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Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Commonwealth Bank International
Kooyong Press Conference
By CBI Official Site
ROGER FEDERER Transcript of press conference
[Introduction of Roger Federer]
Q: Welcome, Roger. I was going to make mention before of the cow, Juliette, is that the cow you were given after winning Wimbledon? ROGER: That's right. She is still around.
Q: Did you bring her out to Australia with you? ROGER: No; too much weight so she is staying where she belongs.
Q: Someone said that you have milk sent from that cow to you wherever you are playing in the world; is that right? ROGER: No, that's not right. They told me I'm going to get some cheese and milk from her but I haven't got anything yet. I might have to call.
Q: And maybe some yoghurt too. 2003, it was a sensational year for you. ROGER: Has been. I'm very happy obviously the way I finished the year with the Masters, and Wimbledon was great too. So many titles and I'm really happy to start the year as number 2.
Q: Welcome back to Australia and good luck at the Commonwealth Bank International.
Q: Roger, what have you done over the off-season, anything different than in the past? ROGER: Not much. I've been back in Switzerland for one month and as the year starts one week later because of the Olympics it gave me an extra week, which was good, because the season was long last year and preparation has been good. I arrived from Hong Kong and I already played an exhibition there so I'm looking forward to this event.
Q: Roger, no doubt the climate would be a little bit different in Switzerland than it is here in Australia at the moment. Is that a concern for you, that this Australian Open may be played in extreme hot temperature? ROGER: That's the problem we have as European that we come from playing indoors the whole of winter and then you come here so it actually takes a lot of practise and a lot of getting used to the humidity and the hot weather. That's a little bit our problem but if we want we can go to some warm place to practise in December but I would rather stay home. Maybe that comes as the older I get maybe I try something else, I don't know.
Q: Roger, can you tell me please how important is an Olympic tournament for you this season? ROGER: For me it is very important. I've played in Sydney, which was for me one of the best experiences I have ever had as a tennis player, just to be part of that hype of the Olympics, so I am really looking forward to go back there.
Q: Roger, what is your coaching situation at the moment, are you coaching yourself or getting some applicants in or what is happening? ROGER: I'm by myself here with friend and girlfriend and physio so I'm taking care of myself these next few weeks.
Q: How does that feel after a long time having someone else running the show? ROGER: It's difficult. It's a change, you've got to get used to it and got to be well organised, but I think I'm going to get through that.
Q: Are you going to appoint someone soon or are you going to keep going on your own for a while, do you think? ROGER: I'm definitely looking around - I'm just 22 years old so I still think I can get some tips and advice from my game. I'm far away from being perfect so I'm looking around but I don't want to rush into something and as soon as the time is right I will let you guys know.
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