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

 Posted: 01.05.09 12:44. Post subject: галка 6ыл, конечно,..

галка
6ыл, конечно, но представление делается каждый год.
за Надаля выступала Серена.
сказала и о себе: может я и неправа, но не думаю, что я от его чемпионских качеств далеко (в смысле: не думаю, что я намного хуже него)

 Posted: 01.05.09 12:48. Post subject: irina права, права...

irina
права, права..))

 Posted: 01.05.09 12:50. Post subject: галка ты поняла, чт..

галка
ты поняла, что это Серена о себе сказала, а не я о себе?

 Posted: 01.05.09 12:59. Post subject: irina даже не особо..

irina
даже не особо напрягаясь)

сколько там до Федора осталось? часика два?

 Posted: 01.05.09 13:06. Post subject: галка что-то мне ка..

галка
что-то мне кажется, больше: там дамы играют квалификацию. не на центральном, конечно, но кто их всех знает...

 Posted: 01.05.09 13:10. Post subject: irina Уупс.. на час..

irina
Уупс.. на час промахнулась) а дамы причем, если они не на центральном?

 Posted: 01.05.09 13:14. Post subject: галка я могу что-то..

галка
я могу что-то путать, но билеты на матчи часто продают так,
что кто на квалификацию придет, не должен на основные матчи попасть.

 Posted: 01.05.09 13:21. Post subject: irina не наше горе)..

irina
не наше горе)
вот, кстати, один из рфковских отчетов, не менее, скажу, поэтично, чем на немецком!)

quote:

CIAO!!! My grin puts the Cheshire Cat to shame! Pppfffftttt! That CheshireCat is an amateur! It wouldn't know a proper grin if one came & bit it on the nose! Why I hear you ask, am I grinning? Well let me elucidate! For the second time in my life, I saw the magnificent Roger Federer play live! Here, in this superb city of Rome with is various treasures, one more sublime treasure of Creation walked amongst us. Coming out on court, the whole atmosphere just changed. It seemed all there knew that someone very special indeed was gracing us with his prescence. Roger got a superb welcome. And his dignified acknowledgement reminded me once more how regal he is. Cool, languid, immaculate in his superb grey outfit, he stepped out on court. In tennis terms, for me, heaven with its full compliment of angels was there. The man exudes style & panache like no other. Even the dark clouds/rain realised JUST WHO was coming out to play & behaved itself. We got glorious sunshine - the sun coming out to greet our darling, golden boy. As for his serve action & follow through, I could watch it all day. It was his best match for a while. He looked fluid & yet crisper than for a while. There were some amazing shots & he moved well & freely - the back didn't look as though it was an issue. But his actual first serve success rate was a bit dodgy. He HAS to improve it. Just as Roger could do no wrong in my eyes, Stepanek irritates me. Rather petty I know but I was delighted he got a breadstick in the second set!!!! Afterwards, there was what seemed to be an impromptu presentation service of what looked like two glass vases to me! My neighbour had good enough English to translate for me - apparently one was to mark Roger being voted the most popular player by other players & the other was because he had been voted the most popular plater by fans. Anyway, Roger looked as though he was surprised & there was a little presentation service. Afterwards he signed autographs - two little boys whipped past in front of me, snatched their caps off their heads and held them out for Roger to sign which he did. He is so sweet. I am more than ecstatic to have seen him again. So to do so tomorrow will be a bonus. I really hope it stays dry. May God bless Roger with the inspiration to play with joy & conviction & to prevail. Amen. Oneards darling boy,onwards. CIAO!!

 Posted: 01.05.09 13:35. Post subject: R. FEDERER/I. Karlov..

R. FEDERER/I. Karlovic
6-4, 6-4


THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Good solid effort for you. Any complaints about that match? No problems?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, not really. I got off to a good start in both sets, which is always good, kind of comforting against Ivo. He found his groove later on on his serve, you know, but I already had the break in the second, which is perfect.
Yeah, it was just important to be really sold on my serve. I had two close service games in the beginning. From then on, I was pretty much cruising.

Q. Which is the biggest difference between this surface and Monte-Carlo?
ROGER FEDERER: The ground underneath is harder, so there is less clay, sort of, you know, because there is like -- seems like a concrete almost under it, and then you have the clay on top which makes a slippery.
In Monaco or Hamburg, probably Madrid as well, you just have sort of clay, and, you know, just surfaces that when they get wet you can dig in. Here it seems not possible.
That's why if it's nice weather the ball can bounce really high.

Q. Just a follow-up to that. How did you find the court today? Obviously it's taken quite a hammering over the last couple days.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, it's tough to kind of maintain those courts with the rain and everything. But the surface seemed fine, you know. There's always the occasional bad bounce, and you got to live with that. Doesn't help against such a big server I guess sometimes, because you're choosing the right side and then you have the right swing and then it bounces wrong and then you can't adjust anymore because it's just too difficult.
I think from the baseline, you know, if you give yourself some room, don't half-volley too much, it's as good as any courts out there right now.

Q. After a match like this that you finish so early, what are you doing now in Rome? What is your schedule in Rome today?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, not that early. But, no, I like to go to the city and have nice dinners usually. If I got a real chance, on an off-day maybe some sightseeing. I've seen the city a lot now over the years. I arrived late here on Sunday, so I didn't have that many opportunities.
For me, it was about to getting into the rhythm and making sure that I'm in good shape for my first round. Yesterday, unfortunately, it was raining, so there was not much we could do.
I like to have the occasional look into the stores here and go around and see some nice buildings again. You don't need to go, you know, that far. You see many nice places here anyway. It's really a nice city to be in.

Q. Are you feeling stronger maybe this week than perhaps you were at Monte-Carlo because of what you did last week?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, obviously my preparation was minimal, you know, for Monaco. It's been like this a few years, you know, but last few years I just was able to play finals over there. This year it wasn't enough, you know. Preparation was maybe too small.
But, I mean, that didn't matter. I just wanted to get out there and have some fun and play some tennis again in a match situation. It gave me information. I practiced really hard, so I feel better.
Like I said, I can't judge this kind of kind of a match because it's not real tennis with Ivo because it's all about reaction.
So I guess next match will be a different type of a clay court test. You know, this was more like a hardcourt match just hoping to get through. It's a real tough one to have as a first round, I think.
It's just important to have tomorrow before the match a good warm up and to get some good rhythm, and then I can really judge my performance here in Rome.

Q. It's just tennis, or do you think it's a specific reason why today Ferrer, Murray, Davydenko lost?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, still early in the clay court season, you know, for some. Masters Series are tough, you know, especially for the seeds like me today. I haven't played yet here. Some might think it's an unfair disadvantage for us to always have a bye.
But at the same time, it's always difficult. Other guys are coming in with at least one match under their belt that they're ready to go. That's the danger. I guess everyone has a different sort of reason why they lost.
Davydenko is coming back from injuries, so he's looking to find his form. I mean, that's pretty normal.
Ferrer had a rough week last week. You know, he also struggled here actually last year losing to Stepanek before I lost to him. Maybe there is something with the surface he doesn't really like that much. Maybe it's a bit too fast after having maybe the slow clay last year.
Murray was a great match. I thought Monaco played a great match. There you go. You got some reasons why they lost.
But the draws are tough here. I think on clay there's really a solid base of players who always make it hard for us, the seeds, you know. So I'm happy he didn't get me today.

 Posted: 01.05.09 20:16. Post subject: FEDERER: 'THAT W..

FEDERER: 'THAT WAS A GOOD TEST'
After a 6’10” server and a 5’10” serve-and-volleyer, Roger Federer overcame a third unconventional opponent - a lefty serve-and-volleyer - in the shape of qualifier Mischa Zverev, in what the world No2 described as “an interesting first match” between the two.

“He was playing well from the start. He served some good serves and made it easy for him to hold in the beginning. It made it hard for me to get the break,” said Federer of the first set which he eventually took 7-3 on a tie-break. “I thought I served well myself and it was a pity I couldn't make the forehand on set point at 5 4. Then I played a great tie-breaker and I played well after that, so it was perfect match for me. Again it was a different type of match. I really had to take the offensive because he was playing really far back in the court, and I think I did well. I didn't have to play that much defense. I had to come up with some passing shots and I think it's always good that you're on the back foot and you have to come up with some good shots at the right time. That was a good test. He's a great player and it was an interesting first match we had.”

“We have very few left handers in the game, so it's normal that there should be more coming,” said Federer of his 21-year-old Moscow-born German opponent. “I can't imagine having fewer lefties than we had maybe two years ago - we had maybe maximum five in the top 100, which is was very little, so it's nice to have more of these guys. Seems like he's a talented player. I think he's got potential, and he showed it this week.”

After three incredibly varied opponents, Federer arrives at the business end of the tournament with a semi-final match-up against reigning champion Novak Djokovic on Saturday afternoon. “We haven't had each other that much on clay. We had semis in Monaco last year, and Monaco a few years before that in the first round when he was coming up. Seems like he's playing well again,” said Federer of the Serbian world No3. “He came through very convincing against good players, so I expect a good match. I hope I can play better than in Miami,” he said in reference to his three-set defeat to Djokovic in the semi-final of the recent Masters tournament on hard court. “Everywhere I go there is always pressure involved, because I still think people expect me to go far and win tournaments. As long as I know my game is up there so I can win tournaments. I'll always have pressure. Today I see it a bit differently than when I was breaking through as a junior. It's nicer now because I'm always playing on centre court and I have a full stadium, and that helps to play your best.” Federer will certainly have to be at his best on Saturday if he is to overcome the current Emperor of Rome…

 Posted: 01.05.09 20:30. Post subject: R. FEDERER/R. Stepan..

R. FEDERER/R. Stepanek
6-4, 6-1
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Last year, you had more difficulty with his serve and net play last year. This year you dealt a lot better with it. What was the difference between you for the two games?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think maybe conditions were just a touch slower today than they were last year, as far as I remember. It's a long time ago. I think his serve worked really well against me last year, and I couldn't get a real proper read on his serve.
This year was very different. I could read his first serve. His second serve was not a problem either. I didn't have a problem even to attack his second serve, whereas last year I was just trying to get the ball into play, and then obviously he was able to mix it up and make me doubt much more.
This year was good. I had the control from the baseline, and he didn't have the opportunities like he did have last year. I played well really when I had to, so I'm really happy with the performance today.

Q. My question was about the same Roger. I have been beaten so many times on this court when I was young player. When you walk into the court and you have close to you the guy that beat you the previous year, what passes through your mind? You're thinking about that, or you try to forget?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, you think about it if you haven't played him again since, but I played him three times since the match here last year: US Open, I think, and Madrid and Shanghai. So I got three wins there.
I played very solid against him, and I, you know, really told myself I have to be very disciplined in my playing today, the way I play my tactical game against him and just the way I have to focus.
Last year I got a little bit unsure about my own game and he played well, and then I was not 100% sure of what I wanted to do. Sure, especially because it's the same court, you know, it's not a different center court. It's the identical court of last year.
Sure, when you walk on the court you still have sort of the highlights from that match. But, you know, you try to give it another shot. It's a different match. I'm still always going to be the favorite against him. I just tried and get off to a good start and I did, which is perfect.

Q. You played a couple of eccentric players in your first two matches here, players who it's difficult probably to get a really rhythm against. Having said that, do you feel as though you're striking the ball in the manner that you'd like to be after two matches here?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think today I definitely got some rhythm in, even though, like you say, he's still a player who likes to take the rhythm away or tries to take the net away, maybe tries to keep the points short at times.
It was still a good match for me. To me, I had to counter his pace because he's trying to play hard and flat. Who knows, maybe that's what I'll see against Gilles Simon as well.
I felt like I was hitting the ball well. Maybe from the movement side it's pretty slippery out there. I still have to find my footing just because I haven't had to do a lot of sort of defensive work yet. I think that's definitely going to happen in the next match.

Q. You mentioned Gilles Simon. He's a player who's had some success against you. What's been difficult about playing him for you in the past?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, we only played twice. Once I was coming back from injury, and it was tough in Shanghai. He played well both times I thought against me. He's very patient and he's is fantastic counterpuncher and he moves extremely well on clay.
Honestly, I haven't seen him play a match yet, but I'm sure that the guys at the top today can play on any surface. He for sure grew up on clay, so it shouldn't be a problem for him. No, but he makes it hard for the top guys just because he puts the ball in play and makes you hit the extra shot.
When you're moving extremely well, you know, especially having a lot of confidence, that can create some great plays. That's what he's really been able to do the last nine months to a year now.

Q. Did you wait for Francesco Totti or Ilary Riasi to see you?
ROGER FEDERER: I didn't see him. I missed him. I have to look at the telly again to make sure that he was really there. I didn't see him. I'm happy he came.

Q. When your first serve percentage was as low as it was in the first set, is there any conscious effort you can take, or just hope it gets better?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, yes, you hope it gets better. After a while if it's still not getting better, then you try to change it up a bit. I, you know, tried to take some pace off my serve and use more spin plays.
Because I'm still leading and winning, I still had the opportunity to go after it. I didn't care how much how high my first serve percentage was, as long as I was winning, you know. But it's definitely something I have to make sure, you know, I do better in the next match.
Towards the end, I actually served well again, and also in practice actually before the match I was serving well. So it's just a matter of now make sure that it happens during the next match.

Q. In Rome, were you more unhappy when you lost to Mantilla when you were strongly favored, or when you lost to Nadal and you had two match points? What was the most painful defeat between the two in your mind and that you recall afterwards?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I don't know if I was big favorite going into the Mantilla match. I mean, I was still sort of young and, you know, unexperienced in finals of Masters Series tournaments. He was one of those guys that was always going to be hard for me to play against. Sure, he came through as kind of a surprise. But then seeing the players who he beat, I knew he was going to be extremely tough.
I don't know, it was disappointing losing that one because Mantilla wasn't a big name out there. Could have been a Kafelnikov in the final, or a Ferrero who was at the top of his game. But Especially after I think I beat Ferrero in the semifinals I was dreaming of winning this title. So I was -- I guess I was pretty disappointed in that one just knowing that I missed maybe a big opportunity.
Against Nadal, it was just nice being part of such a wonderful match. The moment itself, sure, I was not so disappointed, more angry that I missed such a big opportunity. But at the end the day, they both feel the same, you know. Just going through the trophy ceremony as the finalist is just not something that's a lot fun. You just try to get through it and try to take the positives out of it and move onto the next week.

