Roger Federer believes multiple "crushing" clay court losses to nemesis Rafael Nadal earlier in his career have had a lasting impact on how the lopsided rivalry has played out, but believes this year's faster-paced Plexicushion at Melbourne Park will be more hospitable if the two greatest players of the current era meet - as so many wish - in Sunday's Australian Open final.
Asked to expand on his on-court comments about his history with Nadal, who holds a dominant 23-11 career advantage over the Swiss superstar, Federer said: "Yeah, not really. Why give him an edge? I said enough. Maybe I lost the Wimbledon finals in 2008 because of too many clay court matches, because he crushed me [6-1, 6-3, 6-0] at the French Open final.
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"I said that before. I think it affected my first two sets at [2008] Wimbledon. Maybe that's why I ended up losing. I know Rafa played great in that final. I actually ended up playing great, too. It was similar like today. I was fighting a two-sets-to-love lead. I wasn't fighting the right way. I think that was the effect that the French Open loss that I actually got crushed in left on me.
"That's kind of the things I meant with it. It was more mentally something at some moments. Now it's a different time. A lot of time has gone by. I know this court allows me to play a certain game against Rafa that I cannot do on centre court at the French Open."
The 35-year-old reached his sixth Australian Open final by winning the second five-set match of his comeback in dramatic fashion against Stan Wawrinka, then vowed to carry his "nothing to lose" attitude into the decider against either Nadal or and Grigor Dimitrov, who will meet on Rod Laver Arena in the second semi-final on Friday night.
"It's gone much better than I thought it would," Federer said after his three-hour battle with Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, who rallied after losing the first two sets. "That's also what I was telling myself in the fifth set. I was talking to myself, saying like 'just relax, man. The comeback is so great already. Let it fly off your racquet and just see what happens'.
"I think that's the mindset I got to have, as well, in the finals. Sort of a nothing-to-lose mentality. It's been nice these last six matches to have that mentality. It worked very well so I'll keep that up."
Federer was positive, too, about the leg injury for which he sought off-court treatment at the end of the fourth set. "The leg wasn't better or worse in the fifth. I felt tightness throughout the match, and I felt like it slowed me down. "I just hoped that maybe having the physio work on it, that it would make me feel better. But it didn't. It's not something I'm necessarily really worried about in any way. So that's a good thing."
He defended the injury time-out, which he believes many rivals overdo, Wawrinka having departed more briefly to have his knee taped after falling behind two sets to love.
"I only really did take the time-out because I thought, 'he took one already, maybe I can take one for a change', because I'm not a believer in any way that we should be allowed to take a lot of time-outs. But I took it after the set break. People know I don't abuse the system. I hope it's going to stay that way in the future for me, too."
Most people, he said, would consider Dimitrov a more comfortable finals prospect than Nadal, given the head-to-head imbalance between the long-time rivals. Indeed, the Swiss described himself on court as probably Nadal's "No.1 fan", and later reiterated that immense level of respect for the Spanish leftie whose season was curtailed by a wrist injury.
"I just think he's an incredible tennis player," Federer said. "He's got shots that no other one has. When you have that, you are unique and special. Plus he's got the grit. He's got the mental and physical ability to sustain a super high level of play for years and for hours and for weeks. He's proven that time and time again.
"He's come back from many injuries, time and time again. He made it seem easy, and it's not. I think he's been tremendous for the game. I have a lot of respect for him on many levels."
He also said his 5-0 record against Dimitrov "doesn't buy me anything. That doesn't give me the trophy". The talented Bulgarian is recovering from an extended form slump, seeded 15th at Melbourne Park, and into his first major semi-final in almost three years. The pair met twice in Australia last summer - Federer winning both times - but the world No.17 has noted a more confident Dimitrov of late, and is pleased to have contributed to the 25-year-old's resurgence.
"You never want to play a guy with confidence because he believes he can rip trees out, you feel like Superman for a second," Federer said. "Rightfully so, he worked super hard. He probably believes he's worked harder than anybody right now. I think he has a legit shot against Rafa... I think he's doing a nice job with his game right now. He's cleaned it up nicely. He came from a tough place.
"I've given him some advice, too, because he came to me last year at some point. He was having all sorts of issues. We were just having a simple conversation. I'm happy he took some things onboard. He seemed to turn it around somehow. I'm really happy for him.
"Now if the match were to come up, I know I have to play a good match because he does present different things. He brings different things to the table because of the way he plays. Not many guys can do what he can do."