Berdych Praises Federer; Ready To Bounce Back In Rotterdam

It’s been more than three weeks since Tomas Berdych struck a ball competitively, yet the significance of his loss to Roger Federer in the Australian Open third round is still sinking in.

”It was kind of a strange match for me,” admitted Berdych, a former champion at the upcoming ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. “The way he played was really incredible. I’ve played him so many times in the past. I almost want to say it was the best I’ve seen him play.”

Berdych did little wrong in the 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 loss, their 23rd FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting, because he was given no opportunity by the Swiss superstar to find his game on 20 January on Rod Laver Arena.

“I was under so much pressure, how he played. From the first point I had to defend. I didn’t know how I played, he either hit a winner or missed a shot. There was nothing in between. So it’s tough to judge how well or badly I played. I wasn’t in charge of any shot – that was quite unusual.

“After the match, I was quite positive that he could go all the way and win it. In the end, he did. I think he’s the only one who can do something like that – after a six months’ absence from tournaments and win it. It was his first tournament and he won it. With all respect, it’s amazing.”

If 35-year-old Federer can roll back the years, Berdych is hopeful he too can still improve.

Under the guidance of Luka Kutanjac and Goran Ivanisevic, who isn’t in Rotterdam this week, 31-year-old Berdych is working to re-establish himself in the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Rankings and claim the sport’s biggest prizes.

“I have been working on my service motion, since I returned from injury and sickness,” the World No. 12 said. “So it’s not been a long time, but it’s working well. I tried it a couple of times in Australia, but it was windy. I’ve been trying to make it less predictable – good for me, not for my opponents. Goran, who’ll return courtside in Indian Wells, is also trying to bring me more to the net.”

“My goal remains to win a Grand Slam. Everything in my game is there, but it needs to click together for two weeks. Federer really found a way to play well, and win, by himself.

“In the past when some players reached 31 or 32, it might have been one of their last seasons. But it isn’t any more. Tennis at the highest level sees players with their own physios and teams. It really helps and extends careers. Players are taking more breaks in between and it helps to prolong careers. I hope I can play my best tennis in the future.

“In this current era, it will remain difficult for the youngsters to break through, but I believe the best of the crop will come through regardless. The [Emirates ATP] Race to Milan, finishing with the Next Gen ATP Finals, is a new and very important event for the development of young players. It’s a new motivation for them to attain a spot and very positive for the sport.”

This week, in the familiar surrounds of the Rotterdam Ahoy, venue of the first ATP World Tour 500 tournament of the season, Berdych is hoping to build on the happy memories of successful campaigns in the Dutch city. “It’s one of the special weeks of the season, where I’ve generally had solid results. Of course, 2014 is a great memory at a traditionally very tough tournament to win. I like coming back when a tournament is doing very well for the players.”

Having beaten Marin Cilic for the 2014 title and finished runner-up to Stan Wawrinka the following year, the Czech begins his quest for a 14th ATP World Tour crown on Monday against qualifier Marius Copil.