Q. A lot of people write a lot of things and say a lot of things on TV programs about you and your career and your form. Do you listen to them or read it, or do you completely ignore it and get on with your own thing and let other people worry about what they talk about and write about?
ROGER FEDERER: Depends when. When I win, I read it. When I lose, I don't read it.

Q. Okay.
ROGER FEDERER: It's pretty simple. (Laughter.) Too often it's happened that I'm reading these funny things when I'm losing. That they know why I lost, you know, which is sometimes completely wrong. So I just started not to get carried away with it.
You know, too many friends are telling me like, It's going to be okay Roger. Don't worry. I'm like, What's the problem? There's no problem. Even my friends start to believe it, you know, so this is when I really know I shouldn't have a peek at the papers.
No, I mean, I guess it's something that I also have to get used to, just a bit more press that's just not always like in my favor. You know, just for the last five, six years I've been playing so well and I've been so dominant there was really little to write about in a negative way.
All of a sudden some people think when you're only playing semifinals and the finals, you know, then things are kind of getting really tough, which is not the case. There's always reasons why you play well and why you don't.
Important thing is as a player you know what's going on. I'm very confident I know what's wrong and I know what's right. It's just important that I work hard and get back to my best play. I know I'm very close to it.

 Posted: 02.05.09 21:11. Post subject: FEDERER: 'ALL OF..

FEDERER: 'ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BECAME A DIFFERENT MATCH'
No2 seed Roger Federer was left ruing the rain break after his three-set defeat to Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s opening semi-final.

“Things were going well for me. I was playing him well and serving well when I had to and putting him under pressure. So the rain delay came at a perfect moment for him, because he came through a tough service game at 2-0 down,” said Federer after the match which he lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. “Instead of going 3-0, he goes 2-1 and then the rain comes, so he's got something positive to look at. Then when he comes back conditions changed, so sure, it helped him. But then again, who knows? He might have come back anyway and beat me in the end. He did well today to use the rain delay in his favour, that's for sure.”

“I was in good shape. Maybe also a little pity that I didn't get the break to go 3-0 before the rain delay, but after that, actually I started okay. I thought he came through with a bit more energy after the rain delay - before that he was pretty flat,” the former world No1 continued. “All of a sudden it became a different match and he played better. Should have held once, to not give away one of the breaks at least. Then I would have had a better opportunity. I thought he was playing better. Definitely had the win on my racquet today, so it's pretty disappointing. Miami (where Federer also lost to Djokovic) was a difficult one just because I played pretty good in the first set then I completely lost control. This time around it was different. I was in the match obviously all the way through. I feel like this is not a match I should have given away because (I was a) break up in the second, break up in the third and I usually don't give away opportunities like this. It's bad but I still have some work to do on the clay. I think I'm playing better obviously than Monaco. The hard work has been paying off, but I’ve just got to fix my serve a little bit. I have the feeling that maybe since I had the back problem, my serve is just not working there where I want it to be. It maybe could have saved me a few times and it didn't, so that's something I have to make sure I can fix for Paris. Other than that, there was some good moments which is a good thing. Also some bad ones - I have to make sure they don't happen as frequently, obviously.”

“I think the last few years it's helped Rafa playing me before Paris,” said the 13-time Grand Slam champion when the subject of the French Open came up. “Just that he knew maybe a bit more what to expect from me, whereas you know exactly what you're going to get with Rafa. So I think it maybe worked more in his favour the last few years. We'll see how Madrid turns out. If we have to play each other, I still think it's a great match and I would look forward to that. But the focus is elsewhere right now.”

“At the end, it's always disappointing for me when I exit a tournament losing a match,” concluded Federer, who has not lifted a trophy since his “home” tournament in Basle last November. “I've gotten used to winning tournaments and then leaving a tournament having lost just leaves a bitter taste, obviously. It doesn't take me long to get over it, but in the moment itself it's just not really fun, because it's just these kind of matches I feel like I should have won here and I end up losing them, so it's just not a good feeling. It's just a matter of getting back in shape and playing good hopefully in Madrid again.”

 Posted: 03.05.09 16:27. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/R. Feder..

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Federer
4-6, 6-3, 6-3

Q. How did it get away from you after the rain delay, if that's the case?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I was in good shape. Maybe also a little pity that I didn't get the break to go 3-0 before the rain delay.
But after that, actually I started okay. I thought he came through with a bit more energy, you know, after the rain delay. Before that he was pretty flat.
So that was maybe -- you know, all of a sudden it became a different match and he played better, you know. Should have held once, you know, to not give away one of the breaks at least. Then I would have had a better opportunity.
No, I thought he was playing better. Definitely had the win on my racquet today, so it's pretty disappointing.

Q. If you compare with the match in Miami, are you more dissatisfied by this match, or the same feeling?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, Miami was a difficult one just because I played pretty good in the first set. Thought I was actually playing, you know, sort of in control, and then I completely lost control.
You know, so this time around it was different. I was in the match obviously all the way through. Feel like this is not a match I should have given away, you know, because break up in the second, break up in the third, and I usually don't give away opportunities like this.
So it's bad, but I still have some work to do on the clay. I think I'm playing better obviously than Monaco. The hard work has been paying off. But just got to fix my serve a little bit. I have the feeling that maybe since I had the back problem, my serve is just not working there where I want it to be.
I think then -- I feel that in the tough it maybe could have saved me a few times and it didn't, so that's something I have to make sure I can fix for Paris.
Other than that, there was some good moments, sure, which is a good thing. Also some bad ones. I have to make sure they don't happen as frequently, obviously.

Q. You had some problems with your backhand, and you made a lot of backhand errors towards the end of the game.
ROGER FEDERER: I thought the ball was definitely flying more when we came back after the rain delay. Things kind of got warmer, and there was more bounce in the ball. Yeah, maybe I was just miss-timing them a bit. That's the reason, I guess.
You know, but I wish it would have been a bit more solid. But, honestly, I don't think I lost the match because of my backhand.

Q. Would you actually like to play Nadal on clay before you get to Paris? I know you can't do it here. It can only happen once more, and that's in Madrid. Would prefer to go in to Paris having tested yourself against him on clay, or does it not matter?
ROGER FEDERER: Doesn't really matter to me. I mean, I think the last few years it's helped Rafa playing me before Paris. Just that he knew maybe a bit more what to expect from me, whereas you know exactly what you're going to get with Rafa. So I think it maybe worked more in in his favor the last few years.
We'll see how Madrid turns out. If we have to play each other, I still think it's a great match and I would look forward to that. But the focus is elsewhere right now.

Q. From the stands it seemed that the second and third set when you lost your serve you rushed a little bit in these games. Is that the feeling you have, or is it something else?
ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I mean, I tried to take my time and focus on my serve and make sure I start off the point well. Potentially, you know, I try always not to rush too much. That's what he was doing as well when it wasn't going his way in the beginning of the second set. It's always something you try to slow down a bit, you know.
But I didn't have the feeling I was particularly rushing. Points were just going quickly, you know, because he would hit it close to the baseline and I was made an error and not get my first serve in.
Obviously at Love-30 things are not that easy anymore, you know. No, but you try to take your time and go step by step. But sometimes it just goes quick when you play bad.

Q. How will you prepare now? Will you go Italy someplace, or back to Switzerland?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I'd like to go back to Switzerland. I've been on the road again for a few weeks here, so I'd like to go there and make sure I get early enough to Madrid and get used to the altitude. Just make sure I'm in good shape over there.

Q. You said at the start of the week that you thought getting to the semifinal would be kind of satisfactory. You might have an idea where your game is. With the circumstances today, is that kind of a disappointment now that you haven't gone all the way and gone to tomorrow?
ROGER FEDERER: At the end, it's always disappointing for me when I exit a tournament losing a match? I've gotten used to winning tournaments, you know, and then leaving a tournament having lost just leaves a bitter taste, obviously.
It doesn't take me long to get over it, but in the moment itself it's just not really fun. Because it's just these kind of matches I feel like I should have won here and I end up losing them, so it's just not a good feeling.
It's just a matter of getting back in shape and, you know, playing good hopefully in Madrid again.

Q. You think we would have seen a different match if it wasn't raining? Not to find an excuse; you don't need that.
ROGER FEDERER: Speculation. I mean, I think things were going well for me. You know, I was playing him well and serving well when I had to and putting him under pressure. So it kind of definitely changed the momentum.
I mean, the rain delay came at a perfect moment for him, because he came through a tough service game at 2-0 down. Instead of going 3-0, he goes 2-1 and then the rain comes, so he's got something positive to look at.
Then when he comes back conditions changed, so, sure, it helped him. But then again, who knows. He might have come back anyway and beat me in the end. He did well today to use the rain delay in his favor, that's for sure.

 Posted: 05.05.09 07:48. Post subject: 28.04.2009 Intervie..

28.04.2009
"Frau und Kind werden Roger nicht belasten"

Stefan Koubek drückt Federer bei den French Open die DaumenWien - Vergangene Woche hätten wohl viele Tennis-Fans gerne einmal mit Stefan Koubek getauscht.

Der 32-jährige Kärntner hatte die Ehre eine Woche lang mit Superstar Roger Federer auf Sardinien zu trainieren.

Als Sparring-Partner sollte der ÖTV-Daviscupper seinen Teil dazu beitragen, dass Federer seine Sandform findet, um ein weiteres Mal den Angriff auf den ersten French-Open zu starten.

"Trainig verlief extrem hart"

"Das Training verlief extrem hart", erzählt Koubek nach seiner Heimkehr aus Italien im Gespräch mit LAOLA1. "Es war beeindruckend, wie gut und wie viel Roger trainiert."

Außerdem verrät Koubek, was er von der Trainingswoche mitnehmen kann, wieso er nicht bei Federers Hochzeit dabei war und wie er die Paris-Chancen Federers einschätzt.

LAOLA1: Letzte Woche durftest du gemeinsam mit Roger Federer und seinem Team auf Sardinien eine Trainigswoche abhalten. Wie lief das Training mit so einem Superstar?

Stefan Koubek: Es war sehr schön. Das Training verlief extrem hart und gut. Ich habe zum Glück auch seinen Physiotherapeuten verwenden dürfen, sonst weiß ich nicht, ob ich die Woche durchgehalten hätte. Es hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht und es hat mich beeindruckt, wie gut und wie viel er trainiert. Ich habe eigentlich geglaubt, dass er nicht so viel macht.

LAOLA1: Wie hat das Training genau ausgesehen?

Koubek: Da kommt so einiges zusammen - nicht nur am Platz. Vor dem Tennis-Training hat er immer noch ein Konditionstraining absolviert. Dann ging es ab zum Masseur und so weiter. Das ist ein ziemlich langes Prozedere. In der Früh aufstehen, dann trainieren, ein bisschen auslockern. Wobei sich Roger auslockern hat lassen. Ich habe das selber machen müssen. In der Mittagspause haben wir eine Kleinigkeit gegessen und dann ist gleich wieder weiter trainiert worden. Einmal in dieser Woche hatten wir einen halben Tag Pause. Dafür sind wir einmal von 11 bis 15 Uhr am Platz gestanden. Natürlich stand davor auch noch das Konditionstrainig am Programm.

LAOLA1: Habt ihr irgendwas Spezielles trainiert?

Koubek: Wir haben mit Drills angefangen und am Ende ein paar Punkte gespielt. Im Grunde ist es nichts anderes, als würde ich normal trainieren. Das Level ist natürlich ein ganz anderes und diesmal war halt ich der Sparring-Partner. Ich habe aber genau wie Roger alle Übungen mitgemacht. Es war wirklich ein gemeinsames Training. Beide haben davon profitiert.

LAOLA1: Wie hat sich die gemeinsame Trainingswoche überhaupt ergeben?

Koubek: Sein Trainer hat mich zu Saisonbeginn gefragt, was ich in dieser Zeit bzw. grundsätzlich im Sommer mache und ob ich mit Roger trainieren will. Das war für mich natürlich keine Frage. Ich habe ihm gesagt, dass er mir nur einen Termin sagen soll. Wenn ich nicht gerade bei einem Turnier spiele, bin ich jederzeit dazu bereit.

LAOLA1: Du bist schon seit einigen Jahren mit Federer befreundet. Wie ist dein derzeitiges Verhältnis zu ihm?

Koubek: Wir sind immer noch gut befreundet, haben in den letzten Jahren aber natürlich bei weitem nicht so viel Kontakt gehabt wie davor. Er ist halt ziemlich ausgebucht. Wir verstehen uns aber immer noch extrem gut und haben auf Sardinien eine ganz schöne Gaudi gehabt. Im Training war der Schmäh immer dabei.

LAOLA1: Bei der Hochzeit warst du aber nicht dabei, oder?

Koubek: Nein, da war ich schon in Südafrika. Die Hochzeit von Roger lief aber auch nur im kleinen Kreis ab. Da waren mit Allegro und Chiudinelli auch nur zwei Tennis-Spieler dabei. Die kennen sich noch von der Jugend.

LAOLA1: Glaubst du, dass sich Federer durch die Hochzeit verändert hat? Ist er jetzt lockerer und entspannter oder könnte es sich sogar negativ auswirken?

Koubek: Ich glaube nicht, dass sein Tennis durch die Hochzeit beeinflusst wird. Etwas anderes wird es sein, wenn das Kind auf die Welt kommt. Das kann dann aber auch in beide Richtungen gehen. Ich glaube, dass er noch sehr motiviert ist und noch einige Jahre Tennis spielen wird. Er kann es sich ja auch leisten, dass er das Kind auf die Tour mitnimmt. Da mache ich mir keine Sorgen, dass ihn das belasten könnte.

LAOLA1: Du bist selbst seit Jahren auf der Tour und ein erfahrener Spieler. Was kannst du von so einem Training mit einem Roger Federer mitnehmen?

Koubek: Man kann sich natürlich einiges abschauen. Wobei es aber auch manche Sachen gibt, die zwar helfen würden, die aber einfach nicht umsetzbar sind. Zum Beispiel kann sich kein normaler Spieler einen Masseur, einen Tennistrainer, einen Konditionstrainer und sogar einen eigenen Bespanner leisten. Vom Roger, der für mich der beste Spieler der Welt ist, kann man sich aber natürlich auch so einiges abschauen. Definitiv beeindruckend war seine körperliche Verfassung. Er bewegt sich sehr gut und ist extrem fit.

LAOLA1: Wie schätzt du heuer seine Chancen bei den French Open ein?

