Paris : Roger Federer, beat Stan Wawrinka 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4:
You say that you came to Roland Garros just to see what happen or without pressure. Now you are in the semifinal. What are your feelings about that?
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"Well, I'm very happy, you know, number one, to be back in another semifinals of a Grand Slam. It hasn't happened, you know, in the last year or so. I had some tough losses in fourth rounds or quarters. So from that standpoint, I exceeded my expectations here. You know, after missing the French for so many years, it's nice to be back in the semis, so that's a great feeling."
Before, he was told in Spanish what you had said on court when you said that you were happy to be in the semifinals and happy to play Rafa. And he said, I believe the first part. I'm not so sure about the second part. Because, I mean, you know that the last time you beat Rafa on clay was 2009 Madrid and 2007 in Hamburg. So after all these years, what can be changed so that you are more optimistic before you play him?
"For me to get to Rafa is not simple. It took five matches here for me to win to get there. That's why I'm very happy to play Rafa, because if you want to do or achieve something on the clay, inevitably, at some stage, you will go through Rafa, because he's that strong and he will be there. I knew that when I signed up for the clay that hopefully that's gonna happen. If I would have had a different mindset to avoid him, then I should not have played the clay. So I think by that mindset, I think it helped me to play so well so far this tournament."
You guys, Rafa and Novak and yourself, kind of retired Andy Murray in a way on court at the Australian Open. There was, like, a big video where you were saying you're sad for him to leave the sport. Wondering your reaction to him coming to Queen's and playing professional tennis in a couple weeks' time. Are you surprised he's made it back so quickly?
"I think he just was at a breaking point where he just realised, like this, I cannot keep playing anymore. I have been there. Like at Wimbledon, for instance, that year in '16, I realised I cannot keep doing what I'm doing like this. It's just not healthy anymore. He was in that moment and it just hit him. I think after we realised he wasn't sure, we were all hoping he would come back. And from what I'm hearing, there is two ways to look at it. It's number one for his health, and we want Andy to be healthy, more so than being a tennis player. But if he can play tennis on top of it, that's a super bonus. And I think all of us top guys would be thrilled to see him back on the tour."
I'm sure this is pretty disappointing, but perhaps you can sort of give an overview about how you view the whole tournament, first of all. And second of all, what was the difference-maker for you today in the fact that you fell short to Roger?
"I think in general the tournament was great for me. I played really good since the beginning of the tournament, won some big matches, especially against Garin, playing super well against Dimitrov. Tough match in two days followed by Tsitsipas, who is really confidence, playing well this year. Big battle, five hours. I was super happy also to be ready physically after all those time on the court. Today to give another big battle against Roger was a tough, tough one for sure. But I think in general it was a good battle, a great battle."
With all these fights and struggles during this tournament, how do you feel physically?
"Well, I feel good. I don't know what I had last night, but I feel good. I would say it was more difficult when we interrupted the match for the rain. But I'll see tomorrow. Honestly, I was really surprised by the way I recovered after my match against Tsitsipas. I thought I would have more muscle aches and I would be more tired. And I was surprised at the way I was able to get onto the court today to play for more than three hours and 20 minutes. This is something that is positive for the future."
Roger Federer beat fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka this Tuesday (4 June) in Paris. He will face Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-finals.
