U.S. OPEN

Friday, September 11, 2015

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/M. Cilic

6-0, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What was is like to play a guy who was limited but also to be so on your game?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, obviously it felt great to be able to perform as well as I did today at this stage of a tournament, again, knowing that Marin carried that injury for last couple of matches. I didn’t allow that fact to distract me too much.

I just wanted to concentrate on what I needed to do on the court and come out with the right intensity, make him move, get as many, you know, returns back in play.

All in all, it was from my side a very solid match, and I take that as a confidence booster for the final.

Q. Did you know about that injury before the match?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I knew that he was carrying a bit of a right ankle sprain. Played with it against Tsonga, as well.

But, again, there was two days between. He came out on the court, so it was just — that means that he was able to play. Now, it was probably, as he said, limited; didn’t play as well as he could have.

But, again, that’s a question for him, how he felt. I just tried to execute the game plan, come out with the right strategy, and have done well.

Q. How is that level of confidence and the feeling you have now in comparison with other times you have reached the final here?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, these two days have helped me to, you know, recover physically after a couple of late-night matches and get myself in a right state of mind.

Of course, semifinals of a Grand Slam, there are no clear favorites anymore. I was playing against an ex champion, so these things come to play, which makes me be determined even more to come out and play the best that I can.

So I’m very encouraged with the game that I had today, and hopefully I can maintain that level for the finals.

Q. I’d like to ask you a question about your background in the game and your original coach, Jelena. You said you memorized her guidelines. Her coming to your mountain village and sort of turning you on to the game, do you look at that as a moment of great fortune or luck? Do you think that was sort of responsible for you getting…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, this is certainly — I have had some luck in my life to be able to meet people who are knowledgeable and passionate about the sport, and there were very few of those kind of people in my country at those times when I was growing up.

So she was definitely the right person to be with, to learn from. From that point of view, I was fortunate. But I also believe that in life everything happens for a reason. Those kind of circumstances in which we were growing up and developing and training to become professional tennis player have shaped me into who I am today and have helped me to grow mentally stronger.

So she has taught me most of the basic stuff that I know about tennis both from a game point of view and also mental approach.

Q. So in some way do you think you were destined to become a professional player?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think so. I mean, the fact that nobody played tennis in my family and that, you know, you’d say by chance they make three tennis courts in front of the restaurant that my family owned when I was four, I think that’s a destiny. That’s kind of life circumstances that kind of come together for you to become who you want to become.

Q. You’re back in a situation where you have been many times before, finals of the Open. One match that can make a really good season a great, great season. Can you talk about how you’re managing and thinking about that match to go in – you don’t know who you’re playing – and how are you managing the expectations you have of yourself and also externally?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, expectations are always there from myself and from the people around me. I think that’s normal and logical to expect that you, you know, have that pressure. You have those expectations because you set up yourself high standards with all the results last couple of years.

I came here with a wish and a mission, as well, to reach the finals and fight for the trophy. So I got myself in that position. It’s already a great result. But I want to get that final step on Sunday and get my hands on that trophy.

Obviously I’m not the only one who wants that. Another Swiss player will be on opposite side of the net. We will definitely want to have the same, the same kind of mission.

So I hope that I will be able to play my best tennis on Sunday. That’s what I’m looking for. I’m used to all the expectations and pressure. It’s part of what I do.

I try to deal with those emotions on and off the court, and with this experience of being out there and competing at the highest level for the biggest trophies has helped me to reach that level again. Hopefully it’s going to help me to handle myself well on Sunday.

Q. First time in your career that you’re going to play the fourth final of the Grand Slams in one season. Does it feel like an achievement to you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it definitely is an achievement. I don’t want to even think about the opposite to that, you know, that I’m not happy with four finals. Win or lose on Sunday, it still has been so far a great year, best year alongside of 2011.

But, you know, obviously I’m only thinking about winning and winning that US Open trophy. It’s why I’m here, and I will try to make it.

Q. Another win and yet another final. I want to ask you how you’re going to prepare for Sunday’s final. Is there anything that bothers you physically?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I have recovered in these two days. Physically I have had enough time to get my body, you know, mind, in a proper state and to be performing as well as I did today.

I’m not going to change my routine and preparations for Sunday. It’s going to more or less stay the same. Of course, according to the player that I’m playing against on Sunday I will try to tactically prepare myself, talk with the team, and see what I need to do on the court.

