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FEDERER: MY FEAR IS GONE

Roger Federer

Sunday May 27,2007

By Nigel Clarke

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ROGER FEDERER admitted yesterday that beating Rafael Nadal for the first time on clay has removed his fear factor from the French Open.

The one Grand Slam the Swiss has never won begins here in Paris this morning.

And the man who has twice lost the final to Nadal, in 2005 and 2006, said: “I feel much stronger mentally now. I’m no longer scared of this championship.”

The world number one ended Nadal’s 81-match winning streak on clay to win the Hamburg Masters last week and also beat the Spaniard for the first time on red dirt.

It followed a worrying run of form during which this imperious champion failed to win a title in four successive tournaments.

Such was the astonishment that it was thought Federer was on the verge of a burn-out.

Federer took immediate action. He parted company with Australian coach Tony Roche and decided he knew enough about himself to work out his problems without advice.

He added: “I am now no longer fearful of playing five sets on this surface.

“After last week’s win, I am more relaxed about going into this event. It’s time for me to be a tough guy again. What I went through before Hamburg happened to me for years.

“I never have mental problems when I win the first set, but things can happen. I am a human being and it becomes very difficult to play match after match with the same state of mind.

“Sometimes you don’t feel as good, sometimes you have doubts but normally I always come through to win.

“I bounced back by getting an important victory in Hamburg and beating Nadal gave me a massive injection of confidence.”

This most honourable of tennis champions also admitted he has thrown matches at Roland Garros where he always struggled with his least favourite surface.

He added: “Four years ago it was being suggested I could make the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time.

“I put too much pressure on myself. I lost the first set and suddenly had the idea that I couldn’t launch a comeback.

“I just don’t know why I thought it was impossible. But I got it into my head I would never be able to win six more matches in the championship, and so I might as well lose right now.

“Mentally I was not strong. I recall I did a little better in the third set but it was too late.

“My reaction was immediate. It was the kick I needed. I went on to win Wimbledon.”

The hand of history now awaits. Federer has never won the French title and accepts he’ll not join the pantheon of legends until he does.