Koubek: Nadal ist auf Sand sicher noch eine Klasse für sich. Ein Roger kann ihn an einem guten Tag aber bändigen. Die Möglichkeiten sind auf alle Fälle da. Ich wünsche es Roger, dass es noch klappt mit dem Paris-Titel. Für mich ist er der beste Tennisspieler aller Zeiten und ein Sieg in Roland Garros wäre quasi der Beweis dafür.

LAOLA1: Du trainierst diese Woche noch in Wien. Wie geht es danach bei dir weiter?

Koubek: Am Donnerstag oder Freitag fahre ich nach München, wo ich im Hauptbewerb spiele. Dann habe ich noch eine Woche Training, ehe Kitzbühel und Roland Garros auf dem Programm stehen.

LAOLA1: Was hast du dir für die nächsten Wochen vorgenommen?

Koubek: Ich spiele jetzt noch bei fünf Grand-Prix-Turnieren im Hauptbewerb und da ist es für mich natürlich ganz wichtig, dass ich soviele Punkte wie möglich mache. Je näher ich an die Top 100 herankomme, umso besser ist es für mich. Denn die Top 100 sind natürlich weiterhin das langfristige Ziel. Ich weiß aber noch vom letzten Comeback, dass das nicht so einfach ist. Da muss man Geduld haben.

LAOLA1: Wie geht es dir körperlich?

Koubek: Ich fühle mich super und bin topfit. Nach der Woche mit Federer habe ich aber gesehen, dass auch bei der Fitness noch einiges an Potenzial da ist.

перевод:

Interview by Christian Frьhwald

"Wife and children won't burden Roger"

Stefan Koubek is keeping his fingers crossed for Federer at the French Open

Vienna - Last week many tennis fans would have loved to swap places with Stefan Koubek

The 32years old guy from Kдrten had the honour to train a whole week with superstar Roger Federer on Sardinia.

As sparring partner the Austrian Daviscupplayer should partake in helping Federer finding his form on clay, in order to start once again a run to get the first French Open title.

"The training was extremely strong", Koubek tells in an interview with LAOLA1 after his home running from Italy. "It was impressive, how good and how much Roger is training."

Beside this Koubek is revealing what he can take away from this trainingsweek, why he wasn't present at the Federer wedding and how he is assessing the chances of Federer in Paris.

LAOLA1: Last week you were allowed to spend a trainingsweek with Roger Federer and his team on Sardinia. How did the training with such a superstar went?

Stefan Koubek: It was really great. The traning was extremely strong and good. I was lucky to be able to work with Roger's physiotherapist as well, otherwise I don't know if I would have bore the week. I had lots of fun and was impressed how good and how much he is training. Before I thought he wouldn't do that much.

LAOLA1: How exactly did the training run?

Koubek: It's a combination of a lot of things, not just on the court. Before the tennistraining he always did a fitness training. Afterwards he took a massage and so on. It's a long procedure. To get up early in the morning, training, to loosen. During the lunchbreak we had something to eat and then went back to practicing. One day in the week we had the half day off, but were on court from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Of course there was the fitness training before again.

LAOLA1: Did you practice anything special?

Koubek: We started with drills and played a few points afterwards. At bottom this is nothing diffent which I would usually do in practice. The level is of course totally different and this time I was the sparringspartner. I did all the practices like Roger. It was a common practice of. We both benefit from it.

LAOLA1: How did this whole trainingsweek arise?

Koubek: His coach asked me at the start of the season what I would be doing at this time of the yearand respectively in the summer. He wanted to know whether I would like to practice with Roger. No question I was interested in it. I told him he should say me a date. When I don't play a tournament at that time I would be available.

LAOLA1: You are a friend of Federer for several years. How is your relationship to him these days?

Koubek: We are still good friends, but of course we didn't have that much contact in the last years as before because he has a lot of things to do. We still get along really well and had a blast on Sardinia. We always joked in the training.

LAOLA1: You weren't present at the wedding, right?

Koubek: No, I was already in Southafrica at that time. Roger's wedding took place in a really small group. Allegro and Chiudinelli were the only tennisplayers who were there. They know each other since their boyhood. .

LAOLA1: Do you think that Federer has changed because of the wedding? Is he more loose or relaxed or do you think it could even have a negative impact?

Koubek: I don't think his wedding has any impact on his tennis. It will be something different when his child is born. This can go in both directions. I think he is still really motivated and is going to play tennis for a couple of years. He can afford it to take his child with him on the tour. I'm not worried that it will stress him.

LAOLA1: You are on the tour for many years and an experienced player. What can you take with you from such a practice with Roger Federer?

Koubek: You can adopt several things, although there are a couple which would be helpful, but I can't realise them. For example no "normal" player can afford to have a masseur, a tennis coach, a fitnesscoach and someone to restring the rackets. But you can really adopt many things from Roger, who is the best player in the world for me. His physical state is really impressive. He is moving very well and is extremely fit.

LAOLA1: How do you rate his chances at the French Open this year?

Koubek: Nadal is in a class of it's own on clay for sure, but Roger can tame him on a good day. The opportunities are there. I wish for Roger that he is going to get the title in Paris. For me he is the best tennisplayer of all time and a victory in Roland Garros would only prove it.


http://www.laola1.at/128+M59722665055.html

 Posted: 05.05.09 20:14. Post subject: Federer's losses..

Federer's losses no longer an anomaly

For the sixth time this year, Roger Federer failed to win a tennis tournament. And so for the sixth time, the media's forensic psychologists tried to get a fix on the 27-year-old champion's bruised psyche.

"I've gotten used to winning tournaments, and then leaving a tournament having lost just leaves a bitter taste, obviously," Federer told reporters Saturday in Rome. "It doesn't take me long to get over it, but in the moment itself it's just not really fun because it's just these kind of matches I feel like I should have won here, and I end up losing them.

"I usually don't give away opportunities like this."

Federer won the first set of his semifinal match against Novak Djokovic, but after forging service breaks early in the second and third sets, he ultimately fell 6-4, 3-6, 3-6. It was, tellingly, Federer's first loss to Djokovic on clay. More unsettling was the way he lost.

Federer was up 3-1 in the final set, but three consecutive unforced errors handed Djokovic the opportunity to break back and draw even. Moreover, Federer's backhand all but evaporated. He simply, sadly, unraveled.

Afterward, Federer said that an hourlong rain delay during the second set "kind of definitely" changed the match's momentum. His serve was broken five times in the final two sets.

"I have the feeling that maybe since I had the back problem, my serve is just not working to where I want it to be," Federer said. "It maybe could have saved me a few times and it didn't, so that's something I have to make sure I can fix for Paris."

Rain, bad back, indifferent serve -- to some, those will kind of definitely sound like excuses. For Federer, they were rational explanations for this very specific loss. But with the French Open only a few weeks away, there is a larger, more troubling picture developing.

With the loss to Djokovic, Federer is now an astonishing 0 for his last 11 in matches against his three closest rivals atop the tennis food chain: Rafael Nadal (0-5), Andy Murray (0-4) and Djokovic (0-2).

So when does an anomaly become a trend?
"That's a good question," Paul Annacone said on Monday.

Annacone has rare insight into Federer's struggles; he coached Pete Sampras -- the man to whom Federer is most often compared -- for eight years. Today, Annacone is the coach of men's tennis for the Lawn Tennis Association, Great Britain's version of the USTA. He remembers the drought that followed Sampras' triumph at Wimbledon in 2000 -- 26 months and 33 tournaments without lifting a trophy -- before he won his 14th and final major, the 2002 U.S. Open.

"You're in that same press conference over and over again," Annacone said. "When are you going to win again? Are you a step slower? Now that you're married, are you thinking about stopping? Negative questions every week.

"I don't care who you are, it's going to affect you. It might not be much, but that 2 percent can make a difference. And then Pete's losing to Wayne Arthurs. A lot of people can look at the tennis, but very few people can look at the man, assess the issues in his life, the chronology of events in his career and say definitively, 'Here's what's wrong.'"

Annacone has a little more than a year left on his contract with the LTA, but he seems uniquely qualified to navigate Federer's course toward the end of his career. He says he hasn't talked with Federer, who has been searching for a full-time coach since his four-year association (2000 to '03) with Peter Lundgren. According to Annacone, there are probably "4 million" applicants for the job.

"You can't just put anyone in there and have it work," Annacone said. "Ultimately, it's up to the player. You have someone who is steel-willed and incredibly confident and incredibly stubborn as well. You have to have buy-in.

"Roger is similar to Pete in so many tactical and technical ways. The first four, five years he killed everybody, but didn't necessarily get any better. If you don't see the urgency, you probably aren't going to get better."
It's safe to say Federer is starting to feel that sense of urgency. His last tournament title came in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland, in October 2008. Since then, he has gone 0-for-8. His record this year is 21-6. For context, consider that from 2004 to 2007 he averaged six losses a season.

Nadal (38-3) and Murray (29-4) have separated themselves from the field.

"When Rafa started to play so well, I said, 'Terrific, now Roger has to get better,'" Annacone said. "That's a problem for some people, but not guys like Roger, who have so many tools. Roger feels it, but I'm not sure he knows exactly how to go about doing it.

"His life is more complicated now -- he just got married and he's about to become a father. But, just as in Pete's case, those aren't reasons that he's not winning. They're components of your life that you have to deal with. Roger sees it, but he just hasn't found the right balance yet."

It was during an eight-month sabbatical from Annacone when Sampras suffered one of his most crushing defeats in 2002. The seven-time Wimbledon champion lost at the All England Club to George Bastl, ranked No. 145, in the second round. A few weeks and several heart-to-heart talks later, the two were reunited and Sampras went on to win the U.S. Open.

As things stand, that unlooked-for victory is all that separates Sampras and Federer in terms of majors.

Sampras was 31 when he won his final Open, meaning Federer probably has something approaching a four-year window to surpass him.

"I'd be shocked if he doesn't win more Grand Slam titles," Annacone said. "If he has any of the same drive that Pete had, I'd be absolutely shocked. They're wired differently than most players. They expect to win -- no matter what the circumstances.

"Look at talent level and what he's able to produce. Take all those ingredients and corral them, manage them just a little better, and he can win again."

Greg Garber is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

 Posted: 06.05.09 00:01. Post subject: все-таки люди странн..

все-таки люди странные бывают.. странную кампанию Роджу для сопоставления нашли
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090505.TEBBUTT05GTAART2205/TPStory/Sports

 Posted: 06.05.09 14:59. Post subject: Geheimes Training in..

Geheimes Training in Zьrich

quote:

There's a short report about Roger in the Swiss newspapers. He is in Switzerland at the moment and practiced in Zьrich in the tennisclub Seeblick for 3 hours with Roman Valent, who won the junior title in Wimbledon in 2001. Afterwards Roger was available for photos with junior and club players. One of them, a 48 years old woman, said that Roger would have been so friendly.

 Posted: 06.05.09 17:50. Post subject: РЮРЮ там еще написа..

РЮРЮ
там еще написано - Роджер припарковал свой белый мерседес на парковке для членов клуба. его команда - тренер Люти, фитнесс-тренер Паганини и спарринг... уже были там.
А тетенька сказала: Роджер такой милый! Он просто гениален!

 Posted: 06.05.09 18:29. Post subject: irina спасибо за до..

irina
спасибо за дополнение
на рфкоме вот совсем недавно вывеска на Мадрид сменилась...интересно, может уже прилетел...

 Posted: 07.05.09 08:39. Post subject: Федерер: Жду возможн..

Федерер: Жду возможности победить Рафу

Tennis.ua предлагает вашему вниманию интервью, которое экс-первая ракетка мира Роджер Федерер дал накануне старта турнира в Мадриде.

Роджер, не верится, что вы играете профессионально уже десять лет! Было время, когда вы были абсолютным чемпионом. Если посмотреть на картину сегодня, то есть ещё три игрока, которые начали вместе с вами борьбу за первое место. Что вы чувствуете?

Да, ощущения совершенно разные. На самом деле, когда я только то и делал, что ездил с одного выигранного турнира на другой, но это было не так уж легко. Мне надо было научиться контролировать свои эмоции, статус первой ракетки обязывал.

Надо было привыкнуть, что журналисты не отставали ни на секунду. А самое главное, я должен был оправдывать чьи-то надежды. При всем этом нельзя было получать травм. Я с нетерпением ждал выходных, тренировался и пытался вдоволь отдохнуть между турнирами, которые выигрывал один за другим.

Было сложно, потому что надо было принимать решения, правильные решения. Думаю, что с этой задачей я справлялся. Не буду скромничать, но особых проблем у меня практически не было. Я всегда все тщательно обдумывал и старался каждый раз играть все лучше и лучше. У меня никогда не было такого, чтобы я расслабился и сказал себе: «Ну вот, твоя мечта сбылась, хватит. Ты выиграл Уимблдон, стал первой ракеткой, а все остальное, конечно, тоже неплохо, но это уже просто бонус».

Для меня весь процесс был вызовом, с которым, думаю, я справился. Если обернуться назад, я стал практически легендой в теннисе. Если я захочу и приложу усилия, то играть буду ещё долго. До сих пор чувствую себя невероятно уверенно и уютно на корте. Особенно, когда выхожу и вижу, что зрители действительно рады меня видеть и болеют за меня, даже несмотря на то, что я проигрываю некоторые важные турниры.

Хорошо, что приходят новые соперники, хотя, конечно, мне не хватает Агасси, Сампраса, Хенмана и всех других теннисистов того поколения. Я все ещё чувствую себя в форме и надеюсь выиграть парочку больших турниров. Мне бы очень хотелось играть не один год подряд.

Все очень удивились, когда месяц назад вы сломали ракетку. Многие помнят, что когда вы только начинали играть, это было для вас обычной практикой. Но месяц назад, мягко выражаясь, это было неожиданно. Вас вообще волновало мнение окружающих?

Ну, я тогда был не в духе. Поэтому и поломал ракетку. Но было интересно наблюдать за людьми, когда они все удивлялись: «О боже, он сломал ракетку!». Когда я был молодым, на подобные штучки все реагировали примерно так: «Посмотрите, он сломал ещё одну». А сегодня все по-другому, и я этому искренне рад. Я рад, что смог поменять мнение публики о себе.

Последние полтора года были для меня не самыми легкими, хотя это, конечно, не оправдание. И я не тот, кто станет бить на жалость. Но, тем не менее, я болел мононуклеозом. Потом у меня была травма спины, и она пришлась как раз на тот период, когда я играл лучше всего за свою карьеру, когда я выиграл в Базеле и после поехал в Париж. Я считаю, что в Мадриде показал очень хорошую игру, и это был тот самый период моих лучших матчей.

