TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 30th of May 2014. R. Federer d. D. Tursunov 7-5, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. An interview with Roger Federer
Q. Congratulations for another great victory. A different match rather than Diego’s match. What were your feelings on this one, please?
ROGER FEDERER: Probably in a nutshell, tough to lose a second, but nice to win the match.
I’m pleased to be through. Like expected, it was not a straightforward, easy match where I knew that Dmitry is going to try different things, play aggressive, serve well at times and then take big cuts at the ball. That’s kind of how it went.
So I’m pleased I found a way and played it sort of solid and tough toward the very end.
Q. Do you think the injury affected him, the key to achieve the victory?
ROGER FEDERER: You have to ask him how bad it was for him. He was still serving 200s at times. So where I felt it the most was that he struggled to return the serve, you know, the reaction, left and right was maybe missing a little bit.
But in terms of playing aggressive tennis, that, he was able to do normally, in my opinion.
I think everything that was out of his control, like moving defense, that’s when it got difficult.
But, you know, when somebody serves big like he does, it’s sometimes a bit difficult. He has the capacity to stay very offensive at all times.
But clearly on the clay it’s difficult, you know, to hit three great shots in a row. So I tried to extend the rallies, but serve nice and stay aggressive throughout. And I think that was a bit too much for his hip or whatever it was.
Q. After changes in the personal life of the players, everybody is asking how can it affect you in your game. You lost in Rome, but here in Roland Garros you are going up. Do you think your new babies are affecting your tournament?
ROGER FEDERER: It’s just a different pace day to day, you know, spending time not only with my daughters but now also my sons. So there is a bit of a different dynamic. But overall, clearly enjoying ourselves, you know, like never before.
So I’m very happy in my personal life, and that is very positive for my on court performance, as well, I believe.
How I sleep hasn’t been interrupted. I’m a true professional when it comes to those kind of things. But clearly anything away from center court here and, you know, the grounds I have a very nice time with my family every minute.
Q. It was a hard match, but he did get too many looks on your serve, really. You saved both breakpoints but in the third set which was just eight games, it was tough, true?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I think I elaborated enough on the match. I think it was a solid performance by me on my serve. I think on the return I was trying out different things. I found a better way of returning by standing a bit further back midway through the third set. That’s also what got me more offensive throughout the point.
I think he was doing a very nice job with my slice, dictating play, and I tried to get out of it.
I was trying to defend as much as I could, you know, sometimes, but I wish at times I could have played a bit more offensive and come to the net.
But today was difficult because I think Dmitry keeps on the back foot automatically by his big shots.
Q. Second week for you. How do you assess your run so far and this match today? You had set point, you could have won in three sets, in straight sets. You ended up playing a four set match. Was it tricky or not?
ROGER FEDERER: After three rounds, I have got all the information. Today it was a tough match, had to defend well because he was a very aggressive player.
Against a previous player it was a matter of getting in the groove. The first round was quite okay, but I’ve got my bearings now, my landmarks on court.
I will talk with Stefan and Severin, and they will tell me what they think about the match and they will talk about the tactics with Gulbis.
Q. With Gulbis it will be a special match. He’s able to deliver some incredible shots.
ROGER FEDERER: He has a great serve, and he’s very enterprising of the second serve. His backhand is very simple. It works well with a lot of power. He’s able to hit the backhand above his shoulders, so he’s a very good player.
Year after year he moves better on court. I think that is more determined. He has a great game, and he can do lots of great things, thanks to his game.
He has won some tournaments. He can be very good against the best players. He’s confident. He’s brimming with confidence, and I’m delighted to play against him.
