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On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:36:32 -0700 (PDT), Giovanna <...@bol.com.br
http://www.gototennisblog.com/2009/06/15/roger-federer-tells-us-almost-everythi ng/
Winning his 14th Major has evidently put Roger Federer in a gregarious
mood, judging from the extensive Q&A he did for the Basel-based
newspaper, Basler Zeitung. The 55 question interview was given at his
parents’ house in Switzerland, five days after V-day in Paris.
Huge, huge thanks, of course, to my fellow Fed fans at RF.com for
translating from German and bringing this story to the English
speaking world!
It’s a Roger Federer classic:
(My silly asides are in italic quotes)
BaZ: Roger, how is it going after two weeks of playing in the dust and
clay?
I’m used to it now. The clay does get in my eyes for sure. The socks
become very red. It’s better on grass or hard court where these things
don’t happen.
2: What was the first thought that you had at match point in Paris?
It was something simple. I created this. It was one of the most
important victories of my career. It was a weight that was lifted.
Certainly the first Wimbledon victory will remain always special, it
gave me all that I have. It made me popular, gave me the self-
confidence, was the realization of my childhood dream. All my idols
did not win in Paris. Therefore Roland Garros is different. But this
first win is immense. (Deep stuff, right? “I created this.” Wow.)
3: Have you ever thought of money during a match?
Once. In Shanghai, in the first Masters when I had qualified before
the last group game for the semi finals. The win against Johansson was
no longer important, but there was 150,000 francs for the victory! I
thought almost in every rally: 150,000 francs! 150,000 francs! What
can I buy? Everything! It was hell to think of the money in every
shot. . .
4: Are you ever ashamed of your tears?
No, not ashamed. It was perhaps a little embarrassing. The camera
likes to focus closely on the tears. It is good to show emotions. I am
actually happy that I do.
5. What would you want to have to be the perfect tennis player –
without Roger Federer?
Serve, I take Andy Roddick, in addition David Nalbandian’s backhand,
Rafael Nadal’s forehand and Lleyton Hewitt’s fighter qualities. There
is no longer so many volleys today, but I would say Stefan Edberg,
Patrick Rafter or Tim Henman. And in the mental area, I take probably
once again Nadal. This doesn’t guarantee success, but it would be a
very difficult to play against this opponent.
6: Who is indispensable to you as a tennis player?
I could actually make it all alone. But not so professionally and
certainly not so well. The longest person I’ve collaborated with is
Pierre Paganini; he was certainly a very important man in my early
career.
7: How do you spend a perfect day?
Without tennis: Either with friends, home – or with Mirka at the
beach, on the Maldives. Romantic dinner maybe. Maybe to the spa,
massages watch the sunset and enjoy the waves. (Wait, where does “a
cozy chat with FreakyFrites” fit in?)
8: With whom – except your woman – would you gladly get stuck in the
elevator?
Then probably with my mommy. (Supposedly he really did say “mommy.”)
9: Who are your best friends?
Reto Staubli was my best man. Then there is Yves Allegro, Marco
Chiudinelli, also Severin Lüthi.
10: Your favorite food?
I could eat Italian every day. I also like Japanese. And somehow my
number 1 is always the Swiss food: Rösti, raclette, fondue – if I’m at
home.
11: What do you not like?
I was a vegetarian until I was 16. Then I went into a steakhouse
during the 1998 Davis Cup with Marc Rosset. When I said that I eat no
meat, he was surprised! He ordered me a small piece of every kind of
meat out of the kitchen. I tried, some suited me – and so began that.
With Mirka on vacation in Thailand I discovered seafood and fish – and
today I actually eat everything. As a vegetarian, I experienced hard
times at junior tournaments.
12: What do you do when you first wake up?
I snuggle with Mirka. That comes before I get out of bed. Then I go
shower, brush my teeth and shave. (Yes, I know, ridiculously cute.)
13: Your biggest flaw?
I used to always be late. It’s better today. And sometimes I delay
things that I could decide immediately. (Much better than the standard
“I’m a perfectionist” answer.)
14: What do you not like?
People who are impolite.
15. Are there still people who are impolite to Roger Federer? When was
the last time someone yelled at you?
When I was playing exhibition-matches with Sampras in Asia, we were
invited by the Prime-minister of Malaysia. The man who had arranged
this told us it would take half an hour – after two hours it was time
for us to go. The dinner was still being served, and I called the
person in charge, in order to complain about the fact that he had made
us deal with this unpleasant situation. At that point I was very
angry. He didn’t like it and he yelled back at me. This wasn’t good.
16. What is the dumbest advice you have received during your career?
There have been whole match-analysis attempts, like vs. Nadal, in
which every single stroke was mentioned. Then there are people who
make phone calls all the time, who write to me, asking why I don’t
write back, saying I am impolite. But I’m not sore at anyone, it’s ok
by me.
17. What are you afraid of?
Sky diving, bungee jumping, I don’t need these things. I can’t do
those things. Since I’m pretty much a yellow-belly.
18. It is said that 99% of people know who Roger Federer is. Do you
ever meet the remaining 1% ? (Really!? Maybe 99% of people in
Switzerland – where’d this stat come from?)
Yes, that happens. People who are not at all interested in sports, and
people who don’t know that Switzerland exists. I don’t expect everyone
to know who I am. That’s not what I think of in life. Otherwise, it
wouldn’t be good.
19. When was the last time someone called you “Roschée” (French
pronunciation) instead of “Rodscher” (English pronunciation)?
In Paris this has happened 100,000 times. But now it happens rarely, I
have instructed people well in the previous years, to make sure they
will call me “Rodscher” (Roger), because I was baptized this way and I
live up to my South African origins from my mother’s side with pride.
