see it more that way than, What's he doing exactly when I play him next time? That would be for me way too stressful watching every single tennis match just thinking of my own game, how it would match up.
Q. As a fan, who is your idol apart from Roger Federer?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I think idols for me were the ones sort of reaching for the stars I thought were untouchable, such as Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras. You know that. I liked also Marcelo Rios' game as well when I was coming along. I was lucky enough to play him a few times as well.
Now I just enjoy watching the other guys play, too. Obviously I liked the net rushers back then like Rafter and Henman. But, yeah, no, I just watch it because I like tennis.
Q. Does playing Lleyton bring out the best in you?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, now it does. Used to not be the case. But we had some really good matches back when I lost, you know.
No, but I always think they're extremely tough. Physically and mentally very challenging. You know you're gonna be caught up in quite a tough match always against him.
Even though the scoreline predicts something else tonight, I had to really dig deep and come up with some amazing shots to beat him tonight.
Q. How did you rate the match tonight?
ROGER FEDERER: Very high. Hardly made any unforced errors. If there were some, they were at moments I can live with. I was really able to press on the offensive, serve well when I had to, and I moved well as well. Overall I'm extremely happy.
Yeah, I'm very pleased with my performance tonight.
Q. How important was it for you to take the crowd out of the equation and get a good start early?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, the crowd, I'm okay, you know, anywhere it goes really. I'm used to playing in tough conditions around the world, and also nice ones. I consider also crowd support for my opponent fine, too.
But I think the beginning of the match was just more important of giving a direction. I'm a great frontrunner, so I feel like if he gets the first set, it's gonna be a really close match; whereas if I win the first set, it's always gonna be hard for him.
We both started really well, and I was able to get the first crucial break. After that, it was tough for him.
Q. When you talk about being a frontrunner, when you have the first set under your belt, does your mindset change at all?
ROGER FEDERER: Um, well, I mean, it's just maybe more comfortable being in the lead. You don't ask yourself any questions of, Do I need to change anything around, because what you've been doing has been working, so you keep that up and you can go for a bit more maybe.
I think that's what top guys do really well overall. If you look at it, I obviously have done it so many times I know exactly what I need to do. Also, when I'm down, I just try and react and stay with it.
I think this is where Lleyton is extremely tough. When things aren't going so well, he can fight back. You know, the scoreline predicts 6‑2, 4‑1, but you don't feel like it's that much. You feel like it's 3‑2, 30‑All all the time. It's just tight. That's how I felt out there tonight.
Q. Where do you rate your rivalry with Lleyton?
ROGER FEDERER: Um, it's probably a top 5, for sure for me. Obviously the one with Rafa is great. But for some reason, I like the ones who are my age as well: Roddick and Hewitt. I like playing against them, because I came through with Lleyton in the juniors.
Roddick I don't remember him that much back then, but we played on so many big occasions in big matches. Same as Lleyton. And we're the same age. I really like those matches a lot.
Q. You said tonight you thought Nikolay had improved his serve and that's what makes him more dangerous. How has he done that, and what makes him more dangerous on serve now?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, he would not hit his first serve, and if he would he would, he would miss it and then he would serve a ton of double faults. That would obviously give him many more opportunities to break.
In Doha when I played him, he hit 27 out of 27 first serves into the court clocking them at around 190. So it's a bit a difference, you know. That makes it a bit more difficult to break.
Obviously he's one of the good return players we have in the game. He moves extremely well and makes it hard.
I'm in for a good match for sure. I obviously favor my chances in a best‑of‑five set match. We'll see how it goes.
Q. You've got the Grand Slam record, family, and heaps of money. What motivates you now?
ROGER FEDERER: Love for the game, like it's always been. There's always ways to motivate and challenge you. Never really been in it for the money anyway. It's always been my dream to play on the biggest stages around the world, especially Wimbledon.
I've lived through many more things than I ever thought I would, so I feel very fortunate. I'm looking forward to many more years hopefully on tour.
Q. You mentioned tonight you played some amazing shots. How often are you genuinely surprised by some of the shots you come up with?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, quite often. Even though I know I can play really good shots and come up with great backhands, forehands, serves and volleys, and stuff, when you can really produce them in the most important stages of a match it's so rewarding and such a good feeling that all the hard work you put in in the off‑season is so like ‑‑ it's just a beautiful feeling, you know.
