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Miami Open 2019 Pressers & Interviews
by Cromar Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:50 pm
Miami Open 2019 - Pre-Tournament Interview
SAT Mar 23, 2019
Miami Open Roger Federer's quest for another Miami Open title begins today
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Miami Open 2019 - R2 (Mar 23)
by Cromar Sun Mar 24, 2019 10:35 pm
Miami Open 2019 - R2 Press Conference
SAT March 23, 2019
Round 2 (R64) - Stadium - 4:00 pm
Roger Federer
d. Radu Albot 
4-6, 7-5, 6-3 Match Stats
> Post-Match Interview
Federer Talks Albot Challenge In Miami
ATP Tour - Mar 24, 2019: Roger Federer discusses coming through a stern test from Radu Albot at the Miami Open presented by Itau> Presser Transcript
- View Transcript :
MIAMI OPEN
March 23, 2019
Roger Federer
Miami, Florida
R. FEDERER/R. Albot
4-6, 7-5, 6-3
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. New venue, new stadium. How did it feel out there? Any different than playing in a regular tennis arena?
ROGER FEDERER: Yes, it did, of course. It's always going to feel very different in a massive place like this. Yeah, it was definitely different, especially very different to Key Biscayne last year.
I'm happy I got it out of the way. I'm happy I was able to find a way tonight. It was a good atmosphere at the end. I thought it was quite electric, how it usually is in Miami. I'm happy that hasn't gone away.
Q. What was going through your mind as the match is not fully in your control for the first half of it? How did you turn things your way?
ROGER FEDERER: How I felt during?
Q. What was the key to turning it in your direction?
ROGER FEDERER: I felt like I was in two minds, how you play sometimes in a first round. You're looking to take on the ball, but then sometimes you also know you just cannot go big all the time. You also have to hold back.
Sometimes you feel like it happens always at the wrong times. You pull the trigger at the wrong times. You're going safe at the wrong times.
That has something to do with how I thought he played his game. He seemed very clear to me, and I wasn't. In the heat of the moment, I started forgetting stuff also that my coach told me. I felt like all the important points, points that could have led to something interesting for me, I played poorly because I was in two minds.
Margins are slim. Then you're down. When you're down, you got to play differently. At the end it's just about finding a way. These are the matches that are so key during the year for any player, is when you're not sometimes playing your best, when you're in search mode, that you find it somehow, you squeeze through, play better than the next round. It's a different opponent, different conditions, different everything. Now you can look back and think maybe having played as much as I did in the first round actually maybe helped me.
I thought actually how I protected my serve, after getting broken in the first game, was actually very good. There's definitely really some good elements there in the game, but I did struggle obviously. I'm very, very happy that I found a way.
Q. What did you know about him before going into the match? How much did you know about him? What were you expecting from him?
ROGER FEDERER: I expected a player with a great attitude, which he showed. Aggressive baseliner, moves well. He's not afraid to come to the net. The problem is I've never practiced with him. I've never really seen him play live matches.
I watched some on a video to get an idea. I see where he can cause problems. The difficulty was, like, I didn't quite know where does he like to go exactly when it really matters the most. That's just so tricky, when you don't exactly know what his favorite shot is, is he going to play differently against you because it's you, because I don't have a double-handed backhand, maybe I have a different type of forehand on the run than others, I don't know. He plays it differently.
Yeah, so I thought it was hard. I was impressed. I have a lot of respect for those types of players who don't have the size, have to find a different way to win. He's a great, great player. I was impressed.
Q. Which players do you look at who you think are like yourself, who you look for how a player will play against you? Is there one that comes to mind?
ROGER FEDERER: I never really go there, to be quite honest, yeah. Of course, one-handed backhands lend itself well for that. But geeze, you know, not really.
Q. How does this new court play visually? It started during the day, went into the night. There are shadows, sun. If you toss the ball, it goes into the stadium. The color of the court is unusual. How does it feel?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, there's definitely always a slight sort of buzz in the stadium. I think it's more because of the size and the ventilation. You feel there's always a bit of a noise there, which is sometimes a bit unusual for tennis. Of course, indoors you get that more often. We do have it occasionally.
I mean, a very key element of our sport is you can hear a pin drop, right? Here it's not so much the case. When somebody hits the ball, it's not as clear maybe, which then can feel almost like it's a little bit of an empty space. That can feel maybe a little bit different.
I didn't feel like it was totally something out of the ordinary where I had no clue where my boundaries were, like I've had maybe at some other courts from around the world in the past. I've gotten used to it quite quickly.
Yeah, the shadows, they didn't bother me. The glare was very short. Other than that, yeah, it's a big place. I mean, the side stands are huge. It goes far away. It's unusual to have it that way. I would have thought maybe they would put it in the corner, the stadium, instead of on the long side. Still it was a good atmosphere. It's steep on the three sides.
Q. Sascha Zverev says he goes on court with his management, and there are some rumors he made maybe is interested in signing him up. Maybe you could comment on that, what are your thoughts?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't comment on that one. I know you're not talking about the tennis court, so I speak about the tennis court stuff. I'm a player and a client. I know you think I'm much more a teammate, whatever. I'm focused on playing. I just hope for him and his mind he can work things out. I cannot comment on anything.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports - Tennis
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Re: Miami Open 2019 Pressers & Interviews
by ph∞be Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:54 am
I am travelling so I haven't been able to watch the replay but I am fascinated by Roger's presser. Strange to hear him say that he 'forgot what his coach told him". Some how I had not imagined him needing that kind of 'coaching". He looked strangely subdued, too in this clip. Perhaps, just exhausted?
Anyway, good luck for the next round!
Anyway, good luck for the next round!
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Miami Open 2019 - R3 (Mar 25)
by Cromar Fri Mar 29, 2019 1:01 am
Miami Open 2019 - R3 Press Conference
MON March 25, 2019
Round 3 (R32) - Stadium - 3:30 pm (rain delay)
Roger Federer
d. Filip Krajinović 
7-5, 6-3 Match Stats
>On-Court Interview
Federer pleased with progress at Miami 2019
ATP Tour - Mar 25, 2019: Roger Federer believes his form is getting better each day at the Miami Open presented by Itau. > TC Desk Interview
Tennis Channel - Mar 25, 2019 > Press Conference
Roger being late for his PC: "I was just hanging with friends, watching a little bit of my opponent."
It's grey, but the video is there... Just click it! 
> Presser Transcript
- View Transcript :
MIAMI OPEN
March 25, 2019
Roger Federer
Miami, Florida
R. FEDERER/F. Krajinovic
7-5, 6-3
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. You hit an ace, or so we all thought on the last point there, and you walked to the net. How did that conversation go? The last point there with Filip.
ROGER FEDERER: Oh, he thought it was in, and that was the conversation. There was not much more talk going on.
Q. He thought it was in?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, but then I'm thinking, why did he think that? Because it was quite clearly out. But it felt close for me. But thank God it was 40-Love and not much closer and then you end up losing the match because of something like this after having a conversation with your opponent already before it's actually over.
