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April 16, 2001
Monte Carlo TMS First Round
By ASAP Sports
R. FEDERER/M. Chang
6-4, 6-3
An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.
Q. Well, that's your first win in Monte Carlo. Is that right?
ROGER FEDERER: Yes, that's correct. First win in three years.
Q. And you freely admit that clay is not your best surface. But is
it a surface, do you think, you'll grow to be more accustomed to as you
become more experienced?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean let's put it that way, my results
are way better on other surfaces, but my best Grand Slam result came at
the French last year. So I was and I still think am a good clay
courter, too. So I'm not that worried about my career on the clay. I
mean, today was a tough opening first set for me. There was a lot of
fighting, because I really didn't feel good on the court. So that's a
match I have to go through. It's really good to win matches like this
on clay. I'm really happy to be through to the second round, because I
can win confidence very quickly on clay. It's good to start off the
clay court season with a win, definitely.
Q. Did you actually learn to play on clay when you were growing up in the outdoor season?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I used to -- in the winter, I used to even
practice indoors on clay in a balloon. I used to play more on clay than
anything else. In the summer, on clay. In the winter, on clay. And I
was 14 when I went to the Swiss National Tennis Center, and in the
winter I used to play on fast indoors. So I don't know why my clay
court career started so badly.
Q. Roger, how much did Neuchatel take out of you?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, next couple of days after Sunday was tough
because I screamed so much for George and was tough, tough weekend. I
mean, I felt little bit sick after next few days, but I think that's
normal. I think the screaming for George took more energy out of me
than my --.
Q. Your match?
ROGER FEDERER: -- My own match. So, yeah.
Q. Tough one to lose in the circumstances as well.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. I mean, such a disappointment for him. I
mean, he fought so hard and he really deserved that win against Escude.
He was so close against Australia against Philippoussis. After in the
locker room, he was down. It's normal. I just hope it's not going to
affect his career.
Q. Your progression has been very impressive and very steady over
the last couple of years. What do you now view as your next step?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think my next step, already this year
started well with my first career win in Milan, then Davis Cup against
the States. I kept playing well like over the months, that's why I won
my February award there for best player. That's, I think, is already
the next step. But now, I finished pretty well on the clay court season
last year. I lost twice to Corretja, once in the fourth round of the
French and first round of Gstaad. But I felt I was playing better and
better. So for me this year, it's important that I get going
straightaway on the clay court season, not let it go to the French Open
again. Also for me a little bit disappointment was the grass court
season last year.
Q. Which in your game should hold a lot for you?
ROGER FEDERER: Definitely. After winning the junior Wimbledons,
I really think I can play really well on grass. I still have to improve
my serve and volley game, then I should be fine. In the summer, I
really want to continue playing well like I did in the beginning of the
year.
Q. Have you played more tennis at the start of this year than you have in any other year so far, with Davis Cup experience?
ROGER FEDERER: Maybe once in the Juniors when I won a
tournament, played semis the next one, then played semis at the
Australian Open. So there I did. But on the ATP, nothing like this.
Q. Do you feel a lot better for it, to have more experience?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, the more matches you play, the more
experience you get. So the more matches you win, the more matches you
can get to play. For me, this year really started off well. I think the
Hopman Cup was also very important to play alongside Martina, to see
how she is doing and how she's acting. So I don't know, I'm getting
quite some experience.
Q. What was the turning point for you in today's match?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, as I said, I started off badly today and
way too many errors, I don't know. I felt like I couldn't finish the
point, I don't know. I was probably not playing the right way. I was
playing too flat. I should have played maybe more the angles and made
him run more, then come in, win it on the run and stuff. But that
started to come at the end of the first, beginning of the second. I
don't know, from -- I like this challenge, when you have the long
rallies. You get great points on clay. So in the end, I was really
enjoying this match. You could see it. I was playing drop shots.
Normally I don't really play drop shots. But I tried great things on
the court, but of course you have to be aware of not letting the match
slip away like this. So... But I'm happy I got through, and I'm looking
forward now.
Q. Since Neuchatel, how did you prepare for your clay court season?
ROGER FEDERER: I stayed home until Thursday, then I travelled
to come here. And since then I've been practicing on clay. I didn't do
anything special to play and to recuperate. That's it.
Q. Is it difficult to become accustomed to clay courts?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I was surprised. I felt well immediately
when I started on clay. Normally, I never win when I play in practice,
but here I won a few matches against other players. That happens
rarely, and it really gave me confidence. I was hitting well, and I was
sliding well on clay.
Q. Last year you had won a tournament on an invitation.
ROGER FEDERER: It was the finals.
Q. You should have felt better at that time than now coming from hardcourts?
ROGER FEDERER: In Neuchatel I hit the ball well. I felt well.
Last year I prepared differently. I stayed in Miami and I played the
final on clay courts. But it was a very fast clay, but at least you can
get to slide. After, I didn't pursue the same thing. I lost 7-5 in the
third here, 7-5 in the third in Rome. I could have won because I was up
3-love, 4-1. Last year, the matches were difficult. This year, it seems
that I'm winning those matches.
Q. Physically do you still feel in your body the effects of the efforts you made in Switzerland?
ROGER FEDERER: When the rallies are long in the beginning of
the clay court season it's never easy. Next week I will work physically
with Peter. I think I'm going to improve a lot. For the French Open,
I'll be at the top.
Q. Did you change something in your clay court game now compared with last year?
ROGER FEDERER: Last year, I don't know, it's too far away. I
don't remember anymore. Let's say that I have to change my game on
clay, it's clear. It's a good point that I'm able to slide well and
move on clay. I don't know, I put more effort in my shots and I stay
maybe more on the baseline. My serve in practice wasn't going very
well. I have to concentrate on this because it's not so easy to make
winners on this surface. I think I should be more consistent. I made
too many easy unforced errors. I have to improve on that.
Q. Is Peter here with you?
ROGER FEDERER: No, he'll come on Saturday.
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