Roger Federer Quotations

When you do something best in life, you don't really want to give that up - and for me it's tennis.

My dad said if you become a tennis professional just make sure you get into the top hundred, because you have to make a little bit of money. You make a living so you can pay your coaching and, you know, your travels.

I feel a bit awkward playing in a red shirt out at Wimbledon. But I don't dislike it.

What I think I've been able to do well over the years is play with pain, play with problems, play in all sorts of conditions.

This year I guess I decided in the bigger matches to take it more to my opponent instead of waiting a bit more for the mistakes. Yeah, this is I guess how you want to win Wimbledon, is by going after your shots, believing you can do it, and that's what I was able to do today.

Clearly, when you win everything, it's fun. That doesn't necessarily mean you love the game more.

Sometimes you have to accept that a guy played better on the day than you.

Early in my career, I struggled with consistency, but I couldn't get more consistent than this year.

I think it's very hard for coaches to work with me. They'll no doubt have a good CV afterwards, but at the same time they're under a lot of pressure.

You always want to win. That is why you play tennis, because you love the sport and try to be the best you can at it.

Before, I guess, mum and dad were everything, but now, in my case, I had two new girls and all of a sudden they're completely dependent on you and there's a third generation. It's a funny shift all of a sudden. You have the babies, you have yourself and then you have your parents.

To handle that stardom, the red carpets, the photo shoots, people all of a sudden recognizing you and following you in everyday life, it's a bit weird. It's strange, and it can have funny effects on you in terms of do you like it or don't you like it. Some people run away from it, some people embrace it; I found a good middle ground.

When I think of the Olympics I only think of good things. I think of what a great event it is and what it has done for me and my career, and changed my personal life, too.

The serve, I think, is the most difficult, you know, in terms of coordination, because you got the two arms going, and you got to toss it up at the right time so.

I am a sucker for those old traditional places, and Rome is as good as it gets, particularly when you throw in Italian food.

Oh, my God, I don't think any player can look forward to or expect to a career of so many Grand Slam wins or title wins or being so long at the top of the game.

I don't mind fans coming up in a friendly, respectful way. That's all part of the fun of being a top tennis player. But if people take pictures without permission, particularly if my children are in the shot, I feel uncomfortable.

I enjoyed the position I was in as a tennis player. I was to blame when I lost. I was to blame when I won. And I really like that, because I played soccer a lot too, and I couldn't stand it when I had to blame it on the goalkeeper.

I'm a very positive thinker, and I think that is what helps me the most in difficult moments.

I have learnt to be even more patient.

I always had the dream that, once I became No 1 in the world, that if I had a child I hoped I would have it early enough so the child can see me playing.

Sometimes I am a different character in different languages. I have different enjoyment from them. Sometimes different answers come out of me. Like, I didnt even know that about me. I get to know myself through different languages, actually.

I am extremely proud and honoured to have beaten Pete's record as he was my childhood hero and I have always looked up to him.

You know, I don't only play for the record books.

My heart is in South Africa, through my mum. My mum being from here, me spending a lot of time here as well, I feel most connected to this part of the world.

I've always been aware that the image you patiently construct for an entire career can be ruined in a minute. It scares you a bit, but that's the way things are.

Being a husband is for me as big a priority as being a father.

When I won in 2003, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would win Wimbledon and have my kids seeing me lift the trophy, so this is pretty surreal. And yeah, I was almost shocked in the moment that it all came together so nicely.

For me, it's important that a fan can buy something that is related to me. Like in soccer, you buy a shirt and it's got somebody's name on the back. That's kind of a cool thing.

The serve, I was too young and too small and... not enough powerful to have a good serve when I was young, so my forehand was always my signature shot. So I used to always run around my backhand, you know, use my forehand as much as I could, and so that's why I think it's my strength also today, you know.

I don't need to come back to Wimbledon every year because I can't live without it. I'd be totally cool without tennis.

Having twin girls is a life changer - that's for sure. But I like getting up and changing diapers. It's the things you do.

