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Thursday, January 15, 2004
Commonwealth Bank International
Kooyong Semifinal
By CBI Official Site
R. Federer/A. AGASSI 2-6, 4-6
ROGER FEDERER Transcript of press conference
Q: Roger, what is the meaning of such a loss? Were you really into it? A: Yeah, I tried to play well but he is tough to play on any day and if you don't play good it's not enough so that's what happened today.
Q: How much of that out there was Agassi playing so well and you maybe being still a little rusty? A: It's definitely a combination, definitely. I make him play better if you give him an early break or anything, it's always easier to play, and that's what happened in the first set so after that I'm just trying to stay in it, he can swing freely, I have to try to also keep the rallies a little bit shorter than usual because that's my advantage to beat him. It's difficult to say if it was him or me but it's definitely a combination.
Q: Four days out from the Open, is that enough time to get your game to where you want it to be? A: Yeah, I'm not worried about anything. It's good to play Andre here and to see - there is not many better players around than Andre around so this is good to play him today.
Q: It is obviously a good format, you get three automatic matches after a break after Christmas so that must please you, you get three matches to try and get yourself into some - - - A: Yeah, that's why I'm playing these events, to get matches and the Australian Open is early, everybody knows that, so I'm really trying to get the rhythm. I have got to go out to the practice courts a little bit more also the next few days to work on a few things because I'm not happy with the game so far so I have got a few days left and I've got to use these.
Q: What is it that you are not happy with, Roger? A: Just in general. Everything.
Q: Does Andre amaze you how he keeps coming back so fresh and fit? A: No; he's a professional. His attitude on the court, his game and everything, is perfect for these events and for the whole season and for tennis, that's why he keeps doing well, and I'm happy to see he is still around after the Masters. He is definitely still one of the best, and one of the big favourites for the Open.
Q: You're considered the favourite for the Open, do you worry about that sort of thing or you just let it go? A: I was surprised to read it because his hard court record is better than mine so I still need to prove myself a little bit more on these hard courts.
Q: Andre says it has taken many, many years to learn what to do over the off-season to be ready for the Australian tournament. As a young player, do you feel you still have a bit to learn? A: I've been testing around over the last few years. I have explained yesterday that I played Doha, Sydney the year before, once I played the Hopman Cup, once I played Adelaide and the qualies out of Australia, so I have been also changing my schedule to see what is best and I cannot say yet what is best because my best result at the Australian Open is a fourth round and the best preparation sometimes doesn't mean you are going to play well at the Open, you also need a good start there, some luck with the draw, and for me it's difficult to comment because he has been around a little bit longer than me.
Q: What about with what you do during the break, do you feel you have done enough work? A: Oh, yeah, definitely. It's been short, as usual, but I think all tennis players are used to it. I still believe I really worked hard and well and I was happy, the same as my condition trainer, so I feel prepared.
Q: Do you think your Davis Cup experience will help at Melbourne Park; you have spent a long time on court here? A: Not really. It's good for experience in general but not really for the Open.
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