[閒聊] Pre-event interview

[a87192611 (Lucia)]

雖然說Rogi這次很低調，幾乎都沒接受媒體訪問

但是一訪問就是超級無敵落落長!!

第一個問題他就回答了這次低調備戰的原因，有興趣的人可以看看

但是實在太長了(其實自己也還沒看完XD)加上小妹英文不好，所以恕我不附上翻譯啦XD


R. Federer - 22 June


Sunday, 22 June, 2008

Pre-event press interview with Roger Federer, defending men's singles
champion and no.1 seed.

THE MODERATOR: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It gives me very great
pleasure to introduce our defending men's champion, Roger Federer. Who would
like to ask the first question.


Q. You kept a very low profile this Wimbledon so far. Is that because you're
tired of the speculation, will he, won't he, or another reason?

ROGER FEDERER: No, just did a little bit less press than usual. That's maybe
what you're referring to.

No, I mean, it was just--maybe next year I'll do some more again. This year, it's the path I wanted to
take.

I've done the same before the French. I just don't want to spend too much
time doing those things any more, your know.

The time will come when I'll do some more, but right now I'm quite happy this
way.


Q. How would you compare your game now to your game a year ago this time?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, now it's better again. Maybe at the beginning of the
year, like I said, I felt a little slow. Just felt a little bit rattled due
to the sickness I had.

But today I feel as good again as last year. You know, one year has gone by.
I've played plenty of matches. I feel like I'm playing well, which is good.


Q. How would you compare the competition right now versus a year ago?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, the same players are right up there. Novak and Rafa
obviously are the guys who are the biggest challengers. You know, they've
also had a good beginning to the year.

I think particularly Rafa, you know, who's had the best start ever to his
whole campaign, you know, by doing the same things he's always done during
the clay court season, and the rest of the year he's been very consistent.

So I think pretty much the same guys. I think the same guys are also the
favorites again for Wimbledon this year. You know, with Baghdatis, Hewitt,
Murray, Roddick, you know, Nalbandian, all these guys. There hasn't been that
much of a change actually.


Q. To what degree do you feel they've narrowed the gap, possibly even at
Wimbledon?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's a tough call because we only play on grass so
little, you know. I mean, they had a good Queen's, you know, Rafa and Novak,
so it shows they can play on grass.

But they didn't need to prove that to me by playing well in Queen's. I saw
that last year and the year before and the year before. I know what kind of
good players they are.

Today you see it more and more, that actually guys can play on all surfaces.
You know, you see David Ferrer winning, for instance, in Rosmalen. That maybe
wasn't something that was possible to believe in five or ten years ago. Today
it's different. Guys that are on the top, I really feel they can play on all
surfaces.

Q. How much have you thought about the defeat to Rafa at the French?

ROGER FEDERER: Not a whole lot, to be honest. You know, it's almost easier to
forget a loss like that than, let's say, the Rome finals I lost against Rafa
with two match points down. Took me much longer to sort of digest.

The French was over in such a hurry. I mean, the French Open, as the whole
clay court season was over at the same time, so it's easy just to look
forward and concentrate on grass. I won't be on clay for 10 months, so it
really hasn't been a problem, you know. I'm happy I haven't been affected by
it.


Q. A lot of debate the last couple of weeks about whether you're more
vulnerable this year at Wimbledon. Everybody from Borg to Pete Sampras
weighing in on the subject. Does it annoy you, amuse you, motivate you?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I didn't hear. I didn't read the press. I didn't talk to
you guys. I didn't read you guys. So, I mean, people say different things. I
don't know. I feel like I'm the big favorite obviously for Wimbledon.

It's a huge year for me, you know, going for my sixth. Getting the fifth one
was a dream come true already. It's something that's going to be very hard to
match, I think, in the future, in the years to come.

It's taken I don't know how many years for me to be able to match Borg's
record. I hope I can also match Pete's record of seven Wimbledons here.
That's what my focus is.

What other people and players say I cannot control, you know. But you'll
always hear good and bad things throughout your career. It's maybe a time
where some people talk a little bit too much sometimes.


Q. But if you win this time, will it be your greatest victory here?

ROGER FEDERER: If I win this year?

Q. Yes.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I'm not sure. You know, I mean, first one is always the
most unique one, I guess. On top of that, it was my first Grand Slam victory.
I guess the one last year was very meaningful to me, you know, in the
circumstances, playing Rafa in a fiveo sort of digest.

