Spectators at the U.S. Open put a little extra pressure on players to perform, says Roger Federer, with conditions also very different between day and night matches.
Speaking ahead of the Masters event in Cincinnati, Federer said that the atmosphere was much more consistent at Wimbledon.
"Just the way the people clap at Wimbledon, it's consistent throughout. I'd say if it's a first set or a final set, it just gets slightly louder," he said. "Whereas the U.S. Open I find that they're cool to be at the U.S. Open, cool to watch U.S. Open, but they're waiting for something to happen. They won't start clapping just right off the bat.
"So you feel there is a little pressure here and there."
Federer also described the night sessions as typically having much more energy than the day, when the weather can affect those watching and playing.
"And then night is electric, and really has the potential to go wild," he said. "Whereas the day session can go too, but there you need the swings of momentum, the five-set thriller for the fans to get into it. Because it can get brutally hot, so you tend to act differently as in person, as well, when it's that hot. You're just not going to put everything in each point. You have to pace yourself a little bit. I find that, as well."