Roger Federer: Play

“Sometimes you're just happy playing. Some people, some media, unfortunately, don't understand that it's okay just to play tennis and enjoy it. They always think you have to win everything, it always needs to be a success story, and if it's not, obviously, what is the point? Maybe you have to go back and think, Why have I started playing tennis? Because I just like it. It's actually sort of a dream hobby that became somewhat of a job. Some people just don't get that, ever.”

Roger Federer

Tennis - ATP World Tour - Shanghai 2012 Thursday - Federer Recalls First Time At No. 1 http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/10/41/Shanghai-Thursday-Federer-Recalls-Rise-To-Top.aspx

People , Dreams , Understanding , Thinking

“It's just unreal, I'm shocked myself. I've played good matches here, but never really almost destroyed somebody.”

Roger Federer

After defeating Andy Roddick in the Australian Open 2007 semi-final. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6297737.stm

“All four of those are on grass, whereas I have to play some on a hard court!”

Roger Federer

Humorously explaining why it is more difficult for him to win all four grand slams in Tennis than it is for Tiger Woods to win in Golf. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/5/apworld/20070205075903&sec=apworld

Grass

“I never can beat Roger, he’s too much for me… but the Senior Tour, I will beat him then! He’s the best of history and I’m very lucky to play the best player of the world.”

Roger Federer

David Ferrer, after losing to Federer in the 2014 Cincinnati Masters final. http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2014/08/cincinnati-masters-fearsome-federer-cuts-down-ferrer-again-for-80th-title/

World , History

“Maybe Roger Federer will rescue tennis. He plays like we did in the past.”

Roger Federer

Ilie Nastase, first ever World No.1 when rankings were introduced in 1973. http://www.playfuls.com/news_000000931_Nastase_Turns_60_Formerly_Feared_Now_Business_Man_And_Federer_Fan.html

Past

“The best way to beat him would be to hit him over the head with a racquet. Roger could win the Grand Slam if he keeps playing the way he is and, if he does that, it will equate to the two Grand Slams that I won because standards are much higher these days.”

Roger Federer

Rod Laver, speaking ahead of the 2007 Australian Open final against Fernando Gonzalez. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6306913.stm

Way

“If he is playing very good, I have to play unbelievable. If not, it’s impossible, especially if he’s playing with good confidence. When he’s 100 percent, he’s playing in another league. It’s impossible to stop him. I fight. I fight. I fight. Nothing to say. Just congratulate him.”

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal, after losing to Federer in the Shanghai Masters Cup semifinal, Nov. 17, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/sports/tennis/18tennis.html?ref=sports http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21844884/

Fight , Self-confidence , Confidence

“What he’s done over the past five years has never, ever been done — and probably will never, ever happen again. Regardless if he won there or not, he goes down as the greatest ever. This just confirms it. Now that he has won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game, in my opinion. I’m a huge Laver fan, and he had a few years in there where he didn’t have an opportunity to win majors. But you can’t compare the eras. And in this era, the competition is much more fierce than Rod’s.”

Roger Federer

Pete Sampras, winner of 14 Grand Slams, after Federer winning 2009 French Open Final http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-frenchopen-sampras&prov=ap&type=lgns

Past , Game , Thinking , History

“For me Roger is the greatest player ever who played the tennis game. It’s always good to see him play and win and we are going to see so much more of Federer in the future; he is going to win more grand slam tournaments.”

Roger Federer

Bjorn Borg, winner of 11 Grand Slams, after Federer won the 2009 French Open Final http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-wimbledonborg&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Game , Future