August 26, 2004

Federer wants USA to know him better

By Tom Clark, USA Today

Roger Federer is a good juggler. You probably didn't know that. He's a very good tennis player. But you knew that.

The 23-year-old Swiss enters the U.S. Open on Monday as the No. 1 seed with a 58-6 match record in 2004. He's captured a career-high eight titles on the ATP Tour circuit this year (including the Australian Open and Wimbledon).

But besides his flawless tennis game, Federer remains a bit of mystery in the USA. Fans know he bucks conformity by playing and traveling without a coach or entourage, and they know he was awarded a cow by his country after winning Wimbledon last year. That's about it. Now, as he continues his assault on the tennis record book, he is hoping we get to know him better as a person.

Federer, whose mother is from South Africa, speaks Swiss-German, English and French fluently. He spoke with USA TODAY this week from New York:

Q. You looked like you were having a lot of fun carrying Switzerland's flag at the Olympics opening ceremonies.

A. It was an unbelievable experience. I didn't play so well (losing in second round), but I have that memory of carrying the flag to look back on.

Q. What other Olympic sport do you wish you were good at?

A. Athletics or gymnastics — the classic Olympic sports.

Q. Explain the difference in playing the U.S. Open compared with Wimbledon, besides the playing surface?

A. It is a totally different setup. At Wimbledon it's a little more quiet. I stay in a house with my girlfriend, and we cook ourselves. Now we are in Manhattan, where the traffic is quite different, so you have to plan your days differently. It's a nice change for me. I try to think positive, and I love coming back to New York. It's an incredible city — there's lots to do over the next three weeks.

Q. Do you get a chance to explore the cities you visit on the tennis tour?

A. More and more I try to see more than the hotel and the club, because once I stop traveling I might be disappointed that I was at a place and didn't see enough of it.

Q. The media have been hyping your potential rivalry with (defending U.S. Open champion) Andy Roddick. Do you see the value in having a rivalry in tennis, so you'll let him win a few times?

A. I'm not going to let him win. He's not far away from beating me anyway (Federer is 7-1 lifetime vs. Roddick, including a win at the Wimbledon final this year). He does probably need to win a couple to get the rivalry really going. But I hope that doesn't come too soon. Rivalries are good for sports — and with me from Europe and him from the States, it would be good to push tennis.

Q. Who is the best player you've ever faced?

A. (Pete) Sampras. Even though I beat him that day (at Wimbledon in 2001). For all he's achieved, it was great to face him. After him it's (Andre) Agassi.

Q. If you could steal one thing from anybody's game on tour now, what would it be?

A. The volleys of (Tim) Henman. I'm not bad at the net, but would love to be better.

Q. Next week at the U.S. Open you are going to try to win three of the four Grand Slams. Did you ever think that was possible?

A. Looking back, yes, but in the beginning you never think it's going to be an easy thing to do. After I won the Australian Open this year, people were talking about me winning the Grand Slam, and I thought that was impossible. If I can play better in the U.S. Open than in the past (Federer has lost in the fourth round the last three years), we'll have to see if it's good enough. I've never really been in a huge center-court match there. I need it for the experience.

Q. Do you still think it's impossible to win all four majors in one year?

A. Everything is possible. But the men's game is wide open. There are so many good players on all surfaces. To be up for every match is very difficult. I lost to a better man at the French (Gustavo Kuerten). I deserved to lose because Guga was better that day.

Q. What's the most extravagant thing you've bought? (Since turning pro at age 17 in 1998, Federer has won $11,491,230 on the ATP Tour.)

A. I make sure the people around me get treated well, first. I do get myself a nice gift on occasion, because I work hard. I got myself some cars, an apartment, a house. My favorite cars are Aston Martin.

Q. If you weren't playing tennis, what would you be doing?

A. I'd think I'd be a soccer player. I played until I was 12 and have followed it ever since. I never had dreams of being a pilot or anything — I've always been interested in sports.

Q. What's the biggest misconception about you?

A. In America, people don't know me well enough yet to have any misconceptions. They know the tennis player, but not the person. I am seldom in America, so when I'm here I'll try to do more interviews than in the past. I hope they see me as relaxed, cool. We'll have to see.

Q. What are your favorite places to visit?

A. Australia — I like the down-to-earth people, their friendliness. Rome is a great city. Miami for the culture and the beach. I love Asia more and more. After the U.S. Open, I'm going to visit L.A. for the first time.

Q. Are there any other players you like to watch?

A. I used to enjoy watching (fellow Swiss) Martina Hingis. With her gone, now my interest in women's tennis is not as high. On the men's side I used to like watching Marcelo Rios' game when he played.

Q. What do you expect to do with the rest of your life after tennis?

A. I created a charity last Christmas (The Roger Federer Foundation, helping disadvantaged youths) which is something that goes beyond my tennis game. After that, no real plans yet.

Q. What do you think of racket technology in tennis? Is it too developed?

A. I think it's OK. If you look at the top players, there is only one guy with incredible power, and that is Roddick. There is a misconception of the game being all power because of Andy. I play different, with feel and tactical decisions. If you look at the Spaniards, they play with spin. The players will always adapt.

Q. What are your goals for the U.S. Open?

A. I have high hopes. The dream is to win three of the four Grand Slams this year. But I really have to start from zero and play well from the first round on. I've lost some recently, and players might think I could be down. But I feel good.

©2003 - 2008 Shinanat Mahamaytakit