Q. How did you feel about your serve today?
ROGER FEDERER: I thought I served very well, because Filip can return very well, especially on second serve. I know I could feel the pressure maybe, to some extent, if I don't make the first serves. But I still kept going after them, and I was able to hit my spots and keep the pressure on and shorten points as the match went on.
I thought, you know, it was a high, intense match in the first sort of, you know, ten games. Then I was able to pull away. I had a good 20-minute stretch where I was really able to stretch the lead, and that was key today.
Q. You're usually not an hour late for press. Is everything okay?
ROGER FEDERER: Just watching a little bit of my opponents. I was just hanging with friends, as well.
Q. Okay. And second question is the light moment during the match when he took the ball and tossed it over the net, do you remember that? You kind of smiled a little. Can you just talk about those sort of light moments sometimes when that happens in a match?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I was laughing because I hit, like, probably three perfect shanks, and I ended up winning the point that way.
I don't know. Yeah, I like when players also show emotions, you know, like Filip did on that instance. And me, I'm smiling just because I thought it was sort of somewhat of a weird, strange, ridiculous point, you know, that I got very lucky to win somehow.
So, yeah, we're not robots, you know. It was good to see.
Q. You have two guys from the sort of that NextGen marketing campaign in the top 10 and a couple others very close. You know, the assumption generally was it was a lot of good marketing by the ATP, but it almost seems there is some kind of a vibe with these guys coming up together and inspiring each other. Is that accurate?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I would think so. You know, it reminds me very much of the campaign I was part of when I was growing up, the New Balls Please campaign. There we had some older guys -- I mean, older, it was Guga and Kiefer and Tommy and guys that were actually a few years older. So they mixed it a little bit more. It was just not the generation, I guess, of Agassi and Sampras.
I thought that was nice to sort of tie us young guys together. It's not the young against the old, but it maybe feels a little bit like that for the young guys that they look towards one another to be the best of that group, and then naturally, if you're the best of that group or top three, you can then also become the best of the next group, which is the main group, you know.
And I think it really fuels them with motivation, you know, to be able to be better than, you know, a similar-age guy. You know, I think in juniors you always have that. When you come on the big tour, all of a sudden you're trying to compare yourself to World No. 1, which seems like such a mountain to climb. So it's maybe better to have it done in the way like what the ATP did with first become the best NextGen guy. I think for that reason, I think it's worked very well.
Q. Medvedev just won, so you're playing him next. He's one of the people who plays with more variety than most, I think, on the ATP side right now. There seems to be a lot of women who have had variety as a primary weapon in their games, whether it's Hingis or Radwanska or Su-Wei Shea, but not as many on the men's side maybe since Santoro or something. I'm curious if you think that could ever be possible on the men's side in this day and age, more players with that kind of craft and mixing it up be really their plan A for their game.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I think it's possible. Just need to have enough firepower from time to time. I mean, at the end of the day, just playing with feel is not enough, will not be enough. But if you combine it with the right sort of amount of power and being able to absorb pace, as well, redirect, you know, I think it's absolutely possible.
I'm not quite sure how much Medvedev falls in that category. You think he does. I'm not sure. He plays from far back and can play in, as well, so there is some variety there, but other than that, he plays very flat, you know, for me.
He's clever how he, you know, plays the court, because he can play it up and down, and he's unusual when he plays from back. He plays more flat than actually loopy like what Thiem does or Rafa or Stan does. He plays it more flat from the back. It's a bit of a different approach.
Thankfully I played him last year twice in Basel and Shanghai. I'm looking forward to the game. But I'm very impressed about his progress, you know. I must say the last year has been unbelievable for him. I think he's won three tournaments in the last seven months or so, six months. Very impressive. Yeah, variety definitely has a place in our game and will always have.
Q. What, if anything, do you feel like you've sacrificed to stay at this high of a level for so long?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I guess school, to some extent. I stopped at 16. I would have continued, I guess, if I wasn't a tennis player. I mean, I guess friendships, you know, the ones you make from 16 to 20 in that time, you know. So my friends come from other places and from other walk of life.
But the sacrifices were worth it, and I would do it maybe not exactly all over again, but I was happy I chose the road I chose and I was allowed to by my parents.
Q. When we come to the majors, we talk about players starting to peak at a certain time in an event. This is just short of the number of days of a major. So where do you think you are at the moment? How much further do you think you need to be lifting, and when did you feel you need to peak at a tournament like this?
ROGER FEDERER: I'm not sure how much it is peaking, to be honest. I think it's about maintaining maybe also a certain level, because things happen very quickly. This is not best-of-five-set tennis. It's best-of-three. You can have a bad few minutes at the beginning of the game, like I had against Albot, or you can have it, I don't know, maybe for Krajinovic today, bad end of the set, bad start to the next set, and that is it.
So I think it's more of a mental thing, you know, where you have maybe a point is more important than every single point at a slam.
Yeah, it just maybe increases the pressure to some extent because you know you can't, after a long rally or a lot of long rallies, you think the other guy is going to fade physically, and usually they don't, because the matches are not long enough. So it's a different approach, as I think it's really about just really being able to maintain a really high level of play. And if you can go to the next gear sometimes, great. But I don't expect it, you know.
I just guess everybody starts to feel better as you go deeper into the tournament, because everybody is getting used to the conditions.FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports - Tennis
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Miami Open 2019 - R4 (Mar 27)
by Cromar Fri Mar 29, 2019 3:00 am
Miami Open 2019 - R4 Press Conference
WED Mar 27, 2019
Round 4 (R16) - Stadium - 3:00 pm
(postponed by a day due to rain)
Roger Federer
d. Daniil Medvedev 
6-4, 6-2 Match Stats
> ESPN Desk Interview
Roger Federer talks about his win over Daniil Medvedev, and more. ESPN - Mar 27, 2019: Roger Federer joins the ESPN Tennis desk to talk about his win over Daniil Medvedev at the 2019 Miami Open to advance to the quarterfinals, if he’ll win another Grand Slam in his career, how much longer he’ll continue to play before retirement, how his body has held up over time as he continues to play without pain killers, his love of the game, the road to 100 titles, why he enjoys playing matches outside of Grand Slams and if he can pass Jimmy Connors’ 109 career titles.> Presser Transcript
- View Transcript :
MIAMI OPEN
March 27, 2019
Roger Federer
Miami, Florida
R. FEDERER/D. Medvedev
6-4, 6-2
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How do you feel about your next match with Anderson?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think it's going to be a bit tricky, you know. He's got a great serve, so you go back to big-serve mentality to try to hold your own service games first before thinking about how to break Kevin.
Had a tough one against him at Wimbledon when I lost. Was able to come back and play a good match against him in London when I really had to in that round-robin match.
But, you know, I think I'm feeling really good. Today's match I can be really happy with. I hope it's going to give me some confidence for tomorrow.
