Gilles Simon: "I admire Roger Federer, don't worry!"
During the course of his book publication, the impression arose that Gilles Simon couldn’t speak well of Roger Federer. But this is by no means the case, the Frenchman now revealed.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Nov 28, 2020, 10:46 am
It would be good if Roger Federer's records were broken - this or something similar was the headline when the book by Gilles Simon ("Ce sport qui rend fou" - "The sport that drives you crazy") was published. An affront to "King Roger"? Not at all, said Simon in an interview with Schweizer Blick .
The excerpts that were rumored in the media are just excerpts, says Simon, and possibly incorrectly translated. "Like the majority of people, I admire Roger Federer, don't worry!"
Simon: "Should do something I couldn't"
The problem is rather the French. Because they always wanted someone like Federer in terms of elegance, poise, serve and volley game. "When I was eight years old - Federer was eleven - it was said to play serve and volley! But if you weren't as brilliant as Roger, you couldn't prevail," explains Simon. It is difficult for the youth because they no longer see any other role model. "We forget that it is almost impossible to become a Federer. He is unique. We had potential Grand Slam winners among the youngsters. But instead of encouraging them to go their own way, they were forced to go one that does not correspond to them. "
He speaks from experience in this regard. "I grew up with the expectations of how a French Grand Slam winner would play. I thought it was terrible, it stole an awful lot of energy because I was supposed to do something I couldn't." This was also the reason for his book, says Simon, who, as he says, took four years to structure his thoughts on the subject.
"The greatest is measured by the number of Grand Slam titles"
He was never encouraged to achieve something great with his means. Andy Murray also won his Grand Slam title and the Olympic Games, and he "did not do a half volley like Federer in his career".
His wish that Federer lose his records? Don't be personal to Federer. But then you would also see the other players. "The greatest is measured by the number of Grand Slam titles - that's the way it is in tennis. As long as Roger keeps his records, people in France never stop saying: He's the best, you have to play like him!"
Click here for the entire interview with Gilles Simon - mandatory reading!