Quote:
Originally Posted by mlrf11
I watched the ceremony interview on tennis.tv. I don't know if is what you mean by the interview on ZDF TV?
|
The ceremony interview hasn't been uploaded until today so I could only see the interview for the German TV channel ZDF.
I translated the ceremony interview:
Press officer Frank Hofen:
Mr. Weber 20 years „Gerry Weber Open”. I thought this week had been like a birthday party. It has been that emotional and great. Did you have the same impression?
Ralf Weber:
It has been a great week indeed with 110 000 guests and world class tennis here in Halle. Especially today’s match has been fantastic grass court tennis. I’m very happy that we have a German winner with Tommy. For me he is the best German player of the last 10 years and now the most successful German player at the Gerry Weber Open. Congrats Tommy. But also Roger played great today. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough but I think he is a world class player and I’m always happy when we have him as a guest here.
…
Frank Hofen:
Tommy, one question: Was the WC for Wimbledon a special motivation for you? Or another question: The 13 is your lucky number. Did you therefore wanted to get your 13th career title here today? What were the reasons?
Tommy Haas:
Who knows?
Frank Hofen:
I don’t know this. So we can stop.
Tommy Haas:
I guess so.
Frank Hofen:
Not your career. Not that someone understands it wrong. You are going to play longer. The other young man has some years to go until he reaches your age.
Tommy Haas:
I hope so and I know that Roger still has many good years ahead of him. That goes without a question. He just gets 31 and back then I played quite good myself. And as he sees with 34 you can still do something. The next 4 years are possible for sure.
Frank Hofen:
That’s how I see it.
Tommy Haas:
Yes. Well, what can I say? I’m extremely happy and can’t believe it what has happened this week. To get the chance to play a final against Roger again and to win against him here today is one of the most wonderful if not THE most wonderful victories in my career. I can say this for sure. It’s something really special. And as you said I really wanted to win another title in my career as 13 is my lucky number. Now I managed to do it here in Germany in Halle and that’s just great. Another aim was to get back to the top 50 and I think I managed to do it this week. I got a WC for Wimbledon. So everything works well for me at the moment what’s not a given.
Frank Hofen:
You had many breaks when you haven’t been around.
Tommy Haas:
You always have ups and downs like everyone else. In the end you have more ups which is very nice. I want to thank my box for their support – my parents, ma father-in-law who came from Los Angeles. Also thanks to Gerhard and Ralf Weber for a great tournament. To the ballkids and everyone involved in organizing. It’s just fantastic. The sun is shining today. Thanks a lot.
Frank Hofen:
You just mentioned your ATP ranking. I can tell you that you are close to the top 50. We keep fingers crossed for your next tournaments and the next years. The 21st Gerry Weber Open are coming for sure. Thank you Tommy Haas.
Frank Hofen:
Dear Roger, we shared splendid and historic moments with you this year. You got your own street, your appearance, the enthusiasm for you. The icing on the cake is missing now. But you lost against a perfect playing Tommy Haas.
Roger:
That’s true indeed. I felt that he played really well, not just today but through the whole week. I knew the match today would be very tough. I missed an opportunity in the first set but he was the better player from then on and is the deserved winner. For me it has been a great week nevertheless. I would also like to congratulate Gerry and Ralf Weber for the anniversary and hopefully the next 20 years will be as great as the last ones. I always had a great time here all the years and I’m really looking forward to the next years. I hope I can come back to win the title but today Tommy is the winner and that’s good so because he played wonderful.
Frank Hofen:
I assume that you will be back, dear Roger. You have the lifetime contract and we have to celebrate your 6th title. A victory today would have been your 75th career title but this year we will be content with you being the Runner-Up. But you surely go into your next waiting challenges with confidence. It will be Wimbledon.
Roger:
That’s true. I had a very good season so far. Of course it would have been incredible to win the tournament today but nevertheless I go with self-confidence to Wimbledon and then there will be the Olympic Games in Wimbledon. It has been a good start into the grass court season for me. I’m very satisfied even though it wasn’t enough today. I’m really looking forward to Wimbledon and the Olympic Games and I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.
Frank Hofen:
In 2003 you won for the first time in Halle and then in Wimbledon. In 2012 you will be the first Gerry Weber Open finalist who will win in Wimbledon. That would be something. All the best and good luck.