Posted: 22.03.09 21:37. Post subject: Всё, что в прессе о Роджере-экспрессе-2

 Posted: 21.05.09 13:51. Post subject: Ириш, ты не могла бы..

Ириш, ты не могла бы траснкрипт выложить, по возможности?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGTrmTI36o

 Posted: 21.05.09 16:14. Post subject: галка попробую. ник..

галка
попробую. никогда не делала. в крайнем случае пересказ.

 Posted: 21.05.09 16:25. Post subject: irina пишет: переск..

irina пишет:

quote:

пересказ

во-во!! (запугала я тебя этим транскриптом))
но уж больно нахвалили этот видеоанализ)

 Posted: 21.05.09 22:42. Post subject: Пит Сампрас: «Если б..

Пит Сампрас: «Если бы я ставил деньги на то, кто выиграет «Уимблдон», я бы поставил на Роджера»

Экс-первая ракетка мира американец Пит Сампрас, обладатель 14 титулов турниров «Большого шлема», сделал прогноз относительно победителя «Уимблдона».

«Будет интересно, как Рафа будет защищать титул, раньше он участвовал только как предендент, так что в этом году он будет испытывать дополнительное давление. Роджер жаждет выиграть титул и в прошлом году был очень близок к этому.

Если бы я ставил деньги, я бы поставил на Роджера, но победить ему будет нелегко», – цитирует Сампраса АР

 Posted: 22.05.09 14:27. Post subject: Roger Federer > ..

Roger Federer > Federer : "Peut-Ёєtre que cette annЁ¦e sera la bonne"

Перевод:

quote:

