By Bill Barclay
NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - To everyone but his opponents, Roger Federer is one of the nicest guys in sport.
...
Asked if he thought his U.S. Open semi-final opponent Lleyton Hewitt, whom he has beaten eight times in a row, ought to try some new tactics in Saturday's showdown, Federer gave a startling response.
"He could, you know," the Swiss said with a wicked grin. "But then again, he could run into the knife even more brutally."
Federer followed that with an ever-so-slightly demonic chuckle before restoring usual service with a diplomatic follow-up.
"He knows he's not far away. I know if I'm not on top of my game, I'm losing to Lleyton, and he knows that. I expect a tough match."
That will not be the bit his Australian opponent remembers, however.
NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - To everyone but his opponents, Roger Federer is one of the nicest guys in sport.
...
Asked if he thought his U.S. Open semi-final opponent Lleyton Hewitt, whom he has beaten eight times in a row, ought to try some new tactics in Saturday's showdown, Federer gave a startling response.
"He could, you know," the Swiss said with a wicked grin. "But then again, he could run into the knife even more brutally."
Federer followed that with an ever-so-slightly demonic chuckle before restoring usual service with a diplomatic follow-up.
"He knows he's not far away. I know if I'm not on top of my game, I'm losing to Lleyton, and he knows that. I expect a tough match."
That will not be the bit his Australian opponent remembers, however.