Federer to end his poor run in Paris, or maybe not
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The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 25, 2009 00:00
PARIS - Even though it's the only Grand Slam site where he hasn't won a championship, Roger Federer feels quite comfortable in the City of Lights.
The French Open started yesterday, with the biggest question whether Federer can break his bad spell or not. However, the Swiss is not worried much in France.
That's in part because he's fluent in French, just one of his many languages, a list that includes English and Swiss German.
"Everything here is very natural, very easy," Federer said.
What about when he goes to Spain, the land of his rival, Rafael Nadal? That's another story.
"I felt like it's hard to get around sometimes in Madrid, for instance, where I don't speak the language," Federer said. "I don't go to many countries where, you know, I don't speak the language."
First title in 2009
He has lost in the last three French Open finals, each time to Nadal. But Federer did end a five-match losing streak to Nadal - which included the championship matches at Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year, and the Australian Open this year - by beating him in the Madrid Open final last weekend.
That victory gave Federer his first title of 2009.
And as good as he's been over the past several years, collecting 13 Grand Slam titles, he does take time to assess where his game is.
"I always question myself, you know. I've questioned myself in the best of times, when I was winning four, five titles in a row. 'What can I improve? What can I change to get better?' I think it's important to do that when you're on top of your game, but also again when things were not going so well," Federer said.
"There are certain times during the year where you just have to sit down and analyze: Are you happy with what's going on? Could you do more? Should you do less?" Meanwhile, France's Fabrice Santoro will be playing in his 20th French Open, tying the tournament record.
Santoro to bid adieu
Nicknamed "The Magician" for all of the spins and angles he uses while hitting with two hands off both wings, the 36-year-old Santoro is expected to bid adieu to Roland Garros with one final appearance.
This will also be his 67th Grand Slam tournament, extending his Open era record for men and tying Martina Navratilova for No. 2 among all players behind American Amy Frazier's 71. It's Santoro's 43rd consecutive major, the most among active players.
That's in part because he's fluent in French, just one of his many languages, a list that includes English and Swiss German.
"Everything here is very natural, very easy," Federer said.
What about when he goes to Spain, the land of his rival, Rafael Nadal? That's another story.
"I felt like it's hard to get around sometimes in Madrid, for instance, where I don't speak the language," Federer said. "I don't go to many countries where, you know, I don't speak the language."
First title in 2009
He has lost in the last three French Open finals, each time to Nadal. But Federer did end a five-match losing streak to Nadal - which included the championship matches at Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year, and the Australian Open this year - by beating him in the Madrid Open final last weekend.
That victory gave Federer his first title of 2009.
And as good as he's been over the past several years, collecting 13 Grand Slam titles, he does take time to assess where his game is.
"I always question myself, you know. I've questioned myself in the best of times, when I was winning four, five titles in a row. 'What can I improve? What can I change to get better?' I think it's important to do that when you're on top of your game, but also again when things were not going so well," Federer said.
"There are certain times during the year where you just have to sit down and analyze: Are you happy with what's going on? Could you do more? Should you do less?" Meanwhile, France's Fabrice Santoro will be playing in his 20th French Open, tying the tournament record.
Santoro to bid adieu
Nicknamed "The Magician" for all of the spins and angles he uses while hitting with two hands off both wings, the 36-year-old Santoro is expected to bid adieu to Roland Garros with one final appearance.
This will also be his 67th Grand Slam tournament, extending his Open era record for men and tying Martina Navratilova for No. 2 among all players behind American Amy Frazier's 71. It's Santoro's 43rd consecutive major, the most among active players.