Q: Roger, after your title in Madrid, did you arrive here in a different psychological condition? Does this victory on clay, against Rafa, in a final, just before RG, change a little bit the scenery? A: No, not really. In the last years, my preparation before Roland was always very good too. I have always had great success during the two weeks before Roland Garros: in Hamburg, I had won four times. Now I won Madrid: For five years I have been coming with a victory in the bag just before starting the tournament. The year I did not win in Hamburg, I was in the final in Monaco, or I won Estoril (last year for example). Each of these was always a good sign for Roland Garros. Now, things are not very different from things two years ago. I know I can beat Rafa. I have just proved it. This title last week was an important moment for me. The work begins to pay off ... kind of little earlier than I thought . I really had a very solid tournament in Madrid. This is an important victory for me as a player, as a person. I hadn't won since Basel. Recently, I played tournaments, and I was a bit blocked in the final, or in the semi-final. Fortunately, this didn't happen in the first or second round! I didn't play bad, but I always lacked that little extra towards the end. It was me who did the faults, instead of putting the ball in and do something magical. Now it has come back a little. This gives me confidence, which is very important for Roland Garros and Wimbledon: the most important stage/phase/period of the year. I hope to keep it up, and play even better at Roland. Q: Do you feel stronger physically? A: Maybe a little fresher mentally. I don't know, difficult to compare. In any case, I do not leave anything to chance when it comes to playing for Roland Garros and Wimbledon: I repeat, it is a key phase/stage/period in the season. The moment at which I will try to give my best tennis. Last year, with the Olympics, it wasn't easy. It cost a lot more energy than we could imagine. That's why it was important to take my time. First in December of course, like all the players. Then also in February: I took six weeks off, didn't play Davis Cup, especially because of my back. This gave me more time to relax and work out physically. Since I was'nt in the finals at every tournament, I had again a little more time. This way I was able to train hard. That's why today I am in shape when needed. Q: Have your back problems affected your movement in the serve? A: I haven't consciously tried to change my movement. Now, since Monte Carlo, it starts to come back. I serve easily at the corners, [[[ jЎЇarrive Ё¤ mettre toutes les variations ]]], I do all the things I want. A few months ago, I couldn't. In Australia, it was good, then my serve went away again. It is important that I am solid when I serve, especially on clay. This can give me a real advantage. Q: You've never raised the Porte d'Auteuil trophy, and everybody knows that you want fullheartedly to win here in Paris: does this put a great deal of pressure on you? A: I'm a pretty relaxed guy . Three years ago, when I lost in the semi-final (2004) and final (2005), maybe I said: "Ahlala! I missed a great opportunity. I was in the final at Roland Garros: who knows if I'll have a chance to come back!". Now that I have reached three finals, and a semi final; now that I have beat Rafa several times on different surfaces; I know that if I play well I can beat everybody. And this applies to Roland, too. I am more relaxed now than I could be in the past, and I think this can help me. Q: How would you describe the courts in Paris? A: We know Paris: when the weather is nice, it's fast. When the weather isn't nice, it's slow. There is huge space behind the court. This is certainly a plus for Rafa. For me, it's just nice to know that I can play aggressively and dominate in this way. But that doesn't mean that I'm gonna play like this for Roland: during a best of 5 sets, one must also take into consideration other things. I also know that I'm strong enough. We've only had two sets on clay against one another this year, perhaps a small advantage for me, for once ... Maybe this year will be the good one, we'll see! Q: When you saw that Djokovic resisted to Nadal in the semi-finals in Madrid, did you get inspired? Can this help other players psychologically? A: That is clear. We saw Rafa a little tired towards the end, but you could still see some unbelievable points, a fantastic effort. It was really a great match. With the pressure he had, the public, all that, and Djokovic, who played really well all the points, well ... When you play the right way, you still have chances to go through. Rafa, he's not the guy who'll deliver three aces per game, in which case you can do nothing. You have opportunities, but you have to play very cleanly. Of course, it is very hard because he moves better than anyone on clay. He has incredible confidence, which of course increased during the past three years. Under these conditions, it's difficult to beat him. It is good for all players to see that he almost lost against Novak, and that, then, he lost against me, it is clear. Q: Have you had enough, of hearing about Rafa's "invincibility" on clay? A: No. He deserves all the compliments he has got. It's incredible that, at his age, he has managed to be so solid, so consistent through the years. It's not like he once won Monte Carlo, then he made a semi-final, then a second round and so on. He wins every major tournament he plays. What has he lost? three times on clay in the last years? And he has won, I do not know: more than a hundred matches? It is an incredible record. Speaking about that, no problem. However, what I don't like is talking about my game with people who know nothing. That is a little less funny ... Q: What memories do you have from the Roland Garros final of last year? A: I missed an opportunity, of course. He did his thing and that's it. I have already tried everything against Rafa on clay. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. What was unfortunate is that after almost an hour, we knew that it had more or less ended ... I hope, of course, to do better this year. We'll see if we'll play in the final. Much will depend on what happens the next two weeks. Q: "Play right" against Rafa, what exactly does that mean for you? A: Ah .... that! I will not say that. But you have to play well, that's one thing. You will not beat him, producing bad tennis, obviously. It's like Hewitt at his time, or the best players who played from the baseline: you have to fight, they won't hand you the match. Rafa has progressed a lot. We've played about twenty times, and we really know each other, very-very well. You have to be prepared, to see what you should expect. To be solid, to serve, to play aggressively and to be very strong both mentally and physically, because [[en face]], he is human too! When you play a lot, you're not always at the same level. This is what allows to hope a bit against him. Q: Hoping for a decline ... A: By him?...... Everyone makes mistakes. He makes mistakes just like me ... You can not always play the same way. And each match is different. Djokovic plays completely differently from me. I play differently from Roddick, Roddick plays differently from Tsonga etc ... You may be one of the best, there are always one or two opponents that you do not like to play against, against whom your game doesn't work. But the best always find their way. Q: Can you say a few words about Fabrice Santoro, who will play his twentieth and final Roland Garros ... A: I know him well, as a tennis player, and as a friend on the tour. Of course, I have great respect for what he has accomplished in his career, for his game. It's a little sad when someone, who was there for so long, retires. I will catch up with this as much as I can. And I wish him the best for the end the year. Q: Will his inclassable game be missed? A: Yes and no. He was not No. 1 of the world, and the public may not know him as much as he deserved to be known. Fabrice however has an exceptional game. It is clear that we will no longer see this now: I don't think there is a coach who will teach a player to play like that. Personally I wouldn't teach a youngster to play that way, because if you play like that, normally, you lose! But with his talent, the way he reads the points, his defense, his mind .... You cannot work on that. You have it or you don't have it. He has it, that's why he plays extremely well. Tactically, he's a real master. That's why he was so successful. Q: You play your eleventh Roland: is your approach to the event different? A: Not much. I am delighted to be in good shape, like last year. I have a lot of motivation and confidence for these two weeks. Favorites are the same, the tournament will be interesting. Q: In the previous years, you were the two favorites for the title. This time, Djoko might come to spoil the party. Does this change anything? A: It is clear that Novak was very solid during the last weeks on clay. He was always in the semi, or in the final, or he was the winner: it's normal to talk about him. Then, there are always dangerous players who can have success, and even win the Grand Slam tournaments: we have seen this in the past with Gaudio or Costa for example. Everything is possible. It is for this reason that Wawrinka or others have their chances. It's a bit surprising if it is them, because Nadal and I have won many Grand Slams in the last years. Q: Why is it possible (for you) this year (to win RG), given you're No. 2 in the world, and not No. 1? A: We'll see what happens in the next two weeks. I'm not saying that I will win Roland Garros, but I know I have an excellent chance. This is what I have to say to myself. I must be very concentrated during these two weeks. It is very difficult with all the possible conditions there ... the wind, rain, sun, playing on Lenglen, playing on Chatrier, the spectators etc. This is my eleventh year on the tour, it's difficult to stay "in" all the time. But I know that my game is getting better, I am working hard, I am fresh mentally. Why not? We'll see what happens, and we'll talk afterwards. Q: How important is the mental factor, on clay, against Nadal? Does he have an advantage, since he has beat you most of the time on this surface? A: We have played twenty times, half of them on clay ... And maybe fifteen of those in a final! We are both so solid that none of the two of us can win (all) those twenty matches. We know we're in shape, and I think that that's what interests us, Rafa and me.

 Posted: 23.05.09 13:04. Post subject: An interview with: ..

An interview with:

ROGER FEDERER

THE FRENCH OPEN

22 May 2009
Paris, France

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're here in Paris. Everybody in the world would like to be in Paris. It's everybody's dream as a tourist. How do you feel about it?
ROGER FEDERER: I'm happy, too. I only get here twice a year, you know, for big events, you know. I hope one day I can come back as a tourist, too.

