Talk is cheap.
Conversation is invaluable for Roger Federer.
More: Gimelstob Done at Tennis Channel
The 37-year-old Swiss played with the exuberance of a South Florida spring breaker charging to his 101st career title at last month's Miami Open.
So what's the secret to the father of four's bounce-house energy level?
Federer is energized by engagement.
While Federer can be stoic on court, he's expressive off-court.
The Grand Slam king's long-time trainer Pierre Paganini, told Blick, conversation is invigorating for Federer.
"In the team, so he is not a poker face, how often for the opponents on the court? Not at all, he is totally open! Paganini told Blick. "He likes to talk about that, and he's fine.
"I already saw how Roger had to give an interview after a tennis practice, even though he was very tired. After that he came to the condition training and was not tired anymore. That means he even draws energy from conversations."
Traveling the pro circuit for two decades can be draining, Paganini believes Federer's longevity is a product of his passion.
"That's one of the reasons why his career takes so long: He takes something positive from every situation," Paganini told Blick. "In Roger, the enthusiasm is always the same as the ambition and vice versa. This has nothing to do with the (surface) but with tennis infatuation."
The pair have put nearly a month of training into Federer's long-awaited Madrid return next week. Paganini says Federer is in a positive place.
"I think Roger can get great results on any surface," Paganini said. "He goes to every tournament as if it were the first and the last. In the here and now he always puts everything on a map. Nobody knows what's next week."
Photo credit: Lindsey Godwin/Miami Open