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May 16, 2008
Hamburg AMS Quarterfinal
By Hamburg Masters Official Site
Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER
Federer - Verdasco 6:3, 6:3
Q: Are you very pleased with that performance?
FEDERER: Yes. I think it was a tough match. He is a very
talented player who has got the game to upset anybody on any
surface. I think I did well. I had to work hard because I
expected him coming out with a different tactic, instead of just
trying to keep the serves and forehand in play, I thought he
would go for much more aces and big forehands. But he was almost
more aggressive with the backhand. So, it was quite a surprise.
But I played well under the circumstances. In the end, it was
unfortunate for him that his foot maybe hurt a little bit but I
don't think that had very much to do with the end.
Q: Did you get to do all the things you yourself wanted to
do?
FEDERER: I had to adapt in the very beginning but other than
that, I served decently well. I could have played my backhand a
little better. But it took me a little time to get used to the
leftie again. I tried to play aggressive but it was not easy
against him. But as the match went on, I got better which was a
positive sign.
Q: You might play a leftie in the final if you both get there
again this week and you might again in Paris. So, was it useful
practice to play a leftie today?
FEDERER: In some ways I guess you can look at it that way that
it's good to play lefties because of Rafa, but I don't think that
is the issue here. It's just good playing lefthanders once in a
while because you get to see different dimensions, and more
looking ahead to Paris, you've played a leftie again not 5 months
back but only a week back. It just helps. I practiced even with
Fernando on Sunday here. So I got plenty of left-handed practice.
It was just a good thing this week to play a few more lefthanders
than usual.
Q: This is not a tennis question but one, that has to do with
your humanitarian interests and causes. You did the Tsunami and
also helped in the hurricane in America and there is a tennis
centre for kids in South Africa. Will you continue to do this? Do
you have time?
FEDERER: I'm not there myself a whole lot but I've been there
a couple of years ago. I'm planning again a trip next year. So,
that's definitely on my schedule. What I'm doing is supporting
kids to have a chance to have an education. Usually the kids are
between 8 and 15 years old. It started with a project in South
Africa. By now, we expanded and have few more projects we
support, one in Mali, one in Tanzania, one in Ethiopia. We go a
little bit more in South Africa maybe, but Africa as a whole
because there are more poor countries up north. I'm just looking
into how my plan and my trip will be next year. At the moment,
I'm just trying to generate a lot of money for the kids. We're
doing a good job, we raised a few million dollars already, which
is very positive. I enjoy doing it.
Q: Is that closest to your heart, doing things with kids?
FEDERER: Yes, kids are the obvious future and I think it's
always nice when you give them a chance. And Africa, there's an
obvious connection through my mum who is born in South
Africa.
Q: How do you raise the money?
FEDERER: I don't do charity events actually. I attend some of
them but not a whole lot anymore. When I get guarantees from
certain tournaments I make sure some part of the money goes to
the foundation, I give away a lot of shirts; not very often do we
get the money out of sales because it's a goodwill to have a
charity. But some charities, like in Switzerland, they want to
give a way money to foundations, they chose mine for instance.
But only a select few. Then you have private people, who support
my foundation which are very important people. That creates a lot
of money already itself.
Q: …
FEDERER: I didn't know it would work for No. 2. Logically,
this might be more important for Rafael than for me. But both
have to win their match first. It looks like Novak is winning,
and Rafa first has to win against Moya. But, sure, it looks as if
it will happen. It's interesting for the tennis, for sure. It's a
good story. And Rafa is surely the favourite because of all his
successes on clay. He always has an incredible run on clay. So he
is definitely the favourite against all, also against Djokovic.
But it's surely interesting for the media.
Q: …
FEDERER: I haven't thought about the fact, that it might
influence the seeding in Paris. But honestly, it doesn't matter.
The number 3 can be on my side or the other side. It's not like
it used to be, maybe like it still should be, that no.1 plays no.
4 and no. 2 plays no. 3. That's being drawn now,
unfortunately.
Q: It's possible that you will play the semis against Nicolas
Kiefer. What do you think about that?
FEDERER: Good, he played a great tournament up to now, no
matter if he wins today or not. If he wins today it will be a
even better tournament for him. I played a couple of times
against him, lost a few times, but also won. So I know where his
strength is. He is a very good player with a lot of talent.
Unfortunately he was injured a bit. So I'm happy for him to have
found his old form again. Once I had an important match against
him in the semis of the Australian Open, so I know him quite
well.
Q: Where do you see his strength?
FEDERER: The aggressive game, he can play drop shots, back
hand, forehand, he can play them both aggressively. He is also
very fit, very fast. He brings a lot of good things with him on
court.
Q: Until now you always were the favourite of the audience.
How will it be for you if you play the local hero?
FEDERER: I think the audience will be behind him, right? But I
hope it will be fair. But I don't have a problem, I play the
local hero across the world, it wouldn't be the first time, and
it can't get worse than playing Agassi at the US Open. So I'm
confident.
Q: Would you prefer to play against Seppi or Kiefer?
FEDERER: Rather against Kiefer.
Q: How much hope is there for the audience that you will be
challenged at least once? Of course you like to win, but they
would probably like to watch a tight match with you.
FEDERER: There are other players for that, who play exciting
matches. I don't feel like it (laughs). I prefer to finish in 2
sets. I like it that way. But suddenly there will be a tough
match and then you have to be ready. I always prepare myself for
a tough match. That's why I always take enough shirts and shoes
with me in my bag that I won't get into a situation without
having enough rackets for example. I only used 3 rackets of the 7
I had today, but I would have been prepared for a long 3-set
match. Maybe we will have one tomorrow, who knows.
Q: You said that Switzerland might win the Euro title. Were
you serious? And why?
FEDERER: The home field advantage (laughs). You are also
talking about Nicolas Kiefer being able to win here. We, Swiss
are the same, no? I believe that all, who play at home have a
chance, also the Austrians, but maybe we are to be favoured a bit
more than the Austrians. I don't see a reason to be pessimistic.
I just hope the first matches will go well so we get through the
group stage.
Q: If the Swiss team were to be European Champions you would
suddenly have to share your glory.
FEDERER: No problem. I would be more than happy to. No, it
would be excellent and it would be during Wimbledon. The whole of
Switzerland would be satisfied, not only me.
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