TENNIS ATP FINALS 2014 – Roger Federer d. Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2. Group B
Q. The court is different than other covered courts or was it Roger that played well in the key moments?
KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, I think so. He took the important points, all the important points. Maybe he didn’t play maybe hundred percent, but all the tough points he played, you know, good serve, good points.
He didn’t give me a chance to come back. Yeah, I think he did great that. Important points, he put all the efforts.
Yeah, for me, I didn’t play really bad. But still, you know, I wasn’t really consistent everything, my serve, my strokes. I had a little bit of unforced errors. So that’s why I couldn’t, you know, stay there.
Q. What’s the situation with the wrist? Where does it place you going ahead in the tournament?
KEI NISHIKORI: You know, just had a little bit of soreness today. I mean, the tennis was okay. I was playing really solid from the baseline. Maybe serve wasn’t there, you know, today.
But I have, you know, one more day, tomorrow, off. So try to come back, recovery well, and hopefully I can win next one.
Q. You’ve made rapid progress since Michael Chang became your coach. How much do you think the performance of an athlete can be put down to the coach? Can you give some advice to the Chinese young male athletes?
KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, I think the coach is very important. They can push you a lot and also they can give you a lot of good advice.
For me, was really work that we start end of last year. It’s been improving a lot. I really appreciate his help. Also Dante.
Yeah, I learn a lot of things from him. So hopefully we can keep going.
Q. For a good part of your career, you’ve had troubles with injuries. Was there a change at some point for you in the training you did off court, especially with your game being the way you grind out points? Was there something you changed in how you train?
KEI NISHIKORI: I just think the time wise. I spent more time on the gym. Also more practice. It’s not like I do different stuff this year, you know. I been keep doing all the rehab, little stuff.
I think just put all the efforts in the gym and outside of the courts. That’s helping my physically.
Q. This has been the year of your breakthrough. That obviously comes with a lot of media attention, especially in your home country. How do you cope with that?
KEI NISHIKORI: I don’t know. Not bad (smiling). I try to enjoy every moment I have.
I don’t know. Japanese media always is very nice to me, so it’s been very nice. You know, after US Open, it’s been little bit change, more attention for me everywhere. But it’s not like they give me a pressure.
I try to enjoy every moment I have. Even this week, try to enjoy every match. Try to play good tennis all the time.
