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Post by RogiFan on Jan 28, 2004 19:54:28 GMT -5
I have to say that's my dream final too, Vera. If Marat shaves Baldy, which I sincerely hope he does, he will not want to lose another Aussie final again, esp if it's to Rogi! But I w love for Rogi to win it also -- it's so hard when you love both players and they both deserve to win... it's so tough on the finalist... Oh well, firstly, the SF. Juanqui is so injury-ridden this slam... poor thing. He is fighting valiantly these days, I must say... his SF vs. Rogi will be a classic, I hope! Can't wait! I hate this waiting til I wake up for the all-important results... I must have been awake at 2am, then around 5am... 2 more nights like this... I'm a wreck and it's all for the love of my guys Rogi, Juanqui and Maratski! So funny PMac said that one of the producers was wearing a suit and he asked him, what's the special occasion? The guy said: Federer's playing tonight!! :lmao: This guys usually wears sweats apparently!!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 28, 2004 19:55:48 GMT -5
R. FEDERER/D. Nalbandian 7-5, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 An interview with: ROGER FEDERER THE MODERATOR: First question for Roger, please. Q. Great to be in a semifinal. Would it surprise you to know that the statistics show you made 55 unforced errors tonight? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I made a lot in the beginning. Couldn't find the rhythm. You know, I took more chances obviously than he did. My game is to try to attack. So I'm always going to hit unforced errors. But I agree, today was a little bit too many. Q. Is there any reason in particular why it should happen today? ROGER FEDERER: Well, he's one of the players who is anyway going to make you hit unforced errors, you know, at times. And, you know, I've had my experiences with him, so I knew there was nothing to worry about too much, if I'm ahead in the score especially. Q. Because of the record you had against him before Houston, does that make you feel you have to go out and do a bit more? ROGER FEDERER: No. The opposite because I've taken too many chances in the past. That's why I've lost. Q. Do you feel like you got a little revenge for losing to him at the Australian here last year and the US Open? ROGER FEDERER: It's really nice to beat him in a Slam, you know. It always hurts double if you lose in a Slam. To get him back at least once, because he also beat me at the US Open, it's nice. I'm happy to have beaten, you know, Hewitt and Nalbandian on the way to the semis. It's only my second semifinals in my career. It's a very big satisfaction I have right now. Q. In a sense, with those two experiences, playing two players who play in a similar-ish style, the fact that you've now got Ferrero, means you're very much in the groove against baseliners? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, that will help me because they run down a lot of, lot of balls. I always have to hit not only one winner to win the point; it's many. This will be similar to Juan Carlos. I know him obviously better than other guys it seems like because his game is much more simple. You know, he's got a good forehand, good backhand, he can hit winners off both sides. It kind of makes the game easier. Q. Have you ever hit four consecutive aces under such important circumstances? ROGER FEDERER: I don't think I've ever hit four aces in a row. That was very important at that stage because it was looking like he was going to, you know, run away in that set with that lead. Came at the right times. Very happy (smiling). Q. Do you get the feeling that the crowd here is genuinely warming towards you? The further you're going, the better you're playing, the crowd appreciates you even more? ROGER FEDERER: No, not really (laughter). Maybe because, you know, I played -- the only thing I could imagine is because I've played here in Davis Cup. But same counts for a lot of guys. But, still, I feel like we've played a great match with Lleyton, and now again. But maybe I felt in the crowd a little bit of a disappointment that there's no more Aussies around. I guess that's also normal. Q. How close were they to having to close the roof, do you think? ROGER FEDERER: Never close, because the referee told me they're not going to close it. Q. Apparently it was raining quite heavily. ROGER FEDERER: Well, he told me. I told him, "Well, why don't we close the roof?" He said, "Well, we'll see." I said, "Well, if it's not raining for the moment, we can keep going." It's only a small space open anyway. Q. Just on the previous question about the crowd warming to you, I've spoken to a few Juniors this weekend. They all say they want to play like you because you have the good game, the way that you play is what they want to emulate. Do you have a sense of that a little bit or not? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, the last few days, you know, I've been hitting with Juniors because I don't have a coach and I like to play with Juniors just to see how they play. I remember in '98 when I had the chance to play with some players, it was really, really exciting, you know. It's tough to say if they really enjoy to play with me, because some are shy, the other guys don't speak much. And we only hit for half an hour, an hour. But tomorrow I'll hit again with a junior, a Swiss junior this time. Him I know better. You know, I'm just trying to get them used to the tour a little bit, and show them a little what I do. You know, maybe it will help them in their career. Q. Any of them hitting single-handed backhands? ROGER FEDERER: One of them was. Q. Do they ask you or do you ask them? ROGER FEDERER: I ask them, because I don't think... Q. They'd be too shy to ask you? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I guess so. Q. Are you able to give us a word about the next match, the semifinal, what your thoughts are? ROGER FEDERER: Another tough match. Similar to the Masters where I had to play Agassi, to play Nalbandian, to play Ferrero. Now I'm playing Hewitt to play Nalbandian to play Ferrero. That is tough, especially over five sets, every second day. Looking forward. I'm confident now, even though I thought I played a better match against Hewitt. But I feel like I definitely got the game to beat Ferrero. Q. When you get this far in a tournament, is there that feeling that if you don't win it, there's a sense of disappointment because you have got this far, that the tournament is yours for the taking? ROGER FEDERER: Well, disappointment is always here if you lose in a Slam, like I said before. So if I lose in the semis or the finals or the first round, doesn't really change much because the disappointment is going to be there anyway. Q. It's probably fair to say that your only other semifinal in a Slam, you probably played one of your finest matches ever. You have that in the back of your mind going in? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I know I definitely got the game to raise at the occasion. I've shown it in the past. And this makes me go very confident to the semis. Same at The Masters. When it got important, I played well. So that's kind of what I expect from myself for the next match. Q. How important is it for you to become No. 1? ROGER FEDERER: We'll see. We'll see. I can't say much. I don't want to because I'm focused on this tournament, on winning this tournament now, especially I made it to the semis. So No. 1 is secondary right now. FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jan 30, 2004 8:08:24 GMT -5
