Q. What made the difference, Roger?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it was a tough match, I thought. You know, a lot of ups and downs, like the usual matches we have actually against each other.

Translation: Usually I beat him easily.

But I think he made the more important points today. It was a bit unfortunate for me, but he did play well and served really well when he had to.

Translation: I stunk up the important points and he was the beneficiary.

Q. He played very well, obviously. But do you think your standard was as high as it always has been?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, look, I told you, it depends a lot on day form. You can't always, you know, play your best or, you know, the opponent doesn't always play the same way either.

Translation: I sucked.

There's no doubt I've played better in my life.

Translation: I sucked.

I've not been really serving like the way I wanted to, you know, maybe the last few matches.

Translation: I sucked.

But he covered the court well. He didn't give me much.

Translation: I sucked.

Q. Was it more difficult playing him in the semifinal than in the final?

ROGER FEDERER: First round or finals, it doesn't really matter, to be honest. I have no preference or whatever.

Translation: Do you think if Tiger doesn't win he cares whether he gets second or misses the cut altogether? Hell no.... Then again, with the way he is playing right now, I don’t think that question applies to him.

But he's come through the draw convincingly. He's been playing very solid. He had a tough draw, you know, if I compare it to maybe Rafa's. So he absolutely deserves to be in the final.

Translation: Nadal had the easiest draw of all time. But what's new? Happens every time. I am sick and tired of Uncle Toni being the Master of Ceremonies at all the Grand Slam draws. When is it going to end?

Q. Do you think he'll go on and win the final now?

ROGER FEDERER: I don't care really.

Translation: Yes. But I'm rooting for Tsonga.

Q. Do you feel you were moving as well as you usually do?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I don't. I didn't think I was moving that great, you know. I definitely wasn't as good on the defensive like I usually am. I couldn't come up with the passing shot when I needed to. Yeah, that definitely hurt me.

Translation: I was sick. That's why he won.

Q. Do you put it down to anything tonight, or is it just one of those nights, as you say?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, look, I've had 15 minutes to reflect on the match, so I can't tell you much yet.

Translation: GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!

But there's some sort of a disappointment. But, you know, from the spirit, the way I fought, the way I tried, it's all I could give, you know. When you give a hundred percent, you know, you're sort of happy with your performance. It can't always go your way.

Translation: It almost always goes my way, so yeah, I mean answer that one for yourself. You don't need me to tell you that it was obviously just one of those nights. Just one night.

I've won, many, many times when I didn't expect myself to win.

Translation: I always know I'm going to win, but sometimes I kid myself into thinking otherwise just to make things interesting.

So tonight's one of those nights where you're a little bit disappointed. But it's going to go over and I'm going to look forward to the rest of the year.

Translation: I'm going to dominate the rest of the year.

Q. Can you measure his improvement at all? Has he improved that much?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I think he's played pretty much the same, you know, for the last let's say nine months or so.

Translation: His box has gotten more obnoxious. Especially his littlest brother Djordje.

Q. You were one break up in the first set. That was probably the moment when you should have...

ROGER FEDERER: Well, we all know if I would have served it out the match would have been a bit different. Sure, he could have come back and still beaten me, but circumstances of would have been different. He wouldn't have played that freely in the second set. He usually doesn't play that well.

Translation: He didn't win. I lost. But that's not what I'm supposed to say so don’t even think about printing it.

Q. Do you look back now and think about the preparation a couple weeks ago and the illness? Was that having a lingering effect at all on your game throughout this tournament?

ROGER FEDERER: Look, I don't know, seriously. I'll definitely reflect on what happened.

Translation: I need to get some advice from Mirka first before making illness excuses in public.

You know, I mean, considering, you know, my illness, I'm sort of happy with the result here. Of course, I've created a monster, so I know I need to always win every tournament. But semis is still, you know, pretty good.

Translation: Semis is great. Just not for me.

I didn't play my best throughout the championships, but it was pretty solid, so it was okay.

Translation: Wow I was really bad these two weeks.

Q. You don't really feel like you've created a monster, do you?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, some sort of, yeah.

Translation: Yeah, you know. I mean, you know. Yeah.

Q. Can you elaborate on that?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, winning every other week, you know, lose a set and people say I'm playing bad. So it's my own mistake, I guess.

Translation: I’m really good, but I’m not Tiger Woods.

Q. Do you think if you were a little slower than usual, as you say, it could be because of the virus you had or the preparation coming in?

ROGER FEDERER: I answered the question already before.

Translation: GET. ME. OUT OF HERE.

It might have had an effect on my movement, I don't know. But I definitely didn't feel as quick, you know, as some other times. I practiced really hard. I can't practice much harder in the off‑season, you know, so I did everything the right way. And maybe I did pay the price for being a little bit ill.

Translation: I already said I was sick. I already said that’s why he won.

You know, I like to give credit to my opponent, as well. I don't want to blame it too much on my own play. He came up with the shots at the right time, and that's all I can say really.

Translation: I like to say stuff and not believe a single word of what I’m saying. Therefore, I’ll say that he played great. Happy?

Q. Will you watch the final?

ROGER FEDERER: I don't know if I'm here, so we'll see.

Translation: If Djokovic loses I'll watch it on TiVo many, many times.

Q. If you're away, will you try and find it on a television station somewhere?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I won't.

Translation: No, I won't. I already said I'll watch it on TiVo if Djokovic loses. Don't ask me the same question twice just to keep me in this god-forsaken interview room any longer than I have to.

Q. Did you feel during the match that there might be a moment you would seize control, or did you always feel you were playing catch‑up after the first set?

ROGER FEDERER: Definitely didn't play my best on big points. That's been sort of something that's stuck with me throughout the championships maybe.

I’ve played horribly the whole tournament. I must be really good if I can play this bad and still be runner-up, huh?

But, look, it happens. I've done it so many times it went my way.

I’m the greatest of all time.

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