Roger Federer, who tied Jimmy Connors with 233 Grand Slam match wins with his first-round victory over Tobias Kamke, says that he and the eight-time Grand Slam champion are not personally close.
"He didn't talk to me much when he was working with [Andy] Roddick," Federer said. "He was quite distant at that time, which is a bit weird, because I got on very well with Roddick. But I think he respects me very much. I had many interviews with him for Tennis Channel, and we saw each other in the changing room. Well, I talked to him. He is much closer to Nadal than to me. Maybe that's the reason."
Federer added that he is pleased to have tied Connors' record.
"I'm very happy, because Jimmy Connors was a huge champion, still is. So it's a great pleasure ... I think that's a big one, because that was longevity. Jimmy is obviously one of the greats of all time, and was around for 20 years. This is my 13th or 14th French Open, as well. It all started back in '99 against [Patrick] Rafter, and I have hardly missed any Grand Slams ... Obviously love the big tournaments. I have been so successful for such a long time and to already tie that record, 30 years old is pretty incredible, so I'm very happy."