Then if you can start to hit a dropshot or dig in the corner and get the ball back that you think you would never get, but it's a match situation and the adrenaline is there and you just got that extra speed and you get the ball back and end up winning the point, it does still obviously surprise me even today.
Q. Lleyton was saying you're still pretty much the best in the game. What makes you so good, do you think?
ROGER FEDERER: You guys are the experts.
Q. We try to answer it all the time.
ROGER FEDERER: Right. I know. I don't know, I mean, like I said, I think the love for the game is very important, that I go through the daily grind and practice and matches with a very positive attitude, and how much I like to play it.
I think the variety of my shots. Like I said before, I can always change it up and surprise myself again. That makes it a lot of fun for me. Very challenging as well.
I can always adjust to any type of player. Maybe those are the reasons. I don't know. I think with the experience and the mental toughness and the physical capabilities I have, I think it's a very good combination obviously.
Q. Do you think the way you played tonight is the form that helped you get your last Grand Slam? Is it good enough?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I've played great at the US Open, too. I've been very happy with my performances at the Grand Slams for many, many years now.
I'm happy I can always elevate my game against the better‑ranked players, especially champions like what Lleyton is.
So that's obviously a very good feeling. But we're only through to the quarterfinals already depending how you look at it. I hope I can go further, but I'm very happy with where my game is at right now. Looking forward to the next round.
Q. Are you getting enough sleep with the twins?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it's been fine. Otherwise I would let you know. Maybe you can give me a hand. It's been okay actually.
Q. A lot of players are intimidated when they go on the court against you. Can you tell us the last time you were intimidated going on to the court and how you get through that.
ROGER FEDERER: Sometimes ‑‑ I'm never intimidated. Not that that's good or bad. I'm just saying that sometimes you're nervous before a match and you don't know why that is. Tonight, for some reason, I was unsure if I was gonna be able to bring my best game.
I don't know why. I told myself I got to be aggressive and go after my shots, and hopefully it's gonna work and not be a disaster. You sit down two hours later and analyze the match, and you're the happiest person alive. It's weird how it goes sometimes.
Almost doesn't matter who or where you're playing. It's just a feeling I have inside of myself. Sometimes I feel very, very confident and I lose in straight sets.
Not something you can predict.
Q. Could you assess your game today? Tell us what you thought of it.
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I thought it was dominated from my side with my serve, which allowed me then to take chance on the return. Pretty straightforward match, really. I don't remember him having any breakpoints.
But, yeah, it was tough to play. He was playing tough from the baseline and making it hard for myself. I'm happy with the match and was able to serve it out, so it was good.
Q. I think you made 39 unforced errors. I know you've got high standards. Is that a little bit disappointing?
ROGER FEDERER: No. I don't care about stats. That's not me.
Q. Are you happy with the way the tournament's going now?
ROGER FEDERER: Sure. I mean, I'm happy I survived a scare against Andreev. After that, I was able to come through comfortably in the next two rounds into week two. I feel like I'm obviously fresh and ready to take on the bigger names.
So far it's been great. I'm happy the way I'm feeling. Obviously you'll elevate your game gradually as the opponents get harder. So I'm happy the way I feel.
Q. Do you sense that there is an even greater strength in depth at the top of the game? Coming into this event, you could have made a case for probably 12 players having a great shot at winning this.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I definitely think we have guys now ‑‑ as they get older as well, they're gonna win bigger tournaments and have more experience.
Before, the group was Del Potro, Murray, Djokovic, and all those guys. They were just coming out of their teens. You can't expect them right away to win slams. Now they're all in a good age where normally you either make your move or, you know, you definitely have a chance.
So that's what we're looking at at the moment. A few guys have already won slams. That's not an easy thing to do, because, I mean, Rafa and myself are still around and making it extremely hard for guys to take home any slams. Because over five sets in two weeks, I think we know best how it works.
But, um, I think it's an interesting draw again. You know, I think there's no easy ways to a final or to a victory here. So you definitely gotta probably beat some of the best players in the world.
Q. Does that drive you, the fact that the youngsters on the block are nipping at your heels nowadays?
ROGER FEDERER: No. I think you can always find ways to motivate yourself. I obviously loved the time when I was dominating and winning 10 to 12 tournaments a year and not losing to any top‑10 player. I mean, those were fantastic times for me, of course.
But then again, it was also nice going through the time with the incredible rivalry I had with Rafa. Before that, being able to play against guys like Sampras and Agassi and so forth and being the up‑and‑coming guy. So I think you take it as it is and try to make the best out of it. That's the way I looked at it.