Q. Right now your morale is good? I know you've improved the morale of all your fans from my e‑mail messages anyway.
ROGER FEDERER: Have I? That's good to hear.

Q. How's yours?
ROGER FEDERER: I feel fine, you know. I'm in a good mood. My game is doing well. I feel like I'm practicing well this week.
I didn't have any problems to, you know, adapt to the different conditions here than in Madrid. But also important is that I'm, you know, mentally and physically fresh at this stage, and I feel like I am.
Of course, it's important I come through the first round and find my way through the tournament. But of course the tournament victory in Madrid was a big boost for me.

Q. Just a bit like Bud's question, but the fact that you speak French, how much more do you think it helps you sort of appreciate Roland Garros and just feel at ease here, compared to a player, say, who doesn't speak French just in the organization, being in the city?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it definitely helps. I felt like it's hard to get around sometimes in Madrid, for instance, where I don't speak the language. I don't go to many countries where, you know, I don't speak the language. And if I do, they do speak quite good English. Spain is a bit more difficult because Spanish is a such a big language in the world. It made it a bit harder.
Here everything here is very natural, very easy. They're helpful. It's a nice tournament. I like coming here.

Q. What is the key point of training for this tournament on a clay court?
ROGER FEDERER: Getting used to, you know, the conditions again here in Paris. It's been a year, so you've just got to, you know, feel your way into Chatrier Court, Suzanne Lenglen Court, the bounce, the sliding, how much does it slide and everything. That takes a few days and everything.
I felt everything happened very, very quickly for me. For instance, today I'm only going to hit for an hour because I already played so much the last few weeks. At this stage, it's just about, you know, pacing myself, as well, and doing the right things.
So it's resting up quite a bit, you know. But at the same time, when I'm on the court, it's more quality than quantity this week.

Q. You played some offensive tennis in Madrid. Do you think it's a style of play you could repeat at the French Open, even though the surface is different than in Madrid?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I kind of always feel like I play offensive. I'm not the guy to wait for an error from the opponent, except if the scoreline suggests that I have to play differently.
But, no, I mean, I tried, you know, last week to play as good as I could. I decided for the finals to play a bit more offensive than what I usually so and it worked, so that was a good thing.
But other than that, you know, the rounds before that I just tried to play my game, and it worked. I was happy the way I played.

Q. What do you expect from Alberto Martin, your first rival?
ROGER FEDERER: I think we played once before, I'm not 100% sure. In Monaco, I think we played. Yeah, I mean, we know each other since a while. We've been on tour for quite some time. You know, he's one of those Spaniards who's gonna to make it hard for you. It's important for me to be able to take control from the baseline and play aggressive in such a player, not let him get too much rhythm.
But that's definitely a test in the first round. I guess we'll see.

Q. You said you miss the Spaniards, playing the Spaniards on the clay.
ROGER FEDERER: Here we go. First up.

Q. You're one of the few people who knows what it feels like to dominate a particular tournament the way Nadal has here. Your success, for example, at Wimbledon year after year, or the US Open. Is there a difference when you arrive at a tournament like one of those where you have had a lot of success? Do you arrive with a different mindset or feeling coming to a place that you've had a lot of success?
ROGER FEDERER: You mean compared to this, or...
Well, sort of. Maybe a little bit, I guess. You know, just because especially if you come back to Wimbledon or US Open when I won three, four, five times in a row, sure. Nothing else is acceptable than a victory, I feel. You know, everything else would be a big loss.
But at the same time, you take every tournament round by round, you know, just because you don't want to get ahead of yourself because you know the road is long to victory.
For me, being so long on tour now, I take every tournament very, very seriously. I'm as professional as ever and I'm working as hard as ever. I'm not underestimating any opponents, no matter if I had had success there or not.
But it maybe gives you a slight edge knowing you've been successful at a certain tournament.

Q. Besides tennis, which sport do you like to play?
ROGER FEDERER: Um, I used to do all sports when I was younger. Now, obviously the time being short for plenty of other sports. I still like to follow soccer as much as I can. I like to go skiing if I get a chance. You know, play maybe basketball with my friends if I've got a little bit of time. Table tennis, squash, you name it, you know. I like all sort of ball sports.
It's good for coordination, I think. It's good to free your mind sometimes. And other than that, I just like to also relax a little bit.

Q. What's your perspective on this: You won in Madrid and kind of the global buzz is, Roger's back. You've been saying all along you've been feeling pretty good and you've been ranked No. 2 in the world lately, No. 1 before for a long time. How do you put that in perspective? Do you feel that's a positive thing, or is it too much of a knee‑jerk thing and you try and put it in perspective.
ROGER FEDERER: Well, for me, it doesn't really change a whole lot from one week to the next. I always look at the big picture: this year, next year, the next five years. So of course I'm interested how I'm playing and if I'm winning tournaments, you know. But I don't think just because of one tournament or, you know, one first‑round loss or one tournament victory everything changes.
You know, I know I've been doing the right things trying to get back in shape after the problems I've had with my back, you know, just regaining the edge, you know, against my fellow rivals, you know. It's just important that I played well when I had to, and I was able to do that last week in Madrid, which I wasn't before just because, you know, something was lacking in my game, just lack of practice maybe.
Now everything is coming together during the phase of this year, which is most important, you know, ahead of the French Open, Wimbledon right behind. So it's good for me to gain confidence, but, still, work's not done yet. It's just only starting. It's important to stay on top of things, do the right things, and work hard and be positive about this great challenge ahead now.

