After a difficult first six months of the year, I've begun to put some foundation into my game, ... It didn't pay off tonight. I'm confident it will down the road. |
After having my best year in the slams last year, it's probably been one of my most disappointing, |
As my record states, he's the most difficult for me to play if I'm attacking and coming forward all the time because he's so good at returning and then picking off the passing shots. It was good that I felt much more comfortable with a different style today, and obviously to get the result is a huge boost. |
At least I know that it's still possible for me to do well even if my time on the practice court needs to be limited, |
At the Masters Series events, you have to win six matches and you play the very best guys. But once you can beat Roddick and Hewitt, there's no reason why you can't do it. It's another level for Andy but not a massive step. |
But I do like the way I responded from that. I just played another good service game and just felt all round it was a good performance. |
Everything so far has been a bonus and this is a good way to finish my birthday. |
First and foremost, he played some great tennis. He was the one playing very aggressively and taking shots on. |
Having had a problem with my stomach in Cincinnati I think my body ended up compensating for it and my back is now a little stiff as a result, |
He proved he's the best player in the world right now. It's one of those occasions where I didn't perhaps play my best, but I wasn't allowed to. |
He was on to my serve, was very aggressive and played shots at a high level, |
He's playing well and he's having a really solid year, so he's going to be confident and tough to beat, |
Hopefully by the time my first-round match rolls around it'll be a bit better and I'll be able to focus solely on winning. |
Hopefully, Andy won't take too much notice about what's written or said about him. Hopefully he'll have a sensible team around him that will help him concentrate on trying to fulfil his potential and not let anything detract from that. |
I absolutely have played a lot worse before and won. It's tough losing such a close match. It's disappointing but you have to move on. |