Roger Federer
Roger Federer
Roger Federeris a Swiss professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals. His accomplishments in professional tennis have led to him being regarded by many as the greatest tennis player of all time. Federer turned professional in 1998 and has been continuously ranked in the top 10 since October 2002...
NationalitySwiss
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth8 August 1981
CityBasel, Switzerland
CountrySwitzerland
My second trip to Shanghai is a surprise. Everything is great here. The facilities, the atmosphere and the weather in Shanghai are great. I am looking forward to competing with the other seven great players here in November and trying to play my best.
Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, please. Look, some players grow up and play like that. I remember losing junior matches. Just being down 5-2 in the third, and they all just start slapping shots.
One or two years ago, I didn't know who I was on court and I used to swear a lot. But now I've learned how to cope and can therefore win 10 matches in a row. I want to be remembered as a good player rather than an idiot on court.
I'm shocked every time that I've reached so many finals or won against so many players or whatever record it is. It strikes me and makes me obviously very happy and very proud that I've been able to do it for so many years at the highest of levels.
I was aware of how incredible the match was. Unfortunately there had to be a winner. From my point of view many left feeling sorry for me instead of being happy for Rafa. Which hurts.
I'm not angry. As an athlete ... you should be open to criticism, and you're allowed to be criticized, because not everybody has the same opinion, not everybody likes the same players. The rankings are quite volatile: Today you're 'great,' tomorrow you're 'not,' but then you're 'great' again. It makes for great stories. Now, I always look at the long term and by doing that, obviously, I can stay calm through the storm.
Oh, my God, I don't think any player can look forward to or expect to a career of so many Grand Slam wins or title wins or being so long at the top of the game.
I'm at the top of my game so, when I win or lose, I don't freak out...I don't think we can call it a rivalry yet. There's just to many great players around.
I don't mind fans coming up in a friendly, respectful way. That's all part of the fun of being a top tennis player. But if people take pictures without permission, particularly if my children are in the shot, I feel uncomfortable.
Early in my career, I had no consistency. Now I'm the most consistent player on the tour. It feels pretty good.
I enjoyed the position I was in as a tennis player. I was to blame when I lost. I was to blame when I won. And I really like that, because I played soccer a lot too, and I couldn't stand it when I had to blame it on the goalkeeper.
I've really proved that on all surfaces, everywhere in the world, I can win the title. It's been incredible for me from beginning to end.
Rafael played a great match, it was tough to lose.
I was playing so well that it was hard to keep it up. I did not finish off some points I should have.