I think today it's a completely different situation. I'm still at the top of the rankings and I like to be challenged. That's what makes me better.
Q. How do you feel in comparison to the last time you won a Grand Slam as far as form?
ROGER FEDERER: My form is fine. I think you have to assess it as the tournament goes on. You can feel great today and play a horror in two days' time. I don't want to say I'm playing the best tennis of my life, because I haven't had to so far.
Depends how you're being pushed and how the opponent is playing. I'll go match by match.
Q. We saw Nadal fighting pretty hard last night and getting through. Everyone talks about his mental strength. Do you think you get enough credit for your mental strength and toughness?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think from the experts' sides I do. I don't know how much the regular media or fans talk about it. But I think you definitely need it to stay at the top of the rankings for so long.
Victories don't come easy. If you look at today's match ‑ I don't know how many watched it today ‑‑ but it looks straightforward. If you're on the other side of the planet you think, okay, no problems whatsoever.
But it was a tough match. I had to battle through, and there was tough moments and frustrating moments out there. They don't come easy, those victories. You have to be mentally strong to be at the top no matter ‑‑ regardless of the player you are.
With him, it's from point one to the last point it's always the same intensity. He never drops it. I think that's what is different if you look at him and other players.
Q. It's the first time we've had the top three players on the council. You've been in that role for a while now. Do you feel like you guys are having any affect on the way the tour's run?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, we try to, you know, be involved, of course, as much as we can. You know, of course more importantly is that we play good tennis. We want to leave, I think, the game better off.
For this, we would like to be involved obviously in the decision‑making to some degree. You know, of course we do trust Adam Helfant and the board.
But I think it's better for everyone, to be quite honest, that we are involved. Because too many times as it happened that the decisions have been taken and we almost only heard about it through the press in the past.
That's not the way I think it should be run. I'm happy that Rafa and Novak have a big interest. I also the other guys, if we would ask them, would be interested to be on the board. But I think they trust what we do at the moment, so it's going pretty smoothly.
Q. What do you think are the top pressing issues?
ROGER FEDERER: At the moment?
Q. Yeah, for the tour.
ROGER FEDERER: I think it would be nice to have a main sponsor for the ATP. I think that's maybe No. 1. I always think figuring out, you know, sort of tennis mostly on TV as much as possible, especially in Europe where the markets are pretty difficult to get to sometimes.
Because one's French speaking, one's German, one's English, one's Italian. You have to go to each individual market which kind of makes it hard. I think that would be nice, to get as much tennis on TV as possible.
Other than that, just shortening of the schedule. I don't know if that's a really big priority. I mean, it's always something we'll talk about for the next hundred years. But we'll see if it's possible to change or not.
It's something we're always debating. And as the top guys, I think we'll come together and find a solution for that. The longer the season is the more weeks you have off during the season, so it always works.
Q. To follow up with that question, they're talking about a World Cup competition which could be replacing the Davis Cup over two years. What do you think about that? We read some strange stories, like the players can be substituted during the match. So if it comes out from you straight as you said it, or you read it from the press, did you read anything about it?
ROGER FEDERER: I heard. I mean, I was not in the press the week prior to the Australian Open, because I didn't to have speak to you guys, you know, because I wasn't playing in Kooyong.
I just read a lot as well. I don't know quite enough about the concept, so I don't know. We'll see how it goes. Focus is on the tournament, not on the World Cup or Davis Cup.
We know we have issues, but we'll see. Probably I'll look more into it after the Australian Open.
Q. You spoke on court after the match about the fact that your father worked here for a few months, and there was a chance for a while that the family could have emigrated to Australia. Could you elaborate on that?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't remember quite ‑‑ I was maybe 12, 14 years old. I remember actually my parents having a debate, are we moving away from Switzerland to come live over here.
At the end, they just said, Look, we have all our friends over here. And even though it's lucrative and nice to go to Australia, they love the country, they also asked us kids. And we were like, whatever the parents decide. What are we gonna decide here?
So at the end they decided to stay in Switzerland. So, yeah, it was interesting time, you know, but it was quickly decided on. I think we even went ‑‑ I mean, went on vacation here maybe before I joined the National Tennis Center at 14.
We went on a big vacation here through Melbourne and Brisbane and Cairns and everything to maybe get a better idea of the country. Beautiful vacation, but at the end we decided to stay in Switzerland.