Затем закончился сезон, и мне надо было снова много работать, чтобы восстановиться. В Австралии, считаю, тоже играл неплохо, но, в конечном счете, проиграл Рафе. В общем, думаю, что играю я хорошо, несмотря на те не очень удачные матчи в Индиан Уэллс и Майами против Маррея и Джоковича в полуфиналах.

Мне кажется, что когда я хорошо играю, то именно я контролирую ход игры. И это хорошо, иначе я бы стал волноваться, что Джокович вместе с другими игроками хотят от меня избавиться. Несмотря ни на что, я думаю, что преимущество на моей стороне.

Вы очень уверенны в себе, и это оправдано. Но в последние годы именно Рафаэль показывал самые лучшие результаты на грунте. Что придает вам столько уверенности в том, что вы сможете его одолеть и наконец выиграть Ролан Гаррос?

Я всегда был уверен в себе. Я столько раз играл против Рафаэля. Да, я знаю, что на грунте он чрезвычайно хорош. И в прошлом году на French Open он меня умело обыграл. Потому, если я хочу выиграть, мне надо играть не агрессивно, а так как Рафа, хотя это не так просто. У него хорошие подачи и он показывает хороший защитный теннис.

Пресса все время задает вопросы и говорит: «он знает, что ему наступают на пятки, даже несмотря на то, что он лучший на грунте и сейчас находится на пике своей игры. То, чего он смог достичь на корте в столь юном возрасте, просто невероятно». Но мы продолжаем играть. Мы бросаем Рафе вызовы и ждем пока появится возможность победить его… Особенно я.

Маррей занял третье место в рейтинге АТР, став первым британцем, которому это удалось. Можно ли считать это достижением?

Да, конечно, но большая ли разница быть третьим или четвертым в мире игроком? Я так не думаю. Я думаю, что есть разница между номером один и номером два. Но для Энди, наверное, все немного иначе. У него был один из самых удачных сезонов на харде — он достойно играл с Рафой и со мной, хотя я и выиграл US Open, а Рафа — Australian Open.

Маррей, к сожалению, проиграл Шанхайский турнир Джоковичу. Он не выигрывал больших матчей, но он очень уверенно держался на турнирах серии Masters. Его нынешняя позиция выглядит целиком заслуженной.

http://tennis.ua/interview/federer_zhdu_vozmozhnosti_pobedit_rafu.2603/

 Posted: 07.05.09 08:55. Post subject: Кхм... Я разместила ..

Кхм... Я разместила интервью, а теперь начала сомневаться в его реальности... Мне кажется, что текст написан "по мотивам", потому как никаких ссылок на источник там нет

Если что, извините за дезинформацию

 Posted: 07.05.09 10:26. Post subject: Да, не очень похоже ..

Да, не очень похоже на стиль Роджера. Статья действительно не вызывает доверия

 Posted: 07.05.09 11:04. Post subject: хруня нет, похоже, ..

хруня
нет, похоже, это действительно перевод. оргинал интервью я слушала позавчера. единственное, я слышала не так много, кажется 6 минут.

 Posted: 07.05.09 11:06. Post subject: да, проверила - точн..

да, проверила - точно, интервью BBC

 Posted: 07.05.09 11:08. Post subject: P.S. перевод в той ч..

P.S. перевод в той части, что я слышала, несколько слишком олитературен, но не более, возможно, переводчик значительно лучше меня понимает быструю речь

 Posted: 07.05.09 12:19. Post subject: если я хочу выиграть..

quote:

если я хочу выиграть, мне надо играть не агрессивно, а так как Рафа

Хм...

 Posted: 07.05.09 12:45. Post subject: Слонотоп все-таки он..

Слонотоп
все-таки он говорил не совсем так, как написано. я же говорю, интервью олитературено. на сам деле, Роджер говорит, что ему нужно верить в себя, играть более агрессивно, playing his (Рафин) style of game.
P.S. кстати, это полное интервью. Роджер говорил довольно быстро. на мой взгляд, некоторые интересные вещи переведены не совсем так или даже выпущены из текста.

 Posted: 09.05.09 11:09. Post subject: §г §в§ж§Ь§а§Ю§С: Rog..

с рфкома:
Roger appeared shortly in a celebrity gossip show on Swiss television called "Glanz und Gloria"

quote:

Roger appeared shortly in a celebrity gossip show on Swiss television called "Glanz und Gloria". They had a report about him playing golf together with Tom LЁ№thi and mentioned that the baby would be born in 5 months. Roger also said that he decided not to wear a wedding ring during his career (he would be afraid to lose it when he would take it on and off ), but afterwards. Roger's parents were also at the event.

quote:

Short summary of the clip: Roger says that Mirka isn't accompanying him to the sponsors event. She would relax and feel fine. The pregnancy is running well and both would be happy. Roger then answers on the question whether he or Tom LЁ№thi would be the better golfplayer that it would be him, although he didn't wanted to sound arrogant. He then explains that Tom would play golf for the first time whilst he had already played a few times, but that Tom would have played good for the first time. Tom says that he could learn something from Roger's golf play. Roger tells that he and Mirka already got gifts, including baby clothes. The commentator then mentions that the grandparents would also be happy. Robert says that they would looking forward to what would happen. Roger then tells why he doesn't wear the wedding ring, but that he would wear it after his tennis career.

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Роджер такой счастливый в этом ролике прям светится весь

 Posted: 09.05.09 14:04. Post subject: РЮРЮ ой, какая радо..

РЮРЮ
ой, какая радость!
Роджер расслабленный и довольный жизнью - прямо приятно смотреть!
и еще на швейцарском немецком говорит - вообще счастье...

 Posted: 09.05.09 15:35. Post subject: критик скорее НЕсча..

критик
скорее НЕсчастье, понимать трудно.
P.S. визу дали?

 Posted: 09.05.09 20:11. Post subject: irina ну, про счаст..

irina
ну, про счастье - кому как
мне сама мелодика речи нравится, в его исполнении - так особенно
хотя переход с немецкого в репортаже очевиден: по-немецки я понимаю все, а по-швейцарски - отдельные слова, когда несколько слов подряд - уже победа
не, визу еще не дали, там сплошные непонятки...
как дадут, я сразу напишу!

 Posted: 10.05.09 20:45. Post subject: Пресс-конференция се..

Пресс-конференция сегодня

quote:

Roger says that he played quite well the last few years in Madrid when it was in the indoor season. He says he only played once on clay in Spain, in Barcelona long time ago, he played terrible match and lost to Sergio Bruguera. He says he hopes it will be a successful week, he played well in similar conditions before (Gstaad, Munich), the ball flies high, the courts are a bit faster and he hopes it will work in his favour. He thinks the venue is nice, it looked nice when he went to Lenny Kravitz's concert on Friday night, but he didn't have the chance to play on Centre Court yet (he is practicing on outside courts), because it is a combined event and a lot of matches are played. After Rome, he went back to Switzerland. He practiced there for 3-4 days, met with his friends and family and had a few things to do. He arrived to Madrid on Friday and after the tournament he will go home for a couple of days before Roland Garros. Before Rome he said he would like to reach the semifinal and he did. Now he knows where his game is at and he how hard and well he has been practicing for the last few weeks, so he aims higher and his goal is to win this tournament. It would be nice to win it and it would give him confidence to go to Paris with a won tournament. He says he knows it is hard to win Masters and draws are difficult and he struggled to win Masters events last year and also this year but he hopes Madrid will be his breakthrough.

 Posted: 10.05.09 21:26. Post subject: РЮРЮ а само интервь..

РЮРЮ
а само интервью не видели? а то на чемпионате написано, что Роджер обещал точно обыграть Надаля

 Posted: 10.05.09 21:55. Post subject: irina у меня что-то ..

irina
у меня что-то видео не вставляется нормально
вот ссылка: http://www.tennistv.com/page/TennisTV/TournamentInterviews/Madrid/0,,11444~1653968,00.html
только здесь про Надаля вообще ничего нет

вот еще кое-что из прессухи:
[url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/268151,federer-joins-the-fray-against-madrid-blue-clay.html]Federer joins the fray against Madrid blue clay [/url]

Madrid - Roger Federer Sunday joined Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams in condemning a back-door attempt by the Madrid Masters to install blue clay courts in the face of all tennis tradition. The re-launched event, moved from October indoors onto a new surface at the 160-million-euro Magic Box had tried to quietly get approval for blue clay courts, but the men's ATP quickly knocked back the radical plan.

World number one Nadal took his shot at the attempt almost upon arrival, with the diplomatic Federer, president of the Player Council, giving a more measured condemnation.

"I don't think there a chance for blue clay," said the Swiss, who said he had only had a glimpse of the one blue practise court which was allowed to stay in the complex with its record three covered courts contained in one massive structure.

"I only saw it when I drove past it. But we are against it, red clay is the tradition," he said in echo of Nadal's thought the day before.

Williams left little doubt as to her position: "We don't want to play on blue clay," said the American who is looking for some redemption after crashing out in the Rome first round last week.

"I'm totally against it, 100 percent against blue clay."

Federer was annoyed by the lack of procedure inherent in the affair, with Madrid officials failing to go through the ATP on the matter.

"You (should) go to the ATP and to the board in the normal way," said the Swiss still looking for his first title of the season. "You don't ask individual players.
"That is only dividing us, it should anyway be a unanimous decision."
While Federer is hoping to start correcting his clay season with a potential final with Nadal, unbeaten in is last 30 matches on the surface, the Swiss strategist also says there is a benefit from not having yet faced the Spaniard on the surface in 2009.

"It might have been a little bit of an advantage for Rafa to have beaten me before Paris on clay in the past seasons. That gives him confidence and might have made it a little easier to beat me in the (last three Paris) finals.

"This year I haven't played him on clay but I'm hoping to play him here in the final. But even if it doesn't it could still be a good thing.

"It's different when you have played a month earlier and got to Paris knowing that you have beaten someone."
With women's play continuing after a historic Saturday start, the first upsets began.

Australian Samantha Stosur put out Polish tenth seed Agnieszwa Radwanska 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 while Czech Lucie Safarova advanced as 16th seed Kaia Kanepi quit trailing 6-2, 2-3.


есть еще статья на испанском, которая гласит Federer: 'Sé que puedo ganar a Nadal' (т.е. Federer: "I know I can beat Nadal")
краткий пересказ:

quote:

He talks about the possible advantage of not playing RN before the FO, that he wants to put the tough start to the season behind him and that he now feels better than earlier in the season, that he hopes the Gasquet thing is not true but can't comment until Gasquet talks, and about the coach issue that he is at a quiet moment with his team just trying to do things right and aiming at his first RG and regaining Wimb.

и вот еще до кучи:
Roger Federer arrives at the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open in search of his A-game.
The world No.2 who, with just an Australian Open runners-up trophy to his name in 2009, has endured a sub-par season by his standards, said that he felt close to recovering the form that saw him dominate the game for much of the decade.

“It’s getting better every week,” said the newly married Federer. “I’m happy with how I’m playing now. I’m training extremely hard and I’m playing well, although I can always improve.Sunday May 10, 2009


“Of course it’s been a sort of rough start to this season considering I haven’t won a title. I’ve struggled a bit against my main rivals – got close to beating them but couldn’t quite get there against Rafa, Murray or Djokovic but I feel my game’s right there.
Federer said he enjoyed playing in Madrid’s elevated conditions. “The ball bounces high and definitely gives me a chance to play my attacking game.” And he had high hopes that the tournament, with its state-of-the-art Magic Box, would prove a hit with fans and players alike.

“I think always most important is that there are many spectators,” said the tournament No.2


seed. “If the stadiums are sold out day and night and there is a great buzz around the venue it is always popular with the players.

“Here in Spain they are very hungry for tennis. Having a huge clay court tournament is very fitting for Spain and the ATP Tour and I’m confident this is going to be a good tournament for the future and that fans will want to come back here as soon as possible.”
Federer has a bye in the first round and will face the winner of Russia’s Igor Andreev and Sweden’s Robin Soderling in round two.
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Короче, подождем, конечно расшифровки пресс-коференции, но, ИМХО, журналисты опять додумывают то, чего нет по крайней мере фраза "I know I can beat Nadal" вряд ли можно трактовать как то. что Федерер обещал победить Надаля

PS ко мне можно на "ты"

 Posted: 10.05.09 23:03. Post subject: irina вот еще кое-ч..

irina
вот еще кое-что появилось, но опять-таки. Роджер здесь говорит "I know that I have the game to beat him" и ничего он там не обещает

I can still rattle Nadal, says Federer
MADRID, May 10 (Reuters) - World number two Roger Federer believes his form is improving all the time and that he still has what it takes to rattle number one Rafael Nadal and steal the Spaniard's French Open crown.

The Swiss 13-times grand slam winner has yet to win a title this year and has lost in semi-finals twice to Novak Djokovic and twice to Andy Murray as well as falling to Nadal in the Australian Open final.

"I'm happy how I am playing now and it's getting better every week," Federer told a news conference ahead of the Madrid Open clay event.

"It's been rather a tough start to the season considering I haven't won a tournament yet but I think I am very close to turning it all around," he added.

"I have struggled a little bit against my main rivals. I was always very close to beating them. So I just hope I can turn the corner and win those matches.
"I feel the game's right there and that's why I'm aiming high this week."
Federer, 27, said it would not necessarily be a bad thing if he went into the French Open later this month, the only grand slam to elude him, not having played Nadal on the Spaniard's favoured clay this season.
Nadal has beaten his predecessor as number one nine times out of 10 on the surface stretching back to the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2005, his only defeat coming in the final of the Hamburg Masters in 2007.

"I think he's playing the tennis of his life right now," said Federer.
"But still I'm a great believer I can rattle him. I was so close at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

"Every match has to be played and I know that I have the game to beat him, even if he has beaten me on clay so many times and he knows how to beat me."

Federer is currently without a regular coach and said he was not considering hiring one anytime soon despite his lack of success this year.
"At the moment I am very content with the situation. Things are calm in my team and I'm doing the right things and practising extremely hard to get my game back," he said.

"Of course the main goal for me is the French Open and Wimbledon, trying to regain the Wimbledon crown and trying to win the French Open for the first time.

"But I'm an open person and I'm always looking for ways to improve my game. So if that's talking to somebody else or somebody else giving me advice that's not a problem but at the moment it's not happening."

 Posted: 10.05.09 23:50. Post subject: РЮРЮ спасибо! успок..