Q. I'm glad to hear you mention the words "five years," because I had so much mail after Australia saying, Is he going to quit the way Borg did? You don't have any plans like that, do you?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I was talking ‑‑ I thought I explained myself clear enough. That I definitely want to play until the London Olympics, and after that I would like to play a even more. I even said that I'd like to have my child see me play, as well. My child is not five yet, so that should answer all the questions.

Q. Do you ever give yourself hell?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I always question myself, you know. I've questioned myself in the best of times when I was winning four, five titles in a row. What can I improve? What can I change to get better? I think it's important to do that when you're on top of your game, but also again when things were not going so well.
There are certain times during the year where you just have to sit down and analyze, are you happy with what's going on? Could you do more? Should you do less? Because some sometimes less is more.
So, yeah, I mean, I always try to find the best ways to get better as a player.
(Translated from French.)
Q. Djokovic played a tough match against Nadal, and you defeated Nadal in Madrid. Is it good for you? Does it make you feel it's possible here in Paris?
ROGER FEDERER: I forgot at the beginning of your question.

Q. The fact that Nadal had a tough match against Djokovic and the fact that he defeated Nadal in Madrid, is it good for you from a psychological standpoint?
ROGER FEDERER: The important thing to me is that I won against Nadal, not the fact that he had a tough match against Djokovic. It gives me confidence. Confidence about this tournament. I'm very happy to be here and fit. I feel good.
Then when you have to play like Rafa who has always been very good on this surface, and to see that he almost lost against Djokovic, you realize that if you play him the right way you can beat him. Because each year he wins 40 matches on clay and you never defeat him, you can be a bit pessimistic.
I realize if I play well, there is an opportunity there. But at the end of the day, you need to focus on your game and see what comes out.

Q. This gesture you had at the end of Madrid, was the gesture of a daddy to his son? You were pointing your finger like this. We were not used to seeing you doing that at the end of the match.
ROGER FEDERER: No, I was just happy. It was good winning this tournament. I'm not going to lie down on the court, because that was ‑‑ that wouldn't have been appropriate. It was a quick match. I played well. But that's it.

Q. Nadal never lost here in Paris. 28 victories. No defeats. Isn't it a bit scary?
ROGER FEDERER: No, because he should have played the two years before that, but he was injured. So it's an extraordinary record he holds. Everybody would like to have the same record. But he was a bit more fragile when he was younger. But if he had played, maybe he would have lost a few games.
But, no, since he started, everything went fine for him. It's not all that scary, but I have great respect for what he has achieved.

Q. After Madrid, you said you were happy about the result, because it's also the result of all the work you put in your game. So my question is: What did you work on particularly before Madrid? Did you modify your program or your schedule before you came here?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, yes and no. I had problems in my back in February, so I missed the Davis Cup then. I got married, so I didn't have much time to prepare on clay for Monte‑Carlo.
But then between Monte‑Carlo and Rome and Rome and Madrid I practiced a lot; I trained a lot. I worked on my regularity, on my placement, and I had the feeling that I was still a bit slow on some of my shots.
So I wanted to be more regular, to be able to do that for hours and hours. I worked a lot, and it paid off in Madrid. I was a bit surprised to see it paying off that quickly.
I realized I could get much stronger very quickly, so I'm happy everything worked well. Everything is okay to start this big tournament.

Q. Would you consider that compared to last year, would you say that this year you have a better chance to win Roland Garros? And if yes, why?
ROGER FEDERER: No, not really. It's always been the same thing over the last few years. I've always been one of the favorites on the tournament, just like this year, so I don't think I have a better opportunity.

Q. The fact you defeated Nadal, does it give you more confidence?
ROGER FEDERER: If I play him in a final, maybe. But we're not there yet. We have to see how it goes.

Q. After the beginning of your season, the press was having questions; the crowd was having questions. But now we have more faith again. How do you experience that as a champion?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, that was a bit of a surprise. I lost in five sets in Australia, and a very difficult match. It was very high‑level of tennis. People see it as my losing in the second round, but it's a bit disappointing, you know.
I lose in Wimbledon, and then they say, Okay, he lost a Grand Slam. But if you analyze things a bit closer, I was close to winning three tournaments out of four. I had problems with my mononucleosis, and the problems, my injuries in the back, so you needed to take a bit of time and see how many tournaments I can actually win.
And should I have played them or not is what ‑‑ I think yes, because it was good for my body to win. But I couldn't win the tournaments I wanted to win, one, because of Rafa, but my game was not there at 100%. It was there at 98%, and that wasn't enough.
Then I lost my confidence a bit, but I've always had faith in my game. I worked a lot. I knew I was on the right tracks. Then, you know, having to explain yourself is not always that fun. You start thinking, maybe it's better for me not to play in a tournament. Not out of fear of losing, but just because you don't want to justify yourself.
So you want to practice, do the right things without being monitored and having people watching you all the time.

Q. You play Alberto Martin for your first round, a Spaniard for your first round on clay. Is it a fast track for you?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know. I'm in good shape, so I think if I play well, I should win this first round. But I only played him once, so we don't know each other well. He's been on the tour quite a while, just like me.
When I played him I won very easily 6‑1, 6‑1, but that was a long time ago. I'm in good shape right now, and I hope I can repeat a good performance against him this time.