But never know what's going to happen this year. So maybe this one will be
even better. Who knows.


Q. Speaking about hard to top, what were your observations of what Tiger
Woods did last week and if you've had any communication with him since, if
you care to share anything about them?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I watched it. I came back from Halle on Sunday.
I watched till 3:00 in the morning, and then watched all Monday, as well. I
mean, it was a great, great victory for him, especially under the
circumstances with his injury, you know.

I really thought he was actually in better shape, because I had brief contact
before Paris started and I asked him, before the finals of Paris, and he told
me his knee was actually doing okay and stuff. I was quite surprised to see
him struggling.

But so happy for him that he got, you know, the victory. It's a huge, huge
win for him, one of the biggest ones probably of his career, the way he won it. It's just
sad now to see him injured.

But I'm sure he'll bounce back next year and be strong again.

Q. Have you been in touch to any degree since you heard about his injury?
What were your thoughts when you heard just how badly he was hurt as he was
doing this?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I wished him all the best, hope he gets well soon, you
know. But, yeah, I mean, it's quite a severe injury, I'm sure. I'm not quite
sure what he has exactly, you know.

I could tell that he was hurting, because Tiger wouldn't show otherwise, I
would think.


Q. You were expecting for Rafael to win at Queen's honestly?

ROGER FEDERER: Excuse me?


Q. You were expecting that Rafa winning at Queen's?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yeah. I mean, why not? He's been on an unbelievable roll
on clay. He's proven himself on grass the last few years. I didn't think he
was that far off the last couple of years at Queen's, you know. I think one
time he gave up maybe. One time he lost against a good player. I'm not sure
again.

I mean, I played Rafa now a couple times on grass and I know how strong he
is. In the end, I'm not that surprised, no.

Q. Is there anything specific that made you take this more low-profile approach with the press over the last month or two?

ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I mean, it's just more doing it for ten years.
Sometimes you need a little bit of time off. I guess also I've been playing a
lot of matches since, let's say, the clay court season or since Indian Wells.

I've really done a lot of tournaments in a row, a lot of media every day, you
know, the official press conferences and everything. So I felt like I was
talking enough, you know. There's no more really to be said.

On top of that, I don't have much vacation after Wimbledon ends, you know,
because the schedule actually keeps on going in a tough way with the Olympics
and the US Open. So it's maybe also a way to protect myself and save my
energy for the rest of the season.


Q. Comparing with the previous four or five years, how would you sum up your
season so far?

ROGER FEDERER: Uhm, well, I think the important part for me is coming right
now. You know, from tomorrow on all the way to the US Open for me, it's where
I can really judge my season, if it's going to be a good one or maybe, you
know, a less good one.

So far it's been okay. You know, I mean, I had some problems at the beginning
of the year, the ones we know about. After that I think I bounced back and
played better again on clay. I wish I could have done better against Rafa.
But a loss is a loss, no matter whether you lose in three or in five.

I'm still pretty proud about achieving, you know, my third French Open final,
but for some I guess that's still not good enough. But, anyway, I think this
is now the important time for me to see what I can do: Wimbledon, US Open,
and the Olympics. This is what it's going to come down to for me anyway.


Q. You mentioned the Olympics. Are you confident you have things figured out,
you'll be able to bring your best game to Beijing? I know it's an important
tournament for you.

ROGER FEDERER: Look, it's a tricky tournament. It's best-of-three the first

round and the best-of-five for the finals.It's a more dangerous tournament than maybe a Grand Slam, you know, where best
than maybe a Grand Slam, you know,where best-of-five matches may favor the favorites. You have to see the draw. The draw will be
tough. Most of the top players are going there, so I'm looking forward to
play well.

Anyway, I feel like I'm exactly where I want to be. I'm playing well again.
I'm physically in a good shape again. So things are looking good, but there's
never a guarantee. I'm going to try to prepare the best way I can.


Q. Your memories of the two Olympics you participated in, are those good
memories, or is it kind of exasperating, because obviously you didn't come
away with a medal?

ROGER FEDERER: In 2000, I didn't expect a medal, so it was already a big
breakthrough to get to the semis. Then it was sort of disappointing not to
get one, having two chances.

But Sydney, for me, was one of the best sporting memories for me, almost as a
person or as an athlete. The whole combination for me was quite unique.

