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November 17, 2005
Masters Cup Shanghai Round Rubin
By ASAP Sports
R. FEDERER/G. Coria
6-0, 1-6, 6-2
An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English or Chinese.
Q. Bit of a strange match. Could you explain exactly what happened in the second set?
ROGER FEDERER: I got off to a bad start, you know. I figured if
I would have kept on top of things, the result would have been very
different. But, you know, that's how it goes. In the end, I'm happy I
didn't use too much energy and came through. That's what counts. But
obviously, yeah, I'm disappointed I couldn't do better in the second
set.
Q. I think the Chinese fans recognize you as the king of tennis
before, but after tonight I think they will recognize you as the king
of 2-2-1. Are you trying to put more amusement into the game because
you know we lost so many stars?
ROGER FEDERER: I like to stay out on court for three sets. It's good for the game, absolutely (smiling).
Q. In all seriousness, is a bit of your preparation for the semifinals to be out on court for a little bit longer?
ROGER FEDERER: It wasn't long after all. It was a quick
three-setter. No, this match didn't really matter to the preparation.
But I always believe winning is better than losing going into the next
match. If you lose matches, it's still stuck in your mind, you wonder
what happened. Like this, winning, what I expected really, sort of
makes me in a good mindset for tomorrow's practice. Then the day after,
the match is going to be much tougher than it was today, yeah.
Q. After the first match, you said with more and more matches,
you will play better. Are you a hundred percent right now? In order to
have a hundred percent condition, will you try to play more matches?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't quite get the translation.
Q. You said you played more matches, will you have better condition.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah.
Q. Will you try to play more matches in order to get better condition, a hundred percent condition?
ROGER FEDERER: I think the question is if I'm going to play
more matches to get in better condition. I think it's just this week,
because of the preparation, I'm not at a hundred percent fitness-wise
because I couldn't get the practice in I needed on court with tennis or
running on the running machine or being able to lift weights. This is
maybe why I'm struggling a little bit. Again, it's definitely going to
get through this tournament. It's only two matches left at the most.
After this I have hopefully a beautiful vacation and then I'm going to
get ready for next year. But so far this season I never really had
condition problems throughout the match. This is because of the injury
I'm not at a hundred percent. I'm not really too worried about it for
the weekend.
Q. I understand People Magazine has included you in one of their sexiest people alive.
ROGER FEDERER: You know why (smiling).
Q. Is that a compliment or a burden?
ROGER FEDERER: It's a compliment, yeah. That's why I put on
clothes tonight so we can speak normally together, don't get all
overexcited (smiling).
Q. Tony Roche is coming here.
ROGER FEDERER: He is here.
Q. Did have you any advice from him?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. He doesn't just come here to hang out with
me. I mean, he likes to visit the most sexiest guy alive once in a
while (laughter). He gave me some advice, yeah.
Q. On a slightly more serious note, you've been following the
Swiss football team. Have you any comment to make on the qualification
for the World Cup or the other controversy with the treatment in
Turkey?
ROGER FEDERER: Didn't quite get all the things about the
controversial side after the match. I went to bed because it was
getting late. I watched the match till 4:30 in the morning. I couldn't
believe they were showing it. I said, "Might as well take it while it's
here." No, I'm very, very happy. Never in doubt.
Q. What will you be doing on your vacation? What will be the next tournament you're going to take part in?
ROGER FEDERER: I'll be playing Qatar. Vacation, yeah, what do
you do on your vacation? I'm pretty relaxed. I don't do much pause the
year is busy. I just lie in the sun, get brown, but use sunscreen.
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