Q. To jump to the No. 1 position in the world, will you have to attack more?
ANDY MURRAY: I think against certain guys. When I played Roger and Rafa the last few times I played them, I played very aggressive tennis. That's what you need to do against them. Against some guys you need to defend more.
You know, if you play against a guy that serves 140 miles an hour on the first serve, you can't attack. So you need to balance it depending on the opponent, depending on the match, the stage of the match.
I think I've improved that side of my game. I've worked on serve-volleying, you know, in some matches the last few weeks. I think I've attacked a lot better towards the end of this year than I was at the beginning.
...
Q. So if you weren't obligated to be on the other side of the net, fair to say [Rafa's] your kind of an athlete, your kind of guy?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, as far as what? Do I think he's cute?
Q. Are you seeing new dimensions to his game or is this a good tennis player the same way he was in 2008 or whatever?
ANDY RODDICK: I mean, I think he's always getting better. But the thing is, I don't think he's ever gotten -- I mean, everyone thinks of him as topspin or runner. He's always been able to hit well at net. The nuances aren't past him. He plays great slice.
I think, if anything, his serve is probably improving. You know, but if you compare Rafa now to '05, '06, when he was winning the French, it's night and day, him being able to play offensively consistently.
The first time he won the French, I think he retrieved a lot. Now it's a different story with the way he's able to step up, hit the ball, control, dictate play.
...
Q. You've had lots of spells in your career when you've had a coach and spells where you've been on your own. How difficult is it when you have nobody to sort of bounce things off with after the game?
ROGER FEDERER: [Andy] has people I'm sure he can bounce off ideas. He has his friends, his team that has been with him for a long time, his mom, his girlfriend. Who knows? It sometimes doesn't take tactical advice. It maybe takes more of - how do you say - just a feel-good talk can be plenty or just a nice dinner. That can make the trick.
Tennis is not rocket science. You know, it's pretty straightforward. I think he's going to turn around and come back and play a real good match in the next round, so I have no doubt about it.
...
Q. You just seemed very flat out there from the outset. Your body language, everything, just gave the impression you weren't mentally quite tuned in.
ANDY MURRAY: I think it's something where, you know, if I went out there and I smashed the racquet or started shouting, I'd come in and everyone would say to me, You were in a bad mood today, mentally you weren't strong enough.
To me I didn't feel flat on the court. Maybe it's just very different to what you're used to seeing from me. But, you know, that's something that I'm trying to work on, to not let my emotions sort of control how I'm playing. I just tried to stay calm, tried to find a way, and it didn't happen today. But I didn't feel flat on the court at all.
ANDY MURRAY: I think against certain guys. When I played Roger and Rafa the last few times I played them, I played very aggressive tennis. That's what you need to do against them. Against some guys you need to defend more.
You know, if you play against a guy that serves 140 miles an hour on the first serve, you can't attack. So you need to balance it depending on the opponent, depending on the match, the stage of the match.
I think I've improved that side of my game. I've worked on serve-volleying, you know, in some matches the last few weeks. I think I've attacked a lot better towards the end of this year than I was at the beginning.
...
Q. So if you weren't obligated to be on the other side of the net, fair to say [Rafa's] your kind of an athlete, your kind of guy?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, as far as what? Do I think he's cute?
Q. Are you seeing new dimensions to his game or is this a good tennis player the same way he was in 2008 or whatever?
ANDY RODDICK: I mean, I think he's always getting better. But the thing is, I don't think he's ever gotten -- I mean, everyone thinks of him as topspin or runner. He's always been able to hit well at net. The nuances aren't past him. He plays great slice.
I think, if anything, his serve is probably improving. You know, but if you compare Rafa now to '05, '06, when he was winning the French, it's night and day, him being able to play offensively consistently.
The first time he won the French, I think he retrieved a lot. Now it's a different story with the way he's able to step up, hit the ball, control, dictate play.
...
Q. You've had lots of spells in your career when you've had a coach and spells where you've been on your own. How difficult is it when you have nobody to sort of bounce things off with after the game?
ROGER FEDERER: [Andy] has people I'm sure he can bounce off ideas. He has his friends, his team that has been with him for a long time, his mom, his girlfriend. Who knows? It sometimes doesn't take tactical advice. It maybe takes more of - how do you say - just a feel-good talk can be plenty or just a nice dinner. That can make the trick.
Tennis is not rocket science. You know, it's pretty straightforward. I think he's going to turn around and come back and play a real good match in the next round, so I have no doubt about it.
...
Q. You just seemed very flat out there from the outset. Your body language, everything, just gave the impression you weren't mentally quite tuned in.
ANDY MURRAY: I think it's something where, you know, if I went out there and I smashed the racquet or started shouting, I'd come in and everyone would say to me, You were in a bad mood today, mentally you weren't strong enough.
To me I didn't feel flat on the court. Maybe it's just very different to what you're used to seeing from me. But, you know, that's something that I'm trying to work on, to not let my emotions sort of control how I'm playing. I just tried to stay calm, tried to find a way, and it didn't happen today. But I didn't feel flat on the court at all.