Shanghai & Basel 2017 Press Conferences

HOME SWEET HOME FOR ROGER

October 9th, 2017 - shanghairolexmasters.com - Features




Ahead of his first match at the 2017 Shanghai Rolex Masters, Roger Federer announced his intentions to walk away with his second trophy from QiZhong Stadium. The 19-time winner of majors said that his focus was not on catching Rafael Nadal for the top spot but was “right here, right now on Shanghai. Nothing else”.

Playing his first Tour event since the quarters of the US Open where he was hampered by a back injury, Federer said his training has been geared towards performing well this week. Federer arrived in Shanghai on Thursday night, as early as he’s ever been here.





“(I) have been practicing for hours on the center court,” he said. “Have been kept busy, as well, which gets me into the right mindset, to be quite honest, because I’m here for a reason, here for a purpose, trying to do well, hopefully winning the tournament.

“It’s definitely one of the goals of the season for me here, this tournament. I always make it as a priority that I will be in good shape for Shanghai.”

Immensely popular in China, Federer is happy to be back after missing last year’s tournament with injury. He added: “Maybe some fans here in China or Shanghai thought I might never come back. I never thought this way, but now that I’m here I feel fans are really, really excited to see me.

“They are always there at my practice, they were there at the airport, they were there when I’m leaving from the airport: they are at any event almost I’m doing to get a glimpse of me which is very cool.”

Federer calls Shanghai his “second home away from home”, having opened the Qi Zhong Stadium here back in 2005. This year, Federer’s been making the most of his trip to Shanghai, having been spotted at an NBA game and even getting a metro line dedicated to him.



Fun and games aside, the 36-year-old says his focus is different compared to his younger years. “It’s short now. It’s compressed. So it’s week by week, and just try to do your absolute best. I have played extremely well this part of the season, but, you know, every year is different,” he said.

Despite owning 93 titles, putting him third on the all-time list behind Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl, Federer says he’s far from done for the year despite having one of his best seasons ever: “I’d like to win a couple of tournaments. That’s the goal. But we’ll see how it goes. It all starts here on Wednesday,” he said.

Shanghai 2017 - R3 Press Conference

TRANSCRIPT – ROGER FEDERER  

Shanghai Rolex Masters
Thursday, 12 October 2017

R. FEDERER/A. Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-2


Q. Do you feel that on this match you got into the groove of things better than the previous one, that you felt more rhythm?

ROGER FEDERER: Different match, you know. Dolgopolov takes bigger cuts at the ball, keeps the points shorter, has a bigger serve, so the points will never be quite the same.

I served very well today, 80% first serves. So when that happens, then the rallies are short there, too. So I think it was really a fast-court match. He was standing on the baseline or in the baseline on my serves, so that also changes things around a bit.

I felt good in the first match, I must tell you. So I felt, I think, the same. I think maybe the matchup was maybe a bit easier and I took my chances more. Had a better ratio of winning on the break points that I didn’t quite have against Schwartzman. That’s maybe the biggest difference of both matches, so I’m happy I was able to do better today on the break points.


Q. This year people are happy that you and Rafa win Grand Slams again and Big 4 era goes on. However, some people might worry the Big 4 era is too strong, is very hard to repeat and follow. Obviously ATP is doing good job promoting NextGen players, but do you have worry for the future after your generation?

ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I mean, there’s going to be a certain void, you know, when Rafa retires or Novak or myself or anybody of that stature who has been in the game for 15, 20 years and done great things and records and all that stuff, which we all have in our own ways.

Our fans, you know, hopefully will still follow tennis, or it’s going to be different for them or unfortunately they will leave tennis. You know, the new generation is going to bring in new fans. The wheel keeps turning. There is all the Masters 1000s every year, the 250s, 500s that keep moving on, same as the slams and the World Tour Finals. It’s going to create new players, new legends, new Hall of Famers. It’s always going to be fine, in my opinion, as long as we respect the legacy that the players have left behind, remember who have paved the way for us, and if we do it with class, you know, because I think our sport is very classy and I hope it’s always going to remain this way. So we will be fine there.

Sure, it’s going to be a change and then adjustment to be made, you know, because the chances are that we are going to retire, you know, somewhat around the same five-year period, so it’s going to be different after, that’s for sure. But not worse, in my opinion.

Q. A lot of people say that I look like you.

ROGER FEDERER: Awesome.