 Posted: 23.05.09 18:55. Post subject: http://www.npr.org/t..

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104305457
by Frank Deford

Roger Federer: A Champion Faces A Challenge

The most painful thing for a champion is to realize that someone else has passed you by.

The most difficult thing for a champion is to try to change your game. After all, you became the best playing this way. Change what works? No, the hubris of having become the best almost demands that you stay the course. Or you quit.

And so we have ... Roger Federer.

It was hardly but a year or so ago when the only question was whether he was the greatest tennis player of all time. And there was no argument whatsoever that his game was the loveliest, ever. But now — now it seems that he might not even be the best of his own era.

How quickly it has happened. How bizarre. Federer is, after all, still ranked second in the world. It was only this past September that he won his 13th Grand Slam tournament. He's been in 14 of the last 15 major finals. That's unworldly. No, he's not a tragic figure. Away from the court, he appears level, attractive — and happy — a newlywed, with a baby on the way. He's rich and healthy. Even, it seems, rather quite a normal human being.

And yet, now he is demonized. Federer could not beat Rafael Nadal on clay in the French. Then, at Wimbledon last summer, Nadal beat Federer on grass. And at the Australian this winter, Nadal overpowered him on hard court. And suddenly, Federer didn't own a court anymore, anywhere. Who had ever seen a champion lose his world so visibly, so sorrowfully, as he did in Melbourne. The tears flowed, as Nadal tried to console him. "God, it's killing me," Federer moaned, turning away from the microphone.

Looking back, it's almost eerily the same as what happened to Bjorn Borg. Borg dominated the game as much in the late 1970s as Federer did these past few years. Only, just as Federer cannot win the French on clay, Borg could not win the U.S. on hard court.

And when John McEnroe took Centre Court at Wimbledon away from Borg and then beat him once again in New York, Borg had to walk away from the game, only 26 years old. He was still great, but someone had solved him. And, well, that was killing him.

Everybody has advice for Federer. Get a coach, Roger. Use a larger racket. Whatever. Change. Do something new, Roger. Do something different. But maybe it's hardest for him to adjust because he knows what everyone tells him, that he is the most beautiful tennis player who ever lived.

And then, Sunday, in Madrid, in the last tuneup for the French Open, Federer beat Nadal. On clay, straight sets. Now granted, Nadal's right knee is injured, and he was worn down from a grueling semifinal. Is it possible, though, that this one victory in one minor tournament can restore Federer's confidence?

Power, you see, rules almost every sport today. It is all that is stylish. Nadal is power. Beauty is now but a bagatelle. How do you get prettier when you are already the fairest of them all, and that doesn't anymore seem to be enough?

Commentator Frank Deford weighs in from member station WSHU in Fairfield, Conn.

 Posted: 23.05.09 22:12. Post subject: Анастасия Мыскина: «..

Анастасия Мыскина: «Я болею за Федерера»


Единственная российская теннисистка – обладательница титула «Ролан Гаррос» Анастасия Мыскина призналась, что на предстоящем турнире будет болеть за Роджера Федерера.

«Я болею за Федерера. У него одна цель в карьере осталась – побить Рафаэля на «Ролан Гаррос». Тогда Роджер точно укрепит за собой титул короля тенниса. Получится ли – не знаю.

Надаль берет своей выдержкой. Хорошая техника и скорость есть у всех ведущих игроков, но не каждому хватает терпения играть долгие розыгрыши на грунте. У Рафаэля же нервы – что стальные канаты. И отменная выносливость. Никто не удивится, если он выиграет титул в Париже пятый год подряд», – цитирует Мыскину «Советский спорт».

 Posted: 23.05.09 23:24. Post subject: И кто только за Родж..

И кто только за Роджера не болеет на этом РГ...

Ольховский: хочется, чтобы победил Федерер

 Posted: 25.05.09 20:39. Post subject: R. FEDERER/A. Martin..

R. FEDERER/A. Martin
6‑4, 6‑3, 6‑2
An interview with:

ROGERFEDERER

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you just take us through that match? Pleased to be back on center court? Pleased to get the win in fairlystraightforward?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I was happy with the way I played. It always takes some time to getting used tothe match conditions here on center court, you know, but started maybe a bitslow but reacted, you know, all right.

Once I got the upperhand, things were pretty much in control. Yeah, it was good. I served wellwhen I had to, and mixed it up. That'show I want to play. I'm happy to bethrough without a fright.

Q. Was the heat a problem a little bit?

ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I mean, maybe what, 30 degrees? You know, it didn't ‑‑ definitely felt warmer than the last fewdays. This and in America and Australia we play at, you know, 40,45 degrees, you know. So it's stillpretty mild for my liking, but, you know, the ball flies more, bounces more, soit's more like Madrida little bit.

Obviously I played aguy who played really far behind the baseline, so the court felt reallybig. I just have to get used tothat. It was nice conditions, not toomuch wind. Little warm, so it was good.

