Back to Articles

Hopman Cup XIII Interview December 30, 2000 www.hopmancup.com.au Kim, today it was quite noticeable in both the first and second sets you got away with a very good start, being 3-0 in the first and 3-0 in the second - is it a matter of concentration at the start of a new season, letting it slip from there? --Yes, I think she had the same problem as well, she was 5-3 up in the first set, it is really tough in the beginning of the season and that is why you need a lot of matches before the tournaments start. It is good to have these matches here, perfect. Saw both the Japanese players call on the physio, obviously for cramping - how did you find it coming from cooler conditions in the northern hemisphere, and playing here all of a sudden? --I am feeling fine. I am feeling very fit, I wasn't really tired during the doubles either, so I was surprised. Olivier, what is the problem with the right hand, we noticed that you had it heavily strapped throughout the game? --Tendonitis, no problem, but it is better if I put the tape on it. I am fine. What are the thoughts about Monday, playing the world number 2? --Kim: Maybe if he parties so much on New Years Eve, he is tired!Olivier: I don't know, I am just going to enjoy the match, you know to play the number 2, he won the US Open. Great experience for me. It is the best match I can have at the beginning of the season. Olivier, that was your first mixed doubles match - how did you find the experience? --Great, I have never played mixed doubles. Playing with Kim, she can do everything, she is very nice. Kim, what are you hoping to achieve next year? --I am trying to get a lot more of my first serve percentage in. I am really working on my serve. I have worked on it last year as well, it is getting better and better. That is probably the main thing that I am working on. Oliver, you were having a few problems in the first set with Takao's serve? --I have not played a match for almost two months. At the beginning it was tough, he was playing quick, very good and I was not moving well, I couldn't return. After one set I got used to it and I was playing much better. Unfortunately I lost, but I played much better tennis than in the first set, for a first match it was not so bad. How much do you think you can improve - you can see you have complete confidence in Kim and she could beat any top ten player or anyone in this draw - how much better do you think you can get? --I don't know, I know if I am playing good, I can beat a lot of good players. I have beaten already some in the top hundred, I beat Norman in Wimbledon. I can improve a lot, I know in my serve and be more aggressive. Top fifty this year, but I have to work.