Q. Can we get a selfie afterwards?

ROGER FEDERER: Tomorrow we’ll have somebody else, I’m sure (smiling).


Q. Seriously, so these quick matches, two two-set matches like today and yesterday and also the quick matches before you, I think that’s help your preparation for the next day, because I remember, you know, last time or couple years ago you were still here like 1:00 a.m. or something.

ROGER FEDERER: Right. No, I mean, I’m definitely sort of on time, on schedule, you know. I went to bed at 3:00 in the morning last night, so I don’t know if that’s great. Because I do have to drive back, I do have to have treatment. By the time you rest and you shut your eyes, it is late.

The good thing is I’ve got experience with these kind of things. But, sure, the short match helps the recovery the next day when you wake up, unlike the two five-setters I had at the US Open starting the tournament. It’s always a bit of a problem for the remainder of the tournament.

So this start now, it’s perfect, you know, like it’s not too late. I’ve got time till the next match tomorrow. I like playing Gasquet on fast courts, so I hope I can again put in a similar performance like today.

Q. Talk about the 1:00 a.m. in the morning, no matter it’s 1:00 a.m. in airport or 8:00 p.m. in the Nike lab, there are always hundreds of fans waiting you?

ROGER FEDERER: Hundreds of thousands, yeah (smiling).


Q. And also, nobody is supposed to know you practice indoor a few days ago, but we got your picture on social media. I’m wondering, do you sometimes, like, jeez, these guys really well informed as they know where to find me? Do you still have the surprise?

ROGER FEDERER: Yes. Yeah, there’s people everywhere I go. I don’t think there is a leak or anything, but it’s just how it is here. There’s just a lot of people in this country. So they tend to be there, or there is always people around somewhere in some place.

But, no, I enjoy the attention here, because I’m never here, so it’s 10 days of the year that it’s maybe a bit extreme. Plus my family is not here, so I care less that they’re there. Like I said, it’s actually quite enjoyable to see so much support and so much care by them, because they are very caring and very respectful. If I don’t have time to sign autographs or take pictures, they understand. If I find it dangerous for them, I won’t do it, they get it. They are very understanding, and it’s nice to have those kind of fans, I must admit.


Q. You said you like Shanghai very much. When you come to Shanghai, which scenic spot you want to visit? What food you like to eat most?

ROGER FEDERER: I like to go to all kinds of different restaurants. Now that the tournament has started, I’m just eating the pizza contest situation at the restaurant (smiling).

But, no, kidding aside, I can’t go for dinner now anymore. It’s way too late. But I try to always go to some different restaurants or go back to some old classics I have enjoyed over the years in the city.

Of course I like The Bund. Never looks the same, in a way, you know, the water, the boats moving around. I like it, the lights at night. During the day it’s different again. If it’s sunshine or cloudy, I always like to have the view to The Bund or go visit there.

This year I have been quite busy, to be quite honest. I arrived very early, but I had a lot of things I had to do, so I couldn’t quite get around as much as I was hoping to. I have, in the past, I went to Art District or Xintiandi, and different places, so I have always tried every year to do something.

This year it’s been more total focus on just being match-ready and making sure I get my stuff done and I’m well prepared and rested once the tournament gets underway.

Q. You have been coming here many years and you have seen the way that China has tried to bring itself in line as a tennis nation. You can’t knock what they do in terms of the tournaments and the facilities, but almost as long as you have been playing, they have been trying to bring through a male player. Now they potentially have one in the boy that won the US Open.

ROGER FEDERER: Right.

Q. Can you imagine what kind of pressure he will be under?

ROGER FEDERER: Probably not (smiling). Because I come from a country that’s sort of laid back, I would think. We believe in education and then sport comes at some stage; whereas here it opens all possibilities, you know, if you’re good in sports.

I’m not sure how the press is. You have to ask your friend over here how press is towards the athletes here, if they allow them to work or if they make them stars way too soon like it happens in some other countries. France, an example, I think they make their players too big too soon, and then they become a bit, I don’t want to say “spoiled, but a bit too happy too soon rather than finishing their development at every stage throughout.

So I’m not sure about that. But I also have to tell I think any junior feels pressure. When you go out there and you know that you’re trying to hang with the guys or with the men, it’s a different vibe than in the junior locker room. It’s more competitive. You’re playing for money, playing for points, playing for rankings. You’re trying to move up, you’re trying to establish yourself, and that always creates pressure. I almost don’t — I think it doesn’t matter almost the background.

