By Jayita Belcourt
It was business as usual for world number 3, Roger Federer, who secured a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals following his straight-set victory against Czech opponent, Thomas Berdych 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 at Melbourne Park. Having lost their previous two matchups at Grand Slam events, the 34 year simply outclassed his opponent and considered he “played well overallâ€.
“I think the first set was tough. It was the one that took the longest, had the most importance of all the sets, in my opinion. It was definitely key to the rest of the match because I think it maybe might’ve taken some energy out of Tomas. Who knows? If not physical, also mental. It’s always tough to lose the first t in best of five in a breaker in my opinion,†the former number 1 shared.
Federer, a 17 time Grand Slam champion who has won the Australian Open four times, continued his speculation beyond the match, entering the realms of discussion about tennis rising star, Nick Kyrgios, aka “bad boyâ€, as he’s affectionately known in Australia. Not surprising, what evolved in the conversation has had ripples in the tennis world with news stories splashed throughout the globe.
Understandably, the attention and reputation Nick has earned over recent years hasn’t been positive -with good reason when you consider the tantrums, swearing and drama all too often displayed on court. None the less, it was somewhat refreshing to hear the world’s most revered athlete, dropping some words of encouragement and support for the young gun.
“Nick came to Switzerland that one time. We practiced before his big run at Wimbledon maybe [where he reached the quarter-finals in 2014]. I was already unbelievably impressed at his sheer power, his talent, his potential, all that. It goes way backâ€.
“I think he’s a great player. I think he’s enjoyable to watch. I know some people might not like it. I like it. He’s got a lot of personality. Might take it far to some extent, but I think he’s a great player. He’s got sick power, and it’s going to take him a long way,†Federer explained.
As expected, Federer was balanced in his assessment, urging the brash Australian to charter forward with greater intensity and discernment if he is to capitalize on his natural ability.
“I just think the next couple years are going to be so crucial for him. I just hope he’s aware of that fact,†Federer shared.
“It would be a pity to waste talent and all that even more so in this day and age because I feel talent brought you further back in the day. Just talking about a guy who has talent and potential, I can’t hear it anymore. Too many guys have talent. Too many guys are working hard. I don’t believe in that very much anymore.â€
“Otherwise the train leaves the station and you’re maybe not on itâ€.
Trains aside, Federer was sympathetic to the challenges often faced in the public eye, highlighting the difficulties he had when first in the spotlight.
“It takes time for people to get to know you. I had the same thing. I felt very misunderstood many times when I was younger.â€
“I felt like I had to put in a lot of work with the press so they first knew who I was so they could relay the messages to the public, the broader public, the right way,†Federer revealed.
“So in a way I always feel like it’s really interesting and nice to see a youngster grow up in the public eye. But then at the same time, you also have the negatives. He’s fighting that a little bit. But he’s doing okay now, better nowâ€.
Encouraging for Nick? Yes, but will be enough to change the course of destiny for the feisty 20 year old?
Kyrgios has made reference to Federer as his idol. Last year, Kyrgios told Tennis.com that he thought Roger was “the greatest of all time.†“He the one role model I have – off the court as well – because of the way he carries himself, helping people,†Kyrgios reportedly said.
My bets are that if Nick can for one time, actually read and listen to what the media has dispatched in reference to his idol, Roger Federer, he just might find some nuggets that catapult him into the realms of the sports elite. Federer will now face Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals bidding to reach his 5th title at the Australian Open and 18th major.
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Scoop Malinowski · January 26, 2016 at 10:53 pm
Nick would be wise to listen to these words by Federer – and apply the tutelage – to a degree – but also be himself – I recall one of the old Aussie greats ripping young Djokovic – but I felt it was unfair because Djokovic is his own man and has his own character – and he should be free to be different and be himself – Djokovic didn’t change and as we know the rest is history —
Hartt · January 27, 2016 at 12:49 pm
I think Novak did change some things – no more shirt-ripping and major roaring after wins. Must admit that I was turned off by that behaviour. He is now much more mature and likeable.
The top players do have very different personalities and I think it is great when the media gives us some insight into what players are like as individuals. I really enjoy the Biofiles for that reason.
