WIMBLEDON

July 1, 2005

Roger Federer

THE MODERATOR: Roger Federer for you. Can we start with questions in English.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, definitely I think I can come more to the net, but it's not so easy. You try it out sometimes, and every time you get passed, it's not really helping out your confidence very much. And especially against Lleyton, he's one of the greatest returners and passers in the game we have right now. Yeah, that's something I would like to do more, but it's not easy.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I was planning on doing that, yeah, so... Rather come in on the second shot and be aggressive with that. Who knows, maybe next match I'll play a little different.

ROGER FEDERER: I never feel unbeatable. There's too many players out there. It's a new day. You have to feel great. It starts from zero, like a soccer match basically. You never want to fall behind too much because it's tough to come back. You know, today I was happy the way I started. The next match obviously is huge for me. I'm very satisfied, very proud to be in my third consecutive Wimbledon final. That really means very much to me. I hope I can seize the opportunity.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I was a little tense before the match because I didn't quite know how Lleyton's going to play me this time. I've always got the feeling he's got options to change up his game. Yeah, I didn't serve well in the beginning, and I think that was clear. He took advantage of that. That was definitely because I knew I'm playing another great player. So I definitely felt the tensions, you know. I'm happy they still do come up, you know, because if they don't, I'm in the wrong sport.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I don't hear the commentary, you know, when I'm playing. I don't read the papers either these weeks because I'm in an apartment and usually I only see the papers when I'm in hotels. I haven't heard or seen anything. But I've gotten many, many nice things said about me and my game and everything. Definitely appreciate that. They're very much easier to handle because of the success I had, whereas in the beginning I thought it was quite difficult to get all the praises. By then I still hadn't achieved nothing. Now it suits me better.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I have the feeling, you know, I can always hang with him. I always have the feeling if I'm good from the baseline, I'll get a chance also to break him. You know, it seems like he's having a hard time to break my own serve, which always keeps me level with him. Eventually I think with the variation in my game, you know, I get the errors out of him, too. I got the power when I need it. I think that sort of made the difference over the last few matches.

ROGER FEDERER: I think it's obvious. It's not so easy to play somebody who you've lost to so many times, especially in a row. That definitely helps me in a way. But I also have to watch out, you know, that I don't be fooled by that either, where I just take it too easy.

ROGER FEDERER: No, not really. I think he knew he had a chance today. You know, I'm surprised it's straight sets because I expected four or five. Just hoped it wasn't going to be three for him.

ROGER FEDERER: I think it's important to respect each other. Didn't have too much to cheer about today, so he's obviously not going to scream around after he holds his own serve, because that's a normal thing in tennis. I think once if he's up two sets to love, he's going to be screaming enough in the future, so... Have to enjoy this while he's not.

ROGER FEDERER: Now that it rains, I think it's definitely an advantage. Gives me more time to relax in between, where I thought, what was it, the Ferrero match, I finished late and then I had to back it up with González quite early in the day. I actually didn't have that much time to recuperate. I was expecting to play first because of Australian time and American time for Roddick - they want him as late as possible. I actually expected 1:00.

ROGER FEDERER: Because I was nervous?

ROGER FEDERER: When I'm upset I break a racquet, not when I'm nervous. I don't know if the racquet broke in Miami against Nadal. I think it didn't. Good technique on my throwing racquets. I'm also pretty good at that. I still have the touch, which I'm happy about. Yeah, I don't remember. Been a while.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, there's a few moments. I've had many, many people telling me to finally relax and concentrate on the game and not always commentate every point, which I just couldn't do. Because I was -- I just love the game too much, I guess, and I thought I needed it to get it out. And eventually, you know, there was a moment where I told myself, "Now it's time to change." Slowly I actually changed my attitude a little bit because I had the feeling I was wasting way too much energy on getting upset. But it didn't happen from the day I decided. It took me about another year or so to actually get the fire back because I was getting too quiet, too calm. It was tough times in a way because at times I didn't enjoy playing tennis so much. But I'm happy the fire came back in time.

ROGER FEDERER: I thought the first one was the best one against Andy. There was a big hype before that match. He was sort of the favorite, which I was surprised to hear about because I had a good record against him. But I really thought I played a terrific match against him. Some (indiscernible) shots in that match. When I came through, I was so pleased. Obviously, it was my first Wimbledon finals. But still I'm still now excited about this one, even though already an hour has passed. So, yeah, this tournament really means a lot to me.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think I've improved so much physically and mentally in the last, let's say, three years or so, it really started to play off. In the beginning, I couldn't hang with him physically, but also mentally. I think that definitely has changed around for me. Quite simple.

ROGER FEDERER: It's not needed, no answer, you know. I haven't played him since. I didn't have to answer his call, you know. I got over it, you know. It was my best showing at the French, so I was happy about that. But wasn't happy with my performance. You know, it was an average performance. That's just not good enough against a player like him. But still thought I was actually closer than everybody was saying. I wasn't happy to hear that everybody said my forehand broke down. I had a game plan, and I thought it was in place and it was the correct one. I believed in it and I followed it. I played against the darkness also in the end which was also sort of tough for me mentally, I thought. I was disappointed after. But somehow I was so happy that the grass court season was coming around that, I don't know, it was all right (smiling).

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's hard to say. The matches against Lleyton are always different, you know, because of the tensions, because of No. 1, No. 2 in the world, because of all the matches we've played over the years. It's hard for me to judge, you know. I don't know if I played really great or if I played good. For me, it's hard. I just played I think right and good at the right moments. Yeah, I'm happy to be through, you know, in three because in the end it was getting tough. I had Love-30 games a few times. I could have even broke earlier I think in the third set. I'm just really relieved and happy the way I coped with it today because prior to the match, like I said, you know, I definitely was tense. To say whether it was the best or not, I don't know. This performance is definitely good enough to win Wimbledon, that's for sure.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, he has to win first against Roddick.

ROGER FEDERER: I have a good record against him. I have to remember what I did well then.

ROGER FEDERER: Play good forehands and serve well. Hit my dropshot every second shot. Chip and charge, serve and volley.

ROGER FEDERER: Me either.

ROGER FEDERER: You're the media guy. You have to find out.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I can't give you any updates. I'm really sorry.

ROGER FEDERER: No, not really.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah (smiling).