Murray has had a ton of pressure, if you think about it, and he was able to manage it in sort of an easy way. Okay, you could argue that he was also struggling at times with having Wimbledon in his backyard, but somehow, if you’re good enough, you get it done somehow, because you have enough opportunities to play away from China, in Wu’s situation, or Andy’s situation. He can go play in Bangkok or Basel where it’s not the attention quite like home.

You feel, as a player, you can get away from it all at times. I think just as important is that you don’t get carried away too soon as a player and you really want to try to become the best player you can become and not just be happy to be famous for winning something in the juniors or winning a few matches on the tour.


Q. You say you like The Bund very much. And do you know the housing price of Shanghai? Maybe it’s one of the most expensive of the world. Will you have idea to buy a house in Shanghai?

ROGER FEDERER: I have no plans yet (smiling). And I probably won’t. I’m not here enough. They have great hotels here, and I think hotels work perfectly for me at the moment.

Q. You can guess price of Shanghai’s house? Guess?

ROGER FEDERER: I can guess?

Q. Yeah, you can guess.

ROGER FEDERER: Too much, probably, like in every big city around the world. These big cities have a way to have very high prices (smiling).

Shanghai 2017 - QF Press Conference

TRANSCRIPT – ROGER FEDERER  

Shanghai Rolex Masters
Friday, 13 October 2017

R. FEDERER/R. Gasquet  7-5, 6-4


Q. It’s been decided on a few points. First set, 15-30. At 4-5, what did you feel on the court today?

ROGER FEDERER: I felt good. Like you said, I thought it was a really good match. Some big points, important shots at the right time for both guys sometimes to stay even, and we both created chances. Both used our chances sometimes, you know, like the break and rebreak in the second set.

I thought we were able to keep up the level from the beginning till the very end. Even the roof was open today. Conditions felt a bit cooler and a bit slower maybe, and that allowed us to maybe hit bigger. I’m not sure.

But I enjoyed it, you know, because it was slices and topspins and angles and power and finesse. I think the match had a bit of everything.


Q. Why receive?

ROGER FEDERER: Why not?

Q. Usually you serve, right?

ROGER FEDERER: No. Just felt like I wanted to see his serve first. I was on the side where the wind was in my back, so I thought, you know, if he serves first and doesn’t get a good first game, against the wind it’s always tough to serve first, and I was hoping that was going to make a difference. It didn’t. Didn’t matter at the end, so…


Q. Is it a kind of an odd situation for you now? I’m sure you know that Juan Martin went to the hospital to have an MRI on his wrist.

ROGER FEDERER: I didn’t know that.

Q. Oh, yeah. He fell on the court.

ROGER FEDERER: Thanks for letting me know. It’s screwing me up now completely, but it’s all good. (Laughter.)

Q. Sorry about that. Does that make it kind of a strange…

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yes, now that I know. I mean, we all hope it’s precaution more than anything. What’s an MRI tell you? Gives you confirmation sometimes that something happened or not. At the end of the day, the pain you feel is the one that leads, especially in a situation like this where you don’t have time to rest, either you play or you don’t play.

So I hope for him that it’s nothing serious. Of course it’s on the wrist, as well, that he’s had problems in the past, so this is where, you know, he’s worried, rightfully so. For me, at the end of the day, nothing changes, you know. I’m ready to come out here tomorrow and see the match like it’s a revenge chance for the US Open, you know, where it was tight and I couldn’t win. So I see that more than his injury.

I did see the fall. I saw the match. It was a good match. Troicki played well. It was a tough break for him to get after that. That’s why he was so upset and so frustrated, Viktor. It was a tough one for him.

But I hope for now that Juan Martin can recover and we can play a normal match tomorrow.


Q. About what you said yesterday on French players and the press making them stars too early, Richard just told us that for him it was only his fault if he didn’t become No. 1 or win a Grand Slam. First, what do you think about it? Do you think French players such as Jo, Gaël, Richard, did as much as you guys, Rafa, Novak, Andy, and you to become champions?

ROGER FEDERER: I’m not sure if I understood correctly what Richard said, what he meant.