Then Athens, for me, was already a bit more disappointing. You know, I was
No. 1 seeded, lost in the second round against Berdych. Was close; got a
little unfortunate in some points and stuff.

Next thing you know, I had to play doubles after that, as well. It was just
really a bad day. Also didn't maybe enjoy that much of Sydney, so I hope
Beijing is going to be, again, a better experience for me.


Q. How do you feel about your draw? If you do win, you'll have to play Novak
and Rafa.

ROGER FEDERER: Already in the semis. That's good (smiling). Look, I'm happy
if that happens, you know what I mean. I go round by round. I think it's a
tough draw, you know. It's not one of those predictable draws. I think I have
dangerous players, you know, floating in my sections.

You start with, let's say, second round, Soderling is possible maybe. The
third round has dangerous players in it, as well. The seeds that come after
that, I think they can all play very well on grass, you know. But, of course
you'll always have surprises here and there, and then the draw with open up.

I really think it's a tough draw, like something similar to maybe what
happened when I played Gasquet and Henman first round. It's a difficult draw.


Q. Could you comment on Spanish players going to the grass finals, Ferrer,
Verdasco? What does it mean to you?

ROGER FEDERER: It's good to see, you know. They're good players. The clay-
courters or the Spaniards, you know, they know how to play. It's good to see them
finally also making a little bit of a move on grass, because they weren't
really that interested in grass till a few years ago still I thought.

Rafa actually has been able to change mentality around for the Spanish
players, because he's showing them that it is possible to play well with an
aggressive baseline game. And then now doing the same like what Rafa has been
doing, and it's good to see.


Q. How much have you thought about last year's final, which you said is sort
of hard to top? What carries over from that? In the last year, to what degree
has it been on your mind?

ROGER FEDERER: The finals last year?


Q. Yes.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's just a nice memory looking back. Just great being
part of such a huge final against Rafa and the circumstances. You know, going
for my fifth, it was just a perfect setting.

Now, it didn't play on my mind in any way. I moved on, had other things to
focus on after that. I felt that all the people were really happy for me. I
was able to do the same like what Bjorn Borg did. Then US Open came around, I
was able to win that again, had a great end to the season by winning the
Masters Cup as well.

It's not really on my mind, you know. It's just something I'm really proud
of.

Q. How close do you feel Andy Murray is to being a Grand Slam champion? What
do you feel he has to do?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think he's got the game to put himself into the
position, you know. Now, if that's enough to win the Grand Slam in the end, I
don't know, because he has tendencies, you know, to struggle against Novak.
He has a tendency to struggle against Rafa, as well. He's in that section,
with Rafa anyhow, so it will be interesting to see.

But I think Andy Murray's best surface is grass, so I really think it's most
dangerous here for anybody.


Q. Having seen up close Tim Henman being under the constant spotlight of the
British public, do you have sympathy for Andy? Yet again one person is
basically carrying the entire British support with him.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, it's a tough thing, you know, because you go to
the French Open, to the US Open, you know, you have 15 guys in the main draw.
Here you have, I don't know, one guy making it in, maybe other ones who get
wild cards. I don't know exactly how it works.

It's hard, you know. But I think Andy or Tim, they were guys who could handle
it. Also it would be obviously nice if the Brits had also more on the women's
side. It would take away some pressure, but that's not the case here.

It is hard and it's tough, you know. Like I said, I haven't read what you
guys have been writing, but I think Andy knows he's got a good chance, you
know, to do well here. I really think he has a good game to really go very
far. We'll see how far it takes him. But should be interesting times for Andy
after missing it last year, for instance.


Q. You were elected to the Player Council. With the top three players on the
council now, will this mean a change in direction for the tour, do you think?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think important was, you know, that we, the players,
feel like we're represented in the right way. You know, instead of always
just being asked in the press maybe, saying stuff from the locker rooms and
whatever, I think it was important that also the other players see that we
truly care on sort of a council and board level.

I think it's interesting times in tennis. It's good times in tennis because,
you know, there's been quite a few changes. But I think it's only for the
better.

I don't know the changes yet, but, I mean, it's not gonna affect a whole lot
the lower-ranked players. Maybe what they think, it's now we're only going to look for the top players.
I'm going to represent all players like the way we're supposed to.