But I think it’s funny when the French write “Rodgeur” in order to
read it in the right way.
20. Who does someone so admired admire?
Other sportsmen. Golfer Tiger Woods, he is an inspiration to me.
Previously also basketball player Michael Jordan. And motorcycle
driver Valentino Rossi, who I watch when I can. But also musicians,
like former Bush singer (Gavin Rossdale shout out!), who is a friend –
and I have attended two concerts of his.
21. What will you be doing in 20 years?
I will be looking after my family of course. But I also see myself
still working, not just sitting around, although I don’t think my work
will have to do with tennis. Today I can’t imagine myself as a coach,
or as a TV-expert. I rather see myself associated with some sponsors
or running my own business, if it exists. Basically I believe that I
will live in Switzerland and enjoy life.
22. You will be a father after Wimbledon. Have you and your wife
attended a childbirth preparation class?
No, we haven’t. But friends have given us a ton of books on this
subject, and I have read a little. But the most important thing for me
is to exchange thoughts with other people who have already had this
experience. And the doctor also gives you much information.
23. Have you chosen the names?
We have searched in name books, but we haven’t decided yet.
24. It is said/supposed to be a boy.
I have never confirmed this. We know what it is – and will not say.
(Oh, so it could still be a girl named Martina!)
25. When Barbara Becker was pregnant, Boris Becker also felt pregnant.
Do you also feel like that?
It is definitely a very interesting period of time. It is incredible,
how much I’ve found out about pregnancy, but also about women and what
happens to them. That was very educational for me. (Ha!)
26. Is the fact that you’ll become a father only associated with
anticipation or with worries as well?
One has a lot of worries as well. It begins in the first few months,
during which one must wait before announcing it, until the doctors say
what could go wrong. But I’m happy for the responsibility that comes
with it. And tennis helps me. I have come through so many difficult
situations, that I just have the feeling that we will be good parents.
27. Have you and Mirka got nicknames for each other?
Yes, we have many (nick)names. But I’d rather not mention them. . .
(Oh, how my mind reels! Feddy Bear, maybe?)
28. Disposable or cloth diapers?
Disposable diapers. We don’t know anything else, although they are not
environmentally friendly. But I do make sure that I recycle
everything.
29. Two children or extended family?
Three children, maybe four. Just more than just one. But for the time
being we are looking forward to this birth. (One named after each
Slam, of course!)
30. Stallone or De Niro?
I prefer action movies, so the answer is clear: Sylvester Stallone. I
also like watching James Bond films. (Wait, what happened to Dirty
Dancing?)
31. Beer or wine?
Wine.
32. Bicycle or inline skates?
Definitely bicycle, I have done the other twice. Last time (I rode a
bicycle) was after winning at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors, when I
bicycled through Basel, after a dinner with a friend. That was a great
feeling.
33. Harald Schmidt or Stefan Raab? (Talk show personalities)
I like watching Raab’s broadcasts. Abroad it is hardly possible most
of the time.
34. Cornflakes or honey-bread?
Honey bread, but when abroad I must switch to cornflakes most of the
time.
35. When you are at home: rather go out, or cook for yourself?
I like to eat at home. Mirka likes cooking, unlike me. I don’t know
how I did it, but I have been lucky because in my life there always
have been good cooks around me: first my mother, now Mirka.
36. Do you rather help with ironing or vacuuming?
With vacuuming – I can do it well. (Hello, Hoover sponsorship!)
37. Eminem or AC / DC?
Actually, rather rock. Especially during training at home, I hear hard
stuff most of the time, Metallica or AC / DC.
38. Wet shaving or electric?
Only wet shaving. According to my contract with Gillette, I must be
well-groomed. Since I shave every day, I have less skin problems. At
tournaments, I am supplied with razors and blades.
39. Olympic Games Single Gold or Davis Cup?
Davis Cup, because I have already won Olympic Gold in doubles.
40. What surprises me about Rafael Nadal is:
His consistency in his early years.
41. Training is for me:
More fun than it used to be.
42. My weakest stroke is:
The backhand return. And then I would like to be able to play more
aggressively.
43. My dream double-partner is:
Martina Hingis. I have already played with her, it was really
fantastic. And with Mirka. After my Olympic Games victory, of course,
Stanislas Wawrinka has also become my dream double-partner. (Loving
the Hingis-love!)
44. John McEnroe’s behavior in his early years in my opinion:
Was very funny. In my early years I was funny as well (laughs).
45. If I could be someone else for one day, I would be:
A musician.
46. On the dance floor I move:
Not that bad. (You’ve definitely got the footwork)
47. At school I hated:
“Hate” is the wrong word. I did not like getting up early and doing
homework.
48. In Basel:
I feel super-good.
49. Am I interested in politics?
Yes and no. I’m barely here in Switzerland. Therefore, I do not always
vote. But I have followed the U.S. election campaign very intensively.
50. Wollerau (Roger’s newish place of residence):
Is good, and also a compromise. It’s right in the middle between my
parents and Mirka’s parents.
51. I would change about myself:
Not too many things, at least not in tennis. But in my private life I
will inevitably have to change, when our child comes.
52. I think being a worldwide star is:
Rather positive than negative.
53. If I could rule the world for one day, I would:
Make sure that there wouldn’t be so many poor people out there. (Amen
to that.)
54. I do/don’t believe in God:
Do
55. One day I would like as an inscription on my tombstone the words:
Hmm, since I hope that there is still much time till then, I won’t
answer.
http://bazonline.ch/sport/tennis/Ich-helfe-beim-Staubsaugen--das-kann-ich-gut/s tory/12842485
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