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Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Hamburg AMS First Round
By Hamburg Masters Official Site
Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER
Federer – Gaudio 6:1, 5:7, 6:4
Q: Are you still fighting with the clay court a little bit?
FEDERER: Those matches help a lot. It was tough. Those matches you
have to win in these heavy conditions from the baseline. I don’t have a
big enough game with my serve to get cheap points. So, I really have to
set up a good game plan. This gives me confidence for the rest of the
tournament.
Q: So your game plan was to mix it up?
FEDERER: Definitely you have to mix it up. The guys know that I am
usually aggressive on the first few points. It’s difficult here because
of the really heavy conditions, you get a lot of bad bounces. Today
went better than last week. I worked the ball well.
Q: When was the last time you had to wear two layers of clothes?
FEDERER: Last year here against Philippoussis. This is one of the coolest places.
Q: What was your reaction when you saw the draw?
FEDERER: I was in the tunnel when Martin gave me the draw. I looked
at it and thought ‘oh yes that’s going to be a tough match’. So I knew
right away. It showed today. I played really well.
Q: You left Rome very dispirited.
FEDERER: For me it was important not to be too down with myself.
Because I think he played really good tennis. Obviously I missed a few
shots and missed a lot of chances. So, I think the first set I played
great tennis. Also in the middle of the second, but then he started to
get breaks which build up his confidence. He showed afterwards that he
beat some good players This is why I didn’t lose all my confidence.
With the clay court season everything changes. You have to think a bit
after a tournament like Rome what your next steps are. Obviously I
hoped for better weather and faster conditions. But to win those kind
of matches like today makes me feel very good. These are the tough ones
for me.
Q: Do you think you can win a Grand Slam on clay and would it put your chances for Wimbledon at risk?
FEDERER: Oh that’s too far away from this. I hope it doesn’t happen
that my Wimbledon preparation is not as good as it was in the last two
years. French Open the last few years wasn’t great. I was struggling
and I would like to change that. First my goal is to win matches here
and to get the confidence going. Also if I lose, if I play well it’s
fine. I just want to have the right attitude.
Q: Having achieved so much since the last Roland Garros, will you go there with a lot more confidence?
FEDERER: I thought I was very confident the last two years. I won
Hamburg two years ago. I won Munich and played the finals at Rome last
year. Every time I came to the French Open I felt good, I was hitting
the ball well and this could be the year that I make it to the quarter
final. Every time I crashed out, once I thought it was because of the
opponent. Last year, I was maybe too confident. I couldn’t believe
during the match how things were going. So for me coming into a Slam
with or without confidence doesn’t make a big difference. If you look
at the Australian Open this year, I had no idea how I was playing. So,
for me it’s all about in the head, the mental approach. A long two
weeks, five sets changes the whole thing in the mental part of the game.
Q: Does it take you longer to switch to clay?
FEDERER: The problem with clay is, which is strange, that I have
problems returning on clay. I remember doing a practice camp when I was
15 years old and the my coach asked everyone what is the most difficult
for you when you start the clay court season. I said the return. He
said ‘What are you talking about, it’s easy, you have enough time, it’s
easy to return.’ For me it’s kind of difficult. As the season goes on,
I play better and better. Then, basically the season is over and I’m
starting to play well on clay. But that’s how it goes. It’s strange, I
don’t understand why. I had the same problem last week.
Q: When did you start hitting on clay?
FEDERER: In the middle of Monte Carlo?
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