Q. The dropshot seems to have become one of your weapons on clay. You tried a couple today. Could you tell us about it?

ROGER FEDERER: They worked well. That's what I mean, mixing it up, coming tothe net, hitting dropshots. You can'thit them against everybody, you know. There are certain types of players that don't allow you to do it, andothers you can do it all the time. Todaywas sort of the right time to do them, but, you know, I'm happy I got to learnhow to use it over the years. I used tonot be a fan of the dropshot at all. Ialways thought it was a shot you only hit when you're panicking from thebaseline, when you're scared maybe to take on the fight, you know.

But today I realizedthat actually you can use it to your advantage against like players liketoday. It just makes it a little bitmore easy.

Q. Just in general, not in the tournament, how distracting can it be, allthe media activities, all the sponsors, all that stuff you have to do outsidethe court?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, the sponsors slow down once thetournament starts. It's maybe the weekbefore, you know. But I think once youget used to that, it's no problem. Imean, it's nice to be, how you say, in the limelight and that people areinterested in you.

You'd be a fool sayingit's wrong. Of course, sometimes I haveto do a little less media, you know. That's in the rule books. Sure,after a match like this, how much can you really talk about, you know?

So maybe other guys don't have to dopress. Some guys only do 5 to 10minutes. I do 45 minutes. It's not always most fun, but at the sametime it's part of the business today, you know. Times have changed. I told myselfmany years ago when I was coming up and about, and I was coming through theranks that I was hopefully having a decent relationship with the media, becauseI'll see them for the next hopefully 10, 15, 20 years, you know.

So far it's been okay, so I do stillenjoy coming to the press rooms sometimes, because usually it's pretty full,and it's nice that people want to hear what I say.

Q. (InFrench) This is not about today's match,but Santoro is playing his 20th Roland Garros. What do you think about the player, Santoro? He's been playing so long.

ROGER FEDERER: It's become a great accomplishment for me toplay against him a great many times. He's very talented the way he touches the ball, hits the ball. He's one of the greatest tacticians in termsof his play.

You know, he was quitelimited when he plays two‑handed, but he's always trying to fumble his waythrough. I've always enjoyed playingagainst him and watching his matches, as well. We respect each other, I think.

Q. Now, we're talking about the other ones. What about Guillaume, young one. He's just won a match, if you're aware of this. What do you think about this?

ROGER FEDERER: I don't know him, unfortunately. It's a good thing for him. Now that I know him, it's going to be a greatmoment for him. (laughter.)

No, I don't know howold he is. 19? Yes. 19. Wonderful. Great. To play on the main draw.

When you're young and to win a matchimmediately, it's something I couldn't do when I was younger. I didn't manage to do this. Well, my draw was more difficult againstRafter here, but it's always a good thing for the beginners, and mainly for himhere in France.

Q. Youwere asked what you think about the heat. Now, to me, when I think about heat, I think about your spouse. Have you said anything about the fact thatshe wouldn't attend or she wouldn't watch you during one of your matches? You've always said it's very important forher to be with you.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yes, for her it's even more importantthan for me. You know, nothing againsther, of course. She likes watching mewhen I play. She wants to be here ateach and every single match, but if it's too warm, maybe if she needs a bit offresh air, no problem.

If Mirka or my coach ormy physical trainer or if anybody else can be here in my corner, I can playtennis correctly. So I don't reallywatch them very often. Five times permatch only, so it's quite simple. Well,I prefer if she's here. If I see she'sokay, like today, she was feeling good, so it's simpler for me.

Q. Last time you played on the central court last year, the end was notgood. What did you feel today when youhad to go on the court?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I didn't even think about last year'smatch on the same court, because I was so much concentrated. I wanted to do my best. I didn't want to lose my first match. I wanted to start well. I wanted to get into the match, to lookaround. Maybe you wouldn't believe me,but now that you say it, I realize that was true.

The final was verydifficult. It was the very lastmatch. But, you know, after what countsis how you played in Madrid, Monte‑Carlo and Rome and on clay surfaces,and what you look at is the matches you've won. If you've lost, okay, no problem, because between then and now, you haveplayed something like 60 matches, so that was okay today for me.

Q. Was it a good thing to play just after him, to watch Rafa's match, ordid you watch anything? Or would yourather focus on your style?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's Stan I watched. He was fighting hard. I was more interested compared withRafa. Well, sometimes I do other things. I had to eat, and then to practice. So one set I watched Nadal and two or threesets played by Stan.

So I'm really happy forStan, because he played after a number of difficulties he had.

Q. It's the first round, okay. Whatwould you think about your play and what you've done today that's going to beuseful in the future?

ROGER FEDERER: It's a good thing that I won this firstround. I have a few days. Now I can focus. I can unwind for a while. I have less pressure, because the pressure iswhen you have to manage the first round. I have a bit of time.

I think I playedwell. I could play even better. I served well, that's true. It's a good thing for me, because my serve isgood to start the tournament, which is what I like. Now the rounds are going to be tougher andtougher, so I hope I can play better and better, as well.

Q. Is it you who asked to play today rather than tomorrow to have more daysof rest? You could have played Tuesday.

ROGERFEDERER: I asked for Sunday, but Mondayand Tuesday would have been okay. Wednesday, as well. Well, we cango through the whole week if you want to. You know, what counts is that ‑‑ well, in any case, you have to winseven matches. Never mind who you'regoing to play against and the type of weather you have, but what you have to dois end this race and win the battle.

