2004 U.S. Open
Date: 2004-09-01
Federer def. Baghdatis 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 6-1

Question You seemed to raise your game in the second set. What inspired you?
Answer I got in the match a bit nervous in the beginning. So I was playing against No. 1 in the world in the biggest stadium in the world. So I was a bit nervous, and I just started to have fun in there. I just played my game. Federer just didn't play so good, and I took my chance. I won the second set. And then he put his level up. He won the third. In the fourth, I just got a bit tired, start cramping a bit. He continued to play so...

Question How talented is Federer?
Answer Very (laughter).

Question Do you just look at a guy like that...?
Answer He's very talented. He can make every shot. It's amazing playing against him. I mean, it's tough to play against him. You don't read his shots. He's very, very talented.

Question Does that then inspire you a little bit?
Answer Yeah, a bit. But, I mean, everybody has his game. Everybody has his talent. I mean, it's a matter of work and I'm ready to go back and work and try to be like him.

Question When you're playing against him, does that make you find things that you didn't know you could do?
Answer No, I mean, I don't know how to explain. But he has his own game. He knows how to do everything. I mean, some players don't know to do everything. I don't know how to do everything, but I'm working on it so I can do everything also in the court, every shot.

Question In the second set, did you play the best tennis of your career?
Answer Played pretty good. I had some -- also I had some better matches in my career, but I played really good. One of my best.

Question Many aspects of your game are actually quite similar to Roger, looking at the way you both played. Would it be fair to say you modeled parts of your game on him?
Answer No, I didn't really model Federer. I have my own style of playing. I'm working on that.

Question Do you always have this much fun on tennis courts or is it just the occasion tonight?
Answer No, I mean, it was the occasion, but I like having fun in the court because, I mean, I love tennis and I love playing tennis. So for me, it's fun.

Question In what way do you have to improve to beat him?
Answer First of all, I think I have to improve my physical and improve a lot of things. Like I said, I'm ready to go back and improve all those things. I mean, he has a great experience to play in front of this crowd. It was my first time. So I just have to work and do my best.

Question Could you just talk a bit about what it was like to be out there with all these people and the night session atmosphere?
Answer It was great. It was one -- I arrive to everybody, I am 19 years old. I mean, it was amazing feeling for me. I had a lot of fun. It was a great match and I try to have fun. That was my objective before the match, and I did. So I'm happy with that, I'm proud of myself, and life continues.

Question Are you still working with Bob Brett?
Answer No, I never worked with Bob Brett. I was in his academy, but I never worked with him.

Question What did you talk about with Roger after that game at the net?
Answer He just told me good luck in my career. I told him it was great playing with him and good luck for the tournament.

Question Can you learn a lot playing against him?
Answer Yeah, of course. You get the rhythm of his -- the quality of his ball. And, I mean, I think that's what I need, playing more with this kind of players, practicing with this kind of players, and getting in the rhythm of the quality of the ball.

Question By the time the next Grand Slam comes at the start of next year, where do you see yourself, what's your ambition for the start of the year?
Answer Like I said, I'll go back, work hard, try to do my best, I'll go play some challengers, go fight a bit, and I hope I'll play good. That's all I can say.