But whoever I play against, it’s the finals of a Grand Slam. Both of these players are top players of the world, so I’m going to have to play my best.

Q. As someone who plays the game and has studied the game and knows the history of the game, can you give us a sense of how big an upset it was that a No. 43 player like Roberta Vinci beat Serena Williams?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, first of all, you have to understand that this is sport. As much as Serena has achieved in her life, these kind of upsets still can happen. Everybody wants to win, and not only Serena and a couple other top players, same like men’s and woman’s. You have 128 players in the draw that want to play their best and show their skills and what they know to the world of sport and Grand Slams.

So it’s quite an effort from Roberta Vinci to win against Serena on her quest to win a season Grand Slam. You have to give her credit for that, congratulate her. Certainly isn’t easy for Serena to deal with this loss today, but she’s a great champion. She has been there before. She knows how to take the, you know, lessons out of this experience and move on as a stronger player.

At her age, she’s still fighting. She’s still committing to everyday practices and trying to perfect her game. She’s very professional, and she’s a great example of somebody that is a champion on and off the court.

That’s all I can say. I mean, it really happens. Of course, it’s not easy to swallow, as I said. But you’ve got to — sometimes when another player has a better day than you, you have to congratulate and move on. Definitely great day for Italy. They will have a Grand Slam. (Smiling.)

Q. Roger has been working on this attacking move. How surprised were you when you saw him do that for the first time? How surprising is it to be on the other side of the court? Would you consider maybe trying this yourself?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, not considered doing that. I mean, he tried that in Cincinnati. It worked a couple of times. It’s exciting shot for him. For the player opposite side of the net, not so much.

So I have nothing else to say about that.

Q. Of course we are in the situation where we don’t know who your next opponent will be, so I’d like to ask you separately about each one, starting with Stan. When you think about were facing him in the final of a major and the possibility that it will be again, what goes through your mind about the challenge of facing Stan?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I have lost to him in Roland Garros final earlier this year, so I think he has a perfect score in the Grand Slam finals, 2 out of 2. He certainly is a player that loves the big occasion, big matches.

He has an immense power from both sides, forehand and backhand. One of the best one-handed backhands in the history of the sport. A big serve. So if his serve is on he can hurt anybody on any surface. He’s all-around player.

Then on the other side, if I have to play Roger, obviously we all know how consistent he is and how good he is in the latter stages of a Grand Slams and any other big tournament. He’s always going to perform on a high level. Rarely he drops his level. He always makes you play your best.

I know that he’s also lately being very aggressive coming to the net, mixing up, and trying to shorten out the points. I think also he improved his speed. His defensive game is better than it was. Maybe healthier. Everybody is working hard to improve their game and give themselves highest level possible.

So in order to win a Grand Slam title I have to be on top of my game, as well. So knowing that, coming to the court, of course it’s going to be incentive to try hard.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

 

U.S. OPEN

Friday, September 11, 2015

Roger Federer

Press Conference

R. FEDERER/S. Wawrinka

6-4, 6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you talk about your serve tonight and how valuable of a weapon it’s become over the past couple of weeks in New York?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I always thought I had a decent serve with variation, to be quite honest. I definitely had better and worse days before, but now it seems like I’m able to, you know, just serve maybe better consistently maybe.

I’m not sure if that’s the case, but definitely also talking about faster conditions in Cincinnati and also now here. I’m using conditions to my advantage, it seems like. I hope I can serve equally good, you know, come Sunday.

Q. In anticipation to the final, a few days ago when Djokovic was playing Bautista Agut and he dropped the second set, you know, people would be cheering for Bautista Agut. Djokovic showed some anger, and he said in his post-match conference that, you know, he wasn’t himself. Do you think that that might be in anticipation for the crowd preference in your favor, and how you manage that and what you expect about that issue in the final?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I’ll get ready for either crowd, you know, I must say, because there is never a guarantee who the crowd are going to cheering for. I hope the crowd’s going to be happy to see me in the finals as well again after, what’s it been now, six years I haven’t been in the finals. Sounds like a big deal. Not that long ago, my opinion. (Laughter.)

I still remember the six finals I played ’04 to ’09. I had many great ones, one very tough one against Agassi where the crowd was totally lopsided on his side.

I think it’s important to prepare for both. I definitely think if there would be more on my side that will give me a lift and extra energy and momentum possibly.