Q. (Off microphone.)
ROGER FEDERER: What I was saying is the media is not helpful in the process. Yeah, people put him on the cover of Tennis Magazine at 10, 12 years old. I don’t think that’s ideal. It’s cool, in a way, as any kid, but it ended up being Richard, and it changes the mindset from then on for somebody the way that people look at him. That’s not his mistake. It’s just how it is.

Every step along the way, there is much more media attention in France than maybe in any other country because you guys are tennis crazy. That’s why we love going there.

But you make the quarters of a tournament, and it’s, like, wow, amazing. In other countries you have to win, I don’t know how many tournaments, to get the same appreciation.

So it can be a hindrance. Yet it can also be a tailwind, you know, where you feel, jeez, I’m doing so well already, the press is loving it, my friends are loving it. Everybody is in euphoria. But I think if you analyze it all together, I don’t think it’s the best thing.

But you guys of big French newspapers, sports sections, you have to cover the tennis players, too. So it’s a tricky one, and that’s where I think the entourage is key in the player development to remind them, okay, you maybe made first page of the newspaper or the magazine or whatever it is, but it doesn’t change one thing of what we’re trying to achieve, you know.

A lot of people have to have the right mindset at the right time, and along the way, not everybody can be this way. People get carried away, and that’s unfortunate. But, look, everybody did really well. Everybody is having a great career. I don’t know how they work in the offseason. I don’t know what they do, you know, away from tennis, what they do on the road. It’s really hard for me to judge. Only they know if they are giving it all and more, you know.

I know I have tried my very best. I have made my mistakes early on, as well. I reacted. From the outside, Rafa looks like he’s done everything right. He won 10 French Opens, and he’s had a Hall of Fame career. But I’m sure also he thinks he could have maybe done things a bit different.

So I was more referring to the media than the player himself.


Q. Both of you have very beautiful backhand. There are actually four players among Top 10 play one-handed backhand, and also Denis Shapovalov coming up very strong. Ten years ago people think one-handed backhand is dying. How do you comment on its future?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, look, from moving now on forward we will see double-handed backhands predominantly, which is how I would teach my kids, as well, to play tennis. I think it’s just easier. Double-handed backhand, you can always fight a wrong position with the left hand, let’s say, if you’re a right-hander. You know, on the return it’s the same thing. You might have a little bit less reach, but you can also let go and still reach it.

I think a double-hander is the way to go, but I hope it’s not a dying breed, you know, like you said. I think it just looks nice, a one-handed backhand. You mentioned Thiem, Gasquet, Stan, they all look good, those one-handed backhands, especially if there is power and in defense it looks great. Grigor, same thing.

So it’s nice to see Denis also keeping that alive and same with Thiem and young guys coming up that it’s still going. But I think we will always be outnumbered from this point moving forward. Unfortunately Björn Borg had too big of an impact on this game. He just doesn’t know it sometimes (smiling).


Q. You played all your matches at 8:00 p.m. Is this a groove that you like, or is it tougher for sleep or recovery or not changing anything?

ROGER FEDERER: Look, it’s always good when you play more or less the same time in the same environment. The harder is if you go to day to night to day to night and you keep switching it up like this.

But if you’re going all night, it’s okay. 8:00 is late, to be honest, you know, like we explained in the beginning of the week. Getting back now, it’s 11:00 already. Probably by the time I’m able to sleep it’s going to be 3:00 in the morning. But, I mean, it’s okay. I’m, like, on a Swiss time zone, so actually the jet lag won’t be so severe when I come home. But I don’t care about the jet lag right now. I’m trying to play a good tournament.

So it’s late. If I could choose, I prefer to have, like, a 4:00 or a 6:00 slot here, just because of the commute is far. But the tournament asked me to play 8:00, and I’m okay with that, too. No problem.

Shanghai 2017 - SF Press Conference

Saturday, 14 October 2017


> ON-COURT INTERVIEW


Federer Reflects On SF Win Over Del Potro




TRANSCRIPT – ROGER FEDERER  

Shanghai Rolex Masters
Saturday, 14 October 2017 (SF)

PRESS CONFERENCE

R. FEDERER/J. Del Potro 3-6, 6-3, 6-3


Q. That long game and that break, second set, do you think that was crucial to change the momentum of this match?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, for me it was. Clearly getting the break and then holding, I mean, it’s always key in tennis. So I’m happy I was able to do it, especially with all the twists and turns and, you know, blink at the wrong time, you know, he might hold the game and then you don’t know what’s going to happen next or I have to go through the breaker maybe, or because I’m with my back against the wall I might play a poorer game later on in the set.

