Federer: 'I made it hard on myself'
Roger Federer admitted he had been far from his best after securing his seventh grand slam title in the Australian Open.
Federer was a set and a break down to unseeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis before fighting back to win 5-7 7-5 6-0 6-2 in Melbourne.
The world number one, who saved two break points to avoid going 3-0 down in the second set, is now halfway to matching Pete Sampras’ record of 14 grand slam titles.
But the 24-year-old Swiss star conceded he had struggled to hit top form during the fortnight, particularly when almost squandering a two-set lead against Tommy Haas in the fourth round.
“I thought I played great from the first round on until the third set against Haas,” said Federer, the first man in more than a decade to win three grand slams in a row.
“From then on, it was a bit of a struggle. If I could have closed out Haas maybe earlier, the whole tournament would have been much more of a great run.
“Looking back, I never really played my best except the first two sets against Haas. After that, it was kind of gone for a while.”
Federer broke down in tears at the presentation ceremony, an indication of how hard he had been forced to work for the win.
“I really had to battle,” added the Wimbledon and US Open champion. “I was physically a little tired after a tough couple of matches there.
“I was happy the way I bounced back against Nicolas Kiefer and also for the final. It was a different type of grand slam victory, and that’s why it was so emotional in the end for me.
“I felt very nervous going into the match. I was incredibly nervous, actually, waiting all day for the night session.”
Baghdatis was disappointed to let Federer get back into the match after a storming start, but said: “It's a dream come true.
“It feels great that all the tough work I have been through and all the things I am doing through all these years, all the sacrifices my parents do for me, have paid off.
“I am only 20 years old. I have a career in front of me. I have to go back with my feet on the ground and start working hard again because there are lots of players like me who want it so much and have the heart, have the fire in them to do what I did this week.
“It can happen to anybody. Tennis is a great sport, and that is the way it is.”
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