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May 17, 2008
Hamburg AMS Semifinal
By Hamburg Masters Official Site
Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER
Federer - Seppi 6:3, 6:1
Q: That was a long first set, but it was a pretty good
performance. Could you have improved on that?
FEDERER: Yes, it was a long first set. I created myself many
opportunities. All the games went over deuce on his own service
games, maybe worn out a little bit on the first set. So, I set it
up for the second set, played well. Maybe I did not serve my best
today but from the baseline I was very consistent, very solid. I
played a very good match today.
Q: You used the drop shot a lot too.
FEDERER: Yes, the ball doesn't bounce very high on this
particular wet surface. He also played some nice ones. So, I
thought it was a good tactics today.
Q: How different is it playing under the roof?
FEDERER: It does change. Obviously no win, so that's one
thing. I struggled a little on my serve maybe because of that.
The ball toss goes into the roof and it was such a different look
at the ball than I had in the previous matches. Obviously the
clay is pretty wet and humid because of many people being in a
room like this, but still it is nice to play. The atmosphere is
great because the roof is closed. It was enjoyable to play
today.
Q: You were the best sportsman in the last 3, 4 years. Could
you achieve this again this year?
FEDERER: I guess when I win many of the Grand Slams coming up
and the Olympic Games. But during the Olympic Games it's always
very hard to win. That's why I'm very proud I was voted for the
last four years, as well as during the Olympic Games to win it.
Because the easiest one was the one last year. Of course you have
to have great years. But during the Olympic year, you need
something quite special to get it again. So, I guess an Olympic
gold would help a lot.
Q: What memories do you keep from last year's final here?
FEDERER: It was a quite interesting match up. Going into the
match and into the tournament was very interesting. Me just
having split up with Tony and coming from Rome, where I was very
unhappy with my sort of mental approach. And also the match in
Monaco didn't go the way I was hoping it to go. So, I had a lot
expectations coming into this match here last year. I tried to
play really aggressive. I tried to use my forehand as much as I
could, also the backhand and not try to hold back too much, not
just keep the ball in play but go for my backhand as well. In the
first set maybe I beat myself a little but at the same time, Rafa
played an excellent first set. I got a little lucky at the
beginning of the second set. But once I was ahead he maybe let
his head hang a little, he maybe felt his fatigue a little more
and I started to play some of the most amazing clay court tennis.
For me it was a great win, especially going into the French Open.
That's why I am very happy to be again in another Hamburg final
because it always helps with the confidence right before
Paris.
Q: Do you expect the same tomorrow or do you expect
Djokovic?
FEDERER: I think Rafa is the obvious favourite just because of
his unbelievable clay results in the last few years. He has all
the respect from all the players. What he has achieved is quite
unique. But maybe with the clay court conditions being a little
different today, under the roof and with the wet clay, maybe the
ball not being so bouncy, maybe Novak has got a chance. He's got
the game. It's a big match for both of them for the ranking. It's
very interesting. I'm looking forward to anybody tomorrow.
Q: Djokovic's second position in a few weeks maybe, is that
something new for you because after a few years he will be right
behind you as a challenger or would it be the same for you?
FEDERER: The thing that changes is that I could reach Rafa in
the semis at times which hasn't happened in three years, except
at the Masters Cup when I played him twice in the semis. The
rankings are there to be played for. Whoever reaches No. 3, 2, or
1 in the world has deserved it. He's not No. 2 yet. So, let's
wait and see. It's not so easy.
Q: You mentioned being unhappy with your mental approach last
year. Does the fact that you have acquired a coach have any
effect on your mental approach this year?
FEDERER: It was just the Rome and Monaco approach that were
quite unique last year. I didn't have that very often that the
focus on my coach situation was so big right before a Masters
Series and a Grand Slam. I was cool about it, but still it's a
big fuss for maybe nothing. This year things are calm. As long as
they're calm, I'm relaxed as well. For me it's important to feel
well physically, mentally I'm always fine going into a Grand
Slam. So, I'm not going to make those mistakes again by
underestimating opponents or thinking it's too easy to win Grand
Slams. I know how difficult it is. I've done it so many times.
