We spent Christmas together but a lot of time was spent on the court for an intense preparation for 2006. |
We talked this time, not purely about tennis. He was really what I expected - a great person, great man. |
We'll really see after these two events, Indian Wells and Miami, how I'm really shaping up, if I'm still number one in the race. |
We've always had tough matches. I knew it would be a tough one, he's had some good results here and I think he likes this surface. |
We've been asked much more about, 'What's your preparation?' 'How's your backhand doing?' |
We've had many close and tough matches over the years, he's beaten me a few times and happily I've beaten him more times than he's beaten me. |
We've played on many occasions, and he's been the in-form player lately. |
We've played on so many occasions now that I think we know each other's game so well, |
Well, I'm not overconfident. I just know what I have to do ... I think extremely well in finals, and on big points usually I'm ... well, I've been unbeatable. |
What a pity for him, ... But we'll see much more from him I'm sure. |
When I beat Pete Sampras there (in 2001) it was a huge milestone in my career. That's when it all started for me. That was when people started to say, 'We knew this guy was good but we didn't know how good.' |
When I saw that, I was like, 'OK. Well, I better not mess this up, too'. |
When I would lose matches, I would feel, I think, three times worse than when the guy was losing. I just realized that's not the point, either, ... I wanted to enjoy it, win or lose, out on the court. It's not some kind of war or anything. We're having fun out there in the end. I like the challenge. When the match is over, life goes on. |
When it comes down to a grand slam, you've got to be ready. I think I'm ready, that's why I took a rest. Mentally and physically I'm feeling good. |
When there is close calls they don't applaud anymore because they think there's going to be a challenge. |