I played a very clean second set. I had many more chances on the return. Hardly dropped points on my own serve. Probably was a bit better in that second set. And then it’s just important to somehow get it done. Sometimes you need the help of your opponent, and sometimes it needs to work out the way the point plays out.

Yeah, it was good energy out there on the court today, and I really tried to push myself after playing a bit of a subdued maybe first set, but Juan Martin didn’t allow me to play so much in that first set.


Q. Do you feel like you have a big disadvantage for tomorrow, considering Rafa finished hours ago?

ROGER FEDERER: Ah, no, not really. A huge one, not really. Maybe a tiny one. But not one that hopefully makes a difference (smiling).


Q. You chose to receive today, as well, after yesterday. Any particular reason?

ROGER FEDERER: Are we going to talk about these things now (smiling)?

No, I just, when I was asked, I was, like, oh, I prefer to return first. The roof was closed, so no excuses there about wind and stuff. Just felt like, you know, maybe for a big guy, to start first, sometimes it’s not your favorite thing to do.

But it didn’t work out. So next time maybe I will serve tomorrow against Rafa.


Q. 38th match with Rafa. Talk a little bit about – that’s a lot of matches, and they have been very competitive and whatever – what that’s meant in your career.

ROGER FEDERER: Ones to look back on, because most of those matches — I’m not sure what the stat is, but maybe half of them maybe in finals. That’s why I think the rivalry is so special. The way we both play, we play so very different from one another. Also, the attitude, the way we go through our lives, you know, it’s all very different in some ways.

Yeah, we have a similar mindset in the big moments. I came to realize that when we played doubles. There is no sense of urgency or panic, I don’t want to say ever, but, you know, you could tell we have been there many, many times before. He’s a great champ, and I enjoy playing against him, even though the head-to-head is maybe not in my favor. I think he’s definitely one of the guys that make me a better player. I don’t want to thank him for that, but he made me maybe rework my game and go back to the practice courts and think about what I could change maybe to become a better player.

I think for that I’m happy about the losses I took, you know. Took them on the chin and kept moving forward. It’s nice at this late stage of the career that we still have these matches going on.


Q. Juan Martin picked you as the likely winner of tomorrow’s final, largely because of the speed of the court. Can you talk a little about playing on this court and how it helps your game.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, look, margins are small. On fast courts it’s always, like I explained before about the break points, it’s got to sort of match up, you know, with — is Juan Martin going to serve so well on the big point that you can maybe almost do nothing about, or is he going to use the combo of the serve and forehands so perfectly that you just almost cannot come through, you know, even if you create so many chances.

And maybe tomorrow is the same thing. There is only going to be a few chances for either player, and sometimes it’s just who blinks, you know, at the wrong time.

So it makes it always a close match on faster courts. But for me it’s good. You know, the slice stays lower. I naturally play on the baseline. Maybe Rafa doesn’t have that many opportunities to go way, way back to return, even though he can also do it on hard courts and he’s the best ever to return from way back there.

So he almost has to play up on the baseline, but he’s been doing that almost perfectly here this week, you know. He’s maybe even surprised some of his opponents to play this good on the baseline and outplayed those guys.

So, I mean, look, he’s a great player on hard courts. On fast, as well. He wouldn’t have won Wimbledon otherwise. It’s going to be a tough one for me. I mean, I hope, of course, the service might help me a little bit. That would be nice, anyways.


Q. My question is being here we notice how much respect and love China and Shanghai brings, has towards you. How does that affect your stay here in Shanghai? Does it impact your game, as well, on court?

ROGER FEDERER: Makes me happy. Makes me feel welcome. It’s maybe also one of the reasons I will come back here to Shanghai or make this tournament a bigger priority, you know, if I feel like I’m really wanted to be seen here, and, like, when I show up I have hundreds of fans that show their colors and show their support.

It’s a great feeling, I must admit, you know, because I can only play so many tournaments in Switzerland. Maybe one a year. It’s nice to get crowd support away from home, as well. I think people have seen me a lot here in Shanghai because I’m the player who’s the only guy left from the 2002 Tennis Masters Cup way back when.

It’s always been nice to come here. Unfortunately I have missed a few also because of injury or because of a long season, but I’m happy I’m back again this year after missing last year. Of course I’m looking forward to coming back next year again.


