Following his second round victory over Nicolas Lapentti at the Sony Ericsson Open, Roger Federer held a post match interview. Here are the world number one’s comments to the questions specifically posed by MiamiTennisNews.com.
Q. Your forehand at the beginning of the match seemed a little bit off. What were the conditions out there? It seemed a little cold and breezy.
FEDERER: Yeah, conditions I thought the ball was flying quite a bit actually, which I was sort of surprised about that, because in the practices I thought it was always very sort of humid and it was hard to get something out of the ball. All of a sudden I was trying to generate pace on the ball and the thing would fly off my racquet like I couldn’t believe. So I had to play a bit more safe and not go for the lines as much. All of a sudden the court becomes this big, you know. It’s tricky, but I tried a few different things on the return as well. But when you start doing that, that also makes you a bit unsure. And I think today I came through because I served very well. I had a good start into basically all my service games. I always knew I was going to have a couple of chances at least on the return games. I was able to have a good record on breakpoint conversions, and I think that’s what won me the match today.
Q. With some of the top seeds out, Djokovic and Murray, does it feel good to get your first match out?
FEDERER: Sure, worries me as well being the top seed, seeing high seeds fall out of the tournament. You know, I haven’t even started playing yet, and there’s two, you know, big names out of the tournament already. It’s a bit worrying at times. But then again, I’m worried on my own work. I’m relieved I’m through the first round, anyway. I’ve got a feeling and a sense of how it plays out there in a match situation when the stadium is full. Crowds were amazing today. For first round and to have a sort of a sellout crowd and a record day, it’s nice to be part of it.
Q. Speaking of the French Open, there has been talk about renovation of the venue because it’s somewhat sub-par compared to the other Majors. Do you feel that’s the case? What would you like to see changed there?
FEDERER: Um, I’ve only heard bits and pieces, so I’m not entirely sure what they’re talking about. For the venue to move takes a lot, so I think it’s not going to happen maybe in my lifetime, when I’m still playing. But I definitely think there’s always things you could do better, you know. I mean, it’s super crowded, especially the first week or so, down in the players’ area and Suzanne Lenglen on the other side. That’s not really an option for me, who spends most time at Chatrier. I think they could definitely improve their site a little bit. But then again, you’re working with a small space. I think all the tournaments are trying extremely hard to keep not only just the players happy, but also fans and media and everyone. So it’s not always as easy as it seems, you know. But I think it’s always very important for the tournament to try [its] best for the players, because we speak to the press. If we’re extremely happy, we’re going to speak extremely well about the tournament. I think that’s one of the reasons I guess they’re always looking for ways to improve, as well.
Q. You’re going to be returning as the defending champion at Roland Garros. Is there a different feeling that you’re going to have walking in as the defending champion as opposed to the past where you were only a finalist?
FEDERER: Very different, yeah. Finally less pressure, even though I’m defending champion. I have to defend 2,000 points, and defend the Coupe des Mousquetaires. It’s not something that’s so simple. I know that. I love those kind of challenges, you know. I’m happy I have that kind of pressure. But I think it’s probably going to be one of the first times at the French Open I’m going to walk in the grounds smiling thinking, you know, what? I’ve already won this tournament. It’s fine.
But I will try everything I possibly can to defend again. The last few years I did feel a lot of pressure from myself, because I based a lot in the preparation already since like maybe December, February. And then April again in the buildups, everything was based upon, you know, being as fit as I could be at the French Open. So this time around I don’t have to do that, because I’ve already won the French. Now I can just concentrate on playing tennis and enjoying the venue, which has not always been the case for me in the past.
