Federer throws down gauntlet

Published on Monday 5 July 2004 11:51

ROGER FEDERER today sounded an ominous warning to the rest of men’s tennis when he proclaimed he could get even better.

The Swiss star, who defeated Andy Roddick 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to take his second Wimbledon title in a row, has already been compared to the legendary Pete Sampras by luminaries such as John McEnroe.

Federer, still only 22, has a 100 per cent record in the three Grand Slam finals he has played so far after also winning the Australian Open earlier this year.

But he has vowed to work even harder on improving his serve-and-volley game after crucially changing to the tactic following a third set rain break in his match against Roddick.

It allowed him to retrieve a 4-2 deficit and go on to win the subsequent tie-break and take control of the match.

"It is my dream to play better at the net," said Federer. "I am not bad but I still feel there is room for improvement there.

"I am just very happy I came out of the rain break a better player. I came to the net more and the sunshine came at the same time and I am happy I had a great reaction.

"I had to serve and volley. Andy was getting too many returns back. I thought I would get more free points and not have to rally every time because that was killing me. From the baseline on my serve he was taking a lot of risks. That was very dangerous for me."

Federer revealed yesterday’s triumph felt even better than 12 months ago when he broke down in tears during his courtside interview with BBC presenter Sue Barker.

This time he shed a few more discreetly as he was congratulated by referee Alan Mills at the umpire’s chair.

"This year I had to serve for the match which is not the most fun thing to do in a Grand Slam final," he said. "I was very nervous at 30-30 but the reactions after the match were very similar to last year.

"I started to cry because I could not believe it. Somehow I feel even more joy this year because I had so much pressure going into the tournament."

Federer revealed he is now looking forward to representing Switzerland at the Athens Olympics next month.

"That is very important for me," he said. "I had such a great time in Sydney four years ago and it has always been a dream for me to represent my country and to win a medal. I came so close four years ago. I am going there to hopefully go one step better."

Roddick, meanwhile, took heart from his feisty, if inconsistent display.

"I think I proved he is not quite invincible, though he is pretty close," said Roddick. "I had so much fun because it was such a grudge match of one versus two. I liked the suspense of it."

• BRITAIN’S Miles Kasiri failed in his bid to win the Wimbledon boys’ singles title when he was beaten in straight sets by No.1 seed Gael Monfils of France.

The 18-year-old from Margate, who was a year ahead of new women’s champion Maria Sharapova at the famous Nick Bollettieri tennis academy in Florida, was the first Briton to reach the final of the junior event at the All England Club for 32 years. However, he had no answer to the superior firepower of the 6ft 3ins, 17-year-old, who remains on course of a clean sweep of the Grand Slams after adding the Wimbledon title to his victories at the Australian and French Opens.

After missing an early break-point chance, Kasiri had to save two against him before an overhead smash finally secured the fifth game.

In the eighth game, the Briton forced three more break points, but could not convert any of them. A double fault on the Frenchman’s next service game then handed Kasiri two more opportunities, which would have given him the opening set. But again he was unable to convert either, sending a forehand long and then netting another power serve from the lanky Monfils. It proved a costly error as after recovering from 0/30 in the next game, Kasiri found himself a break point down. Monfils sent a strong forehand down the line and went on to serve out for the opening set 7-5.

It quickly got worse for Kasiri when he was broken at the start of the second set, and Monfils looked well on course for a third consecutive junior Grand Slam title. However, a wide forehand in the eighth game set Kasiri up for an expected chance to break back. This time he made the most of the opening, sending a backhand into the corner to level at 4-4. With both men holding serve from then on, the second set went to a tie-break.

Monfils broke serve on the first point and, after spurning one championship point, a return into the net from Kasiri gave him a 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) victory.