TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN – 25th of January 2015. T.Berdych d. B.Tomic 6-2, 7-6, 6-2. An interview with Tomas Berdych
Q. It’s your eighth consecutive quarterfinal here. Why do you think you do so well at this tournament?
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, I like this place. I always trying to come back very prepared. You know, you have pretty much a good sense of time when you going to play and you can plan the things quite easy. So, yeah, I mean, that’s one of the reasons. I mean, really, the conditions and the way how it is all around here, that feels good to me. So that’s why I like to play here.
Q. You’ve been very strong so far in the tournament. How do you feel about your game and how are you approaching the match against Rafa knowing that recently you haven’t had the best record against him?
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, I’m feeling very good. It’s been a great, great run so far. But, yeah, I just put myself in the best possible position right now. I’m just really looking forward to it. I’m going to have to, you know, add something extra again. I mean, that’s how the tournament is developing, just move forward, just be ready for it. You know, I’m feeling strong both like physically, mentally. Just looking forward to the match.
Q. What kind of help has it been with a new coach, a fresh pair of eyes from Dani taking on Rafa this time?
TOMAS BERDYCH: Let’s see. It’s going to be easier to judge after the match. So far, as I said in the past, we didn’t spend that much time together. But the good thing is that I’m able to, you know, execute the things that he’s telling me what to do, how to set up for the matches. So far it works pretty well. I think it’s definitely the advantage which I was surely looking for.
Q. What are the keys for you when you’re playing Nadal? What do you need to do in order to have a chance against him?
TOMAS BERDYCH: No, I mean, it’s the same thing. As I said, I’m just in the best possible position right now. I’m feeling good about it. Just need to go for it. It’s not about, you know, putting up some tactics right now. I mean, it’s too early after the match. The facts that I know right now are that I’m feeling good, and my tennis is on the high level, which is also very positive. That’s the main facts I need to carry on and just go with that to the match.
Q. Were you feeling any pressure at all in the match against Bernie, particularly in the second set when it was tight?
TOMAS BERDYCH: Well, I mean, he bring some better tennis after the first set. I think he just played much better in the end of the second set, but I still had my chances during the whole second set. So, you know, I was just waiting to get one more, and you know, I created for myself. I’ve been waiting for the chance, and I took the second set. I mean, it was a close second set, but then, you know, he seems that he went really down after that lost of the second set. I was able to do the stuff that I want to.
Q. When you’re playing a local player at a big tournament, is it tough or can it also be something that can lift you with the atmosphere and the crowd against you?
TOMAS BERDYCH: I mean, always you can take it from both sides. I mean, it’s not easy. It’s always a challenge to do that, but I’ve been through those situations quite many times and I know how to deal with it. So that was just another match that, you know, I handled quite well when the circumstances was not so easy.
Q. Were you surprised you weren’t playing on Rod Laver Arena tonight?
TOMAS BERDYCH: No. I don’t really care about it. I mean, you know, I got my time on the big court. So far I played there two matches. One of my favorite courts is the Margaret Court. So, you know, it’s another two wins added there. Just now, you know, get some time, you know, find some spot to have a hit on the Rod Laver just to be ready for that.