 Posted: 25.05.09 22:11. Post subject: Очень-очень милое ин..

Очень-очень милое интервью (после сегодняшнего матча)

 Posted: 26.05.09 10:14. Post subject: Роджер Федерер: «Я д..

Роджер Федерер: «Я даже не вспоминал о прошлогоднем финале на этом корте»

Швейцарец Роджер Федерер, обыгравший в первом круге «Ролан Гаррос» испанца Альберто Мартина со счетом 6:4, 6:3, 6:2, признался, что даже не вспоминал о прошлогоднем финале, где он вчистую проиграл испанцу Рафаэлю Надалю, и рассказал, что для него важно присутствие во время матча его жены Мирки.

«Я был так сосредоточен на игре, что даже не вспоминал о прошлогоднем финале на этом корте. Я хотел показать лучший теннис и не хотел проиграть в первом круге. Хотя, конечно, вы можете мне не верить.

Мирке очень нравится смотреть, как я играю. Она хочет присутствовать на каждом матче. Если Мирка, или мой тренер, или мой специалист по физической подготовке сидят за мной, я играю почти безошибочно. Это не значит, что я постоянно смотрю на них, пяти раз за игру достаточно. Сегодня я видел, что с Миркой все в порядке, ей было хорошо, и мне было проще играть», – цитирует Федерера РИА Новости.

 Posted: 28.05.09 20:29. Post subject: §¶§Ц§Х-§Ў§Ь§С§г§е§г§..

§¶§Ц§Х-§Ў§Ь§С§г§е§г§а

Q. How pleased were you to be able to cope with all the emotional highs and lows of that match? Looked like you should have lost the first set, you lost the second, should have lost the third, and you won it in four.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, could have won both, first three sets. Could have lost them, also. Of course, I'm thrilled, you know, to be through. It was sort of a fun match to be part of, you know, with so many ups and downs. It's not the usual, you know.
I thought Jose played well, and I started to struggle a little bit throughout the third set after sort of being up a break in the second set and things were looking like things were under control. I was mistaken.
I'm happy to have come through such a tough match, you know. Those matches are good, you know, knowing that physically it wasn't a problem. I'm excited about the next match, that's for sure.

Q. Do you think that during the most difficult moments of the match, especially the first three sets, you took advantage of your mental toughness, which is maybe even more than Acasuso's?

ROGER FEDERER: Sure. I mean, I guess in such a match it comes down to details, you know. Mentally I've always been very strong, but I'm not being put in a position like this very often, you know. So it was good to win both breakers. I mean, I definitely think he didn't play a good tiebreaker in the third set, but I had to get there first after being so bad.
I thought he made it really difficult for me today. I was looking for my game, you know, midway through the third set, just trying to get the rallies going my way. It was hard, because he was playing so well.
Definitely it was a sign of mental strength, and, you know, the physical abilities I have.

Q. Did you start to have any problem with your shoulder?

ROGER FEDERER: Shoulder?

Q. Yeah.

ROGER FEDERER: No. Not that I know of. (Laughter.)

Q. Was that a good kind of fighting match to get out of the way in this round as opposed to later on? And then perhaps, you know, something more about your clay game now. \

ROGER FEDERER: Well, absolutely. I think conditions made it definitely hard today for the players, you know. It was slow, so you had to really be very patient and that might have played in his favor.
But, you know, coming through such a match is always a great feeling. Like I said, I'm not part of such close matches that often, you know. So when they happen, you know, it's great to put in the fight when you can. I was happy with my performance today, you know, because the stats actually looked pretty good. I just had to stay calm with all the ups and downs there were in the first three sets.

Q. In the last set, and when he got behind, he started to look a little discouraged or tired. Did that allow you to relax at all?

ROGER FEDERER: Sure, a little bit. But at the same time, you don't really relax until you have maybe double break, especially after seeing what happened one set before, you know, even with double break. You're not that relaxed anymore because conditions were kind of slow, and there was always a chance he might get back in it.
He definitely looked a bit tired tome. I was just trying to really tighten up my game, and I was able to do it and close him out. It was a good feeling.

Q. As fatherhood gets closer and closer, have you thought at all about how that's going to change your approach to tennis, or perhaps even to life?

ROGER FEDERER: Um, not a whole lot, but I'm very excited, obviously, about it. You know, we talk about it with Mirka on a regular basis, and I'm sure it's going to have a very positive impact, you know, for my personal life, obviously.
I think for my tennis life, too ,it's just going to make it more exciting, trying to find the best ways tobalance both things. I know from my side I'll be as professional as ever, you know, even when the baby is there. It's something I'm really looking forward to, and, yeah, I'm excited.

Q. Do you have any kind of plan laid out for the first few weeks?

ROGER FEDERER: No. I mean, Mirka would like to travel with me as much as possible, you know. But we'll see how it goes. I mean, honestly, I'm kind of in the French Open right now. I'm trying to, you know ,mentally also be with Mirka as much as I can, obviously.