That could swing the match a little bit. But other than that, you know, obviously Novak is a great player. Both of us have played in all tough conditions, and you’ve got to play well to beat him. There is no question about that.

Q. We have talked to some other players about your sneak attack, and a lot of them have praised it and laughed about it and so forth. But Novak on two occasions has basically said that he didn’t want to comment about it. Today he said a little something. He said, That’s all I have to say about it. Has he said anything to you about it or do you get any sense his feeling about it?
ROGER FEDERER: I haven’t spoken much to other players about this. It’s players coming up to my coach, Severin, and talking about it.

So me personally I haven’t heard much feedback from any player almost, to be quite honest. I hear it more through the press. I hear some and read some. But not that much, to be honest.

For me, if it makes sense, you know, which I think it does, I’ll use it in the finals. I used it to great effect against him in the tough situation, at was it, 4-1 in the breaker in Cincy.

We will see if the occasion presents itself. It’s got to be the right point, right frame of mind, yeah, the right place to do it. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to do it.

Q. With your serving, it seems like the effectiveness can be as much of the placement as the pace. How do you balance that? (Indiscernible) Do you feel maxed out, like you hit as much pace as you can and now you’re just going for placement? How do you balance the tradeoff?
ROGER FEDERER: It’s really by feel, to be honest quite honest. I think it’s important for me to mix up, like you said, the spin, the kick, and the pace of serves. So I keep doing it constantly to different locations that I feel like it’s important to hit. I’m sure also I take long decisions sometimes and the other guy maybe reads your serve. But at times — like Novak read Cilic’s serve perfectly, I guess.

That’s a matchup for Novak that just works very well. For me, it’s important to serve the right way at the right time. You know, it’s really important that you back yourself with your own serve at the most important moments. Like down Love-40 bring the serve into the box, number one; bring it close to the line, because close to the line also means that sometimes the opponent sort of waits for it to go out and then it’s already past you.

So I believe a lot in serving very accurately, and I could do that over a long period of time, which has helped me over my career.

Q. How much of the way you attacked Stan tonight was based upon the way he was playing, and do you think you could attack that consistently against Novak?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, we’ll see. You know, I think Stan didn’t have very high first-serve percentage in the first set, I don’t think, so that definitely gave him more looks on the second serves.

But of course Stan has more power on the first serve than Novak has. It’s a different server, to be quite honest, and also returns very different one to another. So I don’t want to compare those two.

I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to play this aggressive against Stan, because he does — when he’s on, he presents a very different challenge to all the players I have played thus far in this tournament.

But now that I have been able to do it also against Stan definitely gives me confidence that maybe I can also do it against Novak this way.

Q. A lot of the talk at Wimbledon was how well you played in the leadup to the final, especially in the semi against Andy, and then ran into Novak. I’m just curious if you took anything from a learning perspective out of that and if you believe — we call it peaking, and people said you peaked too early.
ROGER FEDERER: Possibly. I didn’t quite agree that I played a poor finals. I think I played okay in the finals. Maybe not even bad at times, you know. I just think Novak played a really good finals. He was super tough and he deserved it at the end, you know.

I never really looked into the match that much. I kind of left it and just said, Okay, whenever I need to be I’ll go back to it, and that’s what we will do after tonight, I guess.

So I think there is a lot of positives for me to take away from that match or all of Wimbledon, Cincinnati, as well, that match with Novak there, and then now how I have played here thus far.

I think it’s an interesting three months to look back on and take the good and the bad and compress all of those into one thing and hopefully come up with a the perfect game plan against Novak Sunday.

Q. You clearly mastered the art of excellence of staying at the top for long periods of time. On air you just mentioned that you’d like to learn from other athletes about dominance, and you mentioned in particular Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Pete, and Andre. Briefly could you mention some of the key things you learned from those four?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I used to be famous for not being consistent. So for me, I never thought I could bring it, you know, in practice and in matches, week in and week out, every year. I never thought that was really something that I could do.

I knew I could be surprising. I felt like I could beat anybody at any day, but, you know, I knew I had something in me that I like the big occasions, I like playing against the best and testing myself there and not shying away from that.

But consistency was something for me that was just so far away. So for me seeing, like, you know, all the athletes you mentioned, I didn’t understand how they could do it. I think I tried to learn from them, see how they did it, and then hopefully one day, you know, do something similar, I guess.