Congrats to our no. 1 You really deserve this!!! Now good luck in the finals. *regardless of the results i'd be happy. R. FEDERER/J.C. Ferrero 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 An interview with: ROGER FEDERER Q. Was that easier than you expected? How much do you think was due to his leg injury? ROGER FEDERER: Obviously, I always expect tougher matches than this, you know. That's what you got to have in mind when you come into a semifinals against Ferrero. You know, I started to see that he had some problems with his injury only from the third set on. I thought he played really well in the beginning, and served especially well, maybe got a little down on himself in the second, and I took advantage of it. And I'm happy the way I came back in that first set. Q. With all that was riding on the match, was your reaction at the end kind of a sense of relief that you're in the final, you have the No. 1 ranking now? ROGER FEDERER: "Relief"? Kind of. Relief for me was Wimbledon. No. 1, obviously it's something I've been close to the last few months. I could never take my chance. I tried everything at The Masters but, you know, wasn't good enough. But I put myself in a good spot for the Australian Open. I'm happy to have had a great start now to the season, and to finally be No. 1. And it does make me feel really strange (smiling). Q. How do you feel about your opponent on Sunday having 24 hours more preparation time? ROGER FEDERER: Oh, I don't think it really matters because I've had easier matches than he has, so he needs two days (smiling). Let's see, but I don't think it's going to play down on condition. Yeah, looking forward to it. You know, it's going to be a good match. Marat is a nice guy and we've always had great matches so far. This is a special occasion for both of us. Q. Did you expect him to come this far in the tournament two weeks ago at the start of the tournament? ROGER FEDERER: I knew he's definitely got the game to win these tournaments. But to right away do it in the beginning of the season after he had some strange results at the end of the season, I don't know how much he was injured. I only saw him play in Madrid, where he lost in three sets to Bjorkman. But it's good to see him back. We're all happy, but we're scared at the same time, so... Q. Was it important for you to finish with three sets today? ROGER FEDERER: I mean, it's better, obviously. I save energy. My confidence goes up even more. So it's great. I didn't expect to play a three-setter today. Q. On this type of surface, is there anybody tougher for you to play when they play their very best tennis than Marat? ROGER FEDERER: It's really difficult to answer because Marat hasn't been around for basically a year. Q. But if he plays his best tennis. ROGER FEDERER: He's definitely one of the toughest. And he showed it at the US Open and at many other events. You can't get up on him with a kick serve because he's so tall and so strong with his backhand, you know. So he's really tough on this surface. Plus, his movement is better on the hard courts than on any other surface. His kick serve bites on this surface. So, definitely, he's one of the toughest, for sure. Q. How do you compare to be in the final here and the final in Wimbledon when you first reached the final of a Grand Slam? What is the difference in terms of feelings? ROGER FEDERER: It's totally different. I am very excited, don't worry. But, you know, Wimbledon, to already get to the semis was for me like a big thing. And then to come to the finals, you know, I couldn't believe it, to have a chance to win Wimbledon. Here now I don't expect it for myself, but I know I've definitely got the game to do it. To be again in a Grand Slam final is a very good feeling. Now it's all about preparation. Q. Will it be easier to sleep before this final? ROGER FEDERER: Yes, definitely (smiling). Q. When you looked to your people when the match was over, you were going to be interviewed by John McEnroe, you looked so happy. Can you tell us of your feelings in that moment. You were expressing a lot. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I don't know how many people knew how much there was in this match for me because there was not only the chance to win the tournament afterwards in the finals, but also at the same time be No. 1 in the world. So I just really wanted to enjoy that moment for myself, and the people who knew that I was playing for No. 1 in the world. They definitely saw what was going on. It's just something I will never have again in my life. You're only one time No. 1 in the world for the first time in your career or in your life, maybe. So I really wanted to kind of enjoy it. Q. How big is this for the country, to be first Swiss No. 1 in the world?
ROGER FEDERER: I don't know. You've got to ask the Swiss people. But already to be No. 2, No. 5 was a big thing. You know, there's a lot of talk about Roger Federer in Switzerland. So now No. 1, it's even more special. I guess a lot of people expected that. But still, when it once happened, cannot describe the feelings inside. Q. Do you get sort of special satisfaction from the way that you've handled all the new things that have happened to you in the last six months: winning Wimbledon, winning the Masters, getting to the Australian Open final, being No. 1? You seem to have handled them all so well. Does that give you kind of a special satisfaction, as well? ROGER FEDERER: Yes. And I feel like I've totally learned out of the Montreal match against Andy where I missed my chance for No. 1. Today I was much more relaxed. Definitely I was nervous, too, in the end. I don't know if I would have served it out any other way if I wouldn't have experienced what happened to me in Montreal, because I was basically shaking all over my body because I couldn't believe the chance I had. So there I missed it. And it was - how do you say - it was the defeat that hurt me the most last year. And now to have made it, to have served it out, it's just really -- it's just really nice. Q. Having won Wimbledon, were you surprised at that reaction you just described there, in that Montreal situation? Nothing's bigger than sort of serving for the Wimbledon Championship. ROGER FEDERER: Well, I wasn't serving for it (smiling). Q. Nothing is bigger than receiving. ROGER FEDERER: What can I say? You always get nervous when something means very much for yourself. I'm definitely a guy who is rather calm on the outside on the tennis court, but very emotional inside. I showed everything that was going on inside of myself at the presentation of the trophy in Wimbledon. It wasn't far away today. But it was more of a -- just such a satisfaction and such a joy and also proud, of course, to be No. 1, the No. 1 in the men's tennis game. Martina Hingis was No. 1 in the women's side, and now that I'm the first Swiss to have made it on the men's side, it's just something -- it's really fun and good. cont.
