Federer finally gave an interview for the ATP Fedal Media Group after a long time. In it, he gives a surprisingly deep insight into his soul and reflects once again on the great Australian Open final against his long-term rival and best buddy Rafa Nadal.

ATP: Roger how do you feel after this great victory and what does it mean to you?

Federer: First of all, I’d like to say that I’m very happy for Rafa that he seems to be back at the top of his game. There is no one else that pushes me the way he does. I need him to improve my game and to motivate me every day. I don’t just see him as an opponent, I really respect him a lot as a competitor, just like I do with Stan and Sascha.

Speaking about the title, it was one of the most special in my career. I can’t remember ever fighting like that for something I wanted so much. The first two sets felt like a one-way street, but then Rafa showed the best tennis I’ve ever seen on this court. I’m still proud of myself for fighting back from 3-0 down in the fifth set. That reflects exactly the attitude I’ve developed over the last few years. I was totally finished after the match in every way, mentally and physically. But at the same time I felt really sorry for Rafa. After all he’s been through bodywhise he’d deserved it to win this trophy and he obviously was the better player. That day I’d like to share a draw with Rafa, but it’s not the way tennis works.

ATP: How do you manage to motivate yourself again and again even after more than 10 Grand Slam titles?

I think I got this Dog-Mentality. I get up every morning and live the day as if I were not a multiple Grand Slam champion and always with the conviction that I can improve every day, and always with the conviction that I need to earn the sunset. I like to push myself beyond the limit, to push my limits. That’s what makes me happy, what makes me feel alive. I’m a competitor through and through. When I meet with Sascha, Stan or Rafa privately we always challenge each other, doing some mini games or playing cards. I think everyone of us has this competitor-mentality. That’s why I really like these guys. Perhaps me and Rafa are the most ambitious, but we all wanna win all the time.

I think you always need a goal you wanna fight for. It doesn’t matter what it is. It’s just important to have one, because it’s like fuel in the tank of a car. My next goal is to win the Grand Slam. I believe I can to it this year, even if the others come very close.

ATP: Any propositions for this year, Roger? Who’s gonna be No. 1, who’s gonna win the Slams?

Roger: For sure, I want to win all Slams, but it’s gonna be really hard. 

First, talking about Sascha. I am very happy for Sascha that he could win the World Tour Finals. He is a great guy and a real fighter and I know what this victory meant to him. It will take him a while to come to terms with it and then he will be ready for the big titles when he gets in shape physically.

Stan, my fearful opponent, also seems to be ready again, especially mentally. After taking some time off, he seems to be ready for the big wins again. When he’s on a roll, he’s very hard to beat. I had a lot of luck against him in the semis in Melbourne.

Rafa will make it the hardest for me this year if he stays healthy. His private life is improving and he believes he can win again when he faces me. He lost that ability for quite a while. I think we are on the same level when we play our best tennis. I’m looking forward enormously to many exciting fights with the guys.

ATP: Thanks Roger and all the best!

Roger: Thanks guys, it’s always a pleasure.

Federer finally gave an interview for the ATP Fedal Media Group after a long time. In it, he gives a surprisingly deep insight into his soul and reflects once again on the great Australian Open final against his long-term rival and best buddy Rafa Nadal.

ATP: Roger how do you feel after this great victory and what does it mean to you?

Federer: First of all, I’d like to say that I’m very happy for Rafa that he seems to be back at the top of his game. There is no one else that pushes me the way he does. I need him to improve my game and to motivate me every day. I don’t just see him as an opponent, I really respect him a lot as a competitor, just like I do with Stan and Sascha.

Speaking about the title, it was one of the most special in my career. I can’t remember ever fighting like that for something I wanted so much. The first two sets felt like a one-way street, but then Rafa showed the best tennis I’ve ever seen on this court. I’m still proud of myself for fighting back from 3-0 down in the fifth set. That reflects exactly the attitude I’ve developed over the last few years. I was totally finished after the match in every way, mentally and physically. But at the same time I felt really sorry for Rafa. After all he’s been through bodywhise he’d deserved it to win this trophy and he obviously was the better player. That day I’d like to share a draw with Rafa, but it’s not the way tennis works.

ATP: How do you manage to motivate yourself again and again even after more than 10 Grand Slam titles?

I think I got this Dog-Mentality. I get up every morning and live the day as if I were not a multiple Grand Slam champion and always with the conviction that I can improve every day, and always with the conviction that I need to earn the sunset. I like to push myself beyond the limit, to push my limits. That’s what makes me happy, what makes me feel alive. I’m a competitor through and through. When I meet with Sascha, Stan or Rafa privately we always challenge each other, doing some mini games or playing cards. I think everyone of us has this competitor-mentality. That’s why I really like these guys. Perhaps me and Rafa are the most ambitious, but we all wanna win all the time.

I think you always need a goal you wanna fight for. It doesn’t matter what it is. It’s just important to have one, because it’s like fuel in the tank of a car. My next goal is to win the Grand Slam. I believe I can to it this year, even if the others come very close.

ATP: Any propositions for this year, Roger? Who’s gonna be No. 1, who’s gonna win the Slams?

Roger: For sure, I want to win all Slams, but it’s gonna be really hard. 

First, talking about Sascha. I am very happy for Sascha that he could win the World Tour Finals. He is a great guy and a real fighter and I know what this victory meant to him. It will take him a while to come to terms with it and then he will be ready for the big titles when he gets in shape physically.

Stan, my fearful opponent, also seems to be ready again, especially mentally. After taking some time off, he seems to be ready for the big wins again. When he’s on a roll, he’s very hard to beat. I had a lot of luck against him in the semis in Melbourne.

Rafa will make it the hardest for me this year if he stays healthy. His private life is improving and he believes he can win again when he faces me. He lost that ability for quite a while. I think we are on the same level when we play our best tennis. I’m looking forward enormously to many exciting fights with the guys.

ATP: Thanks Roger and all the best!

Roger: Thanks guys, it’s always a pleasure.