Q. The last time you played Rafa in Shanghai is 2007. Compared to 10 years ago, how has your relationship with Rafa changed and evolved?

ROGER FEDERER: He looks different (smiling). He’s not wearing the croppy pants anymore and sleeveless shirts and stuff.

The relationship? We were cool way back when, you know. I remember I had to win my group, I think my last match, and if I won that, I knew I was going to play Rafa in the semis, so I could have avoided him by losing. But I wanted to win my group stage match, and that gave me the Rafa setup in the semis, which is tough, you know.

But, you know, I think we always got along very well. Always had a lot of respect for one another. He used to be more quiet and calmer and more shy way back when just because I had been on tour for almost 10 years at the time, and he was going through the motions with decision-making and all that stuff, especially at the ATP level that whatever Roger thinks, I’m his opinion, too. Then as time went by, you know, he had his own opinion, which I thought was great. His character grew and became more confident.

In the process, you know, our relationship became bigger, I guess, you know, because we had to — we had some arguments, we had some disagreements, but for the most part, it was always good, you know, and very nice.

I think especially the last few years have been a pleasure for us. You know, especially being injured, for me, as well, seeing what he had to go through. I could never really relate to injured players, to be quite honest, because I never really was that hurt like he was. I think the last year was a good reality check for me to maybe understand what he was going through so often.

And then of course, you know, I was always happy for him, especially down the stretch of his career, that he kept on winning and proved people wrong, like I was trying to do the same. And then we went to open the academy almost today on the day last year, which I know is very personal to him and very important. Especially with Laver Cup now, as well, the last year. It’s been great for both of us. I’m happy to call him a friend today.

Shanghai 2017 - Final Press Conference

Sunday, 15 October 2017


> ON-COURT INTERVIEW after winning his second Shanghai title and 27th Masters.


'Shocked' Roger Federer talks after brilliant win vs Nadal





> TRANSCRIPT: THE SINGLES CHAMPION ROGER FEDERER  





Shanghai Rolex Masters
Sunday, 15 October 2017 (Final)

PRESS CONFERENCE

R. FEDERER/R. Nadal 6-4, 6-3


Q. It’s been a long year, and after this you have a few tournaments to go, so how does your body feel right now?

ROGER FEDERER: I haven’t played — I mean, the year has been long, yes, but I haven’t played that much, to be honest.

The body is fine. I’m going to reassess everything after this week, after I come home to Switzerland tomorrow. So I will get together with my team and just come up with a plan. You know, set the priorities, see how my body feels tomorrow.

But so far I’m good. I’m happy I’m feeling this way. It’s been a tough week. Five straight matches is always a test and a challenge for anybody’s body, especially with the pressure rising, you know, throughout the event.

I’m happy I’m feeling this good right now, and, you know, we’ll see what’s up mid next week.


Q. Congrats. Did you expect it to be quite as smooth as it was? Talk a little bit about the match. You seemed to have it in control from the first game.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I don’t know what my expectations were going in. I thought I might struggle maybe a little bit early on because it was a late finish last night. Turnaround was fast, you know. Woke up, went straight into the car. Came over early to make sure I get, you know, the practice underway and enough time to get ready for the match.

I had no nerves really before the match, which was nice, you know. I wasn’t, you know, seeing things, you know, like — I don’t know, I don’t want to call it like a day dream or anything, but sometimes you visualize points and points and plays. I didn’t have that. I was, I think, pretty clear about how I wanted to play the match.

And then, you know, I came off, started off very well. Felt relaxed from then on. I always know that Rafa can come back at any moment if he connects well, picks the right sides, and does the right things. Even felt that way being up Love-40, you know, going for the double break, but, you know, I had a clear game plan and felt I was playing well all week. I think that settled my nerves, because I was returning well from the first match here I played against Schwartzman. The serve only got better. I guess I saved best for last. I played some good matches now against Del Potro, Set 2 and 3, and also now these two sets.

In a way, not surprising, because I did feel good all week, and it does pay off to arrive early to an event. You can’t do it all the time, but, you know, I was here since Thursday late night, and that’s five, six days to prepare for a Wednesday match. So I was ready.