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jan 30, 2004 8:10:12 GMT -5
Q. You said before the tournament you didn't expect to go to the final. Why?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, because you got to look round for round, and you got to take it easy. You cannot just say, "I'm here to win the tournament," then you crash out in the first round and you don't know what to say. So you got to save yourself and start slowly (smiling).
I knew if it goes well and I make it to the fourth round or quarterfinals, that after that I got a chance to go all the way. But looking at the draw, there were some really tough guys around. I beat them all. Now I got the chance for the title, and I'm No. 1 in the world. I cannot ask for more right now.
Q. Marat was confident in Perth already, and he says he doesn't care about the draw.
ROGER FEDERER: Good for him. I did care about the draw. I still also made it, so depends how you look at it.
Q. You may be the first No. 1 in the world who gets there without having a coach.
ROGER FEDERER: I've had coaches, don't worry (smiling).
Q. Maybe other people will follow this example or not?
ROGER FEDERER: I have no idea. That's up to other players. I don't really care what the other guys do. All that I care about is my own career.
Q. Is it tougher?
ROGER FEDERER: It's different. What can I say? This title doesn't come -- how I say, this No. 1 in the world doesn't just come like this. This has been a lot of work on the practice courts, like all the other place, too. But I've been working as hard as I could the last few years.
All the coaches that have helped me definitely deserve something of it. But obviously in the end, you know, it's me on the tennis court and serving out the match, not the coach. So I'm definitely very proud.
Q. Do you expect this to be a year when the No. 1 changes hands quite frequently throughout the year?
ROGER FEDERER: I hope not. I don't hope it's going to change so quickly. Just getting used to the situation (smiling).
We'll see how I handle it. But it's definitely going to be an interesting year. There's a lot of young guys around. Andre is still around. Yeah, I'm looking forward to what's going to happen.
Q. People say you have the talent to win a Grand Slam on all surfaces. Do you agree?
ROGER FEDERER: Impossible to answer. I have no idea. I've never been close to win the French Open or I would say the US Open. But now that I've played well at the Australian Open, I know I've got definitely a better chance also at the US Open.
French Open gives me confidence knowing that I played finals in Rome, won Hamburg and won Munich. If that is enough to win a Grand Slam... I don't think so.
I'll go step by step. I haven't even won this tournament yet. Still got some work today.
Q. Back on the coaching issue. You made a decision that you're going to hire someone in the near future or you don't want to think about it right now?
ROGER FEDERER: There's not much to say about it. I feel good the way it's right now, otherwise I wouldn't perform like I'm doing. I'm definitely - especially after this result - not going to stress into something because it gives me kind of air and time to really think about what I want. At the same time I'm getting to know myself better, also what my needs are before a tournament.
You know, I've always been taken care of with coaches. Maybe to be on my own a little bit does my game good. You know, in a way yes, and in a way it doesn't do me good because maybe I'm missing some advice. Maybe in the long run this could help me. Who knows.
Q. Marat says he enjoys a couple of beers to ease the muscles. Do you have a similar policy?
ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I'm not a beer fan. I drink other stuff (smiling).
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
from the AO official site
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jan 30, 2004 8:14:55 GMT -5
i've already gotten emails from members of my tennis club, the Swiss are overjoyed! *munches Basler Lerckerli* ;D
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Post by ILR on Jan 30, 2004 11:02:00 GMT -5
Ive rather been neglecting this forum lately :red: Never saw the game but congrats to Rogi for making it into the final!
