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March 8, 2001
Five Questions with Roger Federer
By TENNIS.com
Following a skiing trip in St. Moritz, Roger Federer began preparing for his first Tennis Masters Series tournament of the year at Indian Wells, California. After that, he's set to play the Ericsson Open in Miami. The Swiss man was the ATP player of the Month for February after he went 14-2, winning his first career ATP title in Milan and also reaching the final in Rotterdam and the semifinals in Marseille. He also accounted for all three victories in Switzerland's 3-2 Davis Cup win over the United States.
Q. Three years ago you were sitting at No. 302. Can you believe you have gotten all the way up (to No. 6) so swiftly? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it's definetly a very good two, three years I've had so far. I really can't complain. I really hope to move up now until the end of the year. Of course, it's tough to make, but if I keep playing like I've been playing lately, I think it's really possible. But somehow this year, I feel more comfortable on the court. I've grown up a little bit..with more routine, more experience--and it really helps.
Q. What are your expectations for this year. Do you feel you could make a move into the Top 5? RF: I came into this year trying to reach the Top 15 or so because I was ranked 27 or 39--30 at the end of the year. My first goal was to reach the Top 15. I'm No. 20 now (at the time of the interview), in the rankings. So I still have some work to do, but if I could get into the Top 5, that would be great. As I said, if I can stay in the race now, the Top 10, Top5, maybe, it's really possible. At first I would like to reach the Top 15. Top 10 and then to me really the Top 5, you need to play well at the Grand Slams. Master Series.
Q. You have won your first ATP title and had success in the Davis Cup. How has this change how you approach events like Indian Wells and Miami? RF:Yeah, I mean, it took a lot of pressure off me winning my first titile. People were already starting to compare me with little bit to (Anna) Kournikova...I couldn't win a title. So I felt really good after I won the first title. I could say at least I won one before her. I was very nervous that final I played in Milan because my opponent, he was risking everything. I lost the second set tiebreaker, I was like two points from the match. Yeah, it was a big releif and I feel much better now. Of course, I want to win more titles now, but somehow, you've got a few under your belt and it is a much better feeling.
Q. A lot of other players say that you are one of the most talented of the new young players. Who do you think are the most talented young players, and secondly, was there any player that you modeled your game after while growing up? RF: The most talented for me is Marat Safin, definetly, because he has already won a Grand Slam, Masters Series, and with his age it's unbelievable. And I also think Juan Carlos Ferrero. I am also pretty impressed by his game, his ar, how he can accelerate the ball. Of course, you can't leave out Lleyton Hewitt, who is running down all of the balls and he's tough to beat. Really, these three guys are new talent to the tour.
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