TENNIS ATP FINALS 2014 – Roger Federer d. Milos Raonic 6-1, 7-6(0). Group B
Q. You had your good chances in the second set. Do you think it could have gone to a third, or Roger is more experienced than you?
MILOS RAONIC: Obviously it can come down just to one play, and we might be playing a third set. But it’s obviously disappointing, very disappointing actually, the way I finished that second set off.
Q. It’s your first time here. Did it take you a set to get going?
MILOS RAONIC: No. It took me more a set to find my way into the match because of playing Roger, not because of being here for the first time.
Q. You play Andy next. You have a good record against him. How do you think this court will play out for the match between you?
MILOS RAONIC: Well, it’s a completely different match. Things are going to be quite different than the first match.
We both, after today, have more so of an idea what we need to do different for the next round. It’s going to be about who necessarily adjusts better, who can play better come Tuesday night.
Q. I wondered how intimidating it felt to be playing in such a huge arena and with a lot of support on Roger’s side? Did that have an impact on you or could you blank that out?
MILOS RAONIC: No, it wasn’t any kind of an issue. Every time you play Roger, the crowd’s on his side, even if he’s playing a local favorite. It’s hard for people to cheer against Roger.
I’ve played him a few times. I’ve played home favorites on big courts also a few times, and in Davis Cup, many different situations. So it wasn’t any type of an issue.
Q. The set point and the breakpoints, which one was the most disappointing or frustrating for you?
MILOS RAONIC: I don’t remember which game I had it. I had two in one game. The second one of those two, when I shanked that forehand wide. I don’t think it was really a difficult forehand. I just should have stayed down through it a little bit more.
Q. Is it strange losing a match, knowing you’re going to have to get over it right away and prepare for the next one?
MILOS RAONIC: Yeah, it is. I get pretty angry when I lose, so…
I’m going to have to learn how to slap myself out of it.
Q. This is just after the match, but it’s poppy time. I wonder if you usually wear one and how you learned about what it means and its significance? Also, have you noticed the ones here are a little bit different.
MILOS RAONIC: The ones here are quite a bit different. They look like they have two divides in them, whereas the ones I grew up wearing and having Memorial Day in Canada. I remember always everyone on this day in Canada, obviously it’s a different date, but would be put together in the gymnasium, and either we’d be spoken to about it or we’d watch video regarding it, have that moment of silence.
I have a very good understanding of what it exactly means back home in Canada. I’m not sure if the storyline is a bit different or if it’s the same here. But I definitely know what it represents.
Q. You mentioned a moment ago the crowd often supports Roger. How do you expect the French crowd to react to him in the Davis Cup final coming up? Do you think it’s fair when players are criticized for not suiting up for their country in Davis Cup?
MILOS RAONIC: For the first question, I think people are going to be very patriotic up in the north of France, and I think the thing that’s unique about Roger is people will support the home players when they face Roger. But Roger is very tough to cheer against. Whereas quite a few other players, people will try to sort of get on top of them, get down on them. I have not seen a situation where people have tried to do that at least since I’ve been on tour to Roger.
When it comes to Davis Cup, I think it all just always depends on the situation. I think there’s definitely two sides to it. You have to sort of hear it out because it can make a big difference in a person personally, but also for a team.