Q. What was your father doing out here? And secondly, Australia Day is coming up, and traditionally any new citizens who want to change nationalities choose that day to do it. You've still got time.
ROGER FEDERER: I would probably move first to South Africa than Australia, because I have that passport, too. No, my father was working in the paper industry. I don't know how you call it in English. Ask him yourself. He's in the corridor sometimes.
Q. Were you warned beforehand that there may have been a Royal visitor tonight during the match?
ROGER FEDERER: Yes, I was warned.
Q. Did you expect the reaction that came with the flashes and the cheering and stuff like that?
ROGER FEDERER: For him when he walked on?
Q. Yeah.
ROGER FEDERER: Of course. I think I've had situations where someone walked in and there was big round of applause. I'm used to it because I play a lot of primetime matches where there are very important people watching.
This one tonight was obviously extremely special. It's a pleasure, of course, playing in front of him.
Q. What would be the most intimidating person that's come to watch a match of yours?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, used to be my friends and parents early on. Then it goes other athletes, actors and musicians, Royal Highness. Just moves on. So I've had plenty. Obviously depends on the situation. Obviously having legends of the game watching, for me, is very nice always.
But then, of course, where he comes from, you know, he knows tennis, and Wimbledon's big, you know. So for me it was very ‑‑ I mean, a big honor that he came to watch me.
Q. Was that game perfect for you for the next round?
ROGER FEDERER: We'll see. I mean, I'm happy the way I played today. I think the opponent was very different to the one I played in the first round. He played much more on the baseline, so there was many more half‑volleys and the rallies were shorter.
So it was different kind of a match. Got off to a good start and kind of never looked back. Very happy with the way I played. Moved well and played some amazing shots. It was great.
Q. Back to the Prince, he visited ‑‑ sorry.
ROGER FEDERER: Sure. He doesn't come around every day.
Q. He visited New Zealand on his way here. What about your memories of playing in New Zealand in 2000, and also do you plan to visit again?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I remember playing once. I think it was also the time when America's Cup was held there. Didn't win a whole lot of matches. Played on the outside court and lost first round to Ferrero.
But you never know. Right now obviously the Middle East swing for me works very nice. But you never know in the future. I might always switch around my schedule. Never know. I'd like to come back.
Q. Will you get a chance to chat more informally to William later, maybe see him later tonight?
ROGER FEDERER: I saw him briefly just before the press conference. Got a little chance to talk.
Q. What did he say to you?
ROGER FEDERER: What did he say?
Q. Yeah.
ROGER FEDERER: He was happy he could make it. Yeah, I mean, I'm not gonna tell you everything he just said to me. You've got to have a little bit of a secret.
No, he looked really happy coming to a sports venue. I think he's had a very busy schedule the last few days. He shook a lot of hands, and I knew mine was one more. From what I've heard, I think he met Serena and myself, and came to watch my match.
He said he was happy that I played a little bit longer, because the match could have ended even shorter. Yeah, so it was nice.
Q. Have you met other members of the Royal family before at Wimbledon?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, the ones on court at the trophy ceremony. Do those count for you, or not?
Q. Yeah. (Laughter.)
ROGER FEDERER: Because those you should know. I mean, but not...
Q. But chatty‑wise?
ROGER FEDERER: Chatty‑wise, no, I don't recall. No. Chitchat, no. English breakfast tea? No, not yet.
Q. Just a question about Rafa. He's had a lot of problems in the last 12 months, although he...
ROGER FEDERER: Depending how you look at it.
Q. Although he's your major rival, is there part of you that wants to see him back to his best?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, he's ranked No. 2 in the world. Okay, maybe he hasn't won a tournament for a long time. He's given himself opportunities over and over again. He struggled lately against the top 10 players from what I've heard.
Still, he's not the type of guy that anyone in the top 10 wants to play against. He still has and will always have the mental strength and toughness and that physical game that he has, you know.
So I expect him to win a tournament very soon, of course. The end of the season it's always harder for him to win tournaments because the surface speed gets faster and faster as the season goes on. You can't expect him to win every tournament at the end of the season. I didn't win many either lately. So it's not easy.
There's a lot of competition at the moment. I think once he gets his edge back, which he almost got in Doha by having a few matchpoints against Davydenko, I think he'll get back on a roll again.
Q. Have you given any thought to how many years you can stay at the top of the game?
ROGER FEDERER: No. It's something that you just hope it's gonna last as long as possible. It's amazing being world No. 1 and playing in front of sell‑out crowds every match I play.
