Q.: Is it true that now you will play on clay in Boston?
A.: Every now and then I can play well on clay but chances say that I can play better on hard court…

Q.: Did you enjoy playing as we did enjoy watching?
A.: I’m glad you did. You’ll always gonna have good matches when you play a baseliner and a serve and voller; they try to punch you and you to attack on them. We’ve had some very good points, we played some very good tennis. We both were pretty excited about the situation, me in particular. It is good for all and it also makes your feelings about the match a lot more enjoyable.

Q.: There is one match before being No1, how do you feel?
A.: I’m not gonna know it until tomorrow. It’s gonna be in the back of my mind. It has always been a very unrealistic goal for me and now it might happen…How I’ll handle with it depends on how I’ll play tomorrow. We ‘re looking at two very good clay-court players out there; we’ll see how my game is matching up with theirs.

Q.: You seemed already very happy today.
A.: I’m not No. 1 but I’m in the finals of a huge tournament on clay, I’ve never been there. Each match I’m getting more excited, it’s a lot of fun. I didn’t expect to get to the finals, but I’m there, I’m playing good tennis. I’ve done enough finals to know how to handle myself; I have to go out and try to play my same style of tennis. I should be feeling good not playing doubles tomorrow.

Q.: News from Australia?
A.: I’ve had my girlfriend, not my family yet; my brother told me it’s going pretty exciting down there; my girlfriend too. I don’t know much, I hear it. It’s gonna be even more exciting now.

Q.: Did you ever think you had to continue with your style even tough it had been suicidal for years on clay?
A.: I did very well in ’94 in Roland Garros, a big surprise for me. In ’95 I started with Monte Carlo, I tried to work for the season at the best, which was for me staying back and playing like a clay-court player. Then in ’97 I said: I’m gonna go to the net and you guys will have to beat me because I’m not gonna play your style again – and I think I’ve had very good results. Ever since then I come to the net, do my style of game. We’ve seen other players doing it very well: Kraijeck. Am I a clay-court player? I think so.

Q.: How much of your improvements on clay is due to Roche?
A.: He told me to go out and play my style. That was the most important.

Q.: Do you know that you drive your opponents crazy with your sliced backhand?
A.: It’s good because they haven’t seen it; it’s my only shot on clay! I try not to miss it very much. It doesn’t give the pace and they are not used to it. It’s nice!

Q.: Will you wear your pink shorts tomorrow?
A.: I thought they were red! Yes, I’ll wear them. If they are pink I’m not wearing them. I’m looking for a short too.

Q.: Mantilla said that you hit the ball so slowly that he sometimes thinks he’s playing against his mother!
A.: Yes, once or twice the ball stopped and went back…He doesn’t like it so I keep doing it!

Q.: Where did you practise when you were a child?
A.: We have a surface called: ant-bed, made out of ants’ homes crushed down. That’s what I was brought up upon.

Q.: Which player did you admire most when you were younger; Hedberg of Cash?
A.: I had a different respect for both of them. Obviously you always want to  see Cash do well ‘cause he’s Australian. Hedberg, I like him because he’s got a good temperament, he’s very graceful to watch play. I’ve lot of respect not for tennis but for everyone.

Q.: Isn’t it strange that this event – being No.1 - arrives now, unpredicted?
A.: It might happen because it happens on clay. Had it been on hard or grass…But now everybody think it’s strange and shake their heads. It is strange for them and for me too! It comes from nowhere but until it happens I will not shake my head so much.

Q.: Why did you say it was unrealistic to become No. 1?
A.: When I was a little kid we were joking with my first coach, he used to make me laugh: you’re going to be No.1, or 10, Top Ten. He was so positive but I thought also unrealistic, that’s why I find it amusing.

Q.: Tomorrow’s final is best of five, will this bring you advantage or disadvantage?
A.: I don’t think either. I’ve never had a huge problem playing five-set matches before. It just gives me a way to find a way to win. In the past five-set matches have always been good for me.

Q.: Did you visit Rome? Did you receive avances from Roman fans?
A.: I’ve already answered to that. No, I’ve been very confined to the tennis arena. Girls are obviously very beautiful but I’ve been trying to concentrate on my tennis. I didn’t receive any flowers. The girls want kisses; it can happen…