Q. Can you take us through the end of the first set and just how pivotal that was to fend off the three breaks? I think you broke him right away in the second set. Just how pivotal those few minutes were?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think when you want to go deep in tournaments, sometimes you need those 15 minutes, you know, that go your way and you're able to pull away with the score, too.
It's not always simple. Margins are super slim. You need a bit of help sometimes from your opponent. But you can definitely, you know, fight your way in that position. And I did. I got the break to go up 5-4, and then, sure, he had Love-40, but he's still under pressure. He has to break. He knows that. Maybe with that pressure, to some extent, you somehow find a way. And I did.
Maybe a bit of frustration kicks in, and next thing you know instead of it being 4-All you're up 6-4, 2-Love and it's tough. I spoke about that in the press the other day about how these best-of-three-set matches can be very tricky.
Today I showed why that is. I'm very happy how I played today, especially in that spell.
Q. Novak last night conceded that he has been distracted by everything that's been going on, particularly with this new search for a new head of the ATP. Are you feeling that at all, as well? How are you fighting to keep the off-court stuff off court and the on-court stuff on court?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, look, there is always, I think, a lot going on regardless of ATP politics or not. In the life that Novak or me or we live in, I want to say there is always stuff going on. So from that standpoint, it's nothing new.
But sometimes it can get a bit much or you get tired of it or you get tired of having an injury or tired of -- I don't know what it is. Maybe there is negotiations going on with a sponsor, with management, I don't know what. All that stuff can sometimes take some energy away from you, takes the mind off things.
So this maybe he felt a little bit more. I don't know exactly what he's talking about in details, but, yeah, he's not the only one. I have had that in the past, too. But, you know, I think it's normal. It's not an excuse. It's just a fact.
Q. This question is for the audience in Chile. A few days ago Nicolas Massu said that you are the most complete player in the tour. And he's actually coaching Dominic Thiem. We want to know what you think about him, his new role in the tennis as a coach, and what do you think about his future?
ROGER FEDERER: About Nico?
Q. Yeah.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, look, I know him obviously from the juniors, actually funny enough. I played him when he was No. 1 seed in Milan. It was one of my big, big wins that I had way back when.
I also played him on the tour afterwards, and it was amazing what he did at the Olympics, winning singles gold. Now seeing him back on the tour, coaching, I always enjoy that when great players from the past come back and almost can't get enough of tennis.
He seems like also back in the day how he used to get hyped up for his games and stuff, I'm sure a lot of players can learn something from him.
I appreciate the nice things he said about me. I think we have always had a lot of respect for one another. We saw each other in the locker room after the finals in Indian Wells, and I was really happy for him. He was very respectful, you know, towards me, too. He came to just say "Congratulations, great event. Look, I'm sorry."
But he was very nice. I'm happy to see him on tour. I'm sure he's going to do very well.
Q. The way the quarterfinals shook out, two of them were between guys in their 30s and two between pretty young guys. There's Borna versus Felix and Denis versus Tiafoe. Curious what you would look for in those matchups of young guys who haven't had too many chances in a Masters quarterfinal especially against someone like themselves?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, definitely one making it into the semis. Borna has been there, obviously. Shanghai being one of them. But especially on the Shapo/Tiafoe side, I think that's a huge opportunity in that quarters now, knowing that, you know, the tournament will go on and you're going to have a shot at the finals.
So I think it must be very exciting. That's exactly where you want to be at, this stage of the competition, feeling great. I didn't see everything, but the Tsitsipas/Shapovalov match yesterday was great. I loved seeing them slug it out, and I'm sure they are going to have big matches down the road.
I like when they also have to play each other a little bit, because they don't look across the net and see a guy ranked whatever it is. It's just another guy they know from the juniors and I'm just going to beat you up now.
So it's interesting how they go about it differently against one another, and I think they really have taken it to the next level now, all the bunch of guys we are talking about right now, and it's really nice to see.
Q. One different thing, Hopman Cup announced today officially is ending in Perth and will be replaced by ATP Cup. What do you think of that event officially being sort of homeless now and having a very uncertain future?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, similar to this situation here, you know. We're not in Key Biscayne anymore. But let's say you're not in Perth anymore for Hopman Cup, and this is where it has always been. This is where the spirit is or was, will always be.
Maybe in 50 years we'll talk differently. Right now obviously it's a bit sad news that that's happening. Has it been announced Perth gets the ATP Cup, though?
Okay. Well, that at least maybe redeems things a little bit, but, yeah, I mean, look, I enjoyed the last three years playing there. I played there with Mirka, too. With Martina. I look back, always had a wonderful time. Yeah, I don't know what to say. I'm a bit torn. So that's it.
Q. You used that chip forehand slice approach a number of times today, and the backhand seemed to have a tough time. These guys who are 6'4", 6'5" and taller, do you find you personally are using those chip and slice shots more to give them trouble?
ROGER FEDERER: I'm not sure if I really do that against bigger guys more often than against the other guys. The chip approach on the forehand side was more about sort of trying to fake a dropshot and then not doing it, seeing how he was going to react to it, if he was going to sort of bite, like fishing or not. And it worked both times. But it's not a play you can use all the time, because I never practice it, to be honest. It's a bit of -- it's not the most solid play out there.
You know, against certain players, slices work better than others. And today I know that if I do slice, I have to run a lot, I have to work a lot, which is fine at times. At the end of the day I have to come over and have to try and make the plays, too.
So I don't necessarily use it against bigger guys more often, I don't believe. Sometimes I have to get into the point through a slice return more often against the bigger guys because they serve bigger, so I choose to go on the chip. That's about it.
Q. Speaking of tall people, Kevin Anderson, your next opponent, can you talk about him, what you expect from him and what challenges he poses?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, he's got a great serve. Look, I'm happy he's playing again after his injury. I mean, I think if you beat me at Wimbledon, you've got my attention.
So from that standpoint, I know what I'm about to expect tomorrow. The matches I have played against him I know can be extremely close always, just because of his sheer possibilities that he has on the serve. I believe that probably the best surface for him is this kind of a type of hard court here in the States where he's spent a lot of his time practicing, as well. Coming from South Africa, I'm sure this is the kind of court also he played on.
Similar to today, I've just got to make sure I protect my serve very well and slice maybe sometimes, get into the rallies, and then find a way. So it will be interesting to see how it's going to go.
Q. You just mentioned that you love seeing when guys come back to the tour after they have retired, whether it's a coach or in another role. Any chance you will be one of those guys? They can't get enough of the game? Is there any chance you'll feel that way?
ROGER FEDERER: Possible but doubtful, just because I have four children and I'm happy to be home after traveling for 20 years or more, 25 years. I just don't see myself doing it for 20 weeks of the year coaching. I just don't see that happening, you know.
But then again, I think Edberg also didn't think he was going to coach again. And I don't have to do it right away, either. So I can maybe mentor more or have players come around.
