
In the summer you abandoned your first attempt with a larger racquet after an early exit in Gstaad. Now you have again tested the new racket in preparation for 2014. Thus, you will be using that on the tour in 2014?
Roger Federer : Yeah, I'm going to play in Australia with a similar model as in my first attempt. Actually, I wanted to take the test (of playing with the bigger racket) right after the U.S. Open again. But then I had so much to do with myself and my game, that I kept it on hold. Well, now, I had more time to make more small changes and together with my supplier company Wilson worked on the fine details of the racket.
You could also say, 'Why should I change something in my racquet, with which I have had so much great success?
It is a fact that the sport of tennis is constantly evolving and the racket technology with that. Nevertheless, one must always twice consider whether to change something about his racket. Because the Club is extremely important. But now I have the feeling that this is the right time for a change in the racket. I've played through two and a half weeks with the new model and am confident. The Racquet is very good in the hand. But the truth will come out on the court. We'll see how it affects me in the tournaments in Australia.
Prior to 2013, you spoke of a transition year. What do you think about 2014?
RF: Nothing, because now I have to wait and see the start of 2014. My gut feeling tells me that I will be in top form again by March or April. Then the training drills which I have done in the past year, I could do all that in the last few weeks everything exactly how I wanted it. That makes me feel confident. It was different last season, because the back pain repeatedly forced me to skip training breaks or imposed restraint on me. Now I was able to try some of which (referring to the training drills) we had to do with a lot of precaution in spring and summer of 2013.
No specific goal for 2014?
RF: I will just say (as I am feeling a lot fitter & confident), everything is possible. At the end of the 2013 season, it was already much better. That I'm ending the year despite the problems as no. 6 in the world, is almost unbelievable and gives me guts for 2014.
Last season, you could have reduced public discussions about your average season, had you told about your bad back being the
primary reason for your performances in 2013. But as (the main reason of your bad back wasn't told earlier) it was said in many places: Federer lost, because he is too old (& moving slowly)?
RF: Every time I do not want to come up with an excuse for a defeat. This has to do with respect for the opponent. Perhaps it had its problems. I would rather try to fight me out of my hole. Only when the physical difficulties persist for some time, it makes sense to talk about them. The way I did it last year in Gstaad also... I do not want to do not come with an apology after a defeat. This has to do with respect to the opponent. Maybe he also had his problems. Rather, I'm trying to fight me out of my hole. Only when the physical difficulties persist for some time, it makes sense to talk about them. That's why, I discussed about my back issues after Gstaad.
Had it not been better, had you skipped Gstaad?
I must pay attention even more on my body in the future. Even though I have no joy to cancel tournaments, it's certainly better to be honest with yourself. I have never retired during a match, which I am very proud of. At the same time that must not lead to the fact that I expect a bit too much from my body, if it has to go through a lot of problems.
Let's talk more about the Davis Cup. Will you be the part of the Swiss Team that will play against Team Serbia in Belgrade in January, 2014?
RF: It will be difficult, especially with the news of the last days. That's why I'm always in contact with Severin Luthi and Stanislas Wawrinka. I am happy that the team spirit and communication is so good between us. This makes things much easier.
Marc Rosset said the chances of Switzerland victory in the Davis Cup 2014, to be as good as ever has been?
RF: How to take it? The odds were already there before. At the same time the Davis Cup is a difficult topic for me. It does take a lot of strength and effort to play in the Davis Cup. One must then consider whether you want it or not. It is unlikely that I will play at Davis Cup, 2014.
Eto, nadam se da ste uzivali u intervjuu vise od mene. Ja sam razocaran Rodzerovom odlukom da preskoci Dejvis Kup, mada mi je ocekivana...
