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Friday, May 14, 2004
Hamburg AMS Quarterfinal
By Hamburg Masters Official Site
Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER
Federer – Moya 6:4, 6:3
Q: Are you satisfied with your performance?
FEDERER: Yes, very much. I’m very happy with the way I played. It
was a good match. Similar like yesterday. I was happy the way I hit the
ball. I served good which I needed to. I’m very happy and gives me
confidence for the rest.
Q: That’s two good performances in a row.
FEDERER: Yes, I thought every match had some good things in it. The
first match I really had to fight through. The second match was a
little easier, but still, fresh conditions in the night and then the
last two were better. But, I beat really good clay court players and
that’s definitely a good test for the French Open. But I don’t really
see it that way because Hamburg is too important to call it a test.
Q: Do you think that the three clay court events are too closely placed ?
FEDERER: Well, back to back Masteres Series are tough. Especially
for Carlos for example who just came after winning Rome. That is tough.
Monte Carlo seems to me a little too early in the season. That’s why I
couldn’t make it there. These are the only two things. Otherwise, I
think it’s not too bad.
Q: You broke him at the end of the first set and then immediately in the second set. The timing was perfect.
FEDERER: Yes. Also he doublefaulted on the one break point in the
second set which helps. But, obviously to get a good start in the
second set was most important against him. Because if you give him the
lead he can run away with it. The first set I didn’t really have a
chance to break him, but then I got it and it was important to take it.
Q: You came forward quite a lot. We are used to seeing that. But he started to come forward a lot more.
FEDERER: I think it depends on who you play. Both of us we have to
attack the opponent because if you let the other guy do it, this is
when you are in trouble. Because we are both very good attack and
baseline players. It’s not enough to put the ball back in the court in
defense. We both know that.
Q: You are traveling with some of your family members this week? Is that an advantage or is it more difficult.
FEDERER: They left (laughs). But, it’s nice for a change to see my
mum and my sister. They come to tournaments very rarely. My sister
didn’t like it too much. (laughs). She said it was quite boring. Not
the game, the game was fine, but waiting all the time for her brother.
For my mum, she does my management with my father. So it’s important
that she’s around sometimes.
Q: With the summer being so full – with the Olympics – are you still planning to play two Masters Series in America?
FEDERER: I haven’t really had different thoughts. But you have to
wait and see how the French Open and Wimbledon go. Because if they go
well you have to consider how your body is and how you feel. But for
the moment I’m definitely planning to play.
Q: Whom would you prefer as an opponent in the finals?
FEDERER: I don’t like to answer that because the opponents are too
difficult and the people reaching the semifinals have deserved it and
they have a lot of confidence. You have to be scared of everyone. I
have to prepare well for tomorrow.
Q: Did the open roof make a difference?
FEDERER: Yes, but I could warm up there before. It wasn’t that windy
today, and there was a bit of sunshine. Therefore there was a bit of a
difference.
Q: Hewitt is one of the opponents you are most scared off.
FEDERER: I’ve never played him on clay. Therefore it would be
interesting to play him on clay. It’s better for his game on hard
court, especially because of his leg work. But you never know. He has
showed already that he can beat very good players on clay. He could
also win the French Open. Maybe not this year, but the potential is
there.
Q: Will you use the same tactics as today and yesterday?
FEDERER: We’ll see (laughs). I’m somebody who tries to win the point
with the first 3 or 4 shots. That might be an advantage for the
opponent, but I don’t mind longer ralleys as well. And I will have to
do that, because it’s not easy to blow somebody like Lleyton Hewitt off
the court on clay.
Q: Today you won against the number 2 of the Champions Race. Is that something special?
FEDERER: Yes, definitely. That was in my head. Therefore I was very
happy to beat him. It’s always nice to defeat your opponents directly.
Q: Concerning the Olympics. There have been bomb threats, and many sportsmen are considering to call it off.
FEDERER: I heard that bombs went off. I also heard that the Olympics
will take place. I’m sitting here in Hamburg. What can I say. I just
hope that security will be guaranteed for everybody, because it’s a
dream for a lot of people. And it would be an extreme pity if it was
destroyed due to such things. For me the Olympics are one of the
biggest things in the world. After Sydney – it was an absolute dream
for me to play there. So I will go there, it nearly doesn’t matter what
will happen.
Q: Do you know Melzer?
FEDERER: Yes, I played him in the doubles and in the juniors. He is
my age. We know each other quite well. He is from Austria, I am from
Switzerland, here in Germany ... (laughs). We know each other well and
we talk a lot. I’m happy that he got that far.
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