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August 29, 2005
Federer: 'Everyone is at their peak'
By Eurosport
Eurosport caught up with US Open top seed and world number one Roger Federer as the Swiss prepares to defend his title at Flushing Meadows. Federer comes to New York to face Czech Ivo Minar in the first round with high hopes having clinched the Cinncinatti title against Andy Roddick last week.
Eurosport: Roger, how are you? Roger Federer:
"Yeah, I took a little break after my series of big wins. I really
enjoyed that because it's quite a hassle sometimes going from
tournament to tournament and I had some time for myself. I'd have loved
to have kept on playing due to the enormous self-confidence I gained
after my Wimbledon victory. "But... I
think it was the right decision. And the win in Cincinnati proved me
right. My play is back, the self-confidence is back and I have to add
that the break was good. To be away from tennis, away from the media,
away from tournaments and stress... Just calm down a bit." Eurosport:
In Halle before Wimbledon you played Söderling, a real tight match. Now
in Cincinnatti the same set up with a tough match vs. Kiefer. Does it
help to play big games before a Grand Slam? Roger Federer:
"Before Wimbledon you can't do much differently. There are only two
weeks of grass tennis. It's also a bit of luck how you play there.
Everyone comes from clay and it is the first grass court match for most
of them. Here in the States, the risk is much higher. Everyone here is
really at their peak.
"After Wimbledon everyone is heading for points at the Masters
tournaments or for the last Grand Slam of the year. Most of them have
spent a long time here in the States already and therefore it is
difficult to get into a rhythm right away. "The
match vs. Kiwi for instance was quite a key match for me to get into
the tournament. Then I eased through quite easily into the semis where
I had a very tough match against Ginepri. And then I won it finally.
Now I am here with enough self-confidence and it's good. But if I had
lost in Cincinnati, I would have played less matches and then it would
be a different story here. " Eurosport: Every tournament that you enter, you name is at the top of the list. What does the word 'pressure' mean to you? Roger Federer:
"I have got used to it over the years, to be honest. I had so much
pressure and so much motivation to become number one that I got so
nervous I could hardly concentrate. "Once
I became number one I felt relieved of all that pressure. I had proved
it to everyone and to myself. Everything from then on was just a big
bonus. A nice additional plus. I feel much more relaxed playing tennis
than 3 or 4 years ago." Eurosport: In fact, everyone around you is very calm. Is this on purpose? Your Physio for example, he hardly speaks a word... Roger Federer:
(Smiles)... Yeah, Pavel the Physio is extreme. He is Czech and from
Prague and it was important for me to have one in the team that is this
calm. If he were talkative...oh my god. He is with me at over 80
percent of all the tournaments I play. At the beginning, I forgot him
because he is so quiet. I was sitting in the car and I forgot Pavel! "It
is not too different with Tony Roche, my coach. He is calm as well. All
these people still have a great sense of humour, and are great and nice
people! I care a lot about respect. It is vital for me to be able to
distinguish between private things and business on the court. "That's
the case with Tony. He is a super easy-going guy, but tough as well and
I can show him respect. I need this combination in my team around me."
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