TENNIS Internazionali BNL d’Italia – An interview with Roger Federer
Q: How pleased you are to be back on tour again?
ROGER FEDERER: To be honest back on the tour is the least thing, it couldn’t be happier, for those who have kids it’s the best thing, they know what I am talking about. It’s hard to leave all the family, but I’ll see them soon, shortly, and the things going well, the boys are healthy and Mirka is good too. It’s a great time in our lives.
Q: Will it be more difficult for you now to travel with all the family on the tour, with four kids?
ROGER FEDERER: Time will tell, really. But the plan is that they can come on tour. At least we know how to handle with kids on the road, and that’s quite a challenge I must say early on especially when they are one year old: flight, transit, hotel rooms. I am aware it’s going to be a lot of work but at the same time I know what I am going into. It’s something I really looking forward to.
Q: Can you tell us about your decision process to come here in Rome?
ROGER FEDERER: Everything happens all of sudden on Thursday. I spoke to the team, I spoke to Mirka, ask all of them what they think I should do and they told to quickly come here and play. So ok, if you don’t want me around…(laugh), I’ll go away. I miss them a lot already, it’s a different type of week, but I’ll get through it and I hope I can play some good tennis here.
Q: What do you expect from this week?
ROGER FEDERER: I was able to train very hard actually, after Monaco I took some time off and train really hard in Switzerland. In terms of tennis I expect a lot from myself, but that again, after what happened I’ve come here with less pressure, enjoy, and to stay in the tournament rhythm which is a good start of the season and I just want to keep the momentum by my side and that’s basically why I am here.
Q: Is it essential for you to be one of the 4 top seed in the Roland Garros?
ROGER FEDERER: Not necessarily. At the end of the day I just want to try to win the tournament, especially at the French open. If I had to face certain guys at the semi or at the quarter it doesn’t make any differences. The seeds are equally to spread out, the chance are equally big to be in a section with certain players than not. It’s not the most important thing, I am here just to play.