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Post by TennisHack on Jan 30, 2004 12:21:32 GMT -5
Congrats to Federer for his ascent, though he should have had it at the conclusion of the Masters'. About time somebody knocked Roddick off his perch -- and what a deal, Ferrero moves up too! I'll be cheering for Marat in the final, tho Congrats, Swiss people! This must be a big occasion for you, even though Hingis was the first to break the #1 barriers and Federer has been your hero for what, 5 years now? It's nice for him to be recognized, and for the celebrations to commence!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 30, 2004 15:49:29 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 30, 2004 15:51:27 GMT -5
Federer ready to scale new peak Fed Express one win away from becoming world No1 Stephen Bierley in Melbourne Thursday January 29, 2004 The Guardian Boom! Roger Federer is surprised by an exploding cannon. Of the four men's semi-finalists at this year's Australian Open, only Roger Federer has never been the world No1. If he beats Juan Carlos Ferrero tomorrow, a match that pits the Wimbledon champion against the French Open champion, then the Swiss, aka the Fed Express, will become the 23rd man to reach this pinnacle since the modern rankings began in 1973. It was not something Federer wished to dwell on after beating Argentina's David Nalbandián 7-5, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in the fourth quarter-final in the Rod Laver Arena yesterday - Ferrero having previously defeated Morocco's Hicham Arazi 6-1, 7-6, 7-6. "Being No1 is secondary right now," he said. "I need to concentrate on trying to win my second grand slam." The simple truth is that no matter what his ranking, Federer is the best player in the world. This has nothing to do with ranking points, or matches and titles won - it is a subjective assessment based entirely on the fact that of all the leading players Federer is the one, way above all the rest, that tennis fans most want to watch. This week, because he is still without a coach - having parted from Peter Lundgren last year - he has been practising with the juniors, who have their own tournament during the second week of every grand slam. Federer was a junior Wimbledon champion himself, and the youngsters here have been clambering to get a hit with him. So many of them want to play tennis the Federer way. Perhaps none ever will, but the fact that he has brought style, elegance and touch to the modern game - and a one-handed backhand - has thrilled everybody who feared the template for the future was double-fisted baseline bashing. There is room for all styles, but against the odds Federer has proved it is possible to beat the power hitters through a mixture of style and grace. This is not to say that the 22-year-old Swiss does not give the ball a most fearful clump, notably on the forehand, but it is the sheer variety that makes the aficionados purr. Nalbandián is much less gifted but a wonderful fighter. His arrival in the Wimbledon final two years ago caught everybody on the hop, but it was no fluke. Many had thought he might win his first slam here; coming into the quarter-final he held a 5-1 lead over Federer, including a five-set victory here last year in the fourth round, and a further slam win at last year's US Open. Crucially Federer downed the obdurate Argentinian for the first time at the end-of-season Tennis Masters Cup in Houston. Federer won that tournament, in the process defeating Ferrero, Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, the latter twice, including the final. It was an enormous week for the Swiss, and one that proved to him that his rightful place was at the very top. Having now beaten Lleyton Hewitt and Nalbandián in successive rounds, Federer should be well and truly in the groove against baseliners. However, Ferrero, who reached the final of last year's US Open where he lost to Roddick, has a little more to his game than either of the other two, notably his ability to hit searing winners off either flank. The Spaniard dealt efficiently enough with the gifted but temperamentally volatile Arazi, yet he has both thighs protectively strapped, and may lack the mobility needed to tackle Federer at his best. And Federer's self-belief is growing with every win, a confidence that liberates him to pursue the full range of his glorious stroke-play. Against Nalbandián he knew he had to be slightly circumspect - "I took too many chances against him in the past and that's why I lost". But when the Argentinian cornered him in the first set at 5-5, forcing two break points, Federer responded with four aces, then ripped apart Nalbandián's service game. It was never less than close, with Federer making more errors than in his previous match against Hewitt. "I couldn't find my rhythm," he complained, which had much to do with Nalbandián's cussed defence. The difference between Federer now and Federer a year ago is that he has learned to play his very best tennis when it most matters. It is possible he may lose to Ferrero, who would then himself regain the No1 spot. But if this should happen, it would not prevent everybody believing that the best player in the world was still the man from Switzerland. sport.guardian.co.uk/fr.sports.yahoo.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 30, 2004 16:06:15 GMT -5
AUSTRALIAN OPEN JANUARY 30, 2004 Australian Open Day 12: Federer Comes Out Tops Against Ferrero © Getty Images Roger Federer has the opportunity to celebrate his rise to the No. 1 ATP ranking by winning his second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday. Second seed Federer advanced to meet unseeded Russian Marat Safin in the final after defeating third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 in just 90 minutes on Friday night. Federer's semifinal win ensures that he will replace Andy Roddick at the top of the ATP rankings on Monday. Federer struck the ball with enormous power against Ferrero, exploiting the ailing Spaniard's reduced court coverage due to lingering leg injuries. Federer has dropped just two sets en route to the final (one against Lleyton Hewitt and one against David Nalbandian). In stark contrast, Safin has conceded nine sets and has been taken to five sets on three occasions. Heading into the final, Federer is riding an 11-match winning streak dating back to his unbeaten run to the Tennis Masters Cup Houston title last November. Federer, 22, last season won an ATP-best 78 matches and seven titles, including Wimbledon. Federer said: "There is a lot of joy, satisfaction and pride in becoming the first Swiss to make it to No. 1 on the men's side. Sometimes I may have a poker face, but I was really nervous tonight. No. 1 is something I've been close to in the past but I didn't take my chance. “There is only one time you get to No. 1 for the first time in your career. I really want to enjoy it. “I expected a tougher match than this [against Ferrero]. That's what I had in mind coming into a semifinal against Ferrero. I thought he played well in the beginning and I really only began to notice the injury in the third set. "It's a very nice feeling to be in a Grand Slam final again and I'm looking forward to it." Federer said that Safin posed a clear and present danger in Sunday's final. "I knew Marat had the game to win the tournament. But to do it right away at the start of the season after strange results at the end of last year… We're happy to see him back but we're scared at the same time. "Marat is definitely one of the toughest on this surface. He's tall and strong so it's hard to put him under pressure with your kick serve. His movement is better on hard courts and his kick serves bites.” Ferrero, who had battled minor leg injuries for most of the tournament, said that he always expected to struggle against Federer in tonight's semifinal. “Had I been 100 percent I felt I could have won the match. I had played so good the whole tournament but today I was far from 100 percent so I couldn't play three or four balls in a row. “I started to get problems the second match (against Filippo Volandri) but I really felt them against Andrei Pavel (in the fourth round). During the next match I had problems in both legs, so I couldn't recover so well. I was taking anti-imflammatories but it wasn't enough to be okay. “When I hit the ball I was in pain and then to recover to chase the next ball was very difficult. “I'm a little disappointed. The semifinals at the Australian Open is a good result but I think I could do some more." Ferrero said that he was now likely to miss Spain's first-round Davis Cup Tie. “It's too fast to be 100 percent by Friday. I'm thinking it's better to take some rest.” www.atptennis.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 31, 2004 16:03:22 GMT -5