РЮРЮ
спасибо! успокоили немного, а то боюсь я этих "всех порву"

 Posted: 11.05.09 17:01. Post subject: Роджер Федерер: «C м..

Роджер Федерер: «C моей игрой мне по силам выиграть у Надаля»

Вторая ракетка мира Роджер Федерер заявил на пресс-конференции в преддверии своего старта на турнире в Мадриде, что он в хорошей форме и в его арсенале есть все необходимое, чтобы доставить неприятности на корте испанцу Рафаэлю Надалю.

«Я доволен тем, как я играю в данный момент, и моя игра становится лучше с каждой неделей. У меня было трудное начало сезона, я не выиграл ни одного турнира, но я близок к тому, чтобы исправить эту ситуацию.

Надаль сейчас показывает лучший теннис в своей жизни. Но я не сомневаюсь, что могу доставить ему неприятности. Я был очень близок к этому на Australian Open и «Уимблдоне». Каждый матч – это новый матч, и я уверен, что с моей игрой мне по силам победить его, даже несмотря на то, что он неоднократно обыгрывал меня на грунте, и знает как это делать», – цитирует Федерера Reuters.
http://www.sports.ru/tennis/8370327.html

 Posted: 11.05.09 17:25. Post subject: До Надаля еще дойти ..

До Надаля еще дойти нужно....

 Posted: 13.05.09 10:31. Post subject: Роджер Федерер: «Мне..

Роджер Федерер: «Мне надо было привыкнуть к условиям»

Вторая ракетка мира швейцарец Роджер Федерер, удачно стартовавший на турнире в Мадриде победой над шведом Робином Содерлингом со счетом 6:1, 7:5, прокомментировал матч.
«Я хорошо начал, и это немного ослабило давление. Иногда бывает невозможно выиграть подачу Содерлинга, а высокогорье сделало корты быстрее.
Я играл хорошо, мне надо было привыкнуть к условиям. Я не видел Центральный корт до того, как вышел на него играть. Хотя нет, я видел концерт Ленни Кравитца на нем, но тогда там не было грунта», – приводит слова теннисиста AFP.

 Posted: 13.05.09 20:56. Post subject: Роджер Федерер: «Изм..

Роджер Федерер: «Изменения еще придут»

Вторая ракетка мира швейцарец Роджер Федерер рассказал о своих ощущениях после того, как он узнал, что станет отцом.

«Когда я только узнал об этом, я немного странно чувствовал себя на протяжение пары дней, я по-другому чувствовал себя во время тренировок. Ведь во время матчей я мог опустить голову вниз и концентрироваться на каждом розыгрыше. С первого момента, когда я об этом узнал, все постепенно вернулось в норму, так что это длилось, возможно, всего несколько дней. Это был очень хороший момент. Прямо сейчас я готовлюсь к Парижу, готовлюсь к личной жизни, думаю,что все пройдет гладко, что Мирка будет хорошо себя чувствовать. Честно говоря, я не думаю, что прямо сейчас произошли большие изменения, потому что изменения еще придут», – приводит слова Федерера TENNIS.com.

 Posted: 16.05.09 02:16. Post subject: PRESS CONFERENCE May..

PRESS CONFERENCE
May 15th 2009

PLAYER
Roger FEDERER (SUI)

MATCH RESULT
Roger Federer (SUI) d. Andy Roddick (USA) 7-5 | 6(5)-7| 6-1

Q: There seemed to be times out there today when you appeared to be enjoying yourself as much as you have for a while on clay. Do you think that that would be a correct statement? Do you think that you were playing well at times?
A: Yes, I think it was a close match, there was a good atmosphere, good weather, all of that helps. I thought it was a good match, I think Andy was mixing up his serve very well and I think I came up with some nice points, you know, those make me happy, so, I’m happy with the way I played today, of course, I should have or could have won in straights but that is what happens when you play Andy sometimes but it bounced back well in the third and I played well.

Q: Do you think that you are going to have some kind of fitness advantage in the semi finals considering that your opponent are probably going to start playing at around 11 tonight?
A: Not really, it’s best out of three after all. I don’t think Andy and Del Potro played last week either and they both had a bye, so, it’s not like they had to play seven matches in the last seven days, so I don’t think it’s’ going to come down to fitness, it’s not that hot at the moment, I didn’t even have to change my shirt today even though the sun was out, maybe sitting on the stands for over two hours might have been hot but for us down there it was actually the perfect conditions. So I doubt it, I think it’s going to come down to who plays best.

Q: Could you just analyze the potential semi finals?
A: Sure. Del Potro, I had a great match with him in Australia, I know that’s not going to happen again, that happens very rarely on tennis so I’m expecting a tough match because he played well against Stanislas. I’m sure if he’s able to beat Murray it’s going to be a tough one. I like his game and the way he’s been coming through to rankings is impressive. Whereas with Andy I’ve been having more problems, it’s been more difficult to beat him but then again I haven’t played him on clay, I was supposed to play him on the Davis Cup but they decided to not make him play so, which was funny but I’m excited to be first to go to semi finals and let’s see what happens in the semis tomorrow.


Q: Which of the components of your game are you more satisfied with at the moment? And which ones are you not so satisfied with?
A: Well, I think this week is a kind of a different week, the balls fly, it’s quick, you can play quick points if you want, which is a good thing and on top of that I have also been trying to keep the points short… Let’s say it’s been a tough week because I haven’t been playing those regular Spaniards and guys who want to extend the rally, I’ve been playing guys who have been standing in trying to keep the points short and have big services like Soderling and Roddick. It’s never easy but at the same time I’ve always been a dominant player from the baseline, so I know whoever I’m going to get in the semis is going to be much different, I’m going to have to work much harder and the rallies will be extended and it’s going to come down partly to the fitness level and to the mental strength as well, which I haven’t had to show quite that much yet this week. I’m not saying that I’m uncertain about what is going to happen in the semis but there are good things in my game, there are also bad things and I just feel like I have to tighten up a few things and there are definitely big improvements that I can use this week, I just haven’t had to show them yet.

Q: Playing in the altitude of Madrid, what is the shot that is most difficult to control? Is there a shot that you don’t use as much as you would somewhere else?
A: No… I mean, balls fly here but at the same time I feel like I have control of the ball, which it’s a good thing because sometimes, you know, a few years ago I would get on clay and I would really struggle with the returns or just to be able to play the back hand over shoulder height at the beginning and that doesn’t seem to be a problem for me anymore during this week and I think that’s definitely a good sign when looking ahead to the French open where the bounce is not going to be that bad. Certainly the slice floats but I feel that I have it under control, I’m not missing any easy ones and those are all good things, so, I feel like I have a decent amount of control over the ball this week.

Q: Roger, Del Potro said yesterday that he is “the best of the bad ones” and he put you and the other 3 in different league. Do you agree? Do you see such a big gap between him and you 4?
A: Well, I don’t know how the points have been but we have been the most dominant and solid. He’s got many tournaments coming up that needs to defend, it’s going to be interesting to see how he’s going to play first up against the two possibilities that are going to be highly ranked at the French and at Wimbledon, that’s definitely going to give him some chances. I guess he’s right but at the same time, all the other players are very strong too, I think that the pack behind us are solid and dangerous players. They are also playing consistently and that’s why they’re coming through to the quarters very regularly and very comfortably, actually. Also he’s one of the youngest and therefore has most potential to improve, with Tsonga I guess.

Q: If it is Andy tomorrow, do you feel that it is about time that you beat him? I think that he’s won the last four between you and I know that you want to protect the difference in points between your second ranking and his third ranking.
A: Not really, it’s not my goal. I want to get back to number 1 but he’s been playing very well, very consistent, he’s maybe going to struggle a bit more on clay but that’s kind of normal, you know, it’s early in the season on clay and it’s short for us, we only play a handful of tournaments and it’s kind of tough but, sure, I’d like to beat him, at least on clay, especially after losing to him so many times this year on hard court… I just have to make sure that I put on a solid performance.

Q: Would you like to play in Buenos Aires in the Telmex cup? People would be very excited to see you there because we have never seen you in Buenos Aires.
A: It’s a long way. The reason why I never go there is because it’s in the season I usually play in Europe or in Dubai, isn’t it? And I don’t usually go on clay before Indian Wells or Miami. I wish I could go to South America more often, to be quite honest, but the swing they have is a bad timing for me, the travelling is hard so I have to pick my weeks and I hope that if I don’t come for a tournament I will eventually play some exhibitions at least, because I know that I have many big fans over there, especially in Argentina and there are many good players, so, who knows, before we even know it I’m going to be there for Davis Cup, so we never know.

Q: Did you change anything technically about your backhands?
A: Not really, it’s just a feeling I have and thanks to all the other players who played to my backhand it’s improving, you know, it’s a good thing! Especially on clay where there is more of the kick serves and I have to slice them, I always do this on all surfaces and it’s been a successful play but it’s important to be able to come over it, also in the being able to step in on the return and to take it early. It’s just important to find the right timing and with the bad bounce on clay you have to be very selective but I feel like I’m hitting it OK, which is a good thing.

 Posted: 16.05.09 16:56. Post subject: Небольшое интервью н..

Небольшое интервью насчет того, сколько еще Мирка сможет путешествовать с Роджером и будет ли она с ним также много ездить после рождения ребенка

irina, если будет время, переведете? а то там не все понятно через онлайн переводчик
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Wie lange kann Mirka ihren Roger noch begleiten?

Wird Roger Federer vor der Geburt seines Kindes alleine auf Tour gehen? «Kommt ganz auf Mirka an», sagt der baldige Papi zu BLICK.
Seit bald neun Jahren sind Roger Federer und seine Mirka ein Paar. Seit sieben Jahren ist sie kaum von seiner Seite gewichen. Und seit Ostern sind die beiden verheiratet.

Jetzt droht den beiden aber die Trennung. Mindestens die kurzfristige. Denn ab zwei Monaten vor der Geburt sollten Hochschwangere nicht mehr unbedingt fliegen. Wird Federer also in nächster Zeit alleine unterwegs sein?

Die Weltnummer 2 zu BLICK: «Mal schauen, wie sich Mirka fühlt. Die Turniere sind ja in nächster Zeit zum Glück nicht so weit weg. Ich bin froh, dass es jetzt nicht noch nach Australien oder Amerika geht. Im Moment sind alle Flüge sehr kurz. Wenn sie sich gut fühlt und das Okay von den Ärzten bekommt, fliegt sie überall mit. Und sonst bleibt sie dann halt mal daheim. Wann der Moment kommt, weiss ich nicht.»
Wer Federers Aussage genau nimmt, kann davon ausgehen, dass das Kind vor dem 10. August auf die Welt kommen muss. Denn dann beginnt das Turnier von Montreal, ein Event der Masters-1000-Serie, die Federer normalerweise spielt.

Und wenn für die schwangere Mirka keine Überseeflüge mehr geplant sind, ist es wahrscheinlich, dass die Geburt des Kindes dann bereits vorüber sein wird. In einem Interview mit der Sportzeitung «Marca» sagte Federer deutlich, dass er kein Turnier auslassen werde.

Und wie sieht die Zukunft aus? Wird die Familie vereint um die Welt reisen? «Wir denken schon», sagt Federer. «Aber wenn das Kind oder Mirka sich nicht wohl fühlen sollten, ist es klar, dass das Reisen nicht möglich ist. Vielleicht kommt sie dann auch mal hinterher. Es gibt verschiedene Möglichkeiten. Momentan will sie noch viel reisen. Aber wir werden zum Wohl des Kindes entscheiden. Es wird sicher nicht allzu viel sein.»

 Posted: 17.05.09 11:00. Post subject: Роджер Федерер: «Мат..

Роджер Федерер: «Матчи с Надалем – это всегда вызов»

Швейцарец Роджер Федерер, обыгравший в полуфинале турнира в Мадриде аргентинца Хуана Мартина Дель Потро со счетом 6:3, 6:4, в финале встретится с первой ракеткой мира испанцем Рафаэлем Надалем. Это будет 16-я встреча теннисистов в финале.

«Матчи с Надалем, где бы они ни проходили, это всегда вызов, а особенно на грунте. Дополнительный фактор – то, что мы играем в Испании. Это будет впервые.

Я очень люблю играть с Надалем. В этом году мы встречались лишь однажды, в финале Australian Open. Сейчас мы на грунте, это его покрытие. Посмотрим, что будет», – цитирует Федерера AFP.

 Posted: 17.05.09 11:16. Post subject: Федерер: с оптимизмо..

Федерер: с оптимизмом думаю о Париже

http://www.championat.ru/tennis/_atp/article-32844.html

 Posted: 17.05.09 14:02. Post subject: PLAYER Roger FEDERER..

PLAYER
Roger FEDERER (SUI)

MATCH RESULT
Roger Federer (SUI) d. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 6-3 | 6-4

Q: Many people are always dreaming about this final, Federer vs. Nadal, perhaps you can do it here in Madrid with the altitude. How do you feel you have been playing during the whole week?
A: My game’s been pretty good. I’ve had some very different opponents; I’ve played many hard court players including Blake and Roddick. Soderling was a tough one just because he plays far in the baseline and has a massive serve, he actually plays similar to Del Potro, so I had to adjust my game a little bit. Also, having played my first match during night time and then the next two I played during the day and now I played at night again, the conditions changed quite a bit, but I’m actually happy with the way I’ve been hitting the ball, my serve has been getting better throughout the week and I feel more and more comfortable as the week goes on and definitely the biggest test is tomorrow against Rafa. It’s exciting, I mean, I love playing against the guy and I’ve heard just now that it’s our 15th final against each other and I’m not sure if it’s the first time that we meet in Spain in a match situation, so it’s definitely going to be a nice match, I hope.

Q: How important is it for you to play your first final of the year on clay just a week before the French?
A: Well, during the last couple of matches I’ve been feeling like I’m ready for the French Open. You want to stay in the tournament and give yourself an opportunity. I think that the important thing for me is that I got past that semi final hurdle, which I haven’t been able to pass for the last two months; it gives me an opportunity to win a tournament, of course, I have the toughest opponent in the finals and at the moment he’s not losing on clay but he came really close today and I thought it was a phenomenal match but I’m sure he’s going to come back strong tomorrow but I’m happy that I’m right there to give it my best shot and I definitely will.