Who knows? I would love to stay involved in the game but probably not 30 weeks on the road. Let's be honest (smiling).FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports - Tennis
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Miami Open 2019 - QF (Mar 28)
by Cromar Sun Mar 31, 2019 3:46 am
Miami Open 2019 - QF Press Conference
THU March 28, 2019
Quarter Final - Stadium - 8:00 pm
Roger Federer d. Kevin Anderson 
6-0, 6-4 Match Stats
Roger Federer
d. Kevin Anderson 6-0, 6-4 Match Stats
> On-Court Interview
Federer: 'It's Going To Be Hard To Stop Shapovalov' ATP Tour - Mar 28, 2019: Watch Roger Federer reflect on his quarter-final victory against Kevin Anderson at the Miami Open presented by Itau and look ahead to his semi-final against Denis Shapovalov. > Amazing Shots
Amazing Federer shots in win over Anderson Tennis TV - Mar 28, 2019: Federer at his absolute best under the lights in Miami... > Presser Transcript
- View Transcript :
MIAMI OPEN
March 28, 2019
Roger Federer
Miami, Florida
R. FEDERER/K. Anderson
6-0, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. These semifinals are very contrasting, two veterans on one side and two very young players on the other side. What's your opinion about facing even younger players as the time goes by?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, it doesn't feel that different to when I played Rafa, you know, when he was super young, or anybody. Any teenager you play, once I think you're 23, feels different to playing anybody else, because you know they come out there and they might not know all the plays down to the T yet, but, you know, they don't have to, because they just free-swing sometimes, and that makes it particularly dangerous, you know.
Yeah, I have always enjoyed playing against teenagers. I think it's very exciting, you know, because of that, and, yeah, I don't know. It's an exciting draw, I think, for John and for myself here, playing these young guys. They are not just young, but they are very good, as well. They are nice guys. It should be hopefully a good semifinals.
Q. That was an electrifying exchange at net, nose to nose at the net. Really got the crowd into it. What do those points do for you in terms of energy and electricity? And everyone talks about you as a shotmaker. Who was your favorite shotmaker?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think it's great for the fans, you know, to get them engaged. Some places you need to do a lot of great shots to get their attention. Sometimes you don't need much.
But these rallies just help to get everybody's attention. I think that's a nice thing. Yeah, that was a funny one. I don't know. I haven't played one like this, I feel, for some time. So that was fun.
And the other part of the question? Shotmaker? Yeah, for me, Pete, great shot making. I guess guys who came to the net, for me, always did the trick. And to some extent also, you know, maybe Hewitt and Agassi, just Agassi's sheer domination from the baseline, able to take the ball on half-volleying, all that stuff, we didn't know that quite yet. And Hewitt's defensive skills, that he was able to pull off defensive shots like we almost haven't seen before.
Yeah, that's what I remember.
Q. A two-part question. One is the Laver Cup, I watched it this past year. Very exciting event. I thought it was as exciting as watching a Grand Slam event. What's your ultimate goal for the Laver Cup, like 10, 20 years down the line, even if you retired? What's your plans for that? My second question is how do you still gear up to play for these big matches even though you have been there a thousand times?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think it's easy to play in a stadium where there is a lot of people and they are really engaged. I think the harder part is how do I go out and practice, you know, in front of sort of a fence, a few bushes? That's the hard part, you know, sometimes.
But that's where I surprise myself that it's not that big of a deal. I think it's easier for me today because I know how hard it was for me when I was younger, you know, how much I dreaded it, you know, another practice session and how bored I would get after an hour, hour and 15, because I wouldn't understand how many forehands and how many backhands can you hit before you get super bored?
So I think that was the tricky part for me. Nowadays I just understand that I know what kind of work is required to be able to perform then in front of the full stadium, and that's what I play for, you know, those moments where I can play the best, hopefully beat the best and come up with good shots, and the crowds get into it.
So, for me, the motivation there is not an issue. It might be somewhere completely different. Am I in the mood to pack another bag? Am I in the mood to beat another jet lag? And all those other things, these are the tough questions when you get older.
And about the Laver Cup, look, I think it was just a goal of maybe uniting different generations of players, you know. Somebody like Shapo or Felix, you know, to be on the team with the likes of myself or Rafa or anybody, for that matter, and they can learn from us.
But then they can also learn from the captain, you know, that now it's Björn and John, and also in the spirit where, you know, Rod Laver walks the corridors with you, and all of a sudden they look back at tennis history, and they're, like, so many guys who paved the way, and hopefully more and more legends are willing or happy to come to the Laver Cup and have just sort of a fun, great weekend of tennis, and all sort of get a great mix going together, you know. I think that would be wonderful if it became, like, an incredible competitive all-star weekend, if you like.
That would be my dream, if you look back in 20 years and say, like, every weekend was fun of Laver Cup, and the first two really did that, and I had the pleasure to play in some of them. Maybe down the stretch I will be involved in some shape or form, but that's still far away, hopefully.
Q. You have talked about facing the younger players who have that one-handed backhand and have been inspired by you. You face one of them now in the semifinals with Denis. Can you talk about what you see in him and how he's improved over these last two years? And also, you said in February that you're not scared of lefties anymore, but he comes in with that left-handed, one-handed backhand. Does that present a unique challenge at all?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, of course, after playing righties ever since I got to the States. I'm not sure if I played a lefty in Indian Wells anymore.
And all I have is half an hour of practice tomorrow to get ready for that lefty. So the change is a big one, you know. I have done it many times before. So no problem there.
You know, when you're younger and you're facing a lefty, it's always super annoying, because maybe you're still, you know, lacking strength, you know, with the one-handed backhand. Especially when you're 12, 14, 16, it's just a challenge. And then later on you start figuring it out, and things become more simple and you have different weapons to make it also complicated for them. It goes like that.
Yeah, I mean, look, I practiced with Denis way back when when he was -- I remember Edberg was with me on the court and I was warming up. Maybe -- I think he warmed me up for a match in Toronto, I believe, and he came out. He might have been 16, 17, and, you know, similar to today, he was just hitting big. I was, like, Wow, it's unbelievable. How old is he? How good is he gonna get? I don't know. But he was very impressive. Same with the serve. He has that beautiful swinger going. You know, it just felt like he belonged there.
Then I watched him play Tsitsipas in the Junior Wimbledon, semis or finals, I don't remember what it was. But it was during my Wimbledon run too. I don't remember. It was one of those matches where Tsitsipas should have won it, but both great one-handed backhand already, and, you know, I remember Denis was just going for broke, basically. The more important it became, the bigger he went.
