Federer: Philippe Chatrier is a totally different stadium when not full
Roger Federer commented on how it felt to play on the new Philippe Chatrier stadium in the French Open. The Swiss said: "I think it was helpful that the stadium was full, so you don't see the, you know, sort of the beige seats, you know. I feel like when it's not full, you feel like it's a completely different stadium. But as mine was full, I felt like it was actually very close to how it's been in the past. In practice, you know, when it was empty, I thought I saw a lot of glass. I saw a lot of concrete. I thought, hmm, it's quite different. But as the stadium was full, I thought the atmosphere was great and it was nice playing on there.
He also said, "There has been some pressure in the beginning, obviously some nerves, many people wanted to know how it was going to be for me, how I was going to be back. There has been a lot of attention lately with my return. When I started the match, I started it well, so it shows that the pressure is not acting on me. I was right away playing well on the central court here in Roland Garros. The duration of the match wasn't a problem. No problems with my body before or after the match. And then I have two weeks -- no, I meant two-and-a-half days, luckily it's not two weeks, but it's ideal for me for the start of the tournament."
Federer will play qualifier Oscar Otte in the second round at the French Open.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2VSRWlq
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