Q: Is playing Rafa on clay now the ultimate challenge for you?
A: I don’t know, I mean, I feel that playing him anywhere is a challenge, I don’t know that if it’s more on clay. I guess that the extra flare here is that it’s in Spain, I think that’s something new, it’s has never happened before, I’m not a 100% sure but I’m excited to be playing against him, we don’t play so often, the Australian Open was the last time and before that, maybe Wimbledon, I’m not sure. We haven’t played that often in the last few months and that was really close and now we’re on clay, which is obviously his surface but I’m sure I’m going to play well tomorrow and we’ll see what happens.

Q: You’ve suffered some hard defeats against Nadal before and Novak seemed pretty emotional after his defeat tonight. Could you offer him some words of advice on how to re-bounce form such a big lost after he was in control for most of the match?
A: Not really, he’s my rival. It was a wonderful match. I guess that’s what you can take away from such a match, being so close but yet so far, it’s obviously going to hurt but it was good tennis, it’s not like he gave away the match. He’s lost to him four times on clay already prior to the French Open and it’s not a perfect scenario, that’s for sure.

Q: Did you watch the match against Djokovic?
A: I’ve been talking about it during the whole interview. Yes, I did.
Q: What do you think about the match?
A: Very nice match. Long.

Q: Do you compare the match that you played in Hamburg last year or maybe two years ago against Rafa with the conditions here in Madrid? Is the altitude something that plays in your advantage?
A: We’ll see tomorrow. I don’t know, I don’t remember having played Rafa in altitude before, I mean, it’s not like it’s 2000 m here either but it could change a little bit but at the same time Rafa always plays in the same way and so do I. We’ve played each other so many times that I don’t think I will see something completely different or he will see it either, except if I decide tonight or tomorrow that it’s time to mix it up a little bit and just go for it. We’ll see what happens, you know but we’ve played so many times that we really know each other’s game so it is obviously going to be hard to come up with something new.

Q: Could his physical condition after a 4 hour match be an advantage for you tomorrow?
A: They asked me the same question in Australia and it wasn’t really. Well, those two guys take their time as well, so, it wasn’t really four hours. I don’t say that to take anything away from how they played because it was phenomenal and fantastic to watch but they do take their time and it was the best of three set match, so it wasn’t the best of five and we’ve done it many times, we’ve practiced hard and then we’ve come back the next day and done it all over again. I think that with the help of the adrenaline and the crowd, I’m sure he’s going to be the Rafa we know tomorrow.

Q: You didn’t play much in Barcelona but…
A: I did play one match…and I won three games…

Q: With Bruguera…
A: It was really good.

Q: Yes, with Sergi but you were young then…
A: Yes and I was the favorite… he lost 6-0, 6-0 the week before, so, I should have won but I lost. But go ahead, ask your question.

Q: Thank you man. What I mean, it’s your first time in Madrid. Are you having a good time this week? Do you like the change of the covered court to open air?
A: Yes, it seemed smooth. Actually, I already played well in Madrid the last few years indoors, so it’s nice that I could also do it on clay. It’s been a good week for me, I hope I can top it off with a win tomorrow and I’m looking forward to returning next year because it’s been a nice tournament but we’ll talk about that tomorrow.

 Posted: 17.05.09 23:04. Post subject: 58th Tour title "..

58th Tour title "satisfying" for Federer

Mutua Madrileсa Madrid Open champion Roger Federer said he had never stopped believing he would win a title in 2009, despite failing to reach the final of an event since the Australian Open in January.

“I’ve had some bad losses this year in terms of the way I’ve played but I’ve felt it coming in the past few weeks so it’s very satisfying,” said the Swiss.

The first two-time champion in Madrid (previously the tournament had seven different winners) Federer said he had played a solid clay court match.

“I though I played well – you have to against Rafa on clay. There are no easy ways against him and he’s not going to hand it to you,” said the 27-year-old former world No.1.

“I served well, mixed it up well, took all the right decisions today. In the end it looked comfortable for me out there so it’s a good win for me and very satisfying.”

Celebrating his 58th career title and 15th Masters Series trophy, Federer said that he didn’t feel any great sense of relief in breaking his run of match losses to Nadal.

“I got so close in Australia and at Wimbledon so it wasn’t a question of ‘oh, finally’, said Federer. “Even though I lost I had to keep the belief. The press was all telling me that he was invincible and I didn’t want to believe what the press was saying.”

And Federer said that he didn’t feel that Rafa’s loss would have any long-term effects on the world No.1’s confidence.

“I know his game inside out. He’s rock solid, does one thing excellently, moves well on this surface and is an excellent competitor. It makes him very difficult to beat.

“He had a bad patch last season and he recovered from that so I don’t think he will have any problems bouncing back from this loss,” said Federer.

 Posted: 18.05.09 00:43. Post subject: ой, ну, швайцеры жгу..

ой, ну, швайцеры жгут! статья в духе "ура, кто бы мог подумать"
http://www.blick.ch/sport/tennis/ab-16-00-uhr-live-federer-nadal-119358

 Posted: 18.05.09 09:44. Post subject: Роджер Федерер: «Оче..

Роджер Федерер: «Очень важно сохранять веру в себя»

Швейцарец Роджер Федерер, обыграв в финальном матче первую ракетку мира испанца Рафаэля Надаля со счетом 6:4, 6:4, выиграл первый в этом сезоне турнир – Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open категории Masters.

«Розыгрыши в матче были короткими, так как было трудно контролировать мяч. Рафа сегодня играл на приеме не так четко, как обычно, и поэтому, долго не разыгрывая и принимая правильные решения, мне удавалось наносить завершающие удары, когда у него уже не оставалось времени на то, чтобы среагировать. Это именно то, что не удалось сделать Новаку в полуфинале, когда он должен был выигрывать в двух сетах.

Эта победа, конечно, придаст мне уверенности в преддверии «Ролан Гаррос». Очень важно сохранять веру в себя, особенно когда слышишь что говорят о Рафе на пресс-конференциях. Не хочется верить в то, что пишут в прессе. Мне было очень тяжело. В этом году я не выиграл ни одного турнира, и я счастлив, что наконец одержал такую победу», – цитирует Федерера Tennisweek.

 Posted: 18.05.09 13:10. Post subject: PRESS CONFERENCE May..

PRESS CONFERENCE
May 17th 2009

PLAYER
Roger FEDERER (SUI)

Roger Federer (SUI) bt Rafa Nadal (ESP): 6 - 4 | 6 - 4

Q. How satisfying is that for you and how well do you think you played?
A. I thought I played really well, I think you have to against Rafa on clay, there are no easy ways there. He is not going to hand it to you and that is what has made him so tough the last few years on this surface. I thought I mixed it up well; I served well and was dangerous on particular return games. I thought I took all the right decisions today and in the end it looked pretty comfortable so it was a perfect win for me.

Q. Are you relieved to beat Rafa Nadal after nearly two years?
A. Well not really. I was so close in Australia and Wimbledon, of course it is nice. Itґs not like “oh, finally I got him again”. I felt I was close to Rafa and I felt that, even though you lose, you keep the belief, especially on this type of surface because you come into the press rooms and they all they talk about is Rafa and it works you and you donґt want to believe what the press says, you want to stay positive and thatґs what I did. I am very happy that I remained positive and I got the win I needed badly because I have had some rather bad losses this year in terms of the way I played but I think that everything is falling into place and I felt it coming the last few weeks so it is the right time to get a victory like this.

Q. You said to is yesterday that you might just wake up this morning and go for it. You did?
A. Yeah, I think so. I definitely didnґt try to go into massive amounts of rallies but at the same time, Rafa was missing some returns and I kept him guessing many times. We have both played better, in the past, from the baseline and Iґm sure thatґs what it is going to take to beat Rafa at the French Open. This was a particular clay court match against each other; for both of us we both had trouble controlling the ball, because the pints were kept shorter it was better for my game and thatґs why I won today.

Q. After your Hamburg title two years ago, you said that you learned something about how to play Rafa on clay; Did you learn something new about his game today, thinking about Paris?
A. Not a whole lot. I know his game inside out. Itґs not like he changes many things, he is just rock solid like when Leyton Hewitt was no. 1 and all those other guys who were dominating from the baseline. He does his one thing excellent and he is the best mover on this surface.
He is just an excellent competitor and that is what makes him so difficult to beat.
I know what you have to do but itґs not easy to do against him because he is so good.

Q. Did you notice that he was slightly slower today than usual?
A. No, not really. I think and I am sure - thatґs my approach anyway – that when I go into a match and I start and finish a match there are no excuses, otherwise you retire during the match, which is not my philosophy, or you donґt play, but I donґt think you should play injured or hurt or whatever it is. We didnґt have many rallies so I donґt know where you can see that he was slow. As I said, conditions were tough out there, tough to control the ball and I saw some of those things against Djokovic, that he was struggling in the beginning to control his serve and probably Djokovic should have finished him off in two but then the adrenalin and the whole thing that Rafa came back with made it difficult for him to close out the match so I just raced to the finish line and it was all over before he could react so it was a good match.

Q. First of all congratulations, they said that the clay is a little bit hard because Madrid is a little but high for the players; we want to know if it was a problem for you because you beat Nadal here?
A. Yes, I think it was tough for both of us today. You could see that we both struggled to control the balls but like I said yesterday I donґt think itґs so extreme, itґs not like itґs impossible to control. I think itґs interesting to be playing on clay at a different altitude, Iґve played in Gstad before which gives you opportunities to play aggressive and itґs more interesting that you have the chance to come forward and you have the chance to play aggressive and itґs not so easy to hit passing shots because at times on other surfaces when itґs so slow itґs almost impossible to come to the net because the guy is just moving past so well that this is a nice change for me.

Q. You said in Rome that since your back problems you were having trouble finding the motion of your serve the way it used to be before; it seems that this week things sort of clicked for you?
A. I had some good serving already this year but then at the same time I couldnґt do it consistently. I would go through a few games where I would serve very well and then get broken a couple of time is a row and thatґs not something that I am used to. I just felt that I couldnґt hit my spot so well and today and this whole week it has been coming back. I am obviously aware that this is altitude and that itґs easier to serve well here and to mix it up but still I feel, in my body, that the serves are working, the motion as well, I have the right rhythm and I think that is very good looking forward to the French Open where it is important to serve well, for me.

Q. How important is this win for you going into the French, does it massively change your confidence going in?
A. Yes, I think that at this stage it does. Now that I havenґt won a tournament yet this year, in other years it didnґt matter whether I won or lost, I was always one of the top two or favorites. This year it looked like other guys might come moving up but I always knew that I was going to get stronger week by week on clay, obviously I didnґt give myself the best opportunity in Monaco but I worked extremely hard in the two off weeks I had before and after Rome and itґs all finally paying off, itґs not the moment to get carried away but it is definitely good for my confidence especially beating Rafa in the final so it definitely proves that I am doing the right things and I am working extremely hard and it is paying off so itґs a nice feeling. I am very excited about going to Paris whereas a couple of weeks ago I was still a little bit unsure about my game and not sure if I could win the French. Obviously that has not changed.

Q. Confidence is a fragile thing for players and this is now Rafaґs first defeat in 33 clay court games and he has lost to you as well, his main rival; Do you think that might have some impact on his psychology going into Paris?
A. I snapped his streak at 81, a couple of years ago and it didnґt really bother him too much – he went back on another streak so I donґt think so. Sure, itґs nice to beat him in his own country where it is probably the hardest, you see the spectators and itґs pretty tough when it gets close plus he has that game which keeps you doubting because you have to keep going for your shots and as the crowd gets into it itґs hard but I donґt think that’s he is going to be damaged by this. He has played so well in Monaco, Barcelona and Rome, I think this is probably the best clay court season he has had so far so Iґm sure he will be rock solid in Paris again.

Q. Andre Agassi was talking yesterday about the Slams and he said that he thought Nadal had a chance of winning all four this year; do you think that he has improved that much and has a chance of doing that?
A. Well he is the only guy who has obviously. I donґt know, same as me the last few years when a guy wins the Australian Open. I think when a guy wins the Australian Open and his better surface is clay then sure there is a big chance that he might go two for two but I came very close a few times and itґs not the easiest thing to do. I said a couple of weeks ago that he definitely has a chance. There are guys who donґt want to allow him to do that and I am the first guy so... I have a great record at Wimbledon and the US Open and I have my dreams at the French Open so I have some say there hopefully.

Q. You bet Rafa Nadal, one hour ago, two years ago and you bet him today to; What about in Roland Garros, will you beat him because we heard that he was a little bit tired and he hadnґt slept too well?
A. I hope that when we play each other that he is not going to sleep much either because he knows that I am waiting the next day. I donґt think that it makes any difference that he played a long match yesterday and that he didnґt sleep much. Sure, itґs not the perfect preparation but I think that we are all tough enough to take it so thatґs why he was out there today trying hard for the spectators and for himself. I am sure Paris is a different circumstance, he has never lost there, obviously his confidence is very high there but I think that we have seen this week, that if you play Rafa the right way there are chances whereas sometimes he has gone out and dominated just about everybody on clay and it is good from the other players and also from myself, that itґs most important because I am always the one gunning after Rafa, especially at the French Open and I hope that this year could be the right one.

 Posted: 18.05.09 22:46. Post subject: First title of year ..

First title of year gives boost to Federer


MADRID (AP)—A victory over Rafael Nadal in a clay-court final has Roger Federer feeling good about his chances heading into the French Open.

It’s not the first time.

Federer broke a sluggish Nadal once in each set for a 6-4, 6-4 win Sunday that earned him a second Madrid Open trophy. It was the second-ranked Swiss player’s first title of 2009.

With Roland Garros a week away, the victory over four-time defending French Open champion Nadal is sure to provide a big boost for Federer.

“At this stage it does, considering I hadn’t won a tournament yet (this season),” the 13-time Grand Slam winner said. “It’s all finally paying off but it’s not the moment to get carried away. I’m very excited going to Paris whereas a couple of weeks ago I was still a little bit unsure about my game.”

Federer had similar feelings two years ago after he beat Nadal on clay at Hamburg to snap the Spaniard’s record 81-match winning streak on the surface.

After that win, Federer said he’d figured Nadal out ahead of Paris. But he then lost the ensuing final in four sets. Last year he lost the French Open final to Nadal in straight sets.

“I know what I have to do but that doesn’t make it easy,” Federer said Sunday.

Nadal, meanwhile, was only thinking about the first week at the French—a long way ahead of any rematch with Federer.

“Federer has the potential to win at Paris and at any site in the world. He’s showed that throughout his career. But Paris begins with the first round, not the final,” Nadal said. “If I was told now that I can play the final against him, show me the paper and I’ll sign.”

