|
Wednesday, 19 January, 2005
Australian Open Second Round
By Tennis-X.com Forum
R. FEDERER/T. Suzuki 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Jim Courier's Post-Match Interview
Jim Courier: Roger, you must be awfully disappointed with the level of play you showed today. That was a poor match.
Roger Federer: (smiling) Thank you. Yeah...it was a fantastic atmosphere, fantastic match. Thanks to you (points to the crowd) of course.
But thanks to Takao Suzuki. It was very entertaining. I'm very looking forward to the next time I play him.
JC: Now can you imagine this guy, started playing here in the qualifying round. It was such a competitive match against you. You clearly couldn't have expected it. Did you have to raise your game to take him, or was playing just normal good enough?
RF: No, today I had to play a good match to win. Good enough is not enough.
JC: Even from you? Come on! Don't be modest.
RF: (smiles) Even from me. He was up a break in the first set and I had to really play a great breakpoint to get back in the match. Who knows if he keeps playing so well, I could've lost the first set and match but I turned it around so it was good.
JC: Alright, tell us about this one nifty shot around the net. Clearly Roche (Federer's new coach) has been working on that with you right? That's the shot you guys have been practicing?
RF: The forehand on the run...Uh...next to n...next to the post...
JC: Let me translate, around the net post. (laughter heard from the crowd)
RF: Thank you. yes, around the net post. Geez, my emotions are still high (that's why he was stumbling w/ his words). I've been working on that with him for 2 weeks but I'm happy it worked tonight. (lots of laughter from crowd)
JC: Next up is Jarkko Nieminen.
RF: Yeah, you must have checked the draw. I don't look that far ahead. Was just concentrating on this match.
JC: Tell us the strategy. He's not watching. He's asleep right now.
RF: Oh he's sleeping? Okay. (smiles) Uh...I'll play my game.
JC: Which one? From the baseline, from the net, around the net post? What are you going to do?
RF: I'll play... aggressive (laughs). So...yeah, he's a tough competitor. Good player. So let's not joke too much, I don't want to go out in the third round. He's my age. We've known each other for a long time.
JC: Well, thanks for a very enjoyable second round encounter. Best match on center court so far, for sure.
|