It's nice to see that with Stefanos and Denis and that one-handed backhands will be around, because these guys will be very good many, many years from now. And I'm very excited playing against Denis, because I think he's a great guy, and he's one of the great shot makers. I still remember watching his game in Montreal, I believe it was, against Rafa when he crushed forehand down-the-line winner after forehand down-the-line winner. It was unbelievable. Yeah, big fan of his game, so it's going to be tough tomorrow.FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports - Tennis
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Miami Open 2019 - SF (Mar 29)
by Cromar Sun Mar 31, 2019 4:18 am
Miami Open 2019 - SF Press Conference FRI Mar 29, 2019
Semi-Final - Stadium - 8:00 pm
Roger Federer: 6-2, 6-4 Match Stats
> On-Court Interview
Federer Looks Ahead To Isner Clash In Miami 2019 Final
"Yah! I am really old", he told his daughters.
ATP Tour - Published on Mar 29, 2019 Roger Federer gears up for his 50th ATP Masters 1000 final at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
> Best Shots and Rallies
Roger Federer v Denis Shapovalov: Best Shots and Rallies
Tennis TV - Published on Mar 29, 2019 Old Guard v Next Gen, and it was the 37-year-old who came out on top...
> Press Conference Transcript
MIAMI OPEN
March 29, 2019
Roger Federer
Miami, Florida
R. FEDERER/D. Shapovalov
6-2, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Yesterday you said that at the beginning of your career it was hard to train. What decision do you regret from your career, or what will you change of all the decisions that have you made around your career?
ROGER FEDERER: I think the mistakes I did had to be made, you know, for learning experience. I really think I was extremely lucky to have the right people at the right time every step of the way. Because in the beginning, you know, your parents choose for you. Later the Federation chooses for you maybe who is around you. To some extent, of course, you can have some say or your parents have some say, so I was lucky there.
And same with the fitness coaches. I met Pierre already when I was 14. So he had an idea of who I was and what my strengths and weaknesses were, et cetera.
And then, you know, I made so many mistakes maybe by playing certain tournaments and losing instead of maybe not playing, but these are little mistakes. In hindsight maybe a good thing I did them, because I guess you don't do them second time around.
The important thing is to learn from them and not keep doing them. I think I did pretty well there. But I also had good people around me who always wanted the best for me. I think that's great when you have that.
The key is just to be able to know who is there really for you and who is not. At the beginning of the career is difficult, just because when you're rising, like the young guys now you see, all of a sudden you have guys jumping on the train and you don't know why they're there. All of a sudden they happen to be friends, you know.
You just have to figure it out who is going to be part of the core team and who not. That's tough when you're young.
Q. You said that you always enjoy playing people that you never played before. This was a new matchup for you. How was it out there?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, this is different because he's so young. It's not like I have had a million chances to play him and then it finally happened after years.
So, you know, this is a common thing to happen when you're playing a young guy. It's more playing a young guy than a guy you have never played against.
I enjoyed it. I think I played very well. I had to. Because I think when you let Denis play, he's got some serious power and he gets rhythm going. He can really put you in uncomfortable situations.
So I think I did well, and I'm very happy how I played. Yeah, I thought it was a good match. It was a good level.
Q. You said after the match you like watching big servers play. Tomorrow you have a guy who has won nine tiebreakers, straight sets, so far. You have played him before. Just talk about what it's like out there for you where you have a guy like that where you're not really doing that much rallying and running around. How different is that for you? Do you like it? Not like it?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I don't mind it. I enjoy the challenge, because believe it or not, maybe rallies are actually longer than you think sometimes. Because what happens sometimes on your own service games is you don't go so big right away, because you have a bit of time to maybe outmaneuver him, as well, so all of a sudden you extend the rallies on your own service games. Sometimes you do it to maybe take his legs out, as well.
So it's not a bad thing to get some rallies going. Obviously he's always going to try to shorten them. But what I like about it is just to see the sheer power and accuracy that big guys have on their serve, you know. Take the top five guys on the tour right now. I just enjoy watching them to see how many times can they clock service winners? How many times can they serve their way out of trouble?
I think it's more funny than a guy rallying, and then, at the end after a 25-shot rally, somehow winning the point. I think it's more funny if he hits the spot every time, but the guy looks on the other side, Man, what can I do? Nothing. You know, I think that's better. So I just -- I have a lot of patience to watch those guys. So I appreciate the big servers.
Q. At this point of your career, you're a leader in Grand Slam wins and been No. 1 so many times, but at this point, your age now, is it more important to you to win tournaments or achieve No. 1 in the world again?
ROGER FEDERER: Winning tournaments, because World No. 1 is going to be very difficult. For that I need almost three slams at this level, right now, in the same calendar year. That's just going to be very difficult. I think it's not reasonable to think that way at 37.
So I think it was one of my favorite moments in my life last year in Rotterdam when I was able to get back to World No. 1 at 36, having won the Australian and Wimbledon, that being in the same year, and winning the Sunshine Double and all that stuff. It just aligned itself beautifully. And then in Rotterdam and then again in Stuttgart. Those were special times for me.
World No. 1 is so far away, and Novak just won three slams. I think it would be a bit of a joke if I said that was my goal.
Q. Maybe when young players like Denis plays against you, they have a mindset of nothing to lose. So when you play against that kind of player, is any specific things you are cautious and you needed to take care of?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. I mean, I do believe that maybe in a semis, to some extent, there is also something to lose for Denis. It's not like a first or second round where you can free swing and the attention is not quite there yet.
People are expecting something from Felix or Denis in the later stages of the tournaments. They are facing the press. You know, there is not that many stories sometimes left in the tournament. So naturally they have to come here and explain themselves, and that puts the pressure on, you know. But in the first few rounds, there are just so many stories going on that you almost just feel, bang, all of a sudden you've got the top guy.
But then, I mean, for the most part, yeah, I do believe sometimes free swing is a beautiful feeling and that's what the young guys should enjoy to some extent while is lasts, because they will play many matches where all of a sudden they will not be the underdog anymore. But then they will be better players in the process.
So, for me, of course it's always a fine balance between giving them a chance to miss, but also, at the same time, making the plays and understanding the scoreline I think is very important for me against young guys. Not overplaying, not underplaying. It's a fine line, but I think I did very well tonight.
Q. You feel comfortable, feel great on court. What do you feel or what do you think when some of your partners, Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray, Juan Martin Del Potro, is off the court now?
ROGER FEDERER: What I feel is that I wish them the best, but it's part of the game. You know, I can't play them all. We have so many highlights. There is no substitute for us. If we are not feeling well, we can't play. So we just have to wait it out.
But the good thing about the ATP Tour is you can always come back, because the tour goes from January to November, and you have 15-plus years on the tour. So regardless of their injuries, you know, they will come back, and I hope when they do come back they will be very strong like the last few times.
With Andy in particular now, you know, with the uncertainty about his hip, I just really wish him the very best. With Juan Martin, I think he will find a way back which I'm confident he will. And Rafa is already practicing on the clay. So that was just disappointing that the match didn't happen in Indian Wells, but, you know, it's definitely a better tour with them, but there is also exciting stories when they're not around fortunately for the tour, unfortunately for them.