Q. It was a privilege just to watch your game today. You said your preparation was good. Is that the best you have hit the ball for many months or years in terms of the way you struck the ball today?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, look, it was clean. I didn’t allow Rafa many chances on my service games. Obviously if you hold your serve, there’s no need to panic on the return games. You feel like you’re always going to get a shot maybe, maybe one service game of your opponent’s, one a set, and then you’ve just got to hope that you break at the right time.

Because I was so clear and so committed, I felt it was always going to be dangerous for Rafa down the stretch, especially breaking early and feeling as good as I did on the serve. So, I mean, it’s definitely been the best I felt since Wimbledon, you know. Montreal was tough to play. It was fast conditions. Anything after the Montreal was never the same with my back issues I had.

US Open was all a struggle, really. Laver Cup was good. I played some really good tennis there, but this was different because I was able to back up good performances, five in a row, so it reminded me a little bit of Wimbledon maybe to some extent.


Q. Rafa seemed to be limping when he came earlier. I wonder if you noticed anything except the tape he had on the knee during the match?

ROGER FEDERER: That’s all I noticed. I didn’t see any problems with him in defense, to be honest. You know, when the body goes cold after the game, it’s normal to, you know, feel it, you know. I know how it is. Sometimes when you are in a car for a long time where you sit for too long or stand for too long, whatever it is for too long, it’s not good for our bodies.

But in the match itself I thought he looked good. He looked fast. I didn’t see any problems, to be quite honest. I was surprised to see a tape, but I didn’t see any problems.


Q. You have managed to beat Rafa five times in a row for the first time in your career. What’s changed for you in the matchup? Why are you finding it easier against him than in the past?

ROGER FEDERER: I think I’m maybe serving consistently better, you know. I get easier power ever since I switched to the bigger racquet, the RF97. I feel I’m connecting better on the backhand and I’m serving good, and that consistently.

Before I had to slice more just because the racquet was good for the slice, and it was good for the coming over, but I would always shank too many balls, you know. So I think it was hard for me to consistently just keep on attacking with the backhand.

Today it seems almost not a problem anymore to do it. Plus I have done it in many other matches other than Rafa, you know. I return usually coming over and sometimes using the slice; whereas before it always a slice normally and sometimes coming over.

So because I have gotten used to returning that way, I think it’s also easier to play Rafa these days, and I just think I’m not so scarred like maybe I have been in the past, not that I was horribly scarred in any way, but I did lose against him sometimes, a lot of the times especially on the clay courts. I do believe I still lost that Wimbledon finals in ’08 because of the French Open beatdown he gave me. It just affected my first two sets when I played him at Wimbledon. Down 6-4, 6-4, and okay, I got lucky to win the third, but maybe if I don’t lose both first sets it might be a different match.

But, yeah, I think I have also played him well. Clearly avoiding him — not playing him on clay has helped. So I’m able to stay on the hard courts or on faster courts against him, but I have been playing very well when I have faced off against him.

But the Australian Open also I had to get a little lucky, to be quite honest, because it was on the edge there for a while.


Q. What’s the importance of being here in China, in Shanghai? How do you like it here? What’s the importance of it?

ROGER FEDERER: The importance? I don’t know. I think it’s great for junior tennis here and development for the game or for sports, you know, when the great athletes from around the World come to this country or maybe this city, as well.

It’s just always helpful, you know, because it gets put on Chinese TV. People talk about it. It’s in the press. It might inspire, you know, somebody at the top level to say, okay, let’s focus more on tennis maybe down the road.

So I think it’s a good thing. I personally enjoy my time here. I always look forward to it every year. Shanghai is a priority for me in my schedule. I always manage my schedule throughout the year that I can also peak during Shanghai, so it’s nice to be back, and having played so well, it’s great.


Q. Between that loss in New York and when you got to the Laver Cup, did you do anything differently to loosen the back, or was it a regular process? How did that come about that you are back feeling so well?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, to feel maybe better I would have needed another week. I played with what I had. I think with the two five-setters I had in the first two rounds, I just think that put a lot of strain on my body. I just could never play freely, to be honest.

Even though it got better against Kohlschreiber and Lopez, but then Delpo, the moment I hit somebody who was very tough, you start taking wrong decisions and you’re a little bit just — you question yourself, because you actually have been playing more with a body that’s not 100% than actually playing the opponent. Then you’re not free and you lose the set point instead of winning it. That makes a difference. The margins are that slim, to be honest.

So I took a week off. Hardly any treatment. Played half an hour of tennis with a friend of mine. Spent time with the family and my kids and everything.