It took me a big mental step and a physical improvement to actually get to that level to play well, but I’m happy I figured it out at some stage.

Q. After tonight there is one Swiss in the final, and then there are also two Italians. A it’s a bit unexpected. Thinking to withdraw our media credentials because we are ruining the tournament.
ROGER FEDERER: That’s what you would do in Italy, wouldn’t you? (Laughter.)

Q. What do you think about what happened on the women’s side and Serena losing?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, definitely a huge surprise, wasn’t it? I didn’t see much of it. I always thought Pennetta plays a nice game. I’m not surprised for some reason she’s in the finals because she’s showed big matches in the past.

Roberta is more famous for doubles almost, but of course I like that she has a one-handed backhand and uses the slice to great effect. Obviously for you guys it’s an unbelievable moment in Italian history almost, even though you have had success with Errani and Schiavone, as well. I guess it’s even a bigger occasion than me playing Stan tonight, because that was a big deal in Switzerland, as well.

For me, it was, anyway, a huge moment. I hope one day I can play Stan in a Grand Slam final. But you should enjoy it, because you just don’t know when it’s going to happen next. I hope you’re filling your pages because they deserve it. (Laughter.)

Q. Going back to the chip and charge question before, there was a line around the press yesterday with Boris Becker saying that it disrespects your opponents. Just wanted to know what you said to that specifically.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, no, it’s not disrespectful. Pretty simple.

Q. We are clearly obsessed with SABR. It’s really fun.
ROGER FEDERER: I will do it some more. No problem. (Laughter.)

Q. I think McEnroe said he’d be insulted if it happened to him.
ROGER FEDERER: Really? Okay.

Q. So what I am asking is, early on I remember — if I remember correctly, you didn’t love the dropshot.
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, that’s true.

Q. You didn’t like replay because it wasn’t tennis. It wasn’t what your code of what the game was. I’m curious if earlier on if someone had tried it on you would you have liked it, taken umbrage at it, or thought it was cool and a great new tactic?
ROGER FEDERER: I mean, guys were almost doing that against me back in the day. I remember Max Mirnyi and Henman, they were standing there like, All right, holding their finger up. I’m coming up. You know I’m coming, so whatever second serve you want, you’ll have to hit it past.

I faced those guys, and didn’t matter how you approached it. I remember Spaniards standing outside of the doubles alley waiting to hit a forehand on clay because my second wasn’t as good yet. So I faced all of that stuff, as well.

So I’m actually standing in position when they are serving, and then only once they toss it, that’s when I run so they don’t actually really see me, in my opinion.

You know, whatever works, you know. As long as it’s in the rules, I think you should be able to use it.

Q. How would you characterize your rivalry with Novak? It’s going to be your 42nd match against each other. How would you describe the rivalry? Do you think he’s made you better? You’ve made him better? Is there one particular match, good reasons or bad reasons, a loss that sticks out for you from all of the matches you played?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I see more of a generation of, you know, Hewitt, Nalbandian, Agassi, Henman, guys I had trouble with at the beginning. I felt they made me better a player.

Same with my generation coming up, Ferrero, Safin, Roddick, Hewitt. I was trying to hang on with them and trying to be that next wave of players making it to the top, and everyone made it to world No. 1 before me.

I think that was very motivational for me. Made me a better player. I definitely think Rafa had a big effect, as well. Had to adjust and change so many things playing against him, preparing against him, thinking about it when I was practicing. He’s probably been the guy who challenged me the most with that.

Novak it’s been more straightforward, my opinion. That’s what I like about the rivalry. I think we both can — I don’t know how it is for him, but I feel like he doesn’t need to adjust his game as much, either. I think it’s just a straight shootout, and I think that’s the cool thing about our rivalry. It’s very athletic.

We both can handle each other’s — whatever we present to one another, and I think our matches, it’s very even. That’s it, I think. I don’t need to add more here.

 

 

 

U.S. OPEN

Friday, September 11, 2015

Marin Cilic

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/M. Cilic

6-0, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What were your thoughts about your physical condition before the match, and what do you think you would be able to accomplish by playing?
MARIN CILIC: Well, I knew that, you know, I’m not 100%, obviously. And even the last match against Jo I wasn’t feeling 100%. You know, the foot was causing me obviously some trouble with the movement, but, you know, Novak was able to expose me much more today.

