Saturday, August 29, 2009
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. As of 2014 the US Open will be the only Grand Slam without a roof. Do you think the Open should have a roof?
ROGER FEDERER: Is French Open confirmed? Not yet? So it might not be.
Well, I mean, is it necessary? I mean, if you look back in history, maybe not. I don't know. But because it's normally summertime here, but last year was it a Monday final? Yeah, it was. Those are just things that are unpredictable, and with a roof you can make it more predictable for fans, sponsors, TV, for players. You know, that's why it's a good thing to have. That's why I'm obviously for it. I think especially, you know, in America we have so many wonderful stadiums, I mean, you figure it's kind of normal that they would be taking the lead with something like this.
Q. What's different about your mental approach to your first Major since you set the record?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, it's always a bit of a more, to me, relaxed part of the season, because I've come off five weeks of, you know, being at home, whereas prior to Wimbledon, French Open, it's a very busy time I feel like through Europe with the clay. I'm just getting this time more relaxed. I've won already two Slams this year. That takes away pressure from maybe having to do well here, like the feeling I had last year, not having won a Slam last year, trying to get the first one.
This year is different. I feel like I'm playing great. That gives me obviously a lot of confidence and relaxes my mind.
Q. What's been the biggest common denominator for your dominance here in the last several years?
ROGER FEDERER: I was very successful I think in 2004 and 2005 and hardcourts in general, especially here in the States. I won Houston, Masters Cup back to back in '03 and '04. I won I think almost every Masters Series I played on hardcourt, so the US Open was sort of part of that great run. I was on on hardcourts.
I had an incredible record as well against top 10 players. I think I didn't lose against one in 24 straight matches or something like that. That obviously is going to push you through also at the US Open. Now I used to struggle here a bit more just because conditions were really difficult, but then I started to embrace everything, and I enjoyed the wild city, you know, New York, the way crowds are and how loud it is and everything.
And now I love everything about it. Especially the city and the fans here. I mean, that's definitely helped especially last year, for instance.
Q. Is there a secret to win here?
ROGER FEDERER: I think it's one of the toughest tournaments to win out there, because everybody is going for the last Grand Slam of the season. Everybody can play on hardcourts. Nobody has excuses that they never played on hardcourts, because that's the majority of the surface. That's where I think it's really difficult to win here.
Secrets, I don't know, belief, being a good enough player. You rarely see surprises at the US Open, and I guess just because we're into a full season, this is what everybody's match tough and fit, fit to go, and it makes it difficult to win here.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. As of 2014 the US Open will be the only Grand Slam without a roof. Do you think the Open should have a roof?
ROGER FEDERER: Is French Open confirmed? Not yet? So it might not be.
Well, I mean, is it necessary? I mean, if you look back in history, maybe not. I don't know. But because it's normally summertime here, but last year was it a Monday final? Yeah, it was. Those are just things that are unpredictable, and with a roof you can make it more predictable for fans, sponsors, TV, for players. You know, that's why it's a good thing to have. That's why I'm obviously for it. I think especially, you know, in America we have so many wonderful stadiums, I mean, you figure it's kind of normal that they would be taking the lead with something like this.
Q. What's different about your mental approach to your first Major since you set the record?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, it's always a bit of a more, to me, relaxed part of the season, because I've come off five weeks of, you know, being at home, whereas prior to Wimbledon, French Open, it's a very busy time I feel like through Europe with the clay. I'm just getting this time more relaxed. I've won already two Slams this year. That takes away pressure from maybe having to do well here, like the feeling I had last year, not having won a Slam last year, trying to get the first one.
This year is different. I feel like I'm playing great. That gives me obviously a lot of confidence and relaxes my mind.
Q. What's been the biggest common denominator for your dominance here in the last several years?
ROGER FEDERER: I was very successful I think in 2004 and 2005 and hardcourts in general, especially here in the States. I won Houston, Masters Cup back to back in '03 and '04. I won I think almost every Masters Series I played on hardcourt, so the US Open was sort of part of that great run. I was on on hardcourts.
I had an incredible record as well against top 10 players. I think I didn't lose against one in 24 straight matches or something like that. That obviously is going to push you through also at the US Open. Now I used to struggle here a bit more just because conditions were really difficult, but then I started to embrace everything, and I enjoyed the wild city, you know, New York, the way crowds are and how loud it is and everything.
And now I love everything about it. Especially the city and the fans here. I mean, that's definitely helped especially last year, for instance.
Q. Is there a secret to win here?
ROGER FEDERER: I think it's one of the toughest tournaments to win out there, because everybody is going for the last Grand Slam of the season. Everybody can play on hardcourts. Nobody has excuses that they never played on hardcourts, because that's the majority of the surface. That's where I think it's really difficult to win here.
Secrets, I don't know, belief, being a good enough player. You rarely see surprises at the US Open, and I guess just because we're into a full season, this is what everybody's match tough and fit, fit to go, and it makes it difficult to win here.
