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Post-match reaction from Roger Federer



On being at the top for so long: “There’s no secret behind it. You know, I’m definitely a very talented player [laughter].

“I always knew I had it in my hand. The question is do I have it in my mind and in my legs, you know. That’s something I had to work extremely hard at.

“Now I feel like obviously I’m being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up. I always feel sort of tennis changes sort of every five years. Because when I came on tour, matches were played very differently. It was more of a bluff game, guys serving well, but there was always a weakness you could go to. Today that doesn’t exist anymore. I think that’s also thanks to guys like Murray. They’ve made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances, you know, in a long time.”

On the match: “I think the first set was very interesting on a mental and on a physical level. I thought he played at a very high intensity. I think the first set could have gone either way. So for me to get the first break and play well the way I did… was obviously crucial for the match.

“I definitely had to work extremely hard so I would pick the right shot at the right time. For instance, on the [second] match point I decided to hit a dropshot. You got to be crazy to do that… But then after losing that point, I’m thinking, ‘My God, he just grabbed the trophy out of my hands. I might end up losing this thing.’ Two or three points later, I’m the winner after all.”

On his pre-match comments putting pressure on Murray: “If you think it was a mental thing, it was not the case, you know. But you ask me a question, I’ll give you a straight answer. That’s how the press conference was after the Tsonga match. It’s not an easy thing to do to win your first Grand Slam. That’s not mental, you know, trying to screw with his head, you know. It’s just a tough thing, you know. The next one is not gonna get any easier. But his game is so good that I’m convinced he will win one, you know.”

On relating to Murray’s post-match tears: “I mean, it happened to me, too, you know… The U.S. Open is very loud, so you don’t maybe start thinking too much of, ‘How did I play, am I disappointed?’ Here in Australia or Wimbledon, it’s very different. It’s very quiet. It’s very respectful. Standing ovation. It builds up in you as the trophy ceremony goes by.

“I thought he was actually doing fine until he told me, ‘I think there will be some tears.’ I’m like, ‘Don’t worry, it will be all right.’ And he actually did.  You know, in a way it was hard to watch, but at the same time I like seeing players who care for the game. I don’t know. It’s nice to see, you know. So you wish only the best for him.”

On going forward: “I won’t just put the entire calendar just around trying to win the calendar Grand Slam. I mean, it’s something if it happens, it does, it’s great; but it’s not something that’s like my number one goal. Not at all. It’s the same as I haven’t put a number on how many Grand Slams I want to try to win. Whatever happens happens.


“I really want to try to enjoy, you know, my end to my career, because I’ve reached already so many goals I thought were never possible. I really want to just enjoy the tour, and that’s what I’m doing at the moment. Obviously as a dad as well even more so.

“But I try to be good for the game, leave it better off than when I arrived, even though that’s hard. I’m very thankful to the legends of the game who created this great platform for us. We did have another record crowd attendance at the Australian Open.


January 31 2010 | Posted in Tennis.com | Read More »

Post-match reaction from Andy Murray



On his feelings: “I don’t feel great. You know, obviously worked really hard to get to this stage. I wanted to win the tournament.

I think it was more the way the end of the match finished. You know, obviously it was pretty emotional end to the match. If it was a complete blow‑out, if I lost 3, 4, and 2, you know, it probably wouldn’t have happened. But I had my chance to get back into the match. That was probably why I was upset.

“I mean, I’ve just come off the court. I’m obviously very disappointed. But, you know, I mean, I think I’m getting closer and I’m playing better. I just spoke with my mum just now. You know, to have the opportunity to play in these tournaments, in these matches, is pretty incredible in the grand scheme of things.”

On the match: “I had a chance at the beginning of the match, and I had chances, you know, at the end of the match. It’s just the second set that didn’t go my way. Not that any of them went my way — but obviously I felt like I had opportunities in the rest of them.

“I didn’t serve well in the first set. You know, I served pretty well after that. I thought it was a high‑standard match. The second set I just wasn’t particularly happy with.

“The third set was a lot better. I started playing closer to the baseline, taking more chances.


“Obviously I need to improve, you know, and try and make my game better for these situations… obviously I’m getting closer. I mean, my results in the Grand Slams would show that. Just got to keep working hard.”

