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Saturday, May 14, 2005
Hamburg AMS Semifinal
By Hamburg Masters Official Site
Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER
Federer vs. Davydenko 6:3, 6:4
Q: You started a little slowly. You always gave the impression you were able to step up a level when you needed to. Was that your feeling?
A: Well, I had to. Otherwise the result would be very different. But, it’s true, the start was slow. I guess that happens but you have to try to avoid it. Because such a start is always a handicap. It’s not good, it’s dangerous. I thought my serve and my forehand let me down in the beginning. I have to think about why that was the case. But I’m happy I turned it around in time. Once I got back to 2 All, I definitely felt better again. I knew now the match actually starts, now I’m warm and from then on it was a good match from my side.
Q: “Now I’m warm”, sounds like you think it’s a physical thing. Is it a mental thing as well?
A: A little bit of everything. I played a couple of good points to get the break back. But I just didn’t feel right in the beginning. I can’t explain why. He’s a solid player, so he takes advantage of those moments. After I thought my serve really started to work better for me. It gave me a couple of free points. So, I could relax a little bit. I started to use my allround game to stabilize him. That worked well today, because he’s a tough player. He moves well. He hits winners from both sides and I have the feeling he improved his serve over the last couple of years. He’s a consistent, tough player.
Q: You really are winning your points in a wide variety of ways, even on a clay court. That must be satisfying.
A: I think on clay you have even more options because it’s slower, because of the sliding, it makes everything very different. Always, against any player, I have to adapt most of the times and use my all court game to win. On the clay, I have the feeling you can do it even more than on other surfaces. On grass you can maybe come to the net easier, on hard court it’s most of the times a hard court battle because the players move so well on that surface. And clay just gives you extra time to create more.
Q: If Gasquet goes on to the finals, how much will you relish the chance to play him again?
A: I would definitely look forward. It’s always nice to get a second chance to get him. I thought I was doing pretty good in Monte Carlo. I played a good first set. After that he started to unleash some winners on me which wasn’t so pleasure, but still nice to see the shots (laughs), because they were good. But I hope it’s not going to happen again. I will try to avoid that. But he has proven not only in Monte Carlo that he can play well. Also in Rome he played decent. Here he qualified. You don’t see too often two qualifiers in the semis of such an event. I will definitely like to see a challenge against Gasquet.
Q: We heard a lot of things a few years ago and he didn’t progress as quickly. Do you think he is a potential danger in the Slams?
A: I think he’s definitely a danger, but danger for the victory? I guess only himself, he can answer that. It’s a long way. We all know that. Seven five set matches, it’s not just a best of 3 match in a second round of any tournament. It’s much more pressure. Of course the French will always be his best shot. I think it’s his best surface and he’s got the back-up from the fans. There he will be the toughest to beat for ever in his career. And the way he’s playing now, he definitely has a shot at going far.
Q: What do you see as his great qualities?
A: He’s very allround. Similar to me I would say. He can hit winners off both sides. He definitely moves well. Even though we have the feeling he’s a newcomer, he has still been around and gone through many matches against many players. That’s helping him now. And with the confidents, we know how they can play the juniors. He’s using that to his advantage for the moment.
Q: What did you learn from the game in Monte Carlo?
A: I have hardly seen him play because I haven’t been playing since. I thought after that match I needed a rest (laughs). Of course you get the impression during the match itself, against any player, how you might play him next time. So, of course during the match itself you try to change it up, to do something that’s going to be bad for him. I tried that, it just wasn’t enough on that day. Definitely I have more ideas now how I would approach the match tomorrow, if he wins. I’ve played him. I’ve seen him play. I’ve seen how he hits the ball. For me it’s the better situation to be in because I’m looking forward to a best of 5 match. I’m very used to those best of 5 matches. More than him probably. That might be a factor playing tomorrow.
Q: Coria said that it was unfair on clay court players in a number of ways firstly that the Masters Series were so close, back to back, much more than Indian Wells and Key Biscaine, and then that they were five tournaments on clay all important close together. And last year this final was best of 5 which gives clay court players no chance. Do you think there’s any truth in those criticisms?
A: Not quite. Toronto, Cincinatti was fun for me. And I won there. That was also back to back. The Masters Series I’ve played have all been best of 5. Of course, the last couple of years Indian Wells was best of 3, but it’s back to best of 5. So, I don’t quite agree with his criticism. He’s got his 3 Masters Series on clay plus the Grand Slam. He can play also after Wimbledon on clay if he likes to. So, I think he’s not really right. I agree Monte Carlo is early in season, but again that can be an advantage for him too, because Andy stays home, Andre stays home, sometimes I stay home. There’s many top guys not even going there. Now I missed Rome. Who knows. It’s also an advantage for him. So, I don’t agree with him.
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