Q. It looks like you do not have so many options on clay as on other surfaces. What's your thought about when one doesn't work? It's more difficult on clay?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, there's always going to be different types of games, you know, in all different surfaces, you know. Then you also have different opponents making it more difficult for you.
I think a player like JosЁ¦ suits me definitely better on a faster court where I've played him a few times. But when you play him on clay, you've never played him there, that makes it more difficult than today. Conditions were very slow, extremely slow. It was even raining in the beginning.
So of course that takes away game plans, because you can't just attack the net blindly and try to bluff yourway through a match like this, especially best of five set match.
Clearly it does take away options. Not just for me, but for anybody. I still feel I have plenty of ways to try and beat a player. JosЁ¦ played me well today, and it was a close match.

Q. You've had a lot of success in Shanghai at the Masters Cup, but what do you envision it as you go there as a Masters Series? What kind of tournament is going to shape up?

ROGER FEDERER: I think it's going to be very exciting for the fans to see, you know. A ton of players all of a sudden, you know, after just seeing sort of a handful, and I think that's going to be nice.
Also, it's an outdoor event now, so the roof is going to be nice and open. It's going to look fabulous. Then the whole feeling on the grounds, you know, I think it's not something you really have during the Masters Cup. It was all based around center court.
So I think that's going to be nice for the Chinese fans to go there and see. I'm excited to go there, and hopefully it's going to be a nice event again. I'm sure they'll put on a beautiful tournament.

THE MODERATOR: Questions for French.

Q. At 5 1 you scared your fans. Were you afraid, too?

ROGER FEDERER: I think it was okay. But the way the game was in the third set, I was not particularly happy. I changed my tactic at the beginning of the third set. It didn't work out well, especially on my return, and that made things a bit more complex. I had to think about my tactics, and at the same time I was losing, so that wasn't fun.
But I tried to make his life difficult, and to come to an end in the game, but that was sufficient for me to be back in the set. That was a very nice match we had, and I'm very happy the way I fought today.

Q. Yes, but you didn't answer. Were you a bit worried at 5 1 in the third set?

ROGER FEDERER: Yes, a bit. But I was not afraid to die, so everything was okay.

Q. That type of match, is that something you have to go through for a Grand Slam, having a difficult match? Does it make your life easier afterwards?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I like easy matches, but it's also nice to fight on these difficult matches, especially when you win. Then it's nice to talk about this match, but I have good experience here in Roland Garros on the center court.
Physically speaking, I was fine. I was fit. I can't forecast any problem for the future, and the work I did over the last month pays off.

Q. You explained your mistakes all along this match. Is it due to lack of concentration and lack of focus? Did it happen in your head, as well?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's a combination of many things. He played very well. I was not managing and controlling the match the way I should have. Having him back, allowing him to come back was not a good thing.
Well, many things. My analysis now is different from the one I had at the end of the second set, which I should have won and I lost, but he did deserve a few sets.

Q. You talked about your tactical problems. Do you feel your game has evolved over the last years here in Roland Garros?

ROGER FEDERER: Yes, quite clearly. At the beginning I had many difficulties with my backhand, for instance. For instance, in '03 when I won Wimbledon afterwards, I think I was not very solid from a mental standpoint. After I lost the first set, it was almost impossible for me to be back and win the match.
And I put too much pressure on myself, even before the match. Today I'm much calmer, which is very helpful. I also have more experience, so I know the players more than I used to. Physically, mentally, I'm stronger. I have improved my backhand, so I hope I play better today than I did a few years ago.

Q. On the match point, what was your feeling? Were you relieved you avoided a trap?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I had good feeling. I thought it was a very good match for me.
Many mistakes, but many mistakes in three and a half hours, that's pretty normal. But there were many winning points, as well. I made many aces, no double faults, so statistics were good for me.
What I want to say with the crowd at the end, they I had a standing ovation at the end, and that's very moving each time. I have a feeling I'm the grand favorite here in Paris, and that's very nice.

Q. Maybe this is a stupid question, but you won the draw and you decided to receive. Is it a new approach?

ROGER FEDERER: I returned? Okay. Okay. I returned. I was not serving. Yeah, I decided to return, because it was raining a bit. I said, Okay, serve. You first, and we'll see afterwards.
So I chose it. I made that decision because I didn't feel I was capable of scoring four aces in a row.

Q. A double question: Did you look at Mirka and Pierre any more than you usually do? And second question, why do you have to have the people supporting you each time?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I probably did look at them a bit more than during the first match, because well, I had more opportunities. When you have a fight like this one, your team is important, and they did support me.
I said to Mirka, It's important youЎЇre main calm in difficult moments. Well, it's better for her right now. No, but it's fine with Pierre, Gary. They all supported me. That was important.
With the crowd? Honestly, I do nothing. Maybe this is what the people like. I'm not trying to seduce the crowd. I just try and play beautiful tennis. If they like it, great. If they don't like it, nothing I can do. I also think being a fair player with regards to your opponent, with regards to the game, with regards to the people there, it's very important to me, and this is something people seem to like.

Q. Between30 Celsius your first day and a humid atmosphere today, has the court evolved? Is it more of a problem? And if yes, do you look at the weather forecast?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yes, of course. It has to do the weather has to do with the tension I decide for my racquets because the ball bounces more and the surface is faster. The kick was not going very high, and the ball remains lower.
Then there are advantages linked tothe conditions we had today. But the way Acasuso was playing today, maybe that was not a great advantage. But that's also the way I won in Hamburg, so that's why I like this surface.
When you know it's going to be wet weather you can adapt. I've been playing on wet clay courts since I was a young kid, so I know this surface.