First, win the mind game, By Mats Wilander February 1, 2004 As Roger Federer and Marat Safin will rediscover today, the challenges the mind faces in the final of a grand slam tournament are different to those in any other match. Some of those challenges can be presented before a ball is hit, in the moments just before the final. It is a particular quirk of tennis that even for an occasion as big as a grand slam final, opposing players get themselves ready for play in the same locker room. I remember preparing to play a United States Open final against Ivan Lendl and about 20 minutes before the match, I needed to go to the bathroom. I was sitting there in the cubicle and suddenly someone came into the cubicle right next to me. Now, the walls didn't go all the way to the floor, and I could see what kind of shoes the guy was wearing. Sitting right there next to me was Ivan. I thought, "Oh, this is great. This is really cool." I decided to just sit there for a while to see what his stomach was like. He was definitely nervous. Once I'd found out, I got the hell out of there as quickly as I could. Preparing for a grand slam final in the same locker room as your opponent is no great obstacle because you're so used to seeing the other guys in there. Even during a final, when it's down to the last two singles players, there'll be some other guys in there, maybe some senior doubles players, and probably some trainers and coaches, so there's always some action in there. Players have an assigned locker for the tournament and because you want to prepare the way you usually prepare, you're not going to change spots even if your opponent is sitting next to you. I didn't usually have that problem because we Swedes always tried to be in the same part of the locker room, and there were so many of us that by the time of the final, you're surrounded by lockers that used to belong to the Swedes. Safin has won one grand slam final and lost another, whereas Federer has won his only final. I believe that here, Safin has an advantage. Federer and Safin could be sitting near each other in the locker room today. They're pretty good friends, and it was great to hear Roger say such generous things about Marat on Friday night. Because of that friendship, I'd say they are likely to have some words together before the match. They probably won't say much, just something social. I couldn't see why not. One final opponent I spoke to more than the others was my fellow Swede, Stefan Edberg. We even warmed up before a final together, at the Australian Open at Kooyong in 1985. We weren't scheduled to practise together, but it had been raining and only one outside court had been covered. We said, "No problems, we'll warm up together". It worked in his favour because it took the edge off me. That was my worst final, psychologically. I'd won three out of the four finals I'd played before that one, and I've since discovered that at that stage, players often experience a let-down in the one of the finals, where you think, "Shit, I just don't have it today". And Stefan played great. The biggest difference psychologically between the final of a major and other matches is that it's the last match of the tournament for you, win or lose. That sometimes can be a negative because you've been having such a great time, you're winning and there's the thrill of knowing you're in a final. That can be a problem when it's your first final. When it's your second or third and you're young, there's no reason to not believe you're going to make another one. Federer and Safin will be OK because they've been into the final of a major before and I'm sure they believe they're going to make some more in the future. I think they'll be pretty relaxed. Relaxed, but really pumped. There's no doubt it's a huge advantage to have played in a grand slam final before. Very often, a first-time grand slam finalist can be blown off the court, like Rainer Schuettler was against Andre Agassi in Melbourne last year. It's like, you're really happy, you can't believe you've made it there and you're sure you're playing somebody who is better than you. By the time of the second one, you're only playing in a grand slam tournament because you want to make the final. Until the first one, you're not aiming at the final. In my third final, in Australia in 1983, I was determined there was no way I was going to lose because I'd lost my previous final to Yannick Noah at the French Open and I didn't want to have that feeling again. In my mind, there was no fear at all. Then again, if you've played four and lost four, as Kim Clijsters has, I'd say the fear would be growing. Safin has won one grand slam final and lost another, whereas Federer has won his only final. I believe that here, Safin has an advantage. Obviously, a player doesn't want to experience losing a major again because he knows what it feels like. But, more importantly, a player is going to learn so much from what happened in that losing experience. He'll know that at one-set-to-love down, the match is not over; two-sets-to-one down, the match is not over. In his loss to Thomas Johansson at the Australian Open in 2002, Safin won the first set but he didn't pull through. I'm sure that has taught him plenty. If anything, Safin may be a little tired, but again, he's been there before, so he knows that it's just a matter of getting through one more match. This one match may be one of the biggest of their lives, but the players will try to stick to the same preparation they've used right through the whole tournament. Usually, the grand slam finals are played at a very good time, and today's 2pm start is a perfect time to play. There's none of that waiting that there is before a night match. You can get in and practise at 11am, then have a little lunch. It's not an all-day thing, and you basically go into your second wind the moment you step on to the practice court and you don't leave it. Your mind's focused and physically you're just up. Your heart rate's up because you're just keen to get on to the court. You have a good breakfast, practise for your regular time before the match - usually about three hours. On occasion, I'd practised immediately before the match. I did that at the French Open in '88, as Steffi Graf began her final against Natalien Zvereva, and that match was over in 27 minutes. I'd just gotten to the net and was warming up volleys, and it's 6-0, 3-0, and I'm like, "Oh, my God". But that works fine, too. To me, you just want to get in there and get it started because it's just such a great, great feeling. I can't imagine either of these two players - especially these two players - will be overawed by the occasion. If you want to convince someone that they should pick up the game of tennis, this is the match to show them. I can see why either player could win it, but as far as making a prediction on who will win it, I can't split them. This story was found at: www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/31/1075340894721.html
