The day Roger Federer couldn’t stop laughing at CNN correspondent’s Spanish phrases: “Pelao, pelao”, “Chaos en la pista”, “Llévame”, “Tren, trein””. The man who won 16 majors won his first Grand Slam in an unlikely, but decisive 3 hour-and-45-minute victory over his fellow Spaniard, Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Federer said he was “buzzed by the whole thing”. The final was played at the Spanish Open.
Federer admitted he was more nervous going in than when he came out of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
“It was just like going to war,” he said. “I could feel the tension and I think it was a good feeling going in because I wanted to fight and I knew that was exactly what I was there for, I was there to play tennis against somebody for the first time.”
His opponent has never beaten Federer.
Ferrero beat Federer in the 2005 finals, his only Grand Slam loss at the time. Federer said he had to do a lot of research on Ferrero and the reasons behind it.
“I know that he is a tough shot and an able player, a nice guy and a good player but even so, he managed to beat me here,” said Federer. “I don’t find him very interesting. I really don’t find his game that interesting.”
Ferrero, who won two US Open titles in his career, will now be looking for his second Grand Slam trophy.
“It’s always a challenge and a pleasure to play Rafa [Nadal] and he is a fantastic player but this was different and it was an eye-opener to be honest. It was a great moment for me.”
“That was the first time in my life I played someone who, even though he was a little bit short, I could feel that he was a lot powerful, he had a good forehand and big serve and he was a tough guy to play against.
“It was a really good experience also, to have a lot of emotions, to experience the moment of triumph. It was hard to control them because the crowd was so loud but also I really loved my opponent and I wanted to play the match like a friend. He gave me