Q. You mentioned Andy Murray's pressure. What pressure is there for you being
No. 1?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I guess it's a different kind of pressure, you know. I
mean, I've been on tour now 9, 10 years, so it's obviously very different to
his. But playing at home is always a bit more special. It can get the best
out of you, but also the worst out of you.

He's shown both sides, I guess, here in the past. He's been injured. He's had
a good run, was it two years ago when he beat Andy, then lost to Nalbandian,
or three years ago. It's a different type of pressure. I don't know how to
explain.

But I prefer mine, you know, to be honest. I just like to be the favorite and
like to come in and, you know, try to dominate other players.


Q. All the talk is about you three as the contenders, but Andy Roddick has
beaten all three of you this year, been in two Wimbledon finals, perhaps
underestimated to previous years. How do you see his chances?

ROGER FEDERER: Very good. Same thing. I think he's been playing well. Clay
court season obviously has been disappointing. Not played maybe that much. He
actually played okay in, where was it, Rome, where he reached the semis and
everything.

Yeah, like you said, I think he's been a little bit under the radar because
other guys have been in the spotlight. You know how it is, the ones who win
Queen's usually get the headlines anyway. That's something where Andy hasn't
been this year after winning it, was it four times maybe as well.

No, for me he's one of the big favorites. I'm happy to see him in the other
section of the draw actually.

Q. You mentioned Borg. Are you surprised he's not ranking you before No. 3?
He's ranking you as the third best player in the tournament. Are you
surprised after what he said about you last year? He was so full of praise.

ROGER FEDERER: Obviously, yeah. That's how quickly things change, you know. I
mean, look, it's his opinion. I don't mind what he says. Obviously at the
moment he has a microphone under his face and people ask him many, many
things. Once he'll sound more critical, once he'll sound more positive.

But it doesn't change much for me. I like when it's praise. When it's
something else, when it's more critical, you tend to just forget about it and
move on, so...

Yeah, I don't --it doesn't affect me much.


Q. It's not disappointing to hear what he's saying?

ROGER FEDERER: Not disappointing, but it's just different. I'm surprised.
Let's put it that way.


Q. The girls are starting to wear shorts now. Will you do something new this
year, or will you still wear the white jacket?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, look, I'm not going to go skirt yet. I'm not Scottish
either. But, yeah, I mean, I'll have something. I'll have a cardigan. I'll
make sure I'll be a class act on the court, yeah.


Q. You haven't practiced today at Aorangi. Are you scheduled to practice
today?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I've got to go actually. No, I've got practice at 1:00.


Q. At Aorangi Park?

ROGER FEDERER: Yes.


Q. You are so strong on the grass, especially in Wimbledon. What do you think
about any tactics in particular for Wimbledon?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, obviously the game changes a whole lot, you
know, when you play on grass. I think it really favors my game because of my
ability to move, the way I defend, the way I use my shot selection. I think
it really works in my favor. I haven't lost in such a long time on grass.
Obviously my confidence is really, really high.

Then again, other players are around, you know, to really challenge me. That
only motivates me. So it should be an interesting Wimbledon this year.


--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 118.160.108.231
※ 編輯: a87192611       來自: 118.160.108.231      (06/22 21:48)
推 iliketea:怎麼有七頁空白頁~不過也沒時間看，期末都快爆了...
→ a87192611:...貼文章的時候不小心留下黑洞= ="
→ a87192611:期末快爆+1...只有偷瞄幾眼
→ a87192611:話說...那個空白頁有辦法去掉嗎orz(我是笨蛋)
推 bloodangel:可以按大E修改文章~ 感謝分享! ^^
修好了:)                      06/22 21:59
※ 編輯: a87192611       來自: 118.160.108.231      (06/22 22:06)
推 megar:看完了 今年多了件毛衣~~好期待喔:-)
推 megar:Rogi蠻看好Roddick 還慶幸沒跟Roddick在同個半區^^
→ megar:其實我蠻希望決賽對手是Roddick  如果兩方都在好狀態
→ megar:會有很棒的火花  我喜歡節奏明快的草地比賽 :-)
推 mepass:可是之前女王 Roddick被.....
推 megar:其實Roddick的打法還是很適合草地的~~只要他能控制住
→ megar:比賽節奏~~不是沒有機會
→ a87192611:Roddick這次也很挺Rogi XD
推 essentially: elected to the Player Council??我想問這是??