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Thursday, June 9, 2005
Halle Second Round
By Gerry Weber Open Official Site
Interview with Roger Federer
Press-Conference with Roger Federer (SUI) after his win against Florian Mayer (GER) 6-2, 6-4
? Do you feel better on grass than after the Söderling-match on tuesdays?
! Yes, definitely. I think I played a good first set, it was over in nearly no time. I made my way much easier. I was better mentally, I felt more secure even though I was broken twice. He took some big swings on the return, so there is no much you can do. I had to get in more first serve in these two games. But apart from this it was a good match played today from the baseline and the net without many errors.
? What did you think about these many breaks in the second?
! It was a bit frustrating, because I was broken, I broke back and was broken again. That’s not the usual thing that happens in a set, because when I serve I expect to win that game. Especially after these breaks I had to hang in there and had to play great to come back into the match.
? Are you satisfied with your grass preparation until now?
! Yes, I’m happy, I won two singles matches and one doubles match, the other doubles match was walk over – there I’m in the semis with one match, that’s not bad. Now I’m looking forward to the rest of the week. Especially my good footwork today showed me that I managed the transition from clay to grass. The week is getting a sort of interesting now. I don’t know my next opponent very well, I hit with him twice before. Another German, that’ll be interesting. I’m happy with the preparation, with my game. It’s been approving. Every day I get more match practice on the grass, the tournament is gonna help me for Wimbledon.
? Comparing with your first win here in 2003, what is different?
! The improvements in my game have been working for me especially over the last two years. I remember I came here two years ago and they told me, nobody has ever won Halle and then in Wimbledon. So you start wondering if this is the right choice. But the last two years I’ve proven that it also works for Wimbledon when you come to Halle before. So I’m happy for myself of course, but also for the tournament, because they can stand there with a larger chest and say “Look here, Halle is a good preparation tournament.
? Was it hard to deal with the lost semi-final in Paris?
! Not really, I get over such losses easier now because I win so much. It doesn’t ruin even my day. I recover therefore very quickly from the loss against Nadal. I know I didn’t play great that match, the whole tournament wasn’t fantastic, but it was solid and I worked through until the semis. That gives me confidence for next year going to the French. Losses are these days something I can really deal with without problems because with all the success I’ve had over the last two years a loss is sometimes very, very normal, especially in the knock-out-system in tennis.
? Would you have liked to play against Nadal here?
! Yes, of course. I was a little bit surprised that he lost. I still thought he would come through. I would have liked of course to play him here, especially after the French. It would have been just nice to play him on the grass to see how good he is. I don’t think we should overestimate his performance here. He obviously has his chance to get good results also in Wimbledon. Everyone in the top ten has the chance to win the title there.
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