Santoro: Federer beating was fun

Roger Federer and Fabrice Santoro are friends. Roger said today�s contest, more than likely their last in a grand slam, was �fun�. After all, when is a 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 thrashing not fun?

“You know it’s going to be fun. And this is what it’s supposed to be, this game,” Federer said after the friendly contest.

A Federer hiding is nothing new in tennis, however Santoro defied the usual custom of wanting to get off the court as soon as humanly possible. With the inevitable just moments away, the Frenchman was determined to milk as much as he could from the experience, taking his time between points and gesturing to the scoreboard, sharing a laugh with his conqueror and the Rod Laver Arena crowd.

“It was not easy to have fun, but I tried to have some,” Santoro said

“This court is very special for me. I played three Grand Slam finals on this court. I played my only quarterfinal on this court. I played a Davis Cup final on this court.”

Santoro was resigned to the fact he probably won�t step out on the Melbourne Park centre court, however he has not committed to retiring. The 35 year old is a keen observer of tennis history and almost carried a sense of pride that he can tell his grandchildren that he was one of the relative few in life to receive a Federer shellacking.

“At my age, you can be able to play your match and appreciate your opponent, too. I think I did both today.

Next for Federer is Serbian world number 49 Janko Tipsarevic.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how the beginning of the match starts. It’s going to be a dangerous match. He beat some good players the last couple years. So we’ll see,” Federer said.

After today�s 81 minute humbling, does Santoro hope to never run into the Swiss master again?

“I’d love to play him once again. Love to.”

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