LONDON: Roger Federer arrived for his Wimbeldon post-match press conference in a classic white cable-knit jumper and matching track pants. Not a hair out of place.There was no evidence to suggest that tennis' World No. 1 had been on the court for 3-hours-and-24-minutes in a bruising Wimbledon encounter with Britain's Andy Murray. No signs of fatigue, just more fresh smiles.
Attempting to give perspective to the win that gave the popular Swiss his 17th Grand slam crown, Federer said, "Today (Sunday) was unique because of playing Andy. Being able to play and finish the match under the roof which has never happened before in a final here was unique. Given the occasion and how big it was for Andy and me, it was very, very special to be able to win."
Federer, 30, who hadn't won a Grand Slam title in two-and-a-half years, and who was constantly questioned by the media on his slip, sliding form, explained why the achievement was yet to sink in.
"I was so focused in the moment itself that when it all happened I was just so happy. The pressure was finally gone," he said, smiling, "I guess that came due to the tough loss I had here last year and the US Open tough moments for me in the last couple years. So, I didn't picture myself with the trophy or think too far ahead. There was so much on the line, I tried not to think of the World No. 1 ranking or the seventh or the 17th title. This is actually going to take much longer to sink in, to understand what I was able to achieve today."
Sunday's triumph on Church Road drowned the chorus of doubts that dogged Federer last season. With calls rating him as the greatest of all time growing in decibel level, the champion said, it was all opinion.
"It's nice to have had a positive effect on the game of tennis in the first place. I was able to live a dream," he said, "And then to represent tennis across sports has been nice. Not that I feel obliged to do all the right things, but it's nice to be compared to other sporting greats. If I can help tennis with the image, make it more popular, that's enough for me. I want to leave the game better off than when I came into this great sport, which was already unbelievable with the great rivalries we had: Becker-Edberg, Courier and Agassi and Sampras and many others. For me that is most important."
Federer added, "I drew a lot of inspiration from other great athletes in other sports as well - Michael Jorden, Tiger Woods, Valentino Rossi. They inspire me to keep pushing further. You know not just being happy with World No. 1 or with a Grand Slam title, but to reach for more. Obviously, I have to drive myself. But you sometimes need to see someone else do it so you feel that it is actually possible."
The 17-time Grand Slam champion said marriage and the birth of his twin daughters,Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, who are three now, changed life.
Federer said, "People sometimes forget I have twin girls. That has had a massive impact on my life. It's helped my game, I'm playing some of the best tennis of my life right now. Just to be able to juggle everything has been a challenge. You learn from your mistakes. You try to make it work for everyone involved. The victory is a dream-come-true for me and my family, seeing them there. It's big."
When asked to compare the champion he is today to the all-conquering superstar of five years ago, Federer said, "I hope I am a better player today than five years ago. I've practiced so much that, you don't want to be worse five years later. I feel I have a great game today. But then again, maybe there were times I had such incredible confidence (when I was younger) that you pull triggers and you pull off shots that maybe today I don't because I play the percentages a bit more. I know how hard it is, you know, to pull off those great shots and I know how easy it is to miss."
Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
