Since this wan't about the actual matches at the Australian it seemed better to make this a separate topic. Great Interview with Federer, conducted just before the Australian Open, with some of his better answers here:


Q: For the first time since a long time, you start the season not having to answer those 2 questions: ‘Are you going to break Sampras’ record any time soon?’ and ‘Are you finally going to win Roland-Garros?’ Do you miss them?
RF: (he laughs) Now I’m done with unpleasant questions! Frankly, it’s relaxing. A year ago, I was No. 2 in the world, I was about to lose the final in Melbourne and people were relentlessly questioning me.


Q: You haven’t felt the need to think about what happens next, about your goals?
RF: No. The desire to play comes naturally. What I often do is that I go back to the beginning: why did I chose tennis as a kid? Why did I work so hard during all those years? What do I like so much when I play tennis? And the answers come easily. It’s simple: I don’t really think there is someone who loves tennis more than I do.


Q: Another challenge. If you stay world No. 1 after RG, you’ll beat Sampras’ all-time record of 286 weeks.
RF: This is an important record to me. When I beat Connors’ record (consecutive weeks as world No. 1) I already thought it was really great. Staying in the front that long when you know who is behind you, it’s not easy. By the way, my main goal this year is to finish the year No. 1 in the world. It has been so hard to get that ranking back.


Q: You’re in the top 10 since you’ve entered it in October, 2002. Do you think today’s top 10 is stronger than back in 2002, with Safin, Hewitt, Novak, Henman, Grosjean, Ferrero?
RF: Tough question. I’m not so sure. Nowadays, the guys have less weaknesses but maybe also less main strengths (italics mine). Before, players were more surprising, with more varied games. It was harder to dominate on a specific surface. Nowadays playing conditions have been standardized and the players as well. Often, when I watch players like Davydenko, Del Potro or Djokovic, I wonder what their best shot is…



Q: Nadal has not won a tournament since Rome last year, in May. Some think he’ll never be what he once was.
RF: This is bullshit ['conneries' in French]. It reminds me what people said about me last year. I’ve seen Rafa play in Abu Dhabi and in Doha: he lacks absolutely nothing. Granted, he’s not won in a long time. But look at those who beat him: Del Potro, Murray, Davydenko, Djokovic, Soderling… They’re not bad! Think about it: had he played Wimbledon last year and not lost 2,000 points from his victory in 2008, where would he be right now? He came back from injury, so it’s normal that he lacked confidence. But to me, the really great Rafa is still to come.


It was a terrific interview overall, and long, but he comes across with a wisdom of having lived the life he has on the tour. That comment about guys on the tour today is priceless. And his assessment about not having yet seen Nadal's best is, frankly, scary - considering what Nadal has accomplished in his career thus far.

The whole interview is here:

http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/15/r...nd-tiger-woods/

That's an interesting interview.

The Fed seems relaxed since he broke Pete's record, and he's back to being charming and complimentary to others now. What bothers me about him, is that he wasn't like that when he lost, before getting the slam count. I think even when he loses now, he'll be less pissy because of his records.

Still, props to him for defending Rafa, and calling the claims of his demise somewhat silly.

Something else I liked is how he said the players are becoming somewhat more vanilla. Not many weaknesses, but no ridiculous strengths, either. Interesting comment on "generic-ness" of the generation.

Great interview. Thanks for sharing, vm. I only wish I had read it sooner. I also enjoyed Roger's on-court interview after his semi win where some have questioned his so-called mindgames with Murray. I thought he was hilarious and so relaxed there. I enjoy hearing Roger talking candidly about the game and other players since it often feels to me like he is talking like one of the fans....you can just tell he really loves the games. Of course, he sounds arrogant at times but I don't think it comes from a bad place....he just has many, many, many reasons to be confident. I am not looking for the players to trash-talk necessarily, but I would enjoy some more honest and bold talk from all the guys...and maybe even more so with the ladies. I would probably be a fan of Justine now if she said "Yeah, I saw Serena's hand. I betcha she'll be ready next time." Bad example, perhaps.