Switzerland is a small country and we're mainly famous for chocolate,
cheese and our banks.
But that has changed. Over the last years a legend has grown - the
biggest Tennis player in human history - Roger Federer.
We're super proud of Roger Federer, especially because we're a tiny
country not very well known for sports. The Roger-mania has changed the image of our nation and turned it into a Tennis loving crowd.
And it's not simply because he is the best player. He is an example for
many of us.
I'm absolutely addicted to Tennis. Since Roger has started his career I
keep following pretty much all of his matches. If you're a true fan, you're
going through good times. better times, grandslam titles and you keep beleiving
even if the whole media asks for Roger's retirement.
Basel is the biggest ATP tournament in Switzerland. Basel is organising
it's Tennis tournament since 1970, for me it was the 10th time to see matches
at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
I have started my week with the opening match between Rafael Nadal &
Lukas Rosol.
The match delivered everything you'd expect. Rafa had a rather difficult
season and that clearly showed evidence in this match. Rosol served extremely
well and played with almost no unforced errors in the first set. These facts
ended up in a 6:1 for Lukas Rosol - impressive.
The 2nd set started and not much changed. Rosol was
dominating the games and Rafa struggled and shouted to the ball kids. The end
of the 2nd set was the turning point of the whole show. Lukas Rosol had to
serve for the match (!) which is mentally not that easy. Nadal managed to break
him in this very important game. Nadal started to play much better in the 3rd
set, leaving Rosol no chance to come back in the match.
That's the crazy fact about Nadal, he is so
diffucult to beat. You have to always expect his comeback.
Tuesday was my big day - I was invited by Moët
Hennessy to watch Roger's match against Mikhail Kukushkin. It was a very
clear 6:1 / 6:2. What ever Roger tried, it worked. Very skilled and strong
forehand, he almost hit his record with 168 km/h.
The match took only 54 minutes. The good news were
that I had time to interview Severin Lüthi, the co-trainer of Roger Federer and
head of the Davis Cup team. We had a lot of fun during the interview, a big
honour to speak to him.
Interview with Severin Lüthi
Impressive match today, very strong performance of Roger especially the forehand. Are you happy with the result so far?
Absolutely. One the one hand we know how well he is playing since a long time, and on the other hand we keep being staggered about his level and progress. Great first round for him at Basel. We constantly improved his game and mental condition over the past.
Novak Djokovic isn't participating but he had an incredible season. Any plan to react on this? Especially at the US Open Federer played outstanding tennis, but Nole was still winning the finals
Indeed, a very stron season of Novak Djokovic. But as a tennis player and as a team you focus on your own game and you're working as hard as you can to get better every day, even with 34 years. We still beleive that Roger Federer can win more grand slam titles.
Do you know what emotions the fans are going through? Like getting up in the middle of the night, screaming and crying alone in front of the TV? Or organising Sunday tennis brunch with friends? Are you able to feel how much we suffer? (this is the part we had to laugh a lot)
Yeah, we love our fans and the crowd at the matches. It can make the difference. Even old people tell us that they're getting up in the night to see the matches, it's fascinating. It's a gift to have such a great tennis player for so many years.
Last but not least... Describe a perfect gentleman.
Good manners are important. Opening doors is important for example. And I beleive that a gentleman is always respectful. Giving without taking back is the key to be a gentleman.
Great atmosphere, I'm very grateful for this interview and the supporting brands.
Gilles Simon (ATP 15) showed up at the Moët &
Chandon event as well. He unfortunately won a couple of times against Roger :)
Basel, I will be back next year!
Labels: Sports