Even coming before the match and thinking, you know, if I’m going to play or not, I decide to play, as it’s a Grand Slam tournament, it’s deep in the tournament. You know, I decide to go on the court and give my best.

You know, if it would be some other tournament, doesn’t matter which one, I would probably pull out and not, you know, get myself in the position to aggravate it much more.

But also, you know, today, even though with the foot, it was — even though it was causing me trouble, I didn’t play so well today. You know, a lot of mishits and a lot of missed balls that, you know, I shouldn’t have missed in some situations.

But that was in my head already from the beginning and the score went in that way. The score was going pretty quickly in the beginning, so, you know, it didn’t give me time to get in the match.

Q. How do you think you’ll look back on this?
MARIN CILIC: Well, I will look back very positively to the tournament. Extremely great tournament. Obviously very unlucky that I twisted the ankle, but still with that, you know, in the match against Novak, anyway it’s very difficult.

I went to the match obviously to play. You know, I cannot pull myself out of it with injury. That’s the reality.

You know, Novak was extremely focused today. He played great. But I have to also take myself as, you know, that I was fighting pretty well during the full tournament. Considering the first time experience having to defend a Grand Slam title, I feel that I accomplished well.

So I’m very, very positive coming out of the tournament.

Q. You enjoyed a little bit being out there, or was it just frustrating from one point to the next?
MARIN CILIC: You know, was not frustrating. I was just hoping that I’m going to be able to get into the match more. And, you know, for the crowd as well as it would be obviously also pretty disappointing that I have pulled out before the match. That’s always the situation.

But, yeah, I was able to enjoy it a little bit, even though it wasn’t fun.

Q. Talk more about Novak, top player of the world, No 1. Talk about him a little bit more.
MARIN CILIC: You know, not much new to say about Novak. Novak is playing really good this season. He’s played great this tournament. Played also great today.

Q. When you finished playing, Novak said it was because of ankle injury. Do you think it was also the fact that you are playing against Novak Djokovic or it would be same if it was another person?
MARIN CILIC: No, I know Novak knows me really well, and, you know, just his game doesn’t suit me so well. And also the fact that he’s returning extremely well, getting a lot of balls back, you know, it’s already from there very difficult situation for me from.

If I would be even completely healthy and, you know, just having a small part in my game that doesn’t work well with him, obviously he exposes it to extreme conditions.

So it’s, you know, very difficult. But I went to that match to give my best, which I did. You know, I’m proud of myself. Obviously a lot of people are going to say it’s a little bit of embarrassment to lose like that, but I’m clear in my mind that I went to the match, it’s a semifinals, saying if I’m going to take ever a chance, it’s going to be this time.

Q. What was your reaction to the Serena Williams match before you came on?
MARIN CILIC: Well, I mean, obviously pretty disappointing for her, for I guess all her fans.

Yeah, I didn’t actually follow too much. I was trying to focus as much as I could, but obviously, you know, not easy with all the attention she’s got and constantly, day after day, everybody is talking about it.

Very unfortunate for her, yeah.

Q. As someone who won a Grand Slam here, and it was a bit of a surprise to people, what are your thoughts for Vinci today?
MARIN CILIC: You know, great. She held her nerves pretty well, I guess. She got to the semis anyway. She beat several for sure great players on the route to the semis, and obviously took her chance today.

Obviously Serena wasn’t playing so well and the way she could. And considering the attention, the pressure, I guess that helps Vinci to play pretty loose.

Q. Is it a serious foot injury or just…
MARIN CILIC: Yeah, I twisted the ankle. It was pretty swollen a few days ago. Still is.

But hopefully it won’t take too long to be 100%.

Q. Last year you were in finals, so I’m interested if you’re going to stay and watch the final here. How is it watching the final when you know last year you are the winner?
MARIN CILIC: Well, we’ll see this year. I’m still gonna decide. I mean, I have Davis Cup next week. Scheduled to play in Brazil.

So I’m probably going to go there as soon as I can. We will see.

 

 

U.S. OPEN

Friday, September 11, 2015

Stan Wawrinka

Press Conference

R. FEDERER/S. Wawrinka

6-4, 6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What made it so difficult for you tonight?
STAN WAWRINKA: Him, the way he’s playing. Condition a little bit different than when I play my match here on Ashe? It’s a little bit more flying in the night. It’s playing really fast. Didn’t play my best game. Didn’t serve well and everything.