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 31, 2004 16:03:57 GMT -5
Wilander rates Roger Federer By Mats Wilander February 1, 2004 Inside his mind Federer, I believe, is entering into unknown territory. He won the Wimbledon final last year against Mark Philippoussis playing flawless tennis, which is what Safin did in his first final against Pete Sampras. But then look what happened to Safin in his second final, against Thomas Johansson at the Australian Open in 2002. Then, Safin won the first set but after just a few games in the second set it was virtually one set all, or worse, and he lost in four. So that has to be a little bit of a concern for Federer. He also needs to know that he's not going to play a perfect final again. It's possible to do that on the Rebound Ace at Melbourne Park, but it's easier at Wimbledon on grass, where there's faster points. On this surface against a player such as Safin, who is going to keep the ball in play, it's going to be harder to find perfection. Why he can win Federer has a heavier and faster spin than anyone Safin will have played. Andy Roddick may be an exception there, but he doesn't play the angles as well as Federer does. The balls just seem to keep going away from you. That's how he's going to win. But what he can also do is slow the game down if it gets away from him. He won't have to retreat to a style of game that's not comfortable for him. He can chip a few on his backhand, he can start to serve and volley. He's got the game to mix it up more so than Marat. This story was found at: www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/31/1075340894724.html Wilander rates Marat Safin By Mats Wilander February 1, 2004 Inside his mind He's going to go in knowing that he's able to pull out a five-setter. He's going to have a lot of confidence because of that. He'll know that it's OK to get down, and it's OK to be up two sets to love - any situation is OK. If he has enough energy left, and I think with two days off he should be all right, that knowledge is going to be to his advantage. Safin has also been to a bunch of semi-finals at French and US Opens, and quarter-finals at Wimbledon. He's been virtually breathing on the trophy before. He played almost perfect tennis against Pete Sampras at the US Open in 2000 when he won his first final, but he suffered a letdown in his second, when he lost to Thomas Johansson at the Australian Open in 2002. I think rather than that being a bad thing,that loss will work in his favour. He should draw from that rather than from his first final. This may be Safin's first tournament back after a long break through injury, and he may have come in unseeded, but he definitely won't be thinking he's done enough already. He might think he's lucky to be in a final so soon, but he's shown that he's switched on and he wants to win. Why he can win Safin has been careful not to become too defensive at the start, because he's going to have to run two or three steps more than usual just to keep up with Federer's forehand. He can win because he's going to able to take Federer's forehand on the baseline or just behind. Federer's ball bounces high, and because Safin's a big guy he can take the ball before it spins away from him and hit everything at shoulder height, as he did with Andre Agassi's second serve. He'll then hit it too hard to Federer's backhand. This story was found at: www.theage.com.au/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 31, 2004 16:09:21 GMT -5
Crown fits, now Federer eyes trophy By JACKIE EPSTEIN 01feb04 THE world No. 1 crown fits nicely on Roger Federer's head. And according to many astute tennis followers, he is the game's most fluent technician -- perhaps ever. But the Swiss talent would cherish nothing more than the trophy he could be holding in his hands this afternoon. A second grand slam title in little more than six months will give him the record to match his growing reputation. At 22, this is his second grand slam final. The first at Wimbledon was a rousing success, destroying Mark Philippoussis in 116 minutes. He lost only one set during that fortnight at the All-England Club. Inside he may have been an emotional wreck, but he displayed nerves of steel to claim the biggest and most important prize of his career. This time he feels more confident, more mature and more capable of replicating the feat. "It's totally different," he said after defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the semi-final on Friday night. "I am very excited, don't worry. But, you know, Wimbledon, to already get to the semis was for me like a big thing. And then to come to the finals, I couldn't believe it, to have a chance to win Wimbledon. "Here now I don't expect it for myself, but I know I've definitely got the game to do it. To be again in a grand slam final is a very good feeling." For Switzerland's first men's world No. 1, it is now all about preparation. He has been criticised for not having a coach, after parting with Peter Lundgren in December. Going solo has been a refreshing change, but he has given no indication about his future plans. He knows he has form behind him, with a 3-1 head-to-head record over Marat Safin, but he is not about to underestimate the rejuvenated Russian. "Marat hasn't been around for basically a year (because of injury and poor form)," he said. "But he's definitely one of the toughest. He showed it at the US Open and at many other events. "It's good to see him back. We're all happy, but we're scared at the same time." Federer has beaten Alex Bogomolov Jr, Jeff Morris, Todd Reid, Lleyton Hewitt, David Nalbandian and Ferrero to earn today's berth. Sublimely gifted, he knows he also possesses a game that scares the rest. His inspiration has come from defeat in Montreal last year, when he blew his chance to snare the No. 1 ranking against Andy Roddick. "I feel like I've totally learned (a lot) out of the Montreal match against Andy, where I missed my chance for No. 1," Federer said. "Today I was much more relaxed. Definitely I was nervous, too, in the end. "(Against Roddick) I was basically shaking all over my body because I couldn't believe the chance I had. "I missed it. And it was -- how do you say? -- it was the defeat that hurt me the most last year. "And now to have made it, to have served it out, it's just really nice." Before the tournament Federer played down his prospects. Now with a nation keenly following his every move, and the support of former world No. 1 and compatriot Martina Hingis in the stands, he is on track to claim the golden double with both the crown and the trophy. "You got to look round for round, and you have to take it easy," he said. "You cannot just say, 'I'm here to win the tournament'. "Then you crash out in the first round and you don't know what to say. So you got to save yourself and start slowly. "I knew if it goes well and I make it to the fourth round or quarter-finals, that after that I got a chance to go all the way. "But looking at the draw, there were some really tough guys around. "I beat them all. "Now I got the chance for the title, and I'm No. 1 in the world. I cannot ask for more right now." Also see: Safin ready to exorcise his demons © Herald and Weekly Times www.heraldsun.news.com.au/
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Post by ILR on Jan 31, 2004 21:25:19 GMT -5
Alright, just over 30 mins to go before the final and Im just leaving my good luck message on here for Rogi! Obviously wishing him all the best and I know he can do it!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 31, 2004 21:38:50 GMT -5
ILR, nice to see you here again!! Well, less than 30mns to show time, ROGI!! So let's see a great one! All the best, babe! PMac and JMac are touting you to win... Navratilova is keeping her fingers crossed for you too!! Just do it, ROGI!