But I still think they all will be back this year at some point, hopefully, and the year-end hopefully will be incredibly exciting.
Q. How can you anticipate John's serve, if you can, other than when he's hitting aces? Are you able to read it? Are you thinking of reading it out there? Do you do guesswork? What's it like handling that?
ROGER FEDERER: Huh, I don't know. It's a tricky one. Sometimes you go with momentum. Sometimes you go with feel. Sometimes you guess maybe a little bit and sometimes you see it. It's a combination of all sort of things.
And then some days you feel it better than others. And just because -- let's just say I know he's going to be T, let's say he told me that before the serve, that still doesn't mean I'm going to hit a return winner, because the margins are so slim when it comes in so fast and so high.
No. 1, you want to connect. Secondly you want to get in a neutral position, which is very difficult, because you know he's looking for his forehand or he looks to come in or try to take charge of the point. Yeah, it's tough. Then you just hope that sort of the stars align, that you pick the right side, that he picks the wrong side, that maybe he misses a serve, that you can put him in uncomfortable situations time and time again, and at the end somehow you find a way.
Yeah. He's definitely got one of the serves you can basically not read. It's that simple.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports - Tennis
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Re: Miami Open 2019 Pressers & Interviews
by oldlady Sun Mar 31, 2019 8:20 am
Thank you Cromar for taking care of everything and always bring here all the fresh/last news to keep us up to date.
Much appreciated always!!!
Much appreciated always!!!
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Re: Miami Open 2019 Pressers & Interviews
by Márcia Sun Mar 31, 2019 2:08 pm
My favorite readings on morning. Thank you, cromar. 
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Miami Open 2019 - FINAL (Mar 31)
by Cromar Wed Apr 03, 2019 4:22 am
Miami Open 2019 - FINAL Press Conference SUN Mar 31, 2019
+
FINAL - Stadium - 1:00 pm
Roger Federer: 6-1, 6-4 Match Stats
> On-Court Interview
Federer Reveals Why He Thought He Broke Isner Too Many Times Early
ATP Tour - Published on Mar 31, 2019 Roger Federer discusses his fourth Miami Open presented by Itau triumph and why he thought he may have even broken John Isner too many times in the first set of the final.
> Highlights, Match Point (delayed!) and Trophy Lift
Roger Federer Dominates John Isner To Win 101st Career Title
ATP Tour - Published on Mar 31, 2019 Federer dominates Miami Open final to claim title number 101...
> The Champion Victory Speech 101!
Roger Federer gives classy speech after winning 2019 Miami Open
Tennis TV - Published on Mar 31, 2019 Victory speech 101....
> Message from the Maestro...
"Had a great time!... Hope to be back next year..."
> Press Conference Transcript
MIAMI OPEN
March 31, 2019
Roger Federer
Miami, Florida
R. FEDERER/J. Isner
6-1, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Congratulations on two weeks. Fantastic. A lot of people have talked about your backhand and your forehand and your serve. Your chip return was just incredible today. Talk a little bit about how you developed that shot. You came up in an age of big servers. Was that part of it?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think it definitely helped being able to play against the serve-and-volley generation, more than the big servers, per se. You know, they would make you feel the pain, you know, in some shape or form, either by always coming into your weakness time and time again or by variation.
So I think it comes from there. And then I just think the slice was always the more natural shot for me, the safety shot, to some extent, you know, because when you're younger and you're lacking power to come over, the slice is the go-to play. Just easier to keep the ball lower for the next shot, or it's just easier not to shank it, for me.
I think it comes from there. And then whenever the serve, I guess, is a little bit faster, it helps me a lot just to keep a lot of balls in play. But you're right. I think today was definitely an exceptionally good day for chipping. I could feel it also against Anderson. It was the same thing, you know. Big server. I was able to block it back nicely and get into a neutral position quickly.
Of course, when you can do that against somebody like John, I mean, that's great. So today was a good day like this, but it doesn't always work (smiling). Sometimes I get a bit too passive.
Q. A tough one last year here, actually, in the opening matches and also a close final in Indian Wells. How meaningful is it to get back in the winning circle in Miami after those things?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, it's nice, you know. I'm happy I chose to come back this year. It's easy just to say, Well, last year didn't work out, so I won't come back this year, and as I'm playing the clay, maybe add rather another clay court event.
But I felt like let's extend the hard court season. Let's see the new venue. To be honest, I think that was something also I was excited to see. I did feel like the game was there last year. And I thought also the game was definitely here this year, as well, even after the Australian Open. So I'm happy with the team we took the right decision.
I mean, the first one was tight. John told me he was watching, and he said, Whew, I wasn't sure you were going to make it there (smiling). I told him the same. The margins are so slim sometimes that it could have slipped, as well.
So of course you feel fortunate when you come all the way to the end of the event and you can sit here with the trophy. It's definitely a moment you appreciate a lot, because you know it could have turned out very different.
And maybe also the secret was I was more positive this year after losing Indian Wells over last year, because last year I was, I don't want to say frustrated, but I think I was down on myself. I think it cost me a little bit on confidence because I was so down. I was so, so close. I was a shot away from winning.
So maybe this year I didn't feel that way. I was just able to say, Okay. Team played well. Moving on, let's go to Miami and have a good tournament. And I did.
Q. First off, congrats. You talk about your return game. Talk to me about your service game, as well. You know, your first-service points, you were perfect today.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, apparently so. They told me at the desk of ESPN. Yeah, I don't know what to tell you. I think I was very clear on how I wanted to play, so I think that helped that I was able to not just have the plan but then being able to execute.
It's always two things, having the plan and then it not working. And of course to win every single point, things need to go your way against him. So there needs to be both sides to the thing because he did have chances obviously to win some points. But apparently also on second serve I hardly dropped any points.
I just can be very happy on either end, return and serve, and that's why I'm so happy that I was able to produce a performance like this in a finals, because this is what you train for and play for that constantly your level keeps going up as the tournament progresses. And this was my best. I'm very excited.
Q. Let's say wouldn't this be, like, a great time, if you were to do it, to say good-bye to Miami after this win?
ROGER FEDERER: And not come back here next year?
Q. I'm just asking. Would it be a good opportunity?
ROGER FEDERER: Sure, it would be a perfect scenario. But as I don't know what the situation is for next year, I can't say that. I hope to be back next year, but if I don't come back ever again, you know, this is a good end, anyhow.
I don't have to announce anything, and of course, you know, when you win a big title you could always think that way. But I didn't have any thoughts about, you know, this kind of, you know, direction in my mind before the event, and it won't change now that I'm sitting here with the trophy (smiling).
Q. At what point did you realize that John was hurt? Did you think he might finish the match? My follow-up question is: The other day you talked a lot about his serve and you said it was fun to watch and fun to be a part of. Was it the case today?
