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Monday, May 9, 2005
Hamburg AMS First Round
By Hamburg Masters Official Site
Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER
Federer vs. Verdasco 6:4, 6:3
Q: Roger, how are the feet and how is it to be back in competition again?
A: The feet are good, thank you. I don’t know if it is a 100%, that will show in the tough matches, the long matches. But so far there are no problems, that is a good sign. It was unfortunate I couldn’t play in Rome but I think it was the right decision. First of all I was exhausted and I had pain in my feet. I needed some time off, because maybe I travelled the world too much, but of course it was also fantastic. I’m fresh here, so I’m looking forward to this, and the French of course. The pressure there will be high.
Q: Is taking a week off something you learned from last year when you got so tired?
A: No, I think last year was everything right, I’m not complaining about last year. I think I know when to take my rest. Last year I had to take some rest at the end of the season, I didn’t want to but I had to because of my muscle problem. That is how it goes. I’ve been playing quite a bit this season, but that wasn’t the reason to pull out of Rome.
Q: Can you tell us what you have been doing since Monte Carlo?
A: I had a few days off after Monte Carlo. Then I wanted to start practicing again and felt pain in my feet again, so that was the reason for pulling out of Rome. Instead I started to practice mid-week of Rome to get ready for this. I could work out, go running and do body work and play a little bit of tennis, but not push it. I wanted to get some rest, so I have been back in Switzerland.
Q: What exactly was the problem?
A: I had sort of an inflammation.
Q: How do you assess Verdasco’s achievement?
A: It’s great to do what he does at his age. We haven’t had a guy doing that for I don’t know how many years. The last one I remember is Lleyton when he came at 16 or 18 and he was so good. Same with him now. I knew he would be a big favourite on clay. It was no surprise for me though because I knew what a strong player he was from Miami last year. That is good for the game, to have a youngster like that. I’m looking forward to more battles with him.
Q: You timed your breaks and serves perfectly today.
A: I think I was just concentrating an extra bit. I always try to get a good start, but couldn’t really get it. It’s tough, the conditions were quite slow. I was quite worried going into today’s match, because I know what a good player he is and the potential he has for the future. Especially left-handed seemed dangerous to me on the slow clay. But I coped well with it today, so that is definitely a boost for me. As I haven’t been playing for three weeks, just on the practice court, this was a tough match for me. Knowing if I lose this I have no more matches before the French. This gives me at least two matches now. I’m looking forward to more, but the draw is not getting any easier.
Q: In Athens last year you had one of few defeats last year against Berdych. What is the explanation?
A: I already felt in the first round that I couldn’t get the rhythm at the Olympics in Athens. Got through the first set against Berdych, but also didn’t feel comfortable then. In the end it was just a little unlucky, maybe in other tournaments I would have turned it around, but there I just didn’t feel good enough. On clay I hope it’s different.
Q: You said you couldn’t play last week. But do you think it’s a good thing to have three weeks off in this time of the season?
A: Who knows. If I win or lose, there is still something positive I can take out. If I lose it gives me more time off, it gives me more time to work on my game. If I win it’s good anyway. I haven’t spent much time at home since my home tournament in Basel after which I left for the Master’s Cup. I have been home for two weeks until Monte Carlo. I was happy to be just home and do different things.
Q: Maybe you could appreciate the silly world this is and just sit back and relax.
A: Well, it’s been good, because I’ve been feeling like I’ve been followed for six months now, always sitting in press rooms, so it was good not only to get a break from tennis but from all of you (laughs). I’m fresh and happy now to be back on tour.
Q: Is everything you do now preparation for the French Open?
A: In the end, yes. You want to play well there because the focus is huge. From the media side anyway I almost feel as if nobody cares how I play here. It all comes down to how I play at the French. I see that different, because I’m the defending champion here. So I’m concentrating on this. Now that I won my first round it’s all Hamburg and I don’t think about the French Open. Of course if I had lost I would have started to think about the French Open right away. But this isn’t the case.
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