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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Halle First Round
By Gerry Weber Open Official Site
R. FEDERER/R. Bopanna 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
Q: When you are adjusting to a new surface you
might welcome a tough match but not too tough a match. Is that a fair
assessment of today? FEDERER: Well, as long as I win it’s all good.
Expectations are not very high in a first match like this. Especially
coming from the final, getting over it, more emotionally in a way,
being exhausted from all the pressure. Then three days later being on a
totally different surface in the first round best of three sets. It’s
such a big difference that you can’t expect yourself to play well. If
it happens that you win very easily and you play fantastic, it’s very
good. And if it’s not going like a bit today, it’s no problem to accept
the fact. So, I was just hoping that he would serve a few more double
faults and in the tiebreaker he would not serve up a storm. That one
double fault made the difference.
Q: This guy gave not too much rhythm. FEDERER: Yes. In a way
it’s good, in a way it’s bad, because from the baseline it would have
maybe been difficult too. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable. At least
there you feel you can take a chance. Playing like Bopanna, he’s 30:0
up and he’s going for it. When you can put him under pressure by break
points or deuces or 30 alls, then you have to slow it down a bit
because obviously you don’t want to hit a double fault then. It was
tough today. The reaction on the returns are not there yet. He is a
good server. But still on the second serves I didn’t get the rhythm at
all in the first set. Then, in the second I had a better feeling,
created some more opportunities. Actually, I am very happy because it
was a tough match.
So, maybe I didn’t serve that good in the second
set, but the opportunities I had I felt if I wanted to make the return
I could make it. In the beginning I made maybe one or two shots over
the net on his serve. So, I just have to make sure to get back as many
serves as possible because that’s my strength. That’s what I couldn’t
do because of his serving and because of my reaction in the first set.
Q: Did the possibility of defeat cross your mind? FEDERER: Yes,
being 4:5, 5:6 down, tiebreaker … Even in the first game when I miss my
opportunities you think this could turn out bad if this was my only
chance. You’re realistic and you always think of the worst case
scenario too as a tennis player.
Q: What’s the hardest adjustment you have to make besides being tired coming into grass? FEDERER:
Getting used to quick points instead of long rallies, getting used to
the slice serve instead of the kick serve, getting used to the little
steps instead of the sliding. It adds up and is a lot. This transition
is tough and this is why we have many players, who actually don’t like
this surface, who can’t really move on this surface. Thank God I’m not
one of them. I have the game to serve and volley if I like, that’s good
for grass. And I can also play from the baseline. Strictly, there’s
many bad bounces and if a guy pressures you all the time, it’s hard.
Q: How are you feeling physically? FEDERER: Pretty good actually.
I had a tough practice session yesterday with Stan Wawrinka and Tony. I
also went to the gym this morning. So, I’m feeling good, not really
exhausted. Maybe the fatigue comes out a little later. That’s what
happened last year when I arrived in Wimbledon I was tired for 3, 4 or
5 days. I was almost shocked how tired I was. But maybe it’s going to
come out next week and not this week.
Q: Are you aware of equalling Borg’s record everyday or do you put it to the back of your mind? FEDERER:
No, it’s more with you guys that I talk about it than with anybody
else. For me it’s not really realistic right now, because it’s two
years and many matches away. I know I’m not too far away from his
record but he did them all in Wimbledon and I did them in Halle and
Wimbledon.
Q: I was referring to that second record rather than the Wimbledon record, 41 grass matches. FEDERER: No, not really my goal now.
Q: It doesn’t really matter? FEDERER: No.
Q: Why not? FEDERER: I need the titles and not the streaks. That’s what I’m interested in.
Q: Tomorrow it’s Gasquet. Not much time to breathe. FEDERER: No,
now it’s everyday. I knew that from the start. I had to think about
whether I’m going to come here or not, see how I feel on Monday. I had
the feeling that I have enough reserves to win the tournament. So I
think it will be more a mental tournament for me than a physical one.
Q: Bearing in mind your desire to build your mental strength, how important was it that the roof came on at 2 o’clock today? FEDERER:
I expected it because I heard the thunderstorm around. So I thought
better close it quick because we don’t want wet grass. It’s fantastic
that they have one here. It really makes it so much more predictable
for the fans, TV, for us. They opened it again throughout the match
because it was beautiful weather.
Q: So starting on schedule was a big plus for you? FEDERER: It wouldn’t have mattered, I was ready, so…
Q: We were really disappointed that you didn’t come to the Rothenbaum tournament in Hamburg. FEDERER: Yes, so was I.
Q: Would it have been possible if you could have started a day later? FEDERER:
There are two things to be considered here. It would have been six
matches in a row with a day of break and travelling. And in Rome I
played 7:5 in the third in the quarter finals. 7:6 in the third in the
semis and 7:6 in the fifth in the finals. I just wasn’t of the opinion
that I could have won the tournament and defended my title. Besides I
got ill on Monday morning. So, it was clear for me. Here it is
differnt. Last week I only played three or four matches which were not
too tough. Here I could start on Wednesday and it is on grass. So the
conditions are completely different. That’s why this tournament is
possible for me and Hamburg wasn’t. I also took the decision with a
heavy heart.
Q: You had a tiring clay court season. Do you think the transition to grass will be more difficult than in past years? FEDERER:
No, I don’t think so. Last year I was in the semis in Paris and I also
didn’t have any time to prepare. I’m not worried that I will not find
the rhythm, because I have another week before Wimbledon after Halle to
get prepared. And all have the same time for preparation. It’s actually
too short to get properly prepared.
Q: What do you need to improve after today’s match? FEDERER:
Actually I lack matches on grass and my reaction on the returns is not
there yet. I could go to the net more often and read the game on grass
better, to know exactly where to place the ball in which moment. I
could have played a bit better on the big points. These are little
details I will have to improve. But I will find more rhythm in the next
match.
Q: Switzerland played 0:0 yesterday. How do you experience the World Cup here in Germany? FEDERER:
Of course I already started watching in Paris but I still needed to
stay focused for the finals. But now, since I am in Germany I would
like to watch as many matches as possible on TV. Of course I support
Switzerland. The result was okay. World Cup is always a highlight for me as a former football player and as a fan. However, I’m rather looking
forward to the knock-outs. I’m not that interested in the group
matches. I prefer when one of the teams makes it to the next round and
the other doesn’t.
Q: So, just as in tennis? FEDERER: Yes.
Q: So, what’s more realistic that you win Halle or that Switzerland makes it through the group matches? FEDERER: It would have been easier if it had been World Champion. No idea. Maybe the chances are equal.
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