Roger Federer’s first ever opponent at Wimbledon – Jiri Novak remembers facing the young Swiss star at SW19 and the Czech player spoke about his experiences. Novak emerged victorious that day following a 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 match that last for two hours and 18 minutes.
"I was in the top 100, I had no problem qualifying for Wimbledon and I played against Roger who was a junior and a wild card," Novak told AFP. "I was thinking -- what a great draw, I wasn't too good on grass so I thought this was a good chance to win a match," added Novak, who was 24 at the time.”
Remembering Federer’s performance in that match, Novak added, "I thought he wasn't bad but during the match, I never thought he could achieve what he has. It was a tough moment, the grass used to be much faster so we didn't play much and I didn't like that, I kept struggling for rhythm."
He then went on to face Federer many times more. "Then I met him at other tournaments, on concrete and clay, and I could see he's good," added Novak, who won seven ATP singles titles -- four on clay and three on hardcourt -- and climbed to fifth in the world in 2002.”
"In total, I played against him nine times, including finals at Gstaad and Vienna when he was already the world number one."
But their relationship is a good one off-court as well. "We had training together, we were a bit closer than normal because of Mirka and his Czech physiotherapist Pavel Kovac," said Novak. "In the players' room, we played table tennis or pool. He was always closer to the Czechs. But we never talked about his Wimbledon debut," he added.
Novak ended by saying, "I follow his results, I don't watch each match he plays, but he's incredible, he keeps winning tournaments at almost 38 years old and he's still among the best in the world. I have played against all three and I know them all and they are all very cool, but Federer is simply exceptional, a real ad for tennis and an icon," Novak said.
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