I have to fit holidays around tournaments, particularly the grand slams, in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.

I've done so many interviews over the years in so many different languages. Radios. Papers. Magazines. There's always another interview to do. It's quite something, I have to say.

I am now the Wimbledon champion, and I think that gives me even more confidence coming to the Olympics. And maybe in some ways, it maybe takes some pressure off the Olympics, because I already did win at Wimbledon this year.

I did all the right things in so many tournaments. But like I said, sometimes in sports it just goes the other way. Maybe you've already won so much that it evens it out a bit sometimes. I don't know.

I had set a goal with my team to try and get back to the top of the rankings, but I never thought with the depth in the game this year that I would have been able to get it back so quickly.

I used to get nervous, you know if my parents would come watch. And then I would get nervous if my friends came and watched. Today it's not a problem anymore actually, because now I enjoy it. I see that they, you know, respect me immensely, and I try to put on a good show and show that I can still play very good tennis.

I'm as patient a father as I am on the tennis court. It takes a lot for me to get really upset, but sometimes kids can get you really cross if they really keep bugging you.

It doesn't need to be the same every day, doesn't need to be the same shower I use, the same restaurant I go to, the same hour I go to sleep. I've always been very flexible. I don't care if I practice at nine in the morning or 10 P.M.

My favorite shot is always gonna be the forehand. It used to always be my favorite shot when I was young, so it's the one I've won all the points with.

Obviously, matches and all that stuff takes its toll on your body and so forth. But as you get sort of a bit older, a bit wiser, and a bit more experienced, you know also how to handle it.

I can't stay No. 1 for fifty years, you know. We'll see what happens.

But so far I have the feeling that the chances are there to repeat last year's season.

My second trip to Shanghai is a surprise. Everything is great here. The facilities, the atmosphere and the weather in Shanghai are great. I am looking forward to competing with the other seven great players here in November and trying to play my best.

I was struggling in the beginning, obviously. I was a little disappointed about the start. I was looking for my rhythm and he keeps coming at you and he didn't really allow me to get the rhythm either. But to turn it around in the end, and not playing my best, is always a good feeling.

I was struggling in the beginning, ... The start of the match was crucial, and I couldn't get on top of him there. Still, in the end, to turn it around and not play my best is always a good feeling.

I was struggling in the beginning with his way of acting on the court,

My confidence is back, ... You lose it when you don't play. I've earned it again. That's the thing I've achieved this week.

Obviously it's tough for the opponent, at two sets down at 10:15 in the evening, to believe that he can turn it around against me,

I have been struggling a little bit the last few days, ... I am surprised (this) went so quick.

Many people say I'm better on other surfaces but I know I can play well on clay. The French Open is definitely a goal of mine.

I can't look too far down the line,

I enjoyed the battle against him. I have answered some questions I had about how to play on clay.

I have a great record against anybody, basically, right now. So it doesn't really matter who I play in the finals; I'll be in there as the big favorite.

He didn't grow that much, ... but he's still doing a great job.

He is good enough to beat me on a day when I am not on, ... I expect a tough match.

I'm a little bit used to the situation, and it's not an easy one to be in. I mean, basically, he has been waiting for this day his whole life. He's going to come out there and try to beat me, not just play with me.

Just stay with him, for the entire time. I have the feeling that other guys tend not to take the physical challenge with him. That's what I won't do.

That doesn't happen very often going into slams,

I was little bit surprised, ... I don't play much in the morning anymore.

I was the guy making all the errors and he was not. He was playing a few good shots. I had a few sloppy points here and there. He made me doubt.

I was very focussed on this match, very concentrated.

I was playing so well that it was hard to keep it up. I did not finish off some points I should have.

Well, I'm not overconfident. I just know what I have to do ... I think extremely well in finals, and on big points usually I'm ... well, I've been unbeatable.

Usually early on I'm looking for my rhythm. Today it was there straight away. It's a good sign, a good feeling.

