TENNIS – Roger Federer in press conference after the defeat with Jeremy Chardy for 6-1 3-6 6-7 at the second round of Rome tournament.
…I think we both struggle to win today and at the end a shot here or there have decided the match. He gave me a double fault before that to give me match point, I missed my first serve which was crucial, but credit to him sort of to one round, 2nd serve, give it a go a of course a pass shot is a tough one for to take: he doesn’t make it very often, but it happens, credit to him to fight his way back into the match.
Just one match is not a preparation for the French Open, what will you do now, will you go back to your family?
In Monaco practice for me was very good the last few weeks, I did have a family but everything is under control, and I still feel good, body and mind.
Can you say something about your cooperation with Stefan Edberg?
I am enjoying the time I spend with him, the chat we have about tennis and life. It’s really crucial what he tells me about tennis and my game, what he thinks I should do in general.
Why Stefan?
He has been my idol, everybody knows that, since I play tennis. It’s a very inspiring person for me, and when I was thinking to add someone to the team I thought to somebody special in particular and ask Stefan what he thought.
Looking to Roland Garros and Wimbledon, do you think chances are opening up for some new player?
Maybe, but again I think all the top guys really plays very good. At the ned of the days it will end in all ways, result shows that at French Open and Wimbledon it still needs a very good performance if you want to win.
I wondered if you in this great time of your life should probably guard yourself from defeats maybe not hurting as much as they should?
I think that in 10 or 15 years you’ll go two face some that hurt more and that hurt less, sometimes could be a 2nd round of a tournament or a semi-final of a big tournament. You have to accept it as long as you give everything you have, I cried sometimes when I was younger, times moved me away from that and be able to handle defeats more and doesn’t fell fond of this press conference now, but I had experience with it and I know I got to go to the practice court and move to the French open and see thing quite positive. It was not surely fun leaving the court thinking what happened out there, so I was hungry, disappointed, frustrated but then I just handle with that and …ok… let’s do the conference and go home. But at the this time of my career I know how much defeats hurts and this one is totally…and it doesn’t hurt because I tried everything on the court.
Are you going to practice now?
Yes, I am going to talk with the team and see what’s the plan.