Roger Federer, in a very Swiss way, does not beat around the bush. "Much change from last year?" he was asked by the journalist who pounced on the opportunity to ask the first question, in that quasi-ironic tone that we journalists always think of being so clever. The offending questioner was of course referring to what would have been one of the greatest upsets in Wimbledon history - Roger Federer, the six-time champion, opening Centre Court as defending champion, taken to five sets by Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla in 2010.
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But Federer, as his wont, cut straight to the chase. "The result was the same: I was able to win."Thus are great champions made. Not necessarily by winning in two sets, or three sets, or four, or five. Just by winning.
"The first rounds here at Wimbledon on Centre Court are never easy," said Federer, who despite that statement has not suffered the ignominy of a first-round defeat since 2002, and never looked in any danger of doing so during his three-set win over Mikhail Kukushkin. All that matters is that you get through them, was the unspoken sentiment.
There has been a lot of talk about Federer flying under the radar here at Wimbledon. Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic have taken some of the story, occupy most of the headlines, Andy Murray the rest. But Federer does not believe that. He will always feel pressure at Wimbledon.
"I want to do so well here at Wimbledon because it's some of the big highlights for me during the season, and I've won the tournament six times. That's why I'll always play with some pressure here at Wimbledon just because of the occasion and what it means to me really. I was nervous today."Federer? Nervous? Yes. For this is his backyard, and having it taken away from him probably hurts more than anything else. Because he knows how to play on it, and when he plays his best, better than anyone else.
"At the French Open I feel it's a bit more on other opponents' rackets. But here I feel it's a bit more on mine," he said. "I think it almost comes out the most on grass today. For instance, when I played, I feel so natural on it. You can cut the points short if you want to. You can play aggressive, you can hit two‑shot tennis, which then creates some very different type of points."
"At the end, it's grass. You take little steps. The ball bounces lower than at other slams. Harder or softer for me, doesn't make a big difference."
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But Federer, as his wont, cut straight to the chase. "The result was the same: I was able to win."Thus are great champions made. Not necessarily by winning in two sets, or three sets, or four, or five. Just by winning."The first rounds here at Wimbledon on Centre Court are never easy," said Federer, who despite that statement has not suffered the ignominy of a first-round defeat since 2002, and never looked in any danger of doing so during his three-set win over Mikhail Kukushkin. All that matters is that you get through them, was the unspoken sentiment.
There has been a lot of talk about Federer flying under the radar here at Wimbledon. Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic have taken some of the story, occupy most of the headlines, Andy Murray the rest. But Federer does not believe that. He will always feel pressure at Wimbledon.
"I want to do so well here at Wimbledon because it's some of the big highlights for me during the season, and I've won the tournament six times. That's why I'll always play with some pressure here at Wimbledon just because of the occasion and what it means to me really. I was nervous today."Federer? Nervous? Yes. For this is his backyard, and having it taken away from him probably hurts more than anything else. Because he knows how to play on it, and when he plays his best, better than anyone else.
"At the French Open I feel it's a bit more on other opponents' rackets. But here I feel it's a bit more on mine," he said. "I think it almost comes out the most on grass today. For instance, when I played, I feel so natural on it. You can cut the points short if you want to. You can play aggressive, you can hit two‑shot tennis, which then creates some very different type of points."
"At the end, it's grass. You take little steps. The ball bounces lower than at other slams. Harder or softer for me, doesn't make a big difference."
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