• Sony Ericssson Open

Federer hits back at critics

ESPN staff
March 30, 2010
Roger Federer is determined to prove a point in Miami © Getty Images
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Roger Federer has hit back at his critics who have suggested the world No. 1 is now only motivated to perform at the Grand Slams.

Federer's first appearance since winning the Australian Open, at Indian Wells, resulted in him falling to defeat to Marcos Baghdatis. The Swiss made the trip to Miami for this week's Sony Ericsson Open not in the best of form, but he has battled his way through to the fourth round.

Following his win over Florent Serra, Federer was questioned on his motivation and it drew a firm response. "I am surprised to hear that," he told Sky Sports. "I have always said every tournament is crucial.

"Yes you have to pace yourself at times and what that means to me is taking a vacation and working on my game and then coming back on tour strong. Every time I am back on tour I am 100 per cent fit otherwise I would not be on tour.

"So the ones who think I only concentrate on Grand Slams are wrong. I try to win and play well in every tournament. The tough part in Indian Wells and Miami is that it is best of three and that sort of knockout tennis is brutal."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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