ROGER FEDERER: So I thought -- I mean, I guess after he called the trainer and I saw his face after the first point after the trainer, I was unsure about his health. But then, you know, he had a good game where he did hit his spots. I mean, he hit them so short, it was crazy. So I felt like, well, he can at least do that. I have seen John being incredibly tired and still serving his spots. I knew he could do that. One match came to my mind, I think it was against Roddick at the US Open in the fifth set when he just kept doing the same thing for the whole fifth set and he was able to beat him in the breaker.
I felt, Well, you never know. And plus I could also start missing because of this whole situation. But then, of course, as in my service games, that's then the true test. How much defense can he do? How much running around can he do? And this is maybe when I was thinking, well, this is maybe not just one game.
And then latest, by the 5-4 game when he was starting to serve instead of at least 120, 125, he was starting to drop it to 105, 110, and I felt, well, now it's not looking good. I saw him taking a painkiller, and that doesn't kick in for the next three minutes. That takes usually 25 minutes to 30 minutes. So I did feel like, well, you never know.
And I know with foot pain that these things feel like it's the end of your career, but at the same time, two minutes later, you could be totally fine again.
So it's a tricky one. You don't want to get too overexcited to think, well, let's quickly finish this as quick as possible, because it could be this point or first couple of points he's serving slow, and then he starts serving big again, because all of a sudden the pain is gone or it's less.
And that's why it was just important to keep on doing what I was doing, and if he's hurt, well, then that's, so be it, and bad luck for him. And I think this is where experience kicks in for me. I'm able to stay calm, and, you know, just do it. You feel bad at the same time, but it's part of the journey, I guess. And I just, after the game, of course, you're just, like, you hope it's nothing serious and I hope he's fine. But it's tricky, no doubt.
Q. Congrats on your 101 title. I hope your journey never ends. As you're getting older, have you changed anything specifically in terms of the way of training on and off the courts, managing your diet, or setting a career goal?
ROGER FEDERER: No in terms of diet. Nothing really. It's always been the same.
In terms of goals, yeah, I don't know. It's about trying to win titles and trying to manage life so I stay injury-free. It's often around, What can we do in training? How many tournaments can I play?
Because some days you just don't feel so well, you know, or some weeks sometimes, because problems linger longer, you know. But this is a good phase, a good stretch for me right now. I really feel super healthy. That's why I have been able to play every day for the last four weeks. That's something that maybe hasn't always been the case for the last few years. So you appreciate these moments.
And then, I mean, I just think it's all based on family, to be honest, just getting things organized for the boys, the girls, my wife, that we are all always constantly anticipating and discussing what's the plan for the kids? Because that's the No. 1 priority. It has to be. I didn't have kids to play tennis and not care about them.
So from that standpoint, it's very clear where the priorities lie, you know, and we just have always a constant, How do we figure it out? That's an interesting one. It's not easy, by any means, but I feel like we do a pretty good job at it. And she's great, my wife.
Q. You have won four titles here. Can you talk about how this one -- does this one feel any different? What is specific about this title to you? What's it mean to you compared to the other three?
ROGER FEDERER: So the other three were -- well, the one with Rafa, I guess, was very special in many ways. I felt like it reflected who I have become until that moment. Was that 2005? 2004? 2006? It's a blur.
You know, being able to fight back, being able to, you know, find a way to win, I know I got lucky in that match, but then ended up playing unbelievable tennis in the fifth set and all that. I really feel like it was a big moment for me in my life, in my career there, that match.
I mean, the finals against Ivan was just during the time where I was in, you know, dominating so much, winning so much, that how long could I keep it up, you know, and how many times could I beat Ivan in a row? All these things were happening. I don't know if it was in the time where I was beating all these top 10 players or winning every final I was in. It was just a matter of just extend whatever you can and for as long as you can.
And then of course the win here two years ago, maybe as much as it didn't come for a surprise for people, for me it still did, because I felt like the tank was empty. I had a tough week here against Berdych and I think Kyrgios, as well, and all that.
Before that match, I just said, If I had only played one finals that whole year, take away Australian Open, take away Indian Wells, and just made finals of Miami, I probably would have taken that. That's the mindset going into the Miami finals was that year two years ago.
And then I played another great finals, I remember, it was incredibly humid, it was super hot. Rafa had his chances and somehow I just squeezed it out. That was a beautiful win for me.
And this one just feel like also I didn't expect it, to be honest. Because I knew the problems of the year I had last year, that I went through a similar situation with, you know, losing in a very close finals in Indian Wells and coming here again and seeing what could happen. New venue, didn't know what to expect there. I mean, almost losing against Albot in the first round here.
These Masters 1000s are hard to win. They are really a test for me, especially later in my career. So I know these guys don't come around very often, so when they do, it's a bit of a surprise for me. That's why this one feels really cool in many ways.
Q. (Question off microphone.)
ROGER FEDERER: No problem. I was not 100% wrong. 50% wrong. And Rafa was '04 when I played him the first year, I guess? Okay. I don't even remember, so thanks for reminding me.
Q. Congratulations. A finalist at Indian Wells and now a winner here at the Miami Open. 37 years of age. But have you ever felt more confident in your own ability heading into a clay court season?
ROGER FEDERER: I probably have, yes. I'm not very confident going into this clay court season, I can tell you that, because I don't know -- I didn't even remember how to slide anymore. You know, I'm taking baby steps at this point.
To be honest, I didn't play one point -- not one shot on clay, I don't believe, last year. Two years ago I played two days. Three years ago I played not feeling great in Monaco and Rome and all that. So it's been so little that I really don't know what to expect.
And I think what this win does for me, it just takes even more pressure off from the clay court season. And I anyway wanted to play the clay in not a relaxed fashion but let's just go and do it and prepare well. That's what I'm looking at now the next four or five weeks with my fitness coach and coaches Ivan and Severin and Pierre, figuring out how we gonna go about it.
Madrid is, like, Let's see what happens, anyway. Obviously I want to be ready for Paris. I hope all of that work is going to pay off for the grass court season and also for the hard court season. Already just how I've been playing here and moving here makes me believe just going on vacation now, a bit of a break, and then preparation, you know, the things physically should be fine, but again, we'll see how the body is going to react.
Yeah, I'm very excited. It's a good challenge, good test. Confidence, I don't know, it's in no-man's land. It's just there if I play well. I don't know. I have to gain it all again. Start from scratch, really.
Q. Slightly away from this match, Tsitsipas tweeted earlier that he feels experienced players like yourself get preferential treatment sometimes from umpires. I assume that's something you don't necessarily agree with. Just wonder about your thoughts.
ROGER FEDERER: That's a tough one. What I do feel sometimes is on the outside courts, more than just preferential treatment to, how do you say, the top guys, whatever it is, I feel like they are tougher on the rules on the outside courts, you know. You do something, and, bang, warning. There is like there is no messing about.
I think with the umpires and the top guys on the main courts, I think the umpires know the top guys, and they know their problems or they know how they behave or they know how they are gonna react, so they know what acting stupid and silly means and what normal is.
