Intervju za GQ, ovo je bilo izmedju W i USO
Roger Federer: ‘Emma Raducanu’s run has been incredible, but there is too much pressure on young players’
par najzanimljivijih pitanja
Do you think we’ll ever see this era of champions again?
I think yes. I feel like nowadays – and this is not to take anything away from Rafa, Novak or myself, for that matter – but, you know, I feel like it's easier to dominate through the different surfaces nowadays. Back in the day, yes, we did have three grass-court events, but maybe the margins were slimmer. I feel like there were hard-court players, clay-court players and there weren’t so many players who could play on all surfaces. Sure, [Bjorn] Borg did it, but things were different. Players weren't chasing one Slam after another like they are today and record after record. Nowadays such a strategy is much more part of your career. So, yes, a new, incredible player will, I believe, break our run of 20 Grand Slams eventually – but not overnight!
Of course, one’s mental health is just as important on the court. I am sure you have been following Emma Raducanu and what happened to her at Wimbledon. You played at a very high level when you were a teenager, but is it different nowadays for these young stars? Is there too much pressure?
Yes, I think so. I was following Emma Raducanu’s incredible run in Wimbledon and also Naomi Osaka these last few years – it's been amazing, both of their stories. But it hurts when you see what happens and when they don't feel well. The stress is so great. And I think a lot has to be down to social media: the first ten years of my life there was no social media, maybe I had just a website, then the next ten years social media was everywhere. Also, in regards to this, the press situation does need to be reconsidered. I think I’m one of the athletes who’s done the most press – ever! And I agree that it's always the same. Always.
I think players, the tournaments, journalists, we need to sit down together in a room and go, “OK, what would work for you and what works for us...” We need a revolution. Or at least an evolution of where we are today. I think we do need to help, coach and mentor the younger generation more. I can’t imagine going through the beginning of my career with social media; I have no clue how I would have handled it. For every ten nice comments there’s always one negative comment and, of course, that is the one you focus on. It’s a horrible situation. Even when I am feeling down I know I need to act a certain way in front of the world’s press. We need to remember that tennis players are athletes and professionals, but we are also human too.
What was the most important shot of your career?
Wow, great question… Difficult one, but maybe my forehand against Tommy Haas at the French Open: love and then break point. We still talk about it every time we see each other. And that I ended up winning that match and the French Open in 2009. And that got me to tie Pete's [Sampras] record. I don't know, it just felt like it had something super important about it in that moment. Clearly, I know if I would have missed it and not hit the line, I would have probably lost that much for sure. Tommy knows that. I know that. And the reaction was also one of, "OK, Roger, let's finally hit a good forehand. Here we go, please. Let's go!" And the whole momentum changed. So I had a wonderful summer – maybe it was just meant to be.
On retirement, when will be the right time to stop?
When, like any athlete, you will just know when the time is right. I am not going to be the one that's just going to stick around because I want to stick around. You know, I still want to play exhibitions down the road and have fun and go to markets in places I've never been before. The fans mean a lot to me, but I do not want to abuse my body. I still want to run around with my kids and ski… So I think you just know.