In 2006 and 2007, one loss to Nadal was all that stood between Federer and a season Grand Slam—wins in all four majors.

The situation is different approaching Roland Garros this year. For a start, Nadal is ranked No. 1, having ended Federer’s 237-week stint atop the men’s rankings by winning the Olympic gold medal at Beijing in August.

Nadal also beat Federer in the finals at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

The loss at Melbourne Park in January left the 27-year-old Federer in tears. He did go some way to rebounding from that in Madrid by ending Nadal’s 33-match winning streak on clay and denying him a sixth title this year.

Nadal, with an imposing 25-2 record in clay court finals, said his loss in Madrid would have little influence on the upcoming major.

“To me, this tournament has nothing to do with Paris. This tournament is practically another surface compared with Paris,” said Nadal, who wasn’t at his best following a record 4-hour semifinal win over Novak Djokovic. “There are points on normal clay that aren’t points but they are here. The conditions favored him more than me.”

Nadal said he was “empty” after Madrid and that he needed a few days to recover. He said his right knee is OK, but it acted up again on Saturday and has troubled him since November.

 Posted: 18.05.09 23:36. Post subject: Очень толковый товар..

Очень толковый товарищ сейчас пишет аналитику на спортс.ру, всем рекомендую.

18 мая 21:38 | автор: Виктор Радзиевский

Домашняя заготовка

На теннисных состязаниях Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Роджер Федерер завоевал первый в сезоне титул. И сотворил самую, пожалуй, большую сенсацию в теннисном мире, обыграв в финальном поединке на грунте первую ракетку планеты Рафаэля Надаля. Швейцарец прервал победную серию испанца из 33 матчей и череду собственных поражений.

По драматургии и ценности той особенной информации, которую дал этот матч теннисным аналитикам, он, думается, может быть назван хитом сезона. Федерер переиграл Рафу в двух сетах со счетом 6:4, 6:4. Это кажется невероятным, почти невозможным. Почему? Ведь сам Федерер не так давно выглядел вполне непобедимым на быстрых покрытиях. Плюс три финала «Ролан Гаррос». Мы все ждали, когда и эта – последняя – вершина ему покорится. И если бы покорилась, восприняли это как должное, разве не так? Да, Надаль с 2005 года проигрывал грунт только четыре раза, да, в личных встречах с Роджером на земляных кортах до Мадрида он вел со счетом 9-1, но Роджер – он велик, он способен на все. Так думали еще вчера его поклонники, но наблюдая за спадом в игре своего любимца, как-то незаметно стали покидать его корабль. Слезы Федерера на Открытом чемпионате Австралии, где он уступил Рафе последнее свое прибежище – хард, огорчили и растрогали, но никак не вдохновили. На Роджере, если уж быть честными до конца, многие почитатели поставили крест. И грех упрекать их – таков спорт. Доказывать свое право на лидерство надо на спортивной арене, а не на словах.

На Роджере, если уж быть честными до конца, многие почитатели поставили крест

Вот почему заявление Федерера накануне мадридского турнира о том, что он собирается играть в финале и уверен, что ему по силам победить Надаля на грунте, мало кто воспринял всерьез. Но давайте обратим внимание и на другие его слова: «Я играл хорошо в этом сезоне, но не лучшим образом против сильнейших игроков». И дальше: «Надеюсь, это случится на этой неделе, если нет, то поеду в Париж, так и не сыграв с Рафой, и, может, это и неплохо...» Вот теперь, после того, что Федерер сделал в Мадриде, задним числом начинаешь расшифровывать эти интервью и понимать скрытые смыслы. Теннис, который показал Федерер в последних стадиях австралийских состязаний, не просто был хорош, в нем появилось нечто новое, особенно в матче с Дель Потро, когда маэстро позволил себе немного покрасоваться на корте. Это новое условно можно назвать стилем «Хамелеон»: Федерер здесь – Федерер там, он и активен, когда не ждешь, и уходит от лобовой атаки. Но не смог этого показать с Надалем и от обиды заплакал. После стольких проигрышей его некогда железная психологическая устойчивость дала сбой. И вот теперь, когда он в тиши закрытых кортов, избегая посторонних глаз, начал готовить к Парижу свою новую грунтовую модель, его посетила мысль о том, что было бы неплохо не встретиться с Надалем в Мадриде, а сохранить эти заготовки до «Ролан Гаррос».

Слезы Федерера на Открытом чемпионате Австралии, где он уступил Рафе последнее свое прибежище – хард, огорчили и растрогали, но никак не вдохновили

Но встретиться все же пришлось. И теперь мы знаем, какой сюрприз готовил Федерер своему извечному сопернику.

Собственно, он сам потом сформулирует свой замысел, скажет на послематчевой пресс-конференции, что сделал «именно то, чего не удалось сделать Новаку в полуфинале, когда он должен был выигрывать в двух сетах». И хотя он со свойственным ему политесом подчеркнет, что Рафа играл на приеме не так четко, как обычно (видимо, имел в виду усталость Надаля после четырехчасового матча), и потому, мол, было выгодно избрать тактику коротких розыгрышей с опережением в завершающих ударах, но будет ясно: речь идет не об одноразовой тактике, а о принципе, которым мог бы воспользоваться и Джокович.

Впрочем, и до разъяснений Федерера, по тому, как действовал он с первых минут матча стало ясно: да, он стремится к коротким розыгрышам, но все дело в их наполнении.

Роджер поставил задачу не дать втянуть себя в удобный для испанца теннис

Роджер поставил задачу не дать втянуть себя в удобный для испанца теннис, когда Рафа, обладая прекрасной скоростью и лучшей в туре физической подготовкой, возит соперника по задней линии и, измотав его, заставляет ошибаться. У самого же Надаля уникальная способность – чем больше он двигается, тем точнее начинает играть.

Так вот, Федерер предложил Надалю не бегать, а думать. Но думать было сложно, потому что на это категорически не оставалось времени. Как можно было, например, предположить, что швейцарец, вроде бы приняв дальнобойную перестрелку, отправив Рафу глубоко за корт, ответит укороченным с задней линии? С такой точки направить мяч в медленном полете с сильным вращением, чтобы он клюнул вниз сразу за сеткой, очень непросто, но ему это по силам, и очко взято. В другом случае Роджер играет по прямой с бекхэнда на бекхэнд, игнорируя советы спецов, которые считают косой удар Надаля с двух рук куда более опасным, чем воздушный бекхэнд Федерера. Но мяч послан так глубоко и так близко к боковой линии, что у испанца не остается ни угла для замаха, ни времени для обработки мяча – он отвечает по прямой, а Роджер еще дальше смещается влево, готовя форхенд. Обычно в этой ситуации последовал бы обратный кросс, и Надаль готов стартовать, чтобы искать счастья в своей излюбленной игре по всей ширине корта. Но Роджер и с форхенда пробивает по прямой. И возникает такая картина маслом: весь корт открыт, а игровая ситуация не позволяет Надалю этим воспользоваться – швейцарец держит его в узкой полоске и продолжает по линии гнуть свою линию, пока не укладывает на нее мяч.

Швейцарец в каждом гейме ходил к сетке, стремясь отловить и остановить мяч – когда успешно, когда не очень

Все эти подробности нужны лишь для того, чтобы зримо представить себе, что избранный Федерером аскетичный рисунок игры, которая без привычной многоходовой перестрелки как будто не имела тела и ощутимого ритма – вся эта затея с пресечением инициативы соперника требовала штучного подхода к каждому розыгрышу и нестандартного завершающего решения. Для этого швейцарец в каждом гейме ходил к сетке, стремясь отловить и остановить мяч – когда успешно, когда не очень. Из 18 розыгрышей у сетки он выиграл 10. Надаль выходил два раза и выиграл одно очко. Важно еще и то, что, когда сетка перекрыта, обводка по узкому лучу свободного пространства справа или слева должна быть сверхточной, и это ограничивало возможности испанца, вносило в его игру дополнительный риск.

В итоге мы едва ли не впервые увидели, что Надаль играет в чужой, неудобный для него теннис. Проявить себя ему удавалось только на своей подаче и то отчасти, потому что – такое складывалось впечатление – некоторые геймы на подаче испанца Роджер словно бы пропускал. Может, и тут не хотел дать ему разбегаться? Мысль, конечно, довольно дикая, но факт: из десяти геймов на приеме пять проиграл с нулевым счетом, еще в трех поборолся, а в двух – девятом в первом сете и пятом во втором – сыграл очень ответственно, блеснул форхендом по линии, очень красивым укороченным. И там, и там сделал по брейкпойнту и тут же превратил их в брейки. Надаль тоже имел две возможности взять подачу швейцарца (в шестом гейме первого сета и в девятом второго), но получил быстрый отпор и не сумел их использовать.

В расчетливости и рационализме на этот раз Федерер превзошел самого себя

В расчетливости и рационализме на этот раз Федерер превзошел самого себя. Он допустил всего три двойные ошибки и 25 – невынужденных (у Надаля – 16), сделал на 5 эйсов больше испанца (6-1) и у него в два раза больше активно выигранных очков (25 –12). Но от этого чисто как зрелище матч, конечно проиграл. Не было ощущения битвы корифеев. Зато метафора о том, что теннис – это шахматы в движении, ложится на мадридский финал лучше всего. При том, что обе их партии можно почти целиком разобрать на этюды и поместить в учебник.

Нет сомнений, что продемонстрированный Роджером в поединке с Надалем вариант игры, техника и тактика успешного противодействия тому, что признано в современном мужском туре грунтовым эталоном, заставит многих задуматься о креативных возможностях современного тенниса, все больше похожего на рубку гладиаторов. Роджер не совершил открытия – скорее, развил собственные идеи. Но идеи эти интересны уже хотя бы тем, что Федерер сделал наконец то, чего от него давно ждали, но сделал совсем не так, как ему подсказывали многочисленные доброжелатели. Он не стал играть агрессивнее и мощнее, а остался верен себе, своей интеллектуальной модели, считая, что его спад в игре не означает, что она исчерпала себя. Трудно, безумно трудно остаться верным себе, когда после четырехлетнего доминирования на корте, обернувшегося неизбежным физическим и эмоциональным спадом, вокруг возникает вакуум и тотальное непонимание…

Но Роджер – очень хотелось бы надеяться – все это преодолел. Он не доказал, что сильнее Надаля. Он всего лишь доказал, что знает, как с ним играть. Теперь знает.

 Posted: 18.05.09 23:52. Post subject: Алёна, спасибо больш..

Алёна, спасибо большое за статью
Все достаточно объективно и по делу и вообще, есть о чем подумать

особенно вот это приятно слышать:

quote:

Федерер сделал наконец то, чего от него давно ждали, но сделал совсем не так, как ему подсказывали многочисленные доброжелатели. Он не стал играть агрессивнее и мощнее, а остался верен себе, своей интеллектуальной модели, считая, что его спад в игре не означает, что она исчерпала себя.

 Posted: 20.05.09 11:31. Post subject: ^^^ на рфк выложили ..

^^^ на рфк выложили английский перевод этой статьи, выполненный словенкой)

 Posted: 20.05.09 11:32. Post subject: Chris Evert on Fede..

Chris Evert on Federer : " i cry every time he loses "

“Isn’t there something about Federer that pulls at your heartstrings? I cry every time he loses a match, and I don’t even know the guy. (Laughs) There’s something so endearing about him as a person.”

Chris Evert on Federer vs. Nadal (I’m guessing this was pre-Madrid final):

“The thing that concerns me about Roger is, I just don’t know if his best is going to be good enough to beat Nadal. I don’t really see him playing out of the box, so to speak; I don’t see him changing anything, and that is what must happen if he wants to turn the tide. And also you have the added dimension of Andy Murray emerging, and [Novak] Djokovic, he seems to have gotten it back together.

”Chris Evert on the great Federer coach debate:

I think Roger’s his best coach. I don’t think there’s anyone better than him out there. Maybe someone to help him with training, fitness, getting stronger. If he can’t beat [Nadal], join him. Maybe he needs to get into the gym more. And by the way, he might be doing all this already, I don’t know. The fitness level could improve and that will bring along with it quickness and more power. But as far as playing the game and tactics, Roger is the best judge of that. Fitness helps you psychologically, there’s no doubt about it. When Martina started cleaning my clock, I said, I at least have to give myself a chance here, and so I went into the gym. Not to try to copy her, but just to be the best I could be and the strongest I could be. I think that’s what Roger needs to think about. Now’s not the time, but after this year when you have a period of six weeks, two months where you can really train hard.

sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french09/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=4176032

 Posted: 20.05.09 11:52. Post subject: "Noone should wr..

"Noone should write off Father Federer" -- 19.05.2009

http://www.welt.de/sport/article3768668/Niemand-sollte-den-Vater-Federer-abschreiben.html

In the middle of the decade he was the best tennis player in the world. But Roger Federer actually conquered the fans' hearts for the first time, only during the last twelve months, when Rafael Nadal caused him consecutive painful defeats. In an interview on WELT ONLINE the Swiss reveals how he wants to achieve his latest great career goals.

Roger Federer (27) is the most successful active tennis player of our days - till now he has won 57 tournaments, among which 13 Grand Slam Titles. But recently he has shown signs of weakness, he has been defeated many times by Rafael Nadal, and he has been waiting since October 2008 for a tournament victory - until he beat his steady rival on Sunday at the final in Madrid.


WELT ONLINE: Mr. Federer, next week the French Open begins. Where do you see yourself standing right now, just before the major tournaments in Paris and then at Wimbledon?

Roger Federer: I'm convinced that, after a hard year in 2008, I am again fully on the right way. This has also to do with the fact that I feel much fresher and fitter.

WELT ONLINE: Can a single victory like the one in Madrid change everything?

Roger Federer: Sometimes a great success is enough. Everything comes and goes very quickly in tennis. I haven't been saying without a reason, when I was no1, that nothing is for granted when it comes to my dominance.

WELT ONLINE: It seemed like a given fact however - after all you have dominated the tennis world for many years. Now you're still only (sic) no2, and therefore recently people say constantly that you're going through a crisis.

Roger Federer: I myself have created these great expectations/ high standards. When you remain the no1 for so many years and you only lose 5,6 times in one season, with some more defeats a state of emergency will be proclaimed. But I was never in a crisis. I never really lost my calm, and I have always looked into the situation with composure.

WELT ONLINE: Really? Boris Becker, after a sudden fall from the top of the world, once said: Tennis is brutal.

