Federer feels more positive this year, but taking ‘baby steps’ towards clay
Roger Federer put on a tennis 101 master class in the Miami Open final, defeating last year’s champion, John Isner in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, with the American sustaining a foot injury in the end.
The Miami title is Federer’s 101st ATP title, putting him within eight of equaling Jimmy Connors’ record 109 titles. The Swiss player has already won two titles this year, including the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai just last month. He is looking stronger than he did last year, when his wrist bothered him during the second half of the year. The world No. 5 (soon to be No. 4 on Monday) dispatched plenty of NextGen players along the way and has capped off the end of the first quarter hard court season with renewed confidence.
Last year Roger Federer entered the Miami tournament having lost the Indian Wells final to Juan Martin del Potro, similar to his tough three-set loss to Dominic Thiem this year. However, the 37-year-old tennis legend said he approached the Miami event with a different attitude than last year.
“I'm happy I chose to come back this year. It's easy just to say, ‘Well, last year didn't work out, so I won't come back this year,’ and as I'm playing the clay, maybe add rather another clay court event.
“But I felt like let's extend the hard court season. Let's see the new venue. To be honest, I think that was something also I was excited to see. I did feel like the game was there last year. And I thought also the game was definitely here this year, as well, even after the Australian Open.
“And maybe also the secret was I was more positive this year after losing Indian Wells over last year, because last year I was, I don't want to say frustrated, but I think I was down on myself. I think it cost me a little bit on confidence because I was so down. I was so, so close. I was a shot away from winning.
“So maybe this year I didn't feel that way. I was just able to say, ‘Okay. Team played well. Moving on, let's go to Miami and have a good tournament.’ And I did.”
The 20-time slam champion looked fitter than ever in the tournament and exhibits no signs of age or dip in confidence. Besides losing the first set in a shaky first match against Radu Albot at the beginning of the tournament, Federer didn’t look back after that and proceeded without dropping a set. The Swiss was asked how if he’s made any fitness or diet changes in his regimen, and how he’s balancing his life with a busier tennis schedule than last year.
“No in terms of diet. Nothing really. It's always been the same.
“In terms of goals, yeah, I don't know. It's about trying to win titles and trying to manage life so I stay injury-free.
“But this is a good phase, a good stretch for me right now. I really feel super healthy. That's why I have been able to play every day for the last four weeks. That's something that maybe hasn't always been the case for the last few years. So you appreciate these moments.
“And then, I mean, I just think it's all based on family, to be honest, just getting things organized for the boys, the girls, my wife, that we are all always constantly anticipating and discussing what's the plan for the kids? Because that's the No. 1 priority. It has to be. I didn't have kids to play tennis and not care about them.”
The win on Sunday was Roger Federer’s fourth Miami Open title, and his 28th Masters 1000 win. He was asked to rate the four MO wins, including two against his great rival Rafael Nadal (2005 and 2017), and one against his now-coach Ivan Ljubicic. Surprisingly, he said he didn’t expect to win the Nadal final two years ago at all.
“So the other three were -- well, the one with Rafa, I guess, was very special in many ways. I felt like it reflected who I have become until that moment.
“You know, being able to fight back, being able to, you know, find a way to win, I know I got lucky in that match, but then ended up playing unbelievable tennis in the fifth set and all that. I really feel like it was a big moment for me in my life, in my career there, that match.
“I mean, the finals against Ivan [Ljubicic] was just during the time where I was in, you know, dominating so much, winning so much, that how long could I keep it up, you know, and how many times could I beat Ivan in a row?.. It was just a matter of just extend whatever you can and for as long as you can.
“And then of course the win here two years ago, maybe as much as it didn't come for a surprise for people, for me it still did, because I felt like the tank was empty. I had a tough week here against Berdych and I think Kyrgios, as well, and all that.
“These Masters 1000s are hard to win. They are really a test for me, especially later in my career. So I know these guys don't come around very often, so when they do, it's a bit of a surprise for me. That's why this one feels really cool in many ways.”
Although Roger Federer has 11 clay titles, he’s played on the surface less and less throughout the years, and skipped it all together the last two. The 37-year-old, however, has opted to take part in the Madrid Masters event as well as Roland Garros, but has low hopes going into the season this year, although he says he’s excited about the challenge.
“I'm not very confident going into this clay court season, I can tell you that, because I don't know -- I didn't even remember how to slide anymore. You know, I'm taking baby steps at this point.
“To be honest, I didn't play one point -- not one shot on clay, I don't believe, last year. Two years ago I played two days. Three years ago I played not feeling great in Monaco and Rome and all that. So it's been so little that I really don't know what to expect.
“And I think what this win does for me, it just takes even more pressure off from the clay court season. And I anyway wanted to play the clay in not a relaxed fashion but let's just go and do it and prepare well. That's what I'm looking at now the next four or five weeks with my fitness coach and coaches Ivan and Severin and Pierre, figuring out how we gonna go about it.
“Yeah, I'm very excited. It's a good challenge, good test. Confidence, I don't know, it's in no-man's land. It's just there if I play well. I don't know. I have to gain it all again. Start from scratch, really.”
European fans will be thrilled to have the Swiss maestro back on the clay courts during the second tennis quarter. The tennis legend owns one French Open title from 2009. It will be interesting to see how Roger Federer performs on the surface after a long absence.
But for now, the four-time Miami Open winner will enjoy his 101st ATP title and some well-deserved rest and relaxation before the clay season starts up.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2CNI1XX
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