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Federer Mindset Strong Entering 19th US Open
By Scoop Malinowski
Roger Federer has not felt the joy of winning the US Open since 2008 when he defeated Andy Murray 62 75 62.
That was ten years ago. Since then there have been several close calls but they all fell short. 2009 loss to Del Potro in the final. 2014 loss to eventual champion Cilic. Two semi losses with match points to Djokovic.
Overall, Federer has won five US Opens. Coming off the final loss in Cincinnati to Djokovic, Federer said on media day Friday that he feels just about perfect.
“I’m exactly where I want to be, and I still have enough days to get ready, to be honest,” Federer said. “I’m very pleased about my progress here. I’ve gotten used to the conditions here. It’s a bit slower, it’s easier to control, and that also is one part of Cincinnati that I think probably if you ask most players, like, How do you feel in Cincinnati, a lot of guys will always say it’s not easy to play there.”
The 37 year old Federer had been a perfect 7-0 in his previous Cincy finals before losing to Djokovic last Sunday 64 64. This year the 20 time major winner said the conditions were a little different. “The ball flies. Especially this year the ball was extremely bouncy. So it was just hard to control the balls at all times. And I think that also didn’t help the feeling.”
“So I think coming to New York, I think you get a better feel,” said Federer, ready to embark into his 19th US Open main draw. “The balls are easier to control. The surface is a touch slower. So I think in overall maybe we will see better tennis here in New York.”
“I think not even close to playing my absolute best in Cincinnati and still making a finals is still a really good result, actually, if I take a step away,” Federer continued. “The final was not good. I was not happy with how I played, but I think there was some tiredness that led into that.
“And Novak was good. So it was just a match, one you want to forget, no problem, but in the big scheme of things actually was a good tournament for me, get all the matches under the belt, get match-tough again so when I do show up here I actually feel I’m ready, and I am ready, and that’s what counts for me.”
Federer will take on crafty lefty Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan tonight on Ashe Stadium in his first round opener at the 2018 US Open.
Federer · RF · Roger Federer · US Open
Scoop Malinowski · August 27, 2018 at 11:15 am
Some might say Fed is using excuses to write off the Cincy loss – the balls too bouncy, the court too fast, tiredness, but there are reasons for every win and every loss.