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Saturday, 5 July, 2003
Switzerland focused on Fed
By Piers Newbery, BBC
"Please welcome, on Centre Court, world number one.... ROGER.... FEDERER!"
That has been the factually incorrect but admirably
optimistic cry from the Swiss national radio commentary box at
Wimbledon over the last two weeks.
And with their man making the final, BBC Sport
Interactive took the chance to quiz Bernhard Schaer - the "voice of
Switzerland" - about what makes Federer tick.
BBC: How is Roger bearing up under the pressure?
Bernhard: I think it is a dream for him to make the final.
He told me on Friday evening that he is ready now, he is
fit, there is no problem with his back, and he's very strong in the
head.
Mentally he is absolutely at the top, so I think he has a big chance to win on Sunday.
BBC: He must be delighted with his form, especially against Andy Roddick.
Bernhard: Roger was surprised with himself - he
told me he played perfectly. He served well, made big returns and was
very intelligent. And most important, he had self-belief.
BBC: How much news is this making back home?
Bernhard: I think it's one of the biggest sporting events in the history of Switzerland because we never had a man in the final before.
You must understand that we had Martina Hingis from 1996
until 2002, but she was not born in Switzerland. That is the
difference. Roger is one of us, born in Basle.
BBC: Is he the biggest sports star in Switzerland?
Bernhard: Absolutely, now. Before Wimbledon I
would say there are some skiers and world 800m champion Andre Bucher,
but if he wins on Sunday Roger will be the biggest star.
BBC: How many people will be following the match?
Bernhard: I would say with me, on the radio, there will be one million listeners, and on the television about 400,000.
BBC: How long have you known Roger?
Bernhard: I first met Roger in 1997 when he was
15. He was the number one junior in the world and in 1998 won the
Orange Bowl and Wimbledon.
I know his parents very well - we drink a beer together
once a week. Thery are very, very friendly, kind people. I hope they
will come on Sunday, and maybe his sister Diana.
BBC: What sort of a person is he?
Bernhard: He's a good guy, very kind. He loves football - FC Basle - and if he wasn't a tennis player he would have been a footballer.
He's very good, but he went to a tennis school in Switzerland when he was 14 years old.
BBC: Is there any danger the success might go to his head?
Bernhard: Absolutely not, absolutely not. He's very dedicated.
BBC: And how important is his coach Peter Lundgren?
Bernhard: Peter Lundgren is a very good friend to
him. He's a coach but has also been like another father since they got
together when he was 14.
Roger had to choose between Peter Lundgren and Peter Carter as his coach.
Peter Carter has since died and if he wins Wimbledon Roger will tell the people this victory is also for him.
BBC: So, how confident are you that your man will finish the job on Sunday?
Bernhard: Roger is very quiet here at Wimbledon. He doesn't do any interviews before the matches or when he's practising.
He is focused now on winning Wimbledon against Philippoussis and he has a big chance.
If he plays like in the semi-final it will be straight sets - I give you a guarantee!
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