On the difference between playing Federer and Nadal: “It’s a different match, you know, against Roger. With Rafa, he can hit the ball short, he plays a lot of topspin. Roger hits the ball a lot flatter, the ball comes onto you a lot quicker, so it’s harder to go for huge shots against him.

“In the important points, he can come up with big first serves. And Rafa, you know, his serve is very good, but you always have opportunities, you know, when he’s serving.”


January 31 2010 | Posted in Tennis.com | Read More »

Federer wins Aussie for 16th Grand Slam (AP)

Andy Murray of Britain reacts as he plays Roger Federer of Switzerland  in their Men's singles final match  at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010.

Roger Federer experienced quite a range of emotions these past two Australian Opens. A year ago, he sobbed on court after losing a thrilling final in five sets. Federer was all smiles Sunday after rather easily beating Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) for a fourth championship in Melbourne and 16th Grand Slam title overall.


January 31 2010 | Posted in Yahoo! Tennis | Read More »

Murray’s loss brings tears, apology (AP)

The weight of a nation's expectations broke Andy Murray's composure Sunday after Roger Federer broke his game. Receiving his runner-up prize, Murray's voice faltered and he blinked away tears as he apologized to his fans at home for not bringing home the first British trophy in a men's tennis major in 74 years.


January 31 2010 | Posted in Yahoo! Tennis | Read More »

Catching the Lines: Quotes from the Open

AndyMurray_postfinalI didn’t expect another Australian Open victory for Roger Federer to be as inspiring as it was tonight. After all, it was his opponent, Andy Murray, Great Britain’s Great Hope, who had so much at stake: the chance to become his country’s first men’s major singles champion in 74 years. Federer had already achieved the career Grand Slam (at last year’s French), the all-time major singles titles record (at last year’s Wimbledon), and the unofficial “Greatest Of All Time” designation (bestowed upon him by more than one tennis authority). Where would be the drama in witnessing him extend a record he already holds?

But the championship, and its aftermath, were in fact dramatic. It may feel familiar when Federer plays brilliantly in a Grand Slam final, but it’s a familiar thrill. Tonight his genius was in full effect: He served well, retrieved well, cracked dazzling forehands, rifled impossibly-angled backhands and, in a stirring third-set tiebreaker, withstood five set points for Murray before converting championship point on his third try.

The trophy ceremony that followed did not provide the iconic image Rafael Nadal gave us last year, when the Spaniard draped a companionable, consoling arm around a crushed and weeping Federer. But this year’s edition was plenty poignant. The enormously talented Murray, still without the Grand Slam title he so ardently covets, was disconsolate—his lower lip trembling, his eyes filled with tears. In the past, the Scotsman has come across, off the court, as the world’s stodgiest 22-year-old—likeable but ornery, stoic and unexcitable, something of a curmudgeon. Tonight, he was clearly shattered, and it was moving to see him so moved, his tears rendering him unable to finish his runner-up’s speech.

“In a way it was hard to watch, but at the same time I like seeing players who care for the game,” Federer said later about Murray’s emotional display. “It’s nice to see.” Federer also credited the Scotsman’s play with raising him tonight to a level he has achieved only rarely during his remarkable 16-Slam run. “Guys like Murray—they’ve made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances in a long time, or maybe forever.”

—-

I’m sorry to downshift so abruptly from Federer’s profound observations, but I wanted to wrap up this year’s blog with a few of my favorite quotes from the tournament:

Not thrilled with the linesman:
Andy Roddick, on the tumble he took during his first-round match:
“I ran into one of those immovable objects called a referee. … Normally they see a player running full speed, they decide to at least move or catch the player. You know, I felt like he was trying out for WWE or something, just letting me go.”

Is the Ivy League degree a requirement for that job?
Roddick, on who takes care of his dog when he’s on the road:
“Sometimes when I leave, the dog wants to stay in Austin, because it just tells us, and my friend Neal Boban, who graduated from Dartmouth, takes care of it, takes it out thrice daily, emails us updates.”

Um, thanks, I think:
James Blake, talking about John Isner:
“He’s such a good kid. We give him a hard time for saying a few stupid things, but he’s actually pretty bright.”

She knows how to hydrate:
Maria Kirilenko, when asked if she would celebrate her 23rd birthday with champagne:
“No, I don’t want to get drunk before my next match.”

Did you buy anything there?
Andy Roddick
, on Marin Cilic:
“He literally sets up shop right behind the baseline and isn’t going to be moved.”