It's something I hope to have as long as possible. If you lose your ranking, you hope to get it back. You know, what I've achieved nobody can take away from me. That's obviously something that's very satisfying. It's also something I like doing.
You know, where I'm gonna spend my vacation, how I'm gonna spend time with my family, how I'm gonna practice and which tournaments I'm gonna play. It's something I like to talk about. It's not something I'm trying to run away from, which is obviously a good sign for me.
Q. Do you prefer playing any time of day or not, or doesn't matter to you? Supposed to be 36 degrees in the next couple days. Or is it all the same? You just go out there and play your best?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, sure, it changes playing at night or playing during the day, also with the crowds. Obviously there's as huge focus, you know, the whole tournament is focused on center court at night. So I would lie if I told you I didn't like playing at night. I have also a great record playing in night sessions around the world and at many tournaments.
But then again, you have to be play also all conditions. I don't mind the heat. I think the hard work has paid off finally after many tough years in the heat. That's why I wouldn't mind playing in the heat. That could actually be a bonus for me.
Q. Do you think you're becoming a more patient player? You seem to be taking a patient approach and waiting for your opponents to make mistakes.
ROGER FEDERER: It's still early on in the tournament. You sometimes don't have to force the issue every single time. Because against, let's say lower‑ranked players outside of top 10, you do sometimes in the rally get a second chance; whereas against top players it's pretty obvious how you gotta play.
That's how my two opponents played. They know they have to step it up and not give me a chance in the rally. That's why it's dangerous for me to play against all these guys. They take huge cuts at the ball and nothing to lose. And if they win they're heros, and if they lose, it's an incredible experience.
From my standpoint, it obviously depends also on how the opponent plays. Today I was willing to go for more points and rallies where I decided I not to miss and only go for it if I'm perfectly set up. I think the tactic worked tonight.
For the next round opponent, I definitely have to adjust my tactics again.
Q. Close call, or based on past experience, you figured you would get to him eventually?
ROGER FEDERER: No, tough match, you know, like I knew from the start. It was not gonna be an easy one. He's got incredible acceleration on his shots, obviously, especially his forehand. He's very physical and intense, so I was happy with the start I got today.
I was up a break and actually feeling well, and then there was a quick swing around and he was able to get the first set. That was tough, but I reacted, and I think I played a very good match from start to finish really.
A few hiccups, but I think those are more due to his good play and because of also playing against the wind. So it was a good first round for me anyway.
Q. Are you very happy to play the best of five?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I just think in best of five you have more the mental strength that comes into it, physical strength. It's not so much up to chance.
Best‑of‑three sets is always over in a hurry. I would have been at one set all and a break down, and, you know, close from being out. Like this, you still know you have some way to go.
He get tired in the fourth set a little bit. If you can take advantage of it, the tougher player comes through.
It's also mindset going into a match like this, you know. I don't think if it was the best‑of‑three‑set match you think that way. You know you're gonna be out there for a while. I like that approach.
Q. After such a tough first three sets, how do you explain 6‑Love in the fourth?
ROGER FEDERER: It might be just that one step slower than he was in the beginning, you know. Instead of hitting the forehand close to the line, it clips the tape. It's that one or two shots, and then you have to start taking more chances and then you get frustrated. Then it's over quickly, you know.
To break anyway isn't easy, but you have to put in the hard work. He did it for a very long time. I got off to a good start. I think then he got a bit disappointed.
Important for me is to stay focused and, you know, put him away. It's not an easy thing to do. It looks routine, but it's a lot of hard work in there.
Q. Would you say that you saved more the set points or that he missed a little bit of those set points he had?
ROGER FEDERER: I'm sure he could have played better, you know. But it was a very crucial, you know, moment in the match. There was a lot of tension. I could have won the set twice before; he could have won the set twice before.
So it was just one of those moments where anything can happen, you know. You need a bit of luck. I definitely got that in the third set today.
Q. What's your relationship with Hawk‑Eye these days? I know you don't like it, but have you accepted it more?
ROGER FEDERER: I got no chance other than to accept it. You know, we always hope we don't have to use it much, you know, because the linespeople are so good. That's how it was today. I was happy with the linespeople's performance.
Q. How are you finding the challenge of being a dad and the world No. 1 player?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I'm happy there's those two challenges. Before it was only the No. 1 in the world challenge. For a tennis player, that is obviously the greatest thing. I feel really good about it.