It's a great challenge for me, and Paris even more so because I
haven't been able to win it yet.
Q: Are you thinking sometimes about your closeness to Pete
Sampras, to his records?
FEDERER: Sure, absolutely. I'm still young, I still have time,
but it's a record I would like to achieve and break. There's no
hiding from that. I'm already so happy to be part of such an
elite group in terms of Grand Slams won and weeks as No. 1. I'm
right at the top with the best ever. It makes me very happy and
proud. I hope I can achieve it maybe this year and otherwise next
year.
Q: Are you better placed this time this year compared with
last year?
FEDERER: Maybe a touch better, maybe just because I thought I
was closer to Rafa in Monaco. I played better in Rome. I'm
playing very well here again. I won Estoril as well. So, I just
have a little bit more clay court tennis in me. So, I feel maybe
a bit more ready for Paris. But I guess in the end, it's pretty
similar still because I came into Paris very confident with the
win here over Rafa last year. The day before the finals I feel
fine. So, let's see how I feel tomorrow.
Q: …
FEDERER: Regarding the ranking. No. I started the year badly,
so he made more points. That is his advantage. He did very well.
He played on the highest level at practically all tournaments,
maybe except Miami and Marseille. He lost a few times
surprisingly, people tend to forget that because of his successes
like in Australia or Rome or Indian Wells. So Rafa and me have to
see that we keep in there. The big tournaments are coming up now,
where you can gain a lot of points. So now this weekend is
important and then the other tournaments. We will see then.
Q: How significant would your 5th title here in
Hamburg be for you and your career?
FEDERER: Quite high up, because already now it's the Masters
Series I have won the most, which might be a surprise for some
people. Everybody thinks I'm better on grass or hard court. So I
am very proud of my success here in Hamburg. I only lost one of
the last 35 matches, and this on clay at a place which is quite
difficult because of its slow conditions. So it helped me a lot
in the past, with Paris coming up. So I am very satisfied. It
would mean quite a lot for me to win tomorrow.
Q: …
FEDERER: I don't think fitness plays an important role in a
best of 3 match. So they could continue for another 5 hours. We
won't play for 5 hours tomorrow. 3 at the most. 3 hours isn't
much for us members of this elite club, with best of 3 we will
play 3 hours at the most. So I think it's rather tactics which is
important tomorrow.
Q: Did you reflect that Justine Henin ended her career as the
no 1 and said that she had problems motivating herself? Are you
afraid that could happen to you as well?
FEDERER: No, not really. I get asked quite a lot if I can
still motivate myself, which I don't understand at all, because I
live my dream and I really love tennis. Sometimes I find
travelling hard, but it's still something I enjoy very much. For
sure, some day I will consider retirement, but not at 25, 26. If
you get a bit tired at 30, 35 years of 15, 20 years of
travelling, I can understand that. But this is not supposed to
mean that I don't agree with her decision, she has to know what
the right thing is for her and I'm sure she took the right step.
You can't make a decision like that in a hurry. It wouldn't occur
to me at all at this stage, because I intend to play tennis for
another 10 years. So ask me again in 8 years or so (laughs).
Q: They have this gallery of ancestral portraits. They have a
new picture of yours, the long hair, no beard. Do you like the
new one better?
FEDERER: Yes, I like it. I looked a bit fat on the other one,
didn't I? So I am happy to look a bit thinner again (laughs). The
beard make you look a bit fat, unfortunately. But these times are
a bit over.
Q: Did you do something the night before your victory last
year, which you absolutely have to repeat tonight?
FEDERER: No, I am not at all superstitious. I am not like
going to the same restaurant or doing the same this or that.
Let's see what will happen today, and then I will just need
enough sleep. For, I did not get that much sleep this week. I was
always here at 10 for warm-up and I like going to bed late. I
just have to see that I will get enough sleep, then everything
will be great.
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