And then once I came back to Switzerland, I started to get ready for the Laver Cup and actually felt good, you know, or not great but better, at least. That was a step in the right direction.

I was still a little bit concerned, you know, because I knew the matches were going to be extremely difficult from the start, which is always a challenge for the body, you know, when it gets going right away like that, against Querrey or Kyrgios, so I was happy I was able to survive singles, doubles, and all these things what we had going on on the Saturday and then also on the Sunday potentially.

So I think it gave me a lot of confidence, the Kyrgios match, to be honest, to be able to go through a two-hour match really physically strong.

What happened after is I went straight into training again on the next day, on Monday. When I thought about it, I thought, oh, I can’t believe I’m doing it. I called my fitness coach up, and he goes, So are you ready for tomorrow afternoon? I’m like, Oh, not really, but okay, I’ll do it, because that’s what we planned to do regardless of what happens at the Laver Cup.

I had a great week from Monday to Friday. I worked extremely hard and then started to take my time. Everything mellowed out, and I came here super early, and coming here early paid off, so I’m very happy and I feel really good right now.


Q. You played great tennis this season. So the schedule of next season, are you still going to quit all the clay season and include the French Open?

ROGER FEDERER: I don’t know yet. Hasn’t been decided.

Q. No plans?

ROGER FEDERER: No plans yet so far, no. I know I’m playing the Hopman Cup and the Australian Open. I know that.


Q. You said earlier in the week that year-ending No. 1 talk is premature, and…

ROGER FEDERER: When did I say that?

Q. I thought you said it on the first…

ROGER FEDERER: No, no, I didn’t hear what you said. I was somewhere else maybe. Yes, I probably said that, yes. (Smiling.)


Q. We kind of take notice of head-to-heads and everything like that. You still trail Rafa, even though you’ve won the last five, you still trail Rafa by quite a margin. Is that something that concerns you? Is that an ambition to pull that back and overtake him?

ROGER FEDERER: It’s not gonna happen. We don’t have enough years left on the tour, and we’re ranked too good that we play each other only in finals at the moment. It looks like that’s going to stay like this for a few months more. So can’t win them all against Rafa, to be honest. He’s too good of a player.

Whatever happened in the past has happened. I’m just happy I’m on the run that I am right now. I don’t know what it takes for year-end No. 1 for both of us.

It seems for me that he seems extremely close to clinching it. Like I said, I will I figure out my schedule, regardless of No. 1 or not, when I come home to Switzerland and figure that part out. No, it’s been a terrific season and didn’t overplay. Still have energy left. Like I said before the event, I’m happy it paid off again. Usually when I’m well prepared and I’m ready to go physically and mentally, good things do happen.

You know, I think myself also in the past or maybe other players in particular always think having to play enough is super, super important, but with me I have come to realize that if I’m ready, I’m ready. Doesn’t matter almost if I have played tournaments before, like in Australia.

I’m just excited I’m on a good stretch right now. Head-to-heads? Yeah, I mean, sure, I would like it to be different, but I have utmost respect for Rafa. It’s been a tough matchup for me, and I tried my best. I have played him a lot on clay in the beginning of my career. No problem. I tried. I was close on many occasions, but he’s better on clay. I try to win the other ones that I can, and this year has been great so I’m happy about it.

Basel 2017 - R16 Press Conference (multiliingual)

Swiss Indoors
Thursday, 26 October

Roger Federer vs Benoît Paire
6-1, 6-3





Source: Telebasel.ch

Basel 2017 - QF Press Conference (multiliingual)

Swiss Indoors
Friday, 27 October

Roger Federer vs Adrian Mannarino
4-6, 6-1, 6-3





Source: Telebasel.ch

Basel 2017 - SF Press Conference (multiliingual)

Swiss Indoors
Saturday, 28 October

Roger Federer vs David Goffin (ATP 10)
6:1 6:2




Source: Telebasel.ch

Basel 2017 - FINAL Press Conference (multiliingual)

Swiss Indoors
Sunday, 29 October

Roger Federer defeated Juan Martin Del Potro to win his 8th Swiss Indoors Trophy.
6:7 6:4 6:3

- Addressing also why he decided to pull out of the Rolex Paris Masters (2nd question @ 2:05)



Source: Telebasel.ch



Del Potro Press Conference after his loss to Roger


Source: Telebasel.ch