TENNIS MASTERS CUP

November 17, 2005

Roger Federer

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English or Chinese.

ROGER FEDERER: I got off to a bad start, you know. I figured if I would have kept on top of things, the result would have been very different. But, you know, that's how it goes. In the end, I'm happy I didn't use too much energy and came through. That's what counts. But obviously, yeah, I'm disappointed I couldn't do better in the second set.

ROGER FEDERER: I like to stay out on court for three sets. It's good for the game, absolutely (smiling).

ROGER FEDERER: It wasn't long after all. It was a quick three-setter. No, this match didn't really matter to the preparation. But I always believe winning is better than losing going into the next match. If you lose matches, it's still stuck in your mind, you wonder what happened. Like this, winning, what I expected really, sort of makes me in a good mindset for tomorrow's practice. Then the day after, the match is going to be much tougher than it was today, yeah.

ROGER FEDERER: I don't quite get the translation.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah.

ROGER FEDERER: I think the question is if I'm going to play more matches to get in better condition. I think it's just this week, because of the preparation, I'm not at a hundred percent fitness-wise because I couldn't get the practice in I needed on court with tennis or running on the running machine or being able to lift weights. This is maybe why I'm struggling a little bit. Again, it's definitely going to get through this tournament. It's only two matches left at the most. After this I have hopefully a beautiful vacation and then I'm going to get ready for next year. But so far this season I never really had condition problems throughout the match. This is because of the injury I'm not at a hundred percent. I'm not really too worried about it for the weekend.

ROGER FEDERER: You know why (smiling).

ROGER FEDERER: It's a compliment, yeah. That's why I put on clothes tonight so we can speak normally together, don't get all overexcited (smiling).

ROGER FEDERER: He is here.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. He doesn't just come here to hang out with me. I mean, he likes to visit the most sexiest guy alive once in a while (laughter). He gave me some advice, yeah.

ROGER FEDERER: Didn't quite get all the things about the controversial side after the match. I went to bed because it was getting late. I watched the match till 4:30 in the morning. I couldn't believe they were showing it. I said, "Might as well take it while it's here." No, I'm very, very happy. Never in doubt.

ROGER FEDERER: I'll be playing Qatar. Vacation, yeah, what do you do on your vacation? I'm pretty relaxed. I don't do much pause the year is busy. I just lie in the sun, get brown, but use sunscreen.