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Friday, June 10, 2005
Halle Quarterfinal
By Gerry Weber Open Official Site
Interview with Roger Federer
Press-Conference with Roger Federer (SUI) after his win against Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3, 6-4
? Roger, did you feel good on the court?
! Well, it was a very quick match, and I'm happy with my game. It's the first time since long that I didn't get broken, and that's always a good feeling. I have broken right away whenever I got a break point and my service helped me get out of some difficult situations. So I can feel good after coming out of this game, especially on grass and with a good serve. I have the feeling that with every match I play, I'm getting a little bit better. Every time I get down on the court I improve a tiny bit. Of course I feel good, after winning 3 games in a row in Halle. My preparation was really not so good, but when you get further in the tournament you obviously are very pleased. So I'm pretty satisfied with the preparation, even if it was kind of short. My next opponent is Tommy Haas, and I'm looking forward to this test with a good feeling.
? Is there something you still have to improve with your grass game?
! Today I have played good. I had the feeling I could have won some less important points that I lost today, but that's normal I think. I can deal with that. But you have to win the important points. Every time when I'm playing a difficult game with danger of getting breakpoints, I could play deciding and constant. Also when I had to serve good, I did it. I think that is an attitude that you need against players like this.
? Did you already get used to grass, after playing on clay for a long time?
! Yes. The movements on grass are completely different than on clay. But it's easier (to get used), because I'm familiar with the conditions of Halle. Of course the fact that these games are played with the best-of-three system helps, since it isn't as exhausting. My fitness is better than ever, and that's the basis to being able to play so constantly.
? Why do you always come back to this tournament in Halle?
! I always look forward to getting away from the bigger cities. I like Paris very much, I had a great time there, but somewhere you feel a bit comfortable (relaxed) arriving here in Halle. It's very quiet here, and it's a fairly small city, there isn't much to do here. The tournament here has a special flair: you get into the hotel right next to the centre court. You can reach everything on foot, and you never have to wait in line. You feel like you're in the countryside and in the nature. Next week the world will look completely different: with 400 players at Wimbledon. Here in Halle you sometimes don't see any other player all day long. I like this atmosphere. It's the perfect mix: All those big cities where you can see everything, and sometimes you can get some rest, peace and quiet in a place like Halle.
? How does your coach Tony Roche help you? Do you train every day?
! No, first place are simply playing my matches here every day. I have arrived a bit later this year, so monday we've concentrated intensively on my first match on grass. Since then he's only given me some small tips. We'll continue training in the week after Halle, when we've arrived at Wimbledon.
? Your next opponent is probably Tommy Haas, another German. Is it special to play against German players?
! Yes of course, I would like to play Tommy again, because our last match has been a long time ago. This was in 2002 at Paris-Bercy before his long injury, as far as I can remember. It was a very important game for me, because with this win I qualified for the Masters Cup in Shanghai. Since then he's had a comeback from an injury and he's been playing very well again. So I'm looking forward to the game tomorrow. We have known eachother for quite a long while. In the past we've acted like wild youngsters, but now we're established players. It will be an interesting fight.
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