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Post by Lee on Feb 1, 2004 1:28:45 GMT -5
Roger Federer from Switzerland holds aloft the trophy after winning the Australian Open Championship in Melbourne February 1, 2004. Federer defeated Marat Safin from Russia 7-6 6-4 6-2. REUTERS/David Gray ************************************* And I beat RogiFan in posting Rogi's champion pic here ;D ;D Congrat Rogi
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Feb 1, 2004 1:34:40 GMT -5
Congrats to Roger for taking the AO title this year. (and being no. 1) Well done Marat, on your comeback. *at the presentation he said he was happy to win today esp. after what happened the last time he played in that stadium during Davis Cup. Brought laughter from the audience. ;D
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Post by ILR on Feb 1, 2004 8:48:11 GMT -5
Here it is girls! Grand slam number 2! ;D We have waited for this haven't we lol. I taped the final and started watching it this morning but then went shopping for some new sports clothes. As soon as I had walked through the door I heard on the radio.... ...."Roger Federer has beaten Marat Safin in straight sets to clinch the Australian Open...." Great! Just when I wanted to watch and not know the score! Oh well, a huge congrats to him!
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Post by Doris on Feb 1, 2004 9:12:43 GMT -5
So glad you made it Roger!! Concrats for a perfect start into the year!! Hope you can keep rolling!!
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RogiRulz
Junior Member
Rogi for #1!
Posts: 48
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Post by RogiRulz on Feb 1, 2004 12:35:41 GMT -5
Congrats Rogi, I'm so happy! What a great way to start this year!
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 17:16:52 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 17:44:02 GMT -5
es.sports.yahoo.com/AUSTRALIAN OPEN FEBRUARY 1 , 2004 Australian Open Day 14: What the Players Said © Getty Images Roger Federer: “I'm very happy, obviously. I thought I played great basically from the first round on because normally you always have some difficulties in the beginning. But I never had a feeling that I had one match these whole two weeks where I thought, ‘I'm not hitting the ball fine.' I thought especially the Lleyton Hewitt match was one of the most exciting for me these two weeks. Obviously, the one from today.” Comparing it to his Wimbledon victory: “Totally different really because, like I've always said, that Wimbledon victory for me was such a dream and such a relief. I cannot really describe what I felt right then, right there. But now I kind of know how it feels. It's still really nice. It just gets me all emotional inside. Yeah, it's just unbelievable. You know, you come here, you prepare, you leave after three weeks basically, and you're finally the winner after such a long time. It just really feels good.” On early tension in the match: “Very much in the beginning because I first also had to see how Marat was going to play. I had definitely my game plan, but it was important to see how he's going to play, if he's going to play aggressive or change something about his game to play me. “But it came the way I expected. He returned really well in the beginning. You know, that made me wonder about my serving. I didn't feel like I was serving great today, but I was playing well from the baseline, moving well. It was good for me to come back in the first set. Looking back, that first set was crucial to the match. On comments that he is the most gifted player in the game: “I'm maybe the most natural ball-striker, I don't know. I'm not going to start praising myself. But just for me, my game feels natural. I feel like I'm living the game when I'm out there. I feel when a guy is going to hit the ball, I know exactly with the angles and the spins, I just feel that I've got that figured out. And that is just a huge advantage. Also when it gets important, I feel like I can raise my game. All these little things make me a good player.” Marat Safin: “I was a little bit -- a little bit too tired to keep up with him with the same rhythm. And I had to be there from the beginning to the end. And I felt that I was missing just a little bit - just a little bit. I didn't need much, but a little bit more, something more, some extra energy to stay there. Because basically it went like this: I had a chance in the first set. And if I would've won the first set, it would be a little bit different story. But still, you know, after I lose in the first set, then it was a little bit difficult because he became confident and it was difficult to keep up with him. “For me it's still great. I would never think that I would be in the finals this week, I mean, after what happened before. But I'm happy. Doesn't matter. I mean, like finals, okay, could be much better. I should have won, all these things. But if you look realistically at the picture, I think it's great for me. Great two weeks. I beat great players. I will have other chances to beat him in the finals. It's good to start the year this way.” On his serve: “ My legs were just too tired to do all this job. And without serve, it is difficult. If I would have served better, I would have a higher percentage of first serves, then probably I would have more chances.” www.atptennis.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 17:52:38 GMT -5
Sunday, 1 February, 2004, 09:08 GMT Federer reigns supreme By Caroline Cheese Roger Federer is still on the look-out for a new coach, but on the evidence of his performance at the Australian Open, he has little left to learn. The 22-year-old completely justified his new status as the world's number one player with a supreme display of power and exquisite touch against Marat Safin in the final. John McEnroe, a player of prodigious skills himself, believes Federer is probably the most talented player ever to grace the men's game, and it is difficult to argue. There is not a single shot Federer cannot perform to the highest quality. Against Safin, he was deadly from the back of the court, both in attack and defence. His serve was commanding and it was noteworthy that he did not even feel the need to to serve and volley, a skill he used to great effect in winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last July. More tellingly, Federer has apparently shaken off the nerves that occasionally blighted his game in the early part of his career. As he closed in on the Australian Open title, he was the picture of composure. Federer is already being compared to the greats of the past, including Pete Sampras and Rod Laver. Have your say: Can Federer be the greatest? Grand Slam titles tend to be the measure of greatness and with only two to his name, Federer is not yet ready for the history books. And with such an array of quality in the world's top 10, it would be an astonishing achievement, even for Federer, to claim the 14 majors that Sampras managed. The charismatic Safin's return to form and fitness has added yet another dimension to the men's game. Report: Federer v Safin He was clearly tired against Federer, after a series of five-set matches took their toll. But in his defeats of Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, the Russian proved he still has the weapons to return to the world's top five. Lleyton Hewitt, too, showed encouraging signs that he has put a disappointing 2003 behind him and he was unfortunate to run into Federer as early as the fourth round. Meanwhile, Roddick, David Nalbandian, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Andre Agassi all displayed the quality of tennis that makes them serial Grand Slam contenders. Teenager Rafael Nadal gave his already glowing reputation another boost with a third-round appearance in which he tested Hewitt to the limit. The men's game is in rude health, a stark contrast to the state of women's tennis. There was not a single memorable match in the Australian Open women's tournament, which was deprived of Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles, Mary Pierce and Jelena Dokic through injury. The final between Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne at least went to three sets, but the quality of tennis was hardly befitting of a showpiece event. The return to fitness and form of Serena and Venus Williams cannot come soon enough. But for aficionados of the men's game, the Australian Open, in which Federer laid down the gauntlet in such spectacular fashion, has only whetted the appetite for the remainder of what promises to be a thrilling season. news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/default.stmJust LOVE the kanga and roo!! news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/photo_galleries/3448591.stm
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 17:59:28 GMT -5
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Post by TennisHack on Feb 1, 2004 19:08:58 GMT -5
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Post by Vera on Feb 1, 2004 19:32:11 GMT -5
Congrats Rogi.
