Despite the disappointment of his defeat, Gilles Simon holds his quality of play against a great tribute to Federer and Swiss champion who was able to raise its level at the end.
"Gilles Simon, with what feelings Get out of you after such a short game?
It's always disappointing to lose, especially in a Grand Slam. You always want to go far. This is not the whole time I play as well. I feel like I am, unfortunately, I have Roger in the second round and I do not think we can play much better than today. That was not enough. I took a lot of fun, but I'll always have the disappointment of losing in the second round. In three days, and I have forgotten to prepare myself for the next tournament.
At what point do you feel that the game runs?
At first, it goes fast. Physically, it's unbelievable. No player goes so fast. It was 20 feet in two seconds. I say this is not possible, it can not go that fast all the time. When he goes a little slower, I'm starting to feel better. At first, I am tense. This is the central, I did not experience from these matches there. All the efforts I produce, I must pay them. I did not score too. I never won by being led two sets to zero. I thought it would be a miracle even when it falls on him (laughs). I return well, I feel that I play. At the beginning of the fifth set, I am even a little better than him. But it is better, it takes longer and is more applied. It still manages to rise a little. I was already up there and I could not do much. At one point, I can not ride my level of play and I know it will also depend on him.
And you do not panic ...
I do not panic because he plays so incredible. I know it sounds silly to say it plays well for the best player in the world, but here he plays very well. Against any other player, there will have been 6-3, 4-1. At first I did not play badly. I managed to feel it. It is still monstrous and I managed not to panic. At one point, he plays so well it allows me to feel that I have to loose everything. I am not asking more questions and I play without thinking.
When he plays as well for two sets, do you hope it goes wrong at some point?
Not because I think if I do not play better, it ends in the same tone. I saw him put 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 Del Potro and he has fallen at any time. It can not fall without reason is impossible. I know it's my job to ensure that the combat moves.
What do you remember that game?
I remember I managed to keep a large Federer through. Even the last game, he has to make very good points to look for his game. He is a champion, so he knows how. But I told myself today that if I can maintain this level, I can try again. The goal is as soon as possible. I must try to save me. I know it will be hard because the ranking is over a year and it takes time. In the game, it was really encouraging. "