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Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Australian Open Quarterfinal
By Tennis-X.com Forum
R. FEDERER/N. Davydenko 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5)
Jim Courier's Post-Match Interview
JC: Roger, champions find a way to come through when they're not playing their best. I think it's fair to say that you weren't playing your best tonight. How did you do it?
RF: Well, you know I don't like to say I didn't play well and still came through. I thought Nikolay played fantastic tennis (applause). When I have so many good days, these days, usually when I scramble it's my opponent and not because of my game. I'm very pleased. It was a fantastic match, fantastic atmosphere and I'm really really looking forward to the next one.
JC: Well, fair enough. What did Nikolay do tonight that was tough? Because you're 6-0 career against him. You haven't lost to him. But he definitely pushed you. What was the difference tonight? Why was it such a tough match?
RF: We've had always tough matches, actually for those who don't know. I knew that it was gonna be a tough one, he's had some good results here ever since he's been coming to Australia. So I think he likes the surface. I don't know. It was a real tough match. Like expected. It was a great battle from both sides. I got lucky in the third set in the end, I played good and I'm very happy.
JC: As well you should. Well next up is Nicolas Keifer. Nicolas had a very very long match today. Did you watch that one?
RF: Did he play? (laughter) No, I did watch. When I woke up, it was 5-3 in the first and then he was still playing when I got in the car to come here. So I know he's been playing awhile but I think he'll recover. We'll have a good match
JC: I would expect so. I have one more question for you and I know that you're a man that speaks many languages. But when you're on the court, you speak English. Do you think in English? We hear you, believe me, we hear you. Do you think in English when you're playing tennis or is it on a case-by-case basis?
RF: Well I know it's not French. It's either German, Swiss-German or English. I don't know, you know, working with Australian coaches, I think in English sometimes because you hear his words and then I've got a South African mother she obviously inspires me with English and then I speak Swiss-German with my girlfriend. A little bit of everything I guess.
JC: Well it all seems to work. You're into the semi-finals. Roger, well done. Good luck.
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