Eventhough I'm a little sad that Marat lost, but Rogi is a force and it's undeniable that he is the best player at the moment, and very well might be for a very long time coming. The best thing is that we won't be seeing or hearing about how great Roduck is and how he will dominate, blah blah blah.
Woohoo, the world's finally in good order. Well done, Rogi.
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 23:11:53 GMT -5
yes, Vera, Rogi #1, Juanqui #2 and Pandy #3... but I don't mind a little friendly rivalry betw #1 and #2! but I'm sure Marat will be there soon...
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 23:14:34 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 2, 2004 9:22:51 GMT -5
:love1: I knew it! Rogi in Schweizer Illustrierte this week!! www.schweizer-illustrierte.ch/Titelstory.227.0.htmlROGER IM PARADIES Schweizer Sportgeschichte! Roger Federer ist der neue König der Tennisspieler – und gewann am Sonntag in Australien auch noch sein zweites Grand-Slam-Turnier. Die Basis zu diesen Grosstaten legte der Baselbieter mit Freundin Mirka auf Mauritius. Ganz ohne Tennis! Das azurblaue Meer ist zum Greifen nah, der schneeweisse Sandstrand – und sachte neigen sich die Palmen im Wind. Paradiesisch. Zufluchtsoase, Refugium für ein viel gehetztes Paar – Versteck für ein paar Tage Zweisamkeit für Roger Federer, 22, und Mirka Vavrinec, 26. Der Tennis-Superstar und seine Freundin gönnten sich ihre Liebesferien auf Mauritius im Dezember 2003 nach einer langen Saison. Endlich waren sie einmal allein. Endlich war da einmal Zeit füreinander, nachdem sie monatelang und immer beobachtet auf Achse waren. Kein Tennis für einmal also. Roger hatte auf der Trauminsel nicht einmal ein Racket dabei. Das hatte sich Mirka erbeten. Bitte nicht stören! Die Seelen baumeln lassen, stand auf dem Programm. Roger und Mirka logierten im Luxus-Hotel Le Saint Géran. Ein Paradies im Paradies. Da fehlts an nichts. Wellness, Kerzenlichtdiners, Segeltörns, tropische Drinks zum Sonnenuntergang. Romantik pur. Es war das ideale Ambiente, um ganz ungestört auf ein sehr erfolgreiches Jahr anzustossen – mal in Ruhe Bilanz zu ziehen und auch die Zukunft zu besprechen. Rogers Federers Leben hatte sich 2003 grundlegend verändert. Der Sportler und Schweizer des Jahres avancierte zum neuen Markenzeichen des Landes. Im Juni triumphierte Roger Federer in Wimbledon. Die Süddeutsche Zeitung schrieb nach dem Exploit: «Federer legte einen Auftritt hin, wie niemand mehr mit Schweizerpass, seitdem Ursi Andress im weissen Bikini der Lagune von Doktor Nu entstieg.» Das vor 42 Jahren. Im Herbst entzauberte «Rodscher» beim Masters in Houston seine Konkurrenten gleich reihenweise. Der Baselbieter zelebrierte in Texas Tennis einer neuen Dimension. Manche Schläge Federes hatte es bisher gar nicht gegeben. Der Champion der Zukunft sei gefunden, titelten die Gazetten weltweit. Und Ex-Profi John McEnroe riet: «Jedes Kind, das jetzt mit Tennis anfängt, sollte sich Roger Federer zum Vorbild nehmen.» Der stille Schweizer hatte seine Reifeprüfung bestanden. Mit Bravour. Der grosse Schritt vom Ausnahmetalent zum Superstar war geschafft. «Ich, ein Superstar? Das bringt mich manchmal zum Lachen, ist auch ja ziemlich ulkig – und wohl auch ein wenig verrückt», sagt Roger Federer. Der Triumph in Australien nach den Traumferien- jetzt in der aktuellen Schweizer Illustrierten www.schweizer-illustrierte.ch/
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 3, 2004 13:10:39 GMT -5
yoo hoo, Sjengster, I w love to know your impressions of Rogi at AO04...
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