It's a lot of fun coming back and spending time with them. Now they can also start spending some time at the court sometimes, which was not something we did last year. So it becomes also a bit more fun also for Mirka's day‑to‑day life.
I think I'm handling it well. I'm trying to. It's not the easiest thing, but we're trying.
Q. Nikolay Davydenko said everyone in the draw is scared of him. Are you scared of him?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, respect the way he deserves. Yeah, sure.
Q. Not scared?
ROGER FEDERER: "Scared" is a bad word. I don't like that word. Ask a boxer if he's scared of the other guy. I don't think he's going to say yes.
Q. Do you fear him?
ROGER FEDERER: I respect him like I do over a hundred other players in the draw.
Q. Can you say something about the wind in the stadiums in Grand Slams? Which differences between this year when it's windy on the two different sides of the court?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think most windy is maybe New York usually. It's just the strongest winds. But it's pretty ‑‑ it's not so swirly, you know. I think maybe at the French Open and Wimbledon you get sometimes more the swirly winds.
Here, normally it's easiest to play because it's the most covered center court we have on a Grand Slam level. So usually it's pretty good. There was a slight breeze, a comfortable one today. Still, it makes a huge affect on how you play from one side and the other side.
Yeah, you always got to adjust. It's not easy. But I quite like playing in the wind. I think it's more challenging than just playing the opponent himself.
Q. Can you think about last year where you were at coming into the Australian Open with Nadal at the top of his game and this year? How do you feel different about your game and your attitude now as compared to last year at this stage of the Australian Open?
ROGER FEDERER: Um, well, I mean, I came off a tough ‑‑ what was it? Shanghai Masters, I think, not making it to the semis and having a back injury. So it was important to see how I'm feeling and how deep in the draw I can go and how is the back gonna hold up.
Focus is completely on my own game and not really who's playing well. I know if my body is there and my game is there, I can beat anybody. I'm sure Rafa was on an incredible run, but he had issues himself. He also pulled out of Paris and Shanghai, didn't he, that year? So he had issues himself. We couldn't quite predict how incredibly well he was gonna play.
You only see that after the first week is over, who's really in good shape and stuff. So the way I'm feeling now, I'm very happy. I can really concentrate on the way I want to play and not on my body or anything.
So that's a good start already. I'm through in the second round. It's not very deep yet, but at least I got some information, and I feel like I'm playing really well. Hope I can keep it up and go deep.
Q. Was the back bothering you during the Australian Open last year?
ROGER FEDERER: Actually I don't remember. I think I was just worried that it was gonna come back, and so maybe I was playing with a little bit of doubt, you know.
But I still thought I played a great Australian Open last year, even though I ended up losing in five in the final. I think that final match we played against each other was one of the best we've ever played. I still walked away feeling good about my game.
Q. Most people go to the office; sometimes they wouldn't like to go. Does it happen to you, too? Or, I mean, does it happen often that you get bored and you said, Okay, today I wouldn't like to play or practice? Does it happen often or never?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, what's you're ‑‑ what do you think my office is, the practice court or the center court?
Q. I think the office is the practice court.
ROGER FEDERER: The practice court. Yeah, I do sometimes go to the office then thinking, Why do we have to do that many hours today, or is it really necessary? Sure, I also ask myself the questions.
If it's the center court you're talking about, no problems whatsoever to get into it and motivated. The practices are, sure, tough.
But I've gotten really, in the last years, actually quite a lot of joy out of practicing tennis or fitness, because I really see the benefit of doing the tough, long hours.
I will get them afterwards on center court and they will pay off. Like, for instance, maybe in a match like today which was very physical. When I was younger, a teenager...
Q. You see the benefit but you don't enjoy?
ROGER FEDERER: I do like it, because I know I can enjoy it even more out on center court. I don't want to lose any matches because of fitness or lack of practice. So that's not gonna happen.
Q. Santoro said today he had the most respect for you out of the whole career. Do you have any words for him?
ROGER FEDERER: Sure, it's nice to hear. We're good friends and we get along well together. He enjoyed playing against me. Same for me. If I could pick a guy to play against, I would like to play against him. Every day I would pick him. He would try something different and I would try something different.
We would almost allow each other to do that; whereas with other players you get tangled up in the same rallies. He's not the power player and he uses a lot touch. So obviously I have a lot of respect for everything he's done in our game.
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