Federer Press Conference

I've just read Federer's press conference after IW final. Some interesting answers to some of the questions especially how he felt during the week, and how that affected his mentality. I was wrong with the motivation to become No. 1, seems like he's not too bothered about it right now. Here are a couple of the questions-


Q. How much more rewarding does that make this title? You not only had this illness, but a tough draw. You played three very tough opponents back to back to back. Is that rewarding for you?
ROGER FEDERER: I was trying not to get any worse, you know, because everyone around me was not feeling good. That made it difficult. I just tried to stay in the tournament. And like you said, I had a couple of tough matches with Raonic and Bellucci, and looking ahead I knew it was going to be an extremely difficult weekend ahead of me.
Honestly, I never looked one match ahead of me. I thought Del Poe pro was going to be extremely difficult. Once I got through that one, I only thought of the Nadal match.
So for me maybe mentally because of what happened it was a bit of an easier tournament. I played with an attitude maybe of, Well, I can only win here. You know, I don't favor myself because I have not felt great. It would be a surprise to come through.
That's how it feels now. I was able to come through, and so convincingly at the end is amazing. I've really played amazing these last three matches in particular. Yeah, I couldn't be more happy. They were really great wins.


Q. With everything you have done, do you have any specific motivation outside of competition? Are you trying to get back to No. 1?
ROGER FEDERER: I guess that's a long, long term goal. I said it loud and clear that it's not right now a goal for me in the short term, because I can't be world No. 1 because Novak has played amazing these last 12 months.
You know, just because I have been on a great run doesn't mean he hasn't. So we're all aware of that. And, you know, he might go, you know, and do another run or someone else might come up and go like Rafa might go on his clay court run again, and then all things become very difficult as well for me to get to world No. 1.
So right now that's not even on top of my, you know, my head. I'm just happy how well things are going, and I try to use that momentum to win more tennis matches and enjoy myself even more and enjoy maybe more positive press conferences, which is nice. (Laughter.)


Its funny when he says that people suggested he'd be going downhill after his 30th birthday in August, but in fact thats when his run of titles kind of began (not counting USO).

Anyway, after reading this we can definitely say that he's happy as he says it about a hundred times!

Enjoy-
http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/News/Tennis/2012/Interview-Transcripts/Roger-Federer-Final.aspx

It is an interesting press conference Harpo. Especially, where he talks about how getting back to #1 isn't that front and center in his priorities. I will say this however the more he plays this way and puts on good results then he will start thinking about it and valueing it. Right now he is just taking an even keeled approach and not trying to get overly worked up about it.

The one thing that still to this day confuses me is the race to the everyday rankings, for example if in the race Federer marginally racks up more points than Novak by the end of the year of 2012 but he is nowhere near him overall, he still becomes number 1?

Right now Fed is enjoying pressure free tennis, thats what he wants, thats what his fans want and thats good for tennis.

The joker deserves the no.1 sport coz he played stunning tennis for last 12 months, if Fed play stress free tennis he might get that back, who knows, but if he start to think about it, he will add more stress and may never accomplish it.

So its better for him, better for his fans and better for tennis to let him enjoy the tennis and not pressure him with no.1 ranking.

CAS - With the points thing. At present for the YEAR SO FAR, Fed has more points than anyone. But the rankings - and thus the seedings - are based on a 12-month rolling year.
Djoko is top for everything he's done since March 2011. By the end of the year, the year-so-far points and the rolling year BECOME THE SAME THING. Whoever wins the most points in 2012 will be number one at the end of the year.

CAS wrote:The one thing that still to this day confuses me is the race to the everyday rankings, for example if in the race Federer marginally racks up more points than Novak by the end of the year of 2012 but he is nowhere near him overall, he still becomes number 1?

As each tournament is played, the same tourny from last year drops off, so eventually the everyday ranking and yearend rankings meet.. Federers peak pnts would be after the tournament- before his run began.. So afer US Open-- he still has all those 2011 wins counted + anythign he's gained up to that point in 2012.. This period is likely when #1 could be achieved..

Then it's his turn to try and defend all those points he gained at the end of 2011........if he doesn't- he likely gives back #1 before the end of the year.. if he does, he would hold onto it and be year end #1...

On an extremely loosely related topic, I thought this video was very funny at the time. But became even funnier later as the situation changed...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdWtpbuUEy4

Yeah you're right, its better for him not to think about it too much or it might get him under pressure. IMO he plays his best when he's relaxed, he's got nothing to lose these days really. Exciting times ahead!

HB, loosely related indeed, but still fun! I wonder if they've ever thought of doing an updated version...though that might be a bit awkward.