TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN – 27th of January 2015. T.Berdych d. R.Nadal 6-2, 6-0, 7-6. An interview with Tomas Berdych
Q. Nobody can beat Tomas Berdych 18 times in a row?
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, no (smiling). I heard that already. I did, so…
Q. How was it? What were your feelings when you were playing? Did you expect him to come back? You thought it was in your hands?
TOMAS BERDYCH: No, I mean, I start pretty well. I start with the plan that I set up before the match, and then it turns that it was the right one. I was able to keep going with the same plan all the way through the match. Even though that it was the first two sets kind of looks easy, you know, but you’re playing Rafa and you know what kind of opponent he is and you have to be ready for anything. So, you know, that’s why I keep myself really focused and was keep going all the way till the end and trying to make my chances. Even though he just changed a couple of things – he gets better in the third set – but still I was able to finish it and close it up in three sets.
Q. What did he change?
TOMAS BERDYCH: He changed the style and the way how he’s played. He starts maybe quite defensively from the beginning, but then, you know, he see that that’s probably not the way how to do it. So then he starts to be a little bit more aggressive, go for the shots a little bit more. But, yeah, I mean, it was a way that he’s been making more points. But still I was able to handle it pretty well.
Q. Tell us a little bit more about how much Dani has changed your preparation? Anything specifically he has done that you hadn’t been doing before?
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, I mean, we set up before the match the right tactics. Then I was able to execute that on the court. That’s what I’m really happy. I was playing a really good game. But, you know, I just need to look forward. The tournament is still long way to go, and that’s it. Really, I mean, that’s the preparation that we are doing for every single match. That’s our job. You know, I think I’m going to keep it a bit secret. That’s basically what the chemistry of each team is. That would be really like, you know, pointless to setting up the tactics and the way how we want to prepare for the matches if I just open up everything here. But he changed a lot of things. He changed a lot of positive things. And the best is I’m really able to execute them really, really quickly. That’s how it should be.
Q. Did you ever think that after not being able to hook up with Ivan you would have such great coaching success with another coach?
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, I learned in the past, especially from the tennis, really mostly the things are changing really quickly. So, I mean, everything was placed in order. I mean, after the Shanghai, I get home. I approach Ivan, we have some talk and things didn’t work out. Then I need to refocus myself for the end of the season and finish up the year quite in the good level. And once I done my season, I was just finally taking off, because really the end of the season was like really hectic and tough. I set it up to myself that that’s the thing I would like to do, like to change, so let’s move on and do something. Yeah, that was the opportunity and the possibility, so that’s why we end up together.
Q. When you were out there really taking it to Rafa, what were you saying to yourself? Must have felt great.
TOMAS BERDYCH: Oh, it feels great. I mean, really the good thing is, as I said, the plan that we put together was the right one. Everything was working. I was able to execute it really well. But still, I mean, until the last point you can’t think about anything else. You have to really keep going till the last one. When it’s done, it’s done. It’s great. But I might be thinking about it and enjoying the time probably till tomorrow morning. When I woke up, I need to get myself ready for another one. As I said, I mean, there is a still long way to go in this tournament and I need to be ready for it.
Q. Are you watching the match tonight or do you prefer to enjoy your win doing something else?
TOMAS BERDYCH: No, actually, I’m going to keep Dani watching that match. I think that’s the job for him. I don’t have to spend really all the time to looking at that. But, yeah, I mean, I’m going to see something definitely. I mean, I’m interesting in that. I want to see something from it. But, as I said, you know, today I have the only time I can enjoy the victory. Since I wake up tomorrow morning just all the focus goes for the next opponent and my next match.
Q. For many years players didn’t have a coach. Now they all have a coach – most of them. How important is it to have a coach? 10%? 15%?
TOMAS BERDYCH: It’s a very important part of the team because really, I mean, you’re spending such a long time on the tour. It’s a guy, really, that is very important to yourself. I think the tennis just gets to such a high level that without the team around you it’s almost impossible to be successful for long time, you know, long period of time. I mean, okay, you can have a good time of the year, a few couple of months, but it doesn’t work. I mean, it’s all about the routine, all about really the hard work. You definitely need somebody who is experienced. On such a level like I am right now, you really need someone who can bring just a little bit to add to your game, to give you that little difference compared to the others, to make a difference on the court.
