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Hopman Cup Interview with Kim and Xavier (BEL def. FRA) January 3, 2002 www.hopmancup.com.au Kim that was a lot better for you today? Definitely, I felt more comfortable out there. It was good to get my first win under my belt. Kim was it a bit distracting for you worrying about Lleyton a bit today? I didn't hear anything about the results until after my match so I was not focusing on that. And you have had chicken pox? Yes. Kim you seemed to hit the ball a lot better today or are you still blaming the ball? No, no I'm not blaming the ball at all…My match rhythm was missing in the beginning and I went out there with Jason yesterday afternoon and I hit a lot of balls and I think that helped me a lot. Is Jason coaching you now? No, my coach gets in today so… he spent Christmas and New Year with his family. I'll be living with him now. Xavier another good win for you, an improvement on last time you were here? Yes, I played a lot better today, I think, than I did yesterday, more confidant. I served better… mentally and physically I felt better, once all those things fit together I feel comfortable and I can just go out there to play and have fun. Xavier, to get a win against Arnaud, that's a good start to the year? Yes I think so… he started off really well and I could not do anything, he was hitting winners and serving really well…then I know he is going to calm down a little bit because you always get your chances in the match and I think I took them well and I am off to a good start for the year Kim, are you surprised at how quickly you have developed to number 5 in the world? It was definitely going very quick last year and even when I qualified for Wimbledon on the first year that I was playing… everything was going really fast since then. I am just enjoying every moment that I can be on the tennis court and I am not really thinking about how high I am or what my ranking is…I'm not really focussing on that I am just trying to enjoy myself and so my best, like 100% every time I go out there. Kim is there a particular area of your game that you feel needs more work than anything else? If you have to get to the top then you have to get your strengths stronger still to compete against the top players… so everything can be still better. I will keep working on my strengths and my weaknesses throughout the rest of my career. Kim you achieved so much last year, have you set any goals for this year? I am probably one of those who does not put too many targets or goals for the whole year. Of course I would like to do well in the Grand Slams and I think that is what every player does. Like I said, I play tennis because I enjoy it and I'm not going to put pressure on myself by making goals. Kim do you have any idea where Lleyton got chicken pox from? No idea. Kim, is Australia the only place in the world where you partner is more famous that yourself? (Kim) I don't know, it's hard to say, you will have to ask the crowd that, it's not for me to answer. Xavier, you said you needed to concentrate on the mental side of your game, have you seen a sports psychologist? (Xavier) Yes, a little bit when I was in Florida. We just talked about stuff on the court… when I go nuts a little bit…not nuts, but when I feel frustrated a little bit. It still happens sometimes, everybody has it sometimes but I just have to try and do it less and less. We talk a lot, we talk for a half hour a day or forty-five minutes just about stuff and try to put it better and see how I can do it differently and try it on the court. I think I did that last year and it helped me a lot. Kim is that an aspect of the game you delve into, the mental side? (Kim) Well I think it comes naturally, I think you grow up with it. My Dad was a soccer player and I think I get it from him. I saw some videos of him and the way he was always competing very hard, so I think I got it from him. Kim is your Dad very involved? (Kim) Yes he does all my stuff. I don't have a management company looking after me so he is doing everything. Kim are you worried about contracting chicken pox twice? (Kim) No, are you worried?