TENNIS ATP FINALS 2014 – Roger Federer d. Andy Murray 6-0, 6-1. Group B
Q. Tonight it was too perfect from your part and Murray was not there? What is your opinion of such a match?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think the surface here doesn’t forgive much. I think if there’s a slight difference of the level from the baseline, hard to get out of it. We’ve seen it all week. The serve doesn’t have that much impact.
I didn’t even necessarily serve so well. But you got to play the right way here, use the court to your advantage as much as you can.
But I had the upper hand from the baseline, which hasn’t always happened against him. But I definitely was able to play on my terms. For me, things went very well. I was able to put Andy under pressure very often, and I think the match couldn’t have gone any better for me really.
Q. You were the only one the other night who said actually this surface probably is the reason for these straight, easy matches. How do you explain it? Last year you had the same surface. Is there something you notice that has really changed?
ROGER FEDERER: No, it’s the same. It’s just matchups.
Q. Why last year didn’t this happen and this year it’s happening?
ROGER FEDERER: Because of the matchups, depending on who plays whom, how the players are in shape. If there’s a bit too big of a gap between the two players, next thing you know, it’s a blowout.
Don’t know why that is. I guess it’s just too easy returning second serves here. It’s hard to get free points off the second serve. Yeah, that’s what it is. That’s how it feels anyway.
Q. What does it feel being up 6 0, 5 0 on one of your toughest rivals?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, not so cool because I wouldn’t want to be in that position. I was happy to get it done. At the end I was happy I didn’t win the second to last game to be quite honest.
Yeah, it’s uncomfortable. I don’t know. I don’t like it.
Q. There’s quite a good chance you could play Stan in the semifinals. How good would that be to play him here, especially of playing with him at the Davis Cup?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I don’t know what he needs to do to win. I just hope he beats Cilic and makes it somehow, whatever that scenario is. I’d love to play against Stan here in the semis. It would be historic for us to make it for a second consecutive year into the semis. If we play each other, it’s a good thing that one of us is going to go to the finals.
It’s an extra match for Stan, in particular. It’s an opportunity for both of us to play a quality match ahead of Davis Cup.
But honestly Davis Cup is so far away in my mind right now. We care about playing very well here. I’m very happy I’m getting to play an extra match because I want to arrive in France with a lot of matches in my legs. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I’m happy that Stan has also picked up his level. I hope he can qualify and make it special for the weekend.
Q. Very unusual event for fans. They only get one singles match per session. They’ve all been very short. Is there anything the tournament can do to give people a better show?
ROGER FEDERER: I don’t know if the people are disappointed or sad or whatever it is. But I don’t think they are. True tennis fans are not because they know it can happen. Can’t make it best of five on the guys. It would be too tough. There is doubles. Doubles is fun. They put on a great show.
I think the tournament organizers try everything to make this an unbelievable place. I mean, the venue is fantastic. Still the fans are going to come.
I hope that you guys don’t kill it, you know, because you guys have a bit of a say in this. Don’t write negative about it because we’ve seen some good tennis. If you write too much about it, then we might see a reaction. But if you guys stay positive, it would be very helpful. So thank you (smiling).
