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June 6, 2005
Federer seeks Gerry Weber Open hattrick
By Gerry Weber Open Official Site
World
number one Roger Federer hopes the GERRY WEBER OPEN will give him a
confidence booster ahead of Wimbledon. “The decisive time of the season
is about to start,” Federer said at a crowded press conference in
Halle. “This tournament is very important for me. I hope to win it
again to get in good shape for Wimbledon. I need to be at the top of my
game to defend my title in England and also finish the year as the
top-ranked player.” Federer, despite his semi-finals exit at Roland
Garros, was pleased with his performance at the French Open. “I have
never reached the semi-finals in Paris so I was very happy. The loss
against Nadal didn´t mean the end of the world for me.” Federer hopes
Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal “stays in the tournament long enough” to
potentially meet in the semi-finals”. “I will have revenge on my
mind and I do fancy my chances on grass,” said Federer. “I´m more of a
favourite on this surface because my game is suited for grass.” Federer
was full of praise for the 19-year-old Nadal. “I was impressed by the
way he shook off the pressure at the French Open,” said Federer. “It´s
good for the sport of tennis that he won the tournament. There is
enough pepper in tennis at the moment.” Before he crosses Nadal´s
path again, Federer has a first-round clash with Sweden´s Robin
Soederling ahead. “That will be tough – he will be no push-over.”
Federer considers Andy Roddick, Sebastien Grosjean and Lleyton Hewitt
as favourites to win Wimbledon “due to their experience”. “But Tim
Henman is always a favourite in that tournament,” stated Federer.
"I consider Tim Henman always a favourite to win the tournament, especially after getting better and better in recent years. I feel he has raised his baseline game which gives him an additional option even though he will pursue his net attacks on grass. But now he can keep up with the other players from the baseline and that makes him more dangerous. Andy Roddick is also a big favourite after last year's final and Sebastien Grosjean after two visits to the semi-finals. And Lleyton Hewitt will be very strong. He's always in good form for the big tournaments."
Federer
believes “a new breed of young players” is out to make some noise on
the tour. “Players like Nadal, Richard Gasquet or Tomas Berdych just
live their dream. They have nothing to lose and play with a lot of
energy. “But it will be tough for them to supplant me from the top
spot,” he added with a smile.
"I have had a super season even without winning a Grand Slam but now it's that time of the year where I need to make sure I defend my Wimbledon title and stay No1,"
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