Federer praises Wawrinka after French Open defeat

“In tennis, always one guy has to win and one guy has to lose,” Roger Federer said after his straight-sets loss to Stan Wawrinka on Tuesday at Roland Garros.

Switzerland was guaranteed a man in the Roland Garros final four this year, but eighth seed Wawrinka nabbed that spot, beating compatriot Federer 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4).

“For him, it's obviously great to be in the semis now,” said Federer. “I thought he played really good tennis out there today.”

Going into their quarter-final clash, Federer lead their ATP Head to Head series 16-2. Tuesday’s loss was the first the World No. 2 had ever suffered to Wawrinka at the Grand Slam level, but Federer had nothing but positive things to say about his fellow Swiss and friend.

“We know he can do this,” he said. “It's just nice for him now, even talking for him, to string it together on a big occasion like this at the French Open where I always thought he'd have his best chance to do well.

“The Australian Open was a surprise for many, but the French people always thought this is where he would get closer to winning, potentially.”

Unable to convert any of his four break point chances in the two-hour, nine-minute match, Federer’s quarter-final loss was the first time he did not break serve in a Grand Slam match since falling in the fourth round to Max Mirnyi at the 2002 US Open.

Federer said the windy conditions were tough, and made it even more “impressive the way Stan was able to play.”

“Stan made it tough. It's partially to do with everything. When you lose there is always a bunch of things - the opponent, the conditions, the court. But it's the same for both guys.”

Federer won the title at the TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Open and had a runner-up showing at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia (l. to Djokovic) before ending his clay-court season with a quarter-final exit in Paris. He now looks ahead to grass, a surface on which he holds a 131-19 record.

“I’m looking forward to what's coming ahead now,” he said. “There is nothing really positive about losing today because I don't need the extra days, but I will use them with my family and have a great time with them and recover my body.

“I’m looking forward to Halle, and then clearly Wimbledon. I want to win it, and I feel like my game is good; It's been solid, it's been positive, and I have just got to keep it up now.”

Date: 2nd June 2015, Source: ATP