When I would lose matches, I would feel, I think, three times worse than when the guy was losing. I just realized that's not the point, either, ... I wanted to enjoy it, win or lose, out on the court. It's not some kind of war or anything. We're having fun out there in the end. I like the challenge. When the match is over, life goes on.

I've really proved that on all surfaces, everywhere in the world, I can win the title. It's been incredible for me from beginning to end.

Rafael played a great match, it was tough to lose.

Every time I step on the court in a Masters series, I know how important they are and I try to do well.

Both times I had to serve well to get the upper hand. I thought I should be aggressive, take my chances, put the pressure on him. He's a good counter-puncher.

That's why I'm No. 1, you know, ... There's no secret.

Trying to put on a show? Not really, ... All I'm trying to do is win the match.

This is how it will be in every match at the Open. I'm ready for the pressure, ... It's a good feeling that I have. The players, I know them all, I've beaten them all.

I've got to adjust quite a bit to play Rafael. But I already feel like I'm improving a lot. The more I play against him, the more I'll be able to figure out his game and the easier it will be.

I never really felt very good throughout the match. I hope that's going to come along in the next match.

I'm trying to figure out what's the best way for me to play, and try to get as many matches as possible on clay. The more I do that, the more sure I get about sliding on clay, the points, how they're being played and everything.

I'm satisfied to have won and relieved it's over. It was not easy. I didn't play great but you need time to adapt to the surface.

I had a blast out there today, ... Rarely the crowd gets into a match like they did tonight. The way he plays, the way I play, I knew it could be a great one...it was quite windy and it was tough to get it past him, particularly when he was coming to the net.

I hope to have a physical advantage, but I don't think it will matter.

I'm not over-confident, just very confident, ... I just know what I have to do. I know my game's in place now. Once I win a certain number of matches, I know what I can do, what I can't do...I play the percentages I think extremely well in finals, and on big points usually I'm, well, I've been unbeatable.

I stick to what I always do, whether it's a final or first-round match. I want to get the rhythm, see how the conditions are, adjust string tensions if I have to. Then I'm off.

I guess the important moments, key moments of the match, I guess I was just superior to him. There was not much in it.

I really feel I've got my confidence back. My footwork is back, the eye is back -- watching the ball, reading the game. Definitely I'm feeling really good right now.

but I'm not going to look for them.

I play my best in the finals, in the important matches. That's why I'm No. 1.

I don't play much in the morning any more, ... Mostly play the prime time hours, which means three, five, seven o'clock. Coming out early today was different. Also when I practice, it's usually always afternoon. So, again, you have to change your plans. But it was a great start.

He's quite one-dimensional with his game. After Dubai, I thought I actually saw the way I should play against him. The more I play him, the better it is for me.

I didn't know whether there would be two people or two thousand so to have this many is really something special for me -- something I'll always remember.

He sizzled me up with his slice and spins. It was a pleasure to play against him.

It's constant pressure, ... When it's over, it's kind of a surprise. You can't expect to win all the time. If it keeps on going, it's incredible.

I never underestimate my opponent, that's not the way I play. It is never easy when you are playing your first match (of the season) on clay. I had a few sloppy points here and there. He made me doubt.

It's always a pleasure to play against him because it's so different. It was because of him, not because of me, that the match was so great.

It's not for sure I'm going to finish No 1 in the world. I've still got to play well and defend my titles and make sure I play well. So I have a lot to play for next few months.

That match taught me what some things about how I should play against him. But I've still got to go out there and beat him.

I decided not to play the first tie this year because I wanted to focus on the tour. The big focus of the year was holding onto the No. 1 position.

Tennis can be a very frustrating sport. There is no way around the hard work. Embrace it. You have to put in the hours because there is always something you can improve. [Y]ou have to put in a lot of sacrifice and effort for sometimes little reward but you have to know that, if you put in the right effort, the reward will come.

I fear no one, but respect everyone.

I always believe if you're stuck in a hole and maybe things aren't going well you will come out stronger. Everything in life is this way.

Once you find that peace, that place of peace and quiet, harmony and confidence, that's when you start playing your best.