Re: Rafa "It's a pity that this crowd never has a nice gesture with me"
For an exercise in contrast, from Fed's interview after his match with Monfils (a French player):
Q. How was the crowd for you? I had the impression the French crowd is almost behind you.
ROGER FEDERER: I think it was fair, you know. Of course, I'm delighted to see to what extent they are supporting me. You know,I feel like they've almost adopted me, you know. I obviously, you know, thanked them for that,and I'll try to come up with some other good performances hopefully.
Q. It looks as if Gaël Monfils had some very warm words for you at the end of the match. Do you get the sense a lot of people are pulling for you this week, that they'd love to see you finally do it on Sunday?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I feel it since a few years now, to be honest with you. But this year even more extreme. When I walk on the streets or drive in the transportation or I go for dinner, everybody is like, This is your year. You've got to do it.
They're screaming from their scooters and out of the car. They even get out at the red lights and want me to sign an autograph or take a picture. It's quite incredible this last couple of weeks.
It just shows me that everybody is watching the French Open here, and it's great to get the support. You know, once out in the stadium it's amazing. I mean, we don't have a grand Slam in Switzerland,but I definitely feel at home in the Grand Slams, and especially here.
Q. You said that people were screaming at you at red lights and getting off their scooters. Have you ever had this kind of emotional, sort of raw emotional support? And secondly, do you think that's a little bit dangerous?
ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I enjoy it, to be honest. They're really very happy to see me, you know. I felt this way now for a couple of years now, and in New York as well where I got unbelievable, tremendous support. I think they really wanted to see me do well, you know, after maybe sort of a rocky season last year.
I think they really wanted me to win the US Open. I felt it a little bit in New York,to be honest.