INTERVIEWS

Round 3: Lost to Alberto Berasategui.....3-6, 2-6

Q : What’s wrong with you here in Rome?
A : Give me an example of a country where I am unbeatable.

Q : But last year at the French Open you lost to nobody.
A : We’ll see what happens this year.

Q : Is your hand still a problem?
A : No.

Q : Can you tell us something about the nature of the injury?
A : I broke a finger in my right hand.

Q : How did you do that?
A : You should ask one of your colleagues, I told them so many times.

Q : But I want to hear from you.
A : I punched a punching ball.

Q : Were you practicing boxing?
A : Yes I was improving my boxing skills.

Q : Last week in Hamburg you played some very good matches but that has not been the case here. Is this a problem of consistency or what?
A : Yes, that’s one of the reasons. The second reason is because Berasategui is a very difficult opponent for me. I played him many times and never won a set. Moreover the conditions are very difficult here. The court is pretty fast and the balls are lighter. I hope the conditions in St. Polten will be more or less the same.

Q : Which aspects of his game gave you more trouble?
A : His great forehand. He was making me run all over the court. He was also spinning the ball. I couldn’t find the key of his game. I was also feeling tired. I’ve been playing 6 weeks in a row after taking 3 months off for my injury. I hope I’m doing better in the next few weeks.

Q : Is it a temptation to take next week off before the French Open?
A : I was thinking about it but I need to play as many matches as possible to get points and save my ranking. If I lose in a early round next week I’ll be out of the top ten. At the French Open I will not be playing every day.

Q : Will you be playing doubles with Vacek?
A : Yes.

Q : You might be playing every day, then?
A : I won’t be playing before Thursday. It also depends on the draw I get. A miracle might happen.

Q : You said a miracle might happen. Do you think you can win the French Open again?
A : That would be a miracle.

Q : This year has been a difficult one because of your injury. Don’t you think you should revise your schedule and play less tournaments?
A : It’s a recurring question. I said before that playing matches helps my confidence. I’m playing doubles because that helps me in the singles. I’ll do this for the rest of my career.

Q : You said a miracle might happen. Are you religious?
A : No.

Q : Then you can’t get a miracle.
A : I’m not looking for a miracle, I want to deserve a win. A miracle is not going to help me win the French Open or any Grand Slam title.

Q : How does it feel coming out of the court while the crowd is whistling?
A : They just don’t understand.