Scoop Malinowski · January 27, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Hartt: The Djokovic roaring like a lion after huge epic dramatic wins was acceptable – the incredible amount of stress and tension and adversity he endured in some of his historic wins certainly merited an outlet in the form of Djokovic’s roaring – just like a volcano needs to erupt so too does a great tennis champion who triumphs in a long arduous brutal physical mental showdown against another all time great player – I do enjoy to see this expression of celebratory emotion by Djokovic and never felt once that he went over the line with it – we can only imagine what it must be like for a player like Djokovic to win an epic major final – I think it’s silly and unfair for tennis observers to criticize such celebrations which are awesome to witness such extreme joy relief and elation —
jg · January 27, 2016 at 5:19 pm
off topic, but watching Tiafoe-Novikov and they are almost at blows, arguing during change overs, etc. Its 1 all in sets, Tifoe up in 3rd. I see Harry lost in first round.
Dan Markowitz · January 28, 2016 at 7:11 am
F’ed got destroyed in first two sets by Djoko last night, 1 and 2. Djoko passed him on some balls where Roger wasn’t even close to getting a racquet on the ball. I didn’t see him rally in third set and take it, but Djoko was ridiculous in winning first two sets on 55 minutes. Roger’s going to have to hope someone else beats Djoko in a slam the way Sodrling beat Nadal when Fed won his lone French Open because otherwise he has no chance of beating Djoko in a slam. Djoko just seems to be pouring it on Rog in these match ups.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 10:37 am
jg: I saw the result was a 64 win in the third by Tiafoe – that must have been plenty of fun to watch 🙂 Any idea what provoked the hostilities? Novikov is a mountain of a fella and his dad was a boxer –
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 10:40 am
Dan I agree – it looks like Djokovic is totally dominating Federer and can do whatever he wants – you can see the day is coming when Djokovic is going to start routinely beating Fed like we saw in the first two sets today – and it will be interesting to see how many of those beatings Fed will be able to endure – One thing is for sure Djokovic will never show any mercy on Fed –
jg · January 28, 2016 at 1:59 pm
arguing over line calls, announcer said those 2 don’t like each other from other matches, also Tiafoe complained that “all” of his racquets were cracked.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Thanks jg: I hope we see more of these confrontations springing up as it will add good drama and theater like the good ol days 🙂
Andrew Miller · January 28, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Result of the tournament: Kerber in finals. I like Kerber – I used to think her “rival” lefty Sabine Lisicki was a better player but after this performance, I’ll say Kerber is showing mettle.
Andrew Miller · January 28, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Fed’s just got to get the wins where he can. At slams it seems too hard.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Fed did get to the Aus Open SF Andrew – not a bad fortnight for anybody – except Djokovic or Serena –
Andrew Miller · January 28, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Fed’s still awesome and like you said, slam semifinalist. Again. Even in his mid thirties, with most of his peer opposition retired. But for a champ of his caliber, these losses sting.
That said – Scoop you are right. The way Federer sees himself is different from the press. The press asked (to me) some of the worst questions and I think disrespectful questions. No one should write off Federer, but it’s as if there’s a retirement watch. Maybe the Hewitt final tournament made them write so many retirement stories that their brains aren’t focused on Federer in context – he’s still doing it.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 6:12 pm
Andrew: The press is always this way – Seles expressed the same frustrations with the media attitudes towards her in her final years – it’s like they feel this need to try to push the player to retirement – Yet the player keeps believing and striving and they are the last one to accept that it’s time to go – most of them want to keep playing as long as possible – Rafa also felt the media was treating him as if his ranking dropped out of the top hundred yet he was still solid top ten – I can say this about the press: I’d estimate 90% of the media loves the sport but only about roughly half or so are or were avid serious players – and if you were not a serious competitive player it’s hard to understand what it’s like to be a very serious player who has committed and dedicated his or her life to tennis —
Andrew Miller · January 28, 2016 at 11:52 pm
If Fed only loses in tournament finals and slam semifinals im sure he doesn’t care what dumb questions he gets. I’d guess Federer has some internal calculation – if he loses to Dimitrov at a slam he will call it a day.