No love lost:
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
, when asked about his ailing quarterfinal opponent Novak Djokovic:
When did you first realize he had a problem?
Tsonga: Five years ago.

That’s one way to dodge the question:
Did you resent having to play qualifying?
Yanina Wickmayer: “What does ‘resent’ mean?”

Unintended consequences:
Serena Williams, on hearing comments from the crowd during the final:
“I think everyone was for Justine tonight. This one guy was like, ‘You can beat her, Justine, she’s not that good.’ I looked at that guy and I was like, you don’t know me. And I think I won all the games after that. Because that’s just totally rude.”

Foreign language appreciation:
Serena, on Justine Henin:
“She says ‘Allez’ a lot, so I think it’s kind of fun.

Mind on the match?
Serena, on what she was thinking when she was down a set and 4-0 versus Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals:
“If I lose today, and I don’t win in doubles, I think I can catch a flight on Friday.”

And some awards:

THE ‘MAKING MOUNTAINS OUT OF MOLEHILLS’ AWARD:
Sam Querrey, when pressed on his claim he had worked out every day of the off-season:
Even on Christmas day?
Querrey: On Christmas day I went for a run. I ran up a mountain.
A mountain? Where?
Querrey: Near my aunt’s house in Marin County.
A mountain in Marin County?
Querrey: Well, really, I ran up a hill in her neighborhood.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF
Donald Young
, on dealing with the rowdy pro-Lleyton Hewitt crowd in Rod Laver Arena during their second-round match:
“You just gotta kinda imagine they’re cheering for you, even though obviously you know your name’s not Lleyton or Hewitt, and you know you’re not Australian.”

THE ‘WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS PIERRE-YVES’ AWARD
Justine Henin
, when questioned about the diamond ring she’s sporting on her left hand:
“Well, it’s not coming from a lover, if that’s the question. It’s a gift from a friend.”

THE BLUNT PRAGMATISM AWARD
Roddick
, on the injury he suffered in the quarterfinals:
“Obviously anytime there’s something with an arm, a shoulder, numbness with your fingers, I’m going to be a little bit concerned. My arm is pretty much my livelihood.”

THE SENSE OF PERSPECTIVE AWARD
Maria Sharapova
, who doned $10,000 to the Haiti relief fund, on her first-round loss:
“There are many worse situations in life. There are people that don’t even know what a tennis match is in the world.”

THE OFF-THE-CUFF ELOQUENCE AWARD
Roger Federer, on whether he thinks about his legacy:
“I try to be good for the game, leave it better off than when I arrived, even though that’s hard. I’m very thankful to the legends of the game who created this great platform for us.”

THE UNDERSTATEMENT AWARD
Federer, trying to explain how he’s been so successful in Slams:
“You know, I’m definitely a very talented player.”




January 31 2010 | Posted in Tennis.com Blog | Read More »

Federer Wins Fourth Australian Open, 16th Major Singles Title



Contesting his 22nd career Grand Slam singles final, World No. 1 Roger Federer collected his 16th major title with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11) win over No. 5 seed Andy Murray at the Australian Open on Sunday.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

January 31 2010 | Posted in ATP World Tour | Read More »

Paes Wins Australian Open Mixed Title With Cara Black



Indian doubles legend Leander Paes lived up to his No. 1 seeding in the Australian Open mixed doubles event alongside Zimbabwe’s Cara Black, taking the title in Melbourne for the second time on Sunday.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

January 31 2010 | Posted in ATP World Tour | Read More »

Lopez Gets Up Close & Personal With African Wildlife



Spaniard Feliciano Lopez added a visit to The Lion Park in Gauteng Province Sunday as part of his preparations for the SA Tennis Open.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

January 31 2010 | Posted in ATP World Tour | Read More »

Down Under Diary, Day 14



ATPWorldTour.com takes a look at the news and talking points at the Australian Open on Sunday.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

January 31 2010 | Posted in ATP World Tour | Read More »

Awesome Federer On Top: How The Final Was Won



In a devastating display of tennis, ATP World Tour Champion Roger Federer won his fourth Australian Open crown and 16th Grand Slam championship with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11) victory over fifth seed Andy Murray.

[[More Tennis News on ATPWorldTour.com]]

January 31 2010 | Posted in ATP World Tour | Read More »


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