Roger Federer: This is in the nature of things - when you're out there all alone, you can't hide. There's noone to catch (?) you, like in a football team. You can win ten tournaments in a row, everything's great. But even if you lose (only) two times in a row, people start asking questions. Sometimes even you yourself start wondering. That's something you can't prevent.

WELT ONLINE: Many great athletes have felt true/genuine support from the beginning, while you had to walk off with big defeats first. What do you think of this?

Roger Federer: Yes, particularly after Wimbledon, last year. People were sad for me rather than happy for Nadal. I found that almost bitter for him. Many suddenly understood: Federer's wins are not for granted. It makes someone more human, if one loses sometimes.

WELT ONLINE: There have been voices that said, Federer is not receptive to advice, he wants no guidance.

Roger Federer: There are many who say much. I am not standing on a memorial (poDium?) and say: I know everything, I can do everything. I see the weaknesses, I see the strengths. And I bear the consequences. I examine myself every day, I am my own strict judge. Otherwise I would have never managed to have these successes.


WELT ONLINE: Observers have interpreted the latest developments this way: The big pack, that has hunted in vain for years, have now lost their respect for Federer. Because he has no longer the aura of the Invincible.

Roger Federer: Maybe. I never felt though, that there was a great pressure for other players to stand against me. You could get out on court and you had an easy job: either lose, which was nothing special, or be the hero who brought Federer to his knees.


WELT ONLINE: You are still highly motivated, even though you have won everything. Are you ever tired of tennis?

Roger Federer: I love this sport incredibly. There may be a moment once in a year, that I think: Now it would be nice to stay at home. As a junior I had already those zero-willpower-days, because I only depended on my talent.

WELT ONLINE: How much have you been thinking about the Grand Slam Record? Pete Sampras' 14 titles record is to be beaten.

Roger Federer: A few years ago I said: let me win ten titles, and then we'll talk about it. Now I am damn' close and I would like to make it. But I don't chase this goal with sick ambition. This is imputed to me indeed, but it's not true. I read: Federer fails at Wimbledon, at the Australian, because he has Sampras' recond in mind. That is silly.


WELT ONLINE: A few weeks ago you got married to your partner Mirka Vavrinec, and you will soon become a father for the first time. How much will this affect your career?

Roger Federer: My life's gonna change for sure. But I don't feel that this is going to make me lethargic/unenthusiastic. More likely the contrary: this will give me a boost. Our shared dream has always been that our children would be born while I would still be playing tennis. And now the first child (и здесь рекорды будет ставить?)) is on the way, and I already feel great anticipation.


WELT ONLINE: Will your wife still travel with you so regularly?

Roger Federer: I would like this very much. And we have the means - certainly more than others - to sort out the financial matters and to organise the practical matters. We will be a travelling tennis-family. Right now I feel very happy. And this happiness, this satisfaction in my life - these feelings inspire me. I wouldn't advise anyone to write off husband and father Federer.

WELT ONLINE: Have you already talked to other tennisfathers about the impact of the birth of a child?

Roger Federer: No, not yet. Right now all I wish for is that our child is healthy, that everything turns out well. In the beginning one thinks: is it going to be a boy? is it going to be a girl? But then there is only one thought, that there will be no complications. The attitude is changing very quickly.

WELT ONLINE: The birth date is during summer. Approximately during Wimbledon?

Roger Federer (laughing) : There is nothing to worm out of us - and this is the right thing to do.

 Posted: 20.05.09 12:34. Post subject: Алёна Очень приятно..

Алёна
Очень приятно! Впервые прочитала хороший материал, написанный русским специалистом.

 Posted: 21.05.09 09:10. Post subject: Burn Baby, Burn! ht..

Burn Baby, Burn!
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/tennisworld/2009/05/fed-1.html
Posted 05/19/2009 @ 1 :39 PM

Rog by Pete Bodo

Okay, I understand that it's not all about me, all the time. But I need to write a little about me to put this whole Roger/Rafa rivalry thing in perspective. My boy Luke, who's six, was invited to a birthday party starting at 10:30 on last Sunday morning, I knew that if I took him, I'd miss the live coverage of the Madrid Masters, but I figured I could catch the highlights later. One disadvantage of my job is that any Sunday is, at least in theory, a work day for me. I've had to learn not to feel guilty about taking Sunday off.

Anyway. I took Luke to the birthday party, but not long after noon I found myself wondering how things were going in Madrid. Nadal was the favorite, of course, but in a recent post for ESPN I speculated that Madrid might present Federer with an interesting window of opportunity. Just how off-base would I end up looking? So I punched up the browser on my Blackberry and, after much navigating, I learned that Federer had won the first set, and they were even halfway thorough the second.

Interesting, I thought, wonder if he can make it hold up.

By the time we left the party and made our way home it was around 3 pm. I got right on the computer at the apartment and checked the final score. My immediate reaction upon seeing that Federer had won was: Wow, must have been something to see. . .

Now, I've basically spent my entire adult match watching and writing about tennis matches. At this point, it takes an awful lot to make me feel like I might really have missed something, and even more to make me go out of my way at an inconvenient time to watch a tennis match. In my world, there's always another match, another player, another controversy, another icon; the down-side of a sport that rewards a player so handsomely and immediately is that the here and now quickly becomes the there and then. Meanwhile, the game inevitably coughs up the next big thing. Think you missed a "must see" or "once in a lifetime" event? Just wait a week for the next one.

Yet I found myself thinking, I've got to see this match. . . And it wasn't just because I knew I'd have to write about it here.

So that's how I ended up watching Tennis Channel at 2 am on Monday morning, with a bag of chips in my lap and a cold beer. The network was re-broadcasting the Madrid final starting at 1:30 am, so I dutifully set the alarm. I bolted out of bed at 1:20 and flicked on the tube. The fact that I already knew the outcome meant nothing at all. And that's the greatest endorsement of this rivalry that I can offer: It can get you out of bed in the middle of the night, even if you already know the outcome. This Federer vs. Nadal thing is special. Even to a jaundiced eye.

It's entirely possible that one day we'll all look back on this match - Federer against Nadal, fighting it out in the dirt inside the Magic Box, 2009 - as a career-defining moment. It could go on to be the most critical victory of Federer's career. For Federer has introduced a big question mark in the Roland Garros narrative, and revived the idea that he may yet win the clay-court major.

if Federer wins at Roland Garros - whether his final-round victim is Nadal or someone else - Madrid will stand as the turning point: the moment when Roger Federer finally got some wind behind his sails and floated free of the shoals of self-doubt and a self-protective embrace of disappointment. We all know just how much that Roland Garros title means in the big picture; the French Open championship match could have a more profound impact on tennis history than any other major final.

A Federer win in Paris would also represent an impressive act of courage and will, for one of the more compelling (and, for Federer fans, agonizing) aspects of the Swiss champion's hunt for the game's golden fleece is that fate threw him a curve ball so wicked that even the most perverse spoilsport couldn't have dreamed it up. Fate didn't give Federer a couple of good players to beat, the way it did Pete Sampras, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, and others. It gave him one exceptional one - a nemesis who is especially able on the clay surface that deducts the most from Federer's game.

This challenge has been, and continues to be, as difficult as it must be unnerving. Just think about it - wouldn't Federer's life be a lot easier if he'd lost a final to a Safin here, a Hewitt there, a Roddick somewhere else? The guy hasn't lost a Grand Slam final to anyone but Rafael Nadal, to whom he's lost five. What's a genius supposed to do when someone out there can taunt, Who's your Daddy?

This state of affairs has to be as irritating as it is unusual, as demoralizing as it is unambiguous. But on Sunday, Federer shook his head to clear the cobwebs, looked around at the landscape, took a deep breath and played just the kind of match he needed against the guy who made him forget how good he truly is. Oh, I know Nadal was tired and curiously passive, I saw him fail to reach shots that are usually fodder for his topspin cannon. But that doesn't really matter - do you think it mattered to Federer? Do you think it mattered to Nadal? You all heard what he said: . .If I'm tired it's because I played longer than I should have yesterday. . .

Translation: It's my own danged fault that I had a semi-final war.

Let's look at Federer's accomplishment on the two fronts that most count, the strategic and the tactical. On the strategic front, Madrid could not have ended up on the ATP calendar at a better time for Federer. Given Federer's age (27), experience, and record, it's safe to say that playing the Euro-clay events was important to Federer in only one respect: the degree to which it might help him win at Roland Garros. He had little to gain by knocking himself out in the run-up events, and even that little could be negated if Nadal managed to rack up a few more Ws at The Mighty Fed's expense in the process.

Federer needed just two things out of this clay-court season: to experiment with whatever new tactics he could think up, and to get adequately comfortable to playing on red dirt under competitive conditions. That means one or two events, preferably without meeting Nadal, for it's far more important for Federer to make Nadal wonder what he's thinking than the other way around. The demise of the Hamburg tournament and the addition of Madrid was a great logistical development for Federer, even though he notched up his last win on clay over Nadal (in 2007) at the event Madrid replaced, Hamburg.

The combination of altitude and surface speed at Madrid helped Federer a lot more than it did Nadal, who had reservations about the way the altitude would affect his preparation for the French Open, and who made it a point note that the red clay in Madrid was, at least in relative terms, extremely "fast." Looking back, I now believe that Federer probably only played Monte Carlo in order to remain in the good graces of a key sponsor, Rolex (he lost to Stan Wawrinka and seemed not too upset about it). That means he budgeted two tournaments as a run-up to Paris: Rome and Madrid. Although TMF lost to Novak Djokovic in the Rome semis, he got the matches he wanted, on a surface well-suited to his game (until Madrid, Rome was thought to have the fastest clay). He got the same - and more - in Madrid.

So, while Madrid posed an unwelcome complication for Nadal, it was a boon for Federer, enabling him to accomplish three important objectives: He tuned up his clay-court game under ideal conditions for building his confidence; he got the competitive preparation he needed and, as an unexpected bonus, he beat his rival, on his rival's home turf, to plant what doubts or fears he could in Nadal's mind. It's funny, isn't it, what a significant change a tweaking of the calendar can represent.

Strategically, Federer is in better shape going into Roland Garros than he has been since the year he took out Nadal in Hamburg. And while the clay in Paris isn't apt to be as slow as ever (slower than Rome or Madrid), Federer will be playing on it with greater confidence - especially if the weather is hot and dry, as is sometimes the case.

The other facet of Federer's win in Madrid was the tactical - the specific things he did to beat Nadal. First off, he played with a confidence we haven't seen in some time. At the start of the match, while the strains of Disco Inferno still echoed in the Caja Magica, (Did they really play that cheesy number to warm up the crowd? What next, Ion Tiriac doing the frug?), Federer looked grim and distracted, the way he has so often in the past year or so. While it's nice to know that even The Mighty Fed sometimes hates to go to work, the furrowed brow and tight lips don't exactly convey or inspire confidence in what he's about to do. But by the time he hit that marvelous forehand drop shot and held comfortably for 2-all, it was clear that things might go a little differently this time.

Ultimately, Federer's win rested on a few critical and mostly subtle changes in his game, and his approach to what might be called "the Nadal Problem." Federer seemed for the first time in ages to want to attack - to take the game to Nadal and pressure him. He played right on the baseline or even inside it, looking to take Nadal's ball on the rise (Nadal mostly played from a good six or seven feet behind the baseline). Although Federer rarely took his aggressive posture to the serve-and-volley or chip-and-charge realm, he served and volleyed some, and even chipped and charged a bit.

Mostly, though, he seemed to be looking for the short ball to jump on, and Nadal obliged him. Federer's ability to attack was a function of court speed and his position on the court, but it was also a sign of confidence. Federer has always been a little reluctant to engage in problem-solving, and it's partly because doing so undermines the sense that he's a spectacular natural talent whose every move is inherently and casually elegant. But inside the magic box, he was willing to get down and dirty.

Rafa Federer also showed more variety and deception than he has in the past. He used the drop shot sagaciously, and he came up with a new solution to the ongoing problem of finding himself pinned in his own backhand corner - that was the forehand, hit down his own backhand line (inside-in?) after Nadal had already started his sprint toward his own forehand corner in anticipation of the devastating Federer inside-out shot.

This time, Federer also handled Nadal's lefty serve better, even though Nadal managed an 80 per cent first-serve conversion percentage. One of the elements that has always hurt Federer in his matches with Nadal is the Federer has never been an aggressive returner; he likes to get the ball back in play, because he knows he can take control of and dictate the terms of a rally. That's not good enough against Nadal, who will seize on any opportunity to take control of the rally, starting with his opponent's return.

Still, it was Federer's serve, not his return, that played the biggest role in the victory. Although his first-serve conversion percentage was a solid if unremarkable 63 per cent, his second serve had sting and penetration, and so much spin that one ad-court delivery pulled Nadal so far off the court that he disappeared from my screen. Mainly, Federer served with authority, and the threat that he might attack behind any serve had to be a constant source of concern for Nadal. Federer attacked the net 18 times, and won 10 of those points. That may not sound like a great statistic, but it doesn't take into account the overall effect his willingness to attack had on Nadal's comfort and shot selection. As Mike Estep once told his then-protege Martina Navratilova, "If you're not getting passed 25, 30 times, you're not coming in enough."

When you combine all these elements, you end up with a textured, nuanced game distinguished by an exquisitely controlled aggression - the only kind of aggression that might be effective against as formidable a marksman as Nadal. All along, Federer has been insisting that he doesn't need to make any major changes in order to beat Nadal, and on Sunday he showed exactly what he meant by that.

Whether he can duplicate the feat against Nadal at Roland Garros is an entirely different question, and one it would be importunate to ask unless the meeting became imminent. For different reasons, the big challenge for both men will be fighting through the field to get at each other.

 Posted: 21.05.09 09:40. Post subject: irina пишет: And wh..

irina пишет:

quote:

And while the clay in Paris isn't apt to be as slow as ever (slower than Rome or Madrid)

что скажешь? меня эта фраза зацепила еще в первый раз на рфк, не думаю, что Бодо без каких-то снований бы такое написал.. неужели..??)

 Posted: 21.05.09 09:46. Post subject: галка ежегодный все..

галка
ежегодный вселенский заговор организаторов РГ против надаля раскроют в соседней ветке, ты зачем им помогаешь?

 Posted: 21.05.09 09:48. Post subject: Марина я скорей пов..

Марина
я скорей поверю, что это Бодо прикололся над федфанами)
Бум ждать словес от свисса.. уже сегодня)

 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.