I think because we know each other very well, I think it's easier for the umpire to handle a top guy that they know over an up-and-coming guy like Tsitsipas or a young guy. And that sometimes gets lost in translation and maybe bad mistakes can happen.
But I don't see preferential treatment, to be honest. There shouldn't be. If I get warnings, and I do get warnings sometimes -- I got one just recently, maybe Dubai, I don't know, whatever -- it's normal. So they should just, based on what happened, take those decisions, and I really feel, how do you say, the umpires do that. I'm sorry that Stefanos feels that way.
Q. You're 37. Bob Bryan is about to turn 41. I don't know if you follow what he's been doing. Has a scar on his hip and is winning again. Your thoughts on that, why tennis players seem to be thriving so much longer now.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it's tough to -- I don't know. I guess definitely nowadays, with all the stretching and, I don't know, silly elastic bands and stuff we do, maybe we can extend our playing days. Then you add diet to it and maybe more sleep and maybe not such a rock 'n roll lifestyle that maybe guys were doing back in the '70s and '80s, all that stuff maybe takes away years of your life on tour.
And also, prize money increase has helped maybe to keep some guys on tour, let's be quite honest. Because if you know you can make as much money not traveling, at one point you're like, I'm happy to stay home, and tennis was fun. But nowadays if you can stay on the tour and you can make a nice living, and actually traveling is easier now than ever before with the airlines we have and avoiding transits more and more, I think it's much easier. I think all of those little things help.
And then guys start doing ice baths and I don't know what. I think all these things matter. What Bob is doing is definitely I think inspiring for a lot of the players, you know, even if it's just doubles in the sense that it's not as physical as the singles, as we know.
But nevertheless, he's not just playing a little bit; he's winning. And that is just beautiful to watch. I'm really happy for him. I played him back in Marseilles I think back in 2000, don't quote me, but we go way back with Bob, as well. I remember seeing them play the Sunshine Cup here I think near Delray or West Palm Beach somewhere.
It's great when they come back. I'm sure also Bob is a big inspiration for Murray to come back. I hope that's going to help Andy maybe finding a way back.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports - Tennis
Cromar- Posts : 6560
Join date : 2017-01-24
Location : Montreal, Canada
Re: Miami Open 2019 Pressers & Interviews
by HeartoftheMatter Sat Apr 06, 2019 5:28 am
It is really fascinating how Roger looks at things, considers things all around quite thoroughly, and analyzes them, both from the position of the players, and how to plan against each one, and also, the difference for the top players and the upcoming and younger players. He goes into detail, and considers so many aspects very realistically, and with goodwill. Also, relating his rise may help some younger players: it did not automatically happen for him, and he acknowledges also that he had luck as well, in that he had the right people, say Carter and Paganini, who believed in him and later Mirka, of course. But someone who believes in you, even if you are not where you want to be, is just so vital. Belief can make the difference between your shot being in or being out by a few centimeters. There are other factors, of course, wind or whatever, but without belief, the slightest, even unnoticed tension of the arm or distraction from spectators or tiniest delay or hesitancy can change things. Not all shots can always be perfect, because there is someone on the other side of the net who also has a say, but belief, once the skill is there, is vital.
Naturally, his great talent was the mainspring, and the fact that his training, physical training improved his ability to execute and endure, and that he conquered his temper and played with quite a bit of enjoyment. Paganini was key also to his performance, with empowering his reflexes and other abilities, so it was not just gym work or running and so on. It was based partly on doing unexpected or unusual things that sharpened him.
Bartoli's father, who was a doctor, had her do odd exercises, as I remember some of the WTA players talking about it, and commentators, who thought it odd. But it made sense, doing things that were not the routine responses but out of the blue and do the best you can exercises to such situation. She did win a Grand Slam, after all. It satisfied her, because she did not play long after that. I think it should correct the thinking that one is a "one-slam wonder' which to me was always a wrong idea. Winning one slam is quite an amazing thing all by itself.
But I digress with something I have said before. It is very interesting and informative to hear Roger speak. He knows the game, the way to get where he wants to get, and understands so many situations such as the tournament, management and players, and the problems younger players face. I know he was on the players' council when increased money was awarded for the first few rounds, too, which is important for younger players especially, or for those who don't win regularly, to maintain themselves on the tour.
Then, it is heartening to hear how he and Mirka plan with the children in mind, and not surprising at all. Anyone who wants to have a family has to do that. It is a wonder how they managed, albeit they had means and importantly family on both sides.
Cromar, thank you for posting these gems. His willingness to speak, think about things and say them with insight and honesty just makes it all the more enjoyable.
Naturally, his great talent was the mainspring, and the fact that his training, physical training improved his ability to execute and endure, and that he conquered his temper and played with quite a bit of enjoyment. Paganini was key also to his performance, with empowering his reflexes and other abilities, so it was not just gym work or running and so on. It was based partly on doing unexpected or unusual things that sharpened him.
Bartoli's father, who was a doctor, had her do odd exercises, as I remember some of the WTA players talking about it, and commentators, who thought it odd. But it made sense, doing things that were not the routine responses but out of the blue and do the best you can exercises to such situation. She did win a Grand Slam, after all. It satisfied her, because she did not play long after that. I think it should correct the thinking that one is a "one-slam wonder' which to me was always a wrong idea. Winning one slam is quite an amazing thing all by itself.
But I digress with something I have said before. It is very interesting and informative to hear Roger speak. He knows the game, the way to get where he wants to get, and understands so many situations such as the tournament, management and players, and the problems younger players face. I know he was on the players' council when increased money was awarded for the first few rounds, too, which is important for younger players especially, or for those who don't win regularly, to maintain themselves on the tour.
Then, it is heartening to hear how he and Mirka plan with the children in mind, and not surprising at all. Anyone who wants to have a family has to do that. It is a wonder how they managed, albeit they had means and importantly family on both sides.
Cromar, thank you for posting these gems. His willingness to speak, think about things and say them with insight and honesty just makes it all the more enjoyable.
HeartoftheMatter- Posts : 2301
Join date : 2017-08-17
Re: Miami Open 2019 Pressers & Interviews
by HeartoftheMatter Sat Apr 06, 2019 5:53 am
Haha, I didn't want to have the second emoticon there, the one with the tongue sticking out! Sorry for that! My laptop was funny for a while, it would pause when I tried to write and then suddenly responded, as if the touchpad wasn't working well enough. Or maybe it was just the way I am semi-reclining.
HeartoftheMatter- Posts : 2301
Join date : 2017-08-17
Re: Miami Open 2019 Pressers & Interviews
by Cromar Sat Apr 06, 2019 9:06 am
It's Ok, HOM... it's just a 'giggle'!
Cromar- Posts : 6560
Join date : 2017-01-24
Location : Montreal, Canada
Roger Federer Forum :: Roger Space :: RF NEWS :: Pressers & Interviews :: Prev. Years' Pressers & Interviews :: 2019 Pressers & Interviews
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