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Thursday, June 15, 2006
Halle Second Round
By Gerry Weber Open Official Site
R. FEDERER/R. Gasquet 7-6 (9-7), 6-7 (7-9), 6-4
An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
Q: That was a match that you could very easily have lost. FEDERER:
Yes, absolutely. It was very close. It was played on a few points. He
was tough today. In a way this was my first grass court match from the
baseline. Because the first match, there were not many rallies from the
baseline. Today, it was only that. That was difficult for me. And I
thought he made it hard for me. He was playing better from the baseline
than I was. Q: Did you want to go to the net more than you were able to? FEDERER:
No, that was more or less what I planned. I thought I have to mix it up
with changes a little bit, like going to the net more. I knew I could
do that against Richard, but it was the right way to go at it, to play
aggressive from the baseline.
Q: What was on your mind when he won the second set? FEDERER: I
was disappointed because with serving on the match point. That’s always
disappointing to lose the entire set. But, again, I knew how lucky I
was in the first set, because he should have won that one. So, I said
to myself this is maybe the way this result should be, just the other
way round maybe. I was up a set. So, it was o.k. I just had to make
sure I wasn’t getting too down early in the third set when the whole
adrenaline goes out of your body and you have to regroup and hope for a
good start.
Q: So what made the difference because he was slumping a little bit in the middle of the third set? FEDERER:
I had the feeling that he was not missing at all from the baseline, not
giving me any unforced errors. I knew if I put more returns into play
and just make him work a little extra I might see those. And that’s
what happened. I think he missed a backhand at 0:30 and a forehand on
breakpoint. That was what I had to hope for today, because for me to
hit winners was not the easiest.
Q: Your serve was bigger today. You made 9 aces? FEDERER: Yes, I
served good. Actually this whole year my serve has been good. A very
reliable second serve. I can use it, slice, kick into the body. I can
serve all angles and that’s important to know. Maybe I could have a
higher first serve percentage. I always try to improve that, but that’s
also to do with concentration. That’s a bit difficult at the moment
because of being just a little tired from Paris.
Q: With the difference in playing on grass and clay, did you feel a
little bit tight this morning when you got up? Were you sorer than you
expected to be? FEDERER: I expected to be a little sore, but I guess
the match yesterday wasn’t very tough physically because of the short
points. So, I got up this morning and had no pain at all. So, I expect
pain tomorrow morning.
Q: Do you regard a long match like this, providing you win it, as the ideal preparation for the bigger things to come. FEDERER:
Yes, it was good. On grass court tournaments you don’t get tired
physically, you get tired mentally from all this playing tiebreakers or
facing those one or two opportunities and being just a little
frustrated sometimes. I thought that was an important match to win.
Because now I really feel, I’m into the tournament, I’m into the grass
court season. I’ve had two very different matches and the next one will
not be much easier.
Q: So have you arrived in the grass season? FEDERER: Yes, I would
say so after this 2 ½-hour match. We played a lot from the baseline.
So, now I have found my rhythm a little from the baseline.
Q: Was it a real adrenaline kick? FEDERER: Yes, first it was
really hot today, I was sweating a lot. The stadium was full and
emotions were high. So, I really wanted to win the match after I gave
away a match point. Now, I am overjoyed and relieved.
Q: How do you succeed to keep recalling your mental concentration? FEDERER:
It is difficult, because I was a bit disappointed after the second set
and just thought that I must not feel low, but just play relaxed and
hope for luck. I have to play solidly, work and create chances.
Fortunately, I made it through the first four games. Afterwards I knew
that I can make it if I create a few chances. I had the feeling that I
was the better player in the third set.
Q: The set were tough. Did it challenge you physically? FEDERER:
We’ll see tomorrow. But I don’t think that matches are decided by
physical fitness, but rather mentally. It can be very frustrating on
grass, because you don’t get a lot of chances. If you miss your chance,
it can be very frustrating. Since I played a lot from the baseline
today, I might be a little stiff tomorrow morning, but we’ll see.
Q: You were a little annoyed with yourself. Do just have to let your emotions out? It was quite unusual for you? FEDERER:
Yes, maybe the frustration comes out due to the tiredness. I had the
feeling that I could have played better. But he played well. Sometimes
it’s just enervating.
Q: Actually, it’s a strange tournament because the tough opponents
come first and it somehow gets easier towards the final. Have you had
that before? FEDERER: I don’t really consider it that way. For me
the draw is tough from the beginning. Maybe regarding the names, that I
played Gasquet today and then maybe Safin. They are very tough
opponents for second or third round. But the players, who play the
semis or final will be even better than in the rounds before. That’s
why this tournament is quite difficult for me to win this year.
Q: Is it positive to have a tough preparation in order to possibly win Wimbledon? FEDERER:
I don’t think it matters whether it’s easy or difficult. It’s important
to win matches. I still have a week to prepare properly. I hope the
weather will be nice so I can train and maybe rest a bit from the
strains from Paris and a hopefully good tournament in Halle. The most
important is to get a lot of matches which is difficult. I was almost
out of the tournament today. Then I only would have had two matches.
Q: Does this mean you are going to London early? FEDERER: Yes, directly from here.
Q: Your toughness in situations like today, is that what distinguishes you from other top players? FEDERER:
I think I have shown enough over the past two or three years that it is
very difficult to beat me in the first rounds, despite it being more
difficult for me. Of course, the opponents are a bit weaker, but in
tennis you can beat anybody on any given day. That I could win today is
one of those moments, which make me proud. It was a top match. I had to
fight hard to make it. And who knows maybe in four days I will be here
with the trophy in my hands. Then you think back to these difficult
moments which really can make the difference compared to other players.
It
gives me a good feeling, which is very important, to play from the
baseline like today in order to get into it. It is necessary because
also the next opponents play aggressively from the baseline. So, you
really have to play well and move well. My movements weren’t that good
today, but I think I will move even better tomorrow.
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