But basically it’s him, the way he’s playing.

Q. You think if Roger plays this aggressive attacking style against Novak that will give him the best chance to win?
STAN WAWRINKA: I don’t know. Maybe.

Q. You have known him a long time. Can you just talk about how he’s moving right now.
STAN WAWRINKA: He’s moving really well, for sure. As I said before playing him, I saw him in Cincinnati, I think he’s quite fast on the court. He’s reading well the game, and so he’s trying really to stay on the line, not to go back. Stay really aggressive. He’s serving really well, also. He’s serving better than I never see him serve.

For me tonight he’s getting more angles. It’s more tough to really serve and to make something from.

Q. Do you think the partial roof and speed of the court are contributing to how he’s playing on that particular court?
STAN WAWRINKA: I don’t know. Always been quite medium fast here at US Open central court.

For sure now there is almost no wind on the court, so it’s quite nice to play. He always played well here, always love to play here, and, yeah, so far he’s been too good.

Q. You had a couple chances in the first set. Do you think if you might have gotten a break then it…
STAN WAWRINKA: Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know.

For sure it doesn’t help when you play Roger and he’s trying to play really aggressive, really fast. When he get the lead, when he get the break, then he’s relaxed. The way he’s playing he’s reading better, moving better, so everything going faster, that’s for sure.

I tried everything with what I had today, for sure. I wasn’t serving well at all. That doesn’t help because I don’t get free point. I cannot really start the point from the baseline being aggressive.

Yeah, was tough. Didn’t get my — I would say my heavy ball from baseline was tough to put some topspin. Was flying a little bit more than what I expect, but he was simply too good.

Q. Obviously your tournament ended before you’d like it to, but how would you assess your play over the course of the tournament?
STAN WAWRINKA: Well, I need to see the whole picture. I think it’s still a great result, amazing result from me, making semifinal again.

I didn’t play really my best tennis. I didn’t play the way I wanted all the tournament, but I still in semifinals.

So if I look my result in Grand Slam this year I couldn’t ask for more. Make two semifinal, one quarterfinal, and one time winner. It’s something amazing for me.

Q. You talked about Roger’s speed. What surprised you most about his game tonight? Did you feel like he was almost a different player than the Roger you played in the past?
STAN WAWRINKA: Not a different player, but he’s being more aggressive, that’s for sure.

As I say, he’s really staying on the line. It’s tough to compare because you need to find also the good match. You cannot take a match from clay court or grass, for example. For example, London Masters last year indoor, is quite similar, but he was more playing from the baseline.

Today he’s trying to be really, really aggressive, trying to come to the net every time he can and trying to stay on the line.

Even when he’s in defense you can see he’s not going back. He’s staying on the line, trying to make half-volley passing.

Q. You probably know Roger better than anyone else in the circuit. Do you think this is his best level ever?
STAN WAWRINKA: Ah, it’s tough to say. He’s been winning so many Grand Slams, so many tournaments. We’ll see. For sure it’s close from his best.

Also the game now is a different level than few years ago, so everybody is improving from few years ago. But is the best that I saw him play since few years, that’s for sure.

Q. Do you feel like the sport in general, talking about how to play him this year, do you feel like it’s more of an outdoor court or does it feel more indoor?
STAN WAWRINKA: It’s between, but it’s getting closer for more indoor court, that’s for sure, without wind. Now you cannot even compare the center court with Armstrong, for example. It’s completely two different condition.

Armstrong it gets windy, even feels a little bit of wind. Now you have nothing on center court. Yeah, it’s getting faster, but it’s still a good court to play. That’s for sure.

Q. You have said a moment ago that everyone is changing and evolving. Obviously Roger’s made a lot of changes during all his career, but do you feel like he’s accelerated the pace of those changes, training, tactics, all those things in the last year or two that in other periods of his career?
STAN WAWRINKA: I think for sure he’s always trying to improve, trying to change. He change his racquet last year, and it takes time to get used to the racquet and get what you want with the racquet.

But if you look at him — I think the second part from the year, after Wimbledon, he is starting already at the different level. He came back Cincinnati at a completely different level. Here also. If you look at the first part he was playing good, make final Wimbledon, but the rest was amazing.

If you look now, if you keep this level, he’s going to be tough to beat.