Hopman Cup XIII Interview #2
January 1, 2001
Olivier, be honest, have you surprised yourself tonight?
--Yes, of course, I really didn't expect to win. I thought that game I was able to win, but really I didn't expect to win that match.
What do you think earned you the win tonight?
--I know I may have played a great match, I really concentrated. But Marat, in the first set, he was not moving, so I made it 6-2 quite easy. You have to play good tennis to win the first set and then 6-1 for him, then I had to go and fight. I run on every ball to try and put the ball back and after I played five really good games.
Have you played much doubles in the last year - both of you?
--Olivier: No, because I do not have a good ranking in doubles. I can never get into the main draw.Kim: I have often played in every tournament, but I will never play doubles before the Grand Slam, but in all the other tournaments I will play doubles.
Have you won a tournament?
--We reached the final and we lost.
You have been quite successful in mixed doubles though, haven't you?
--Yes
Who have you played most of your mixed doubles with?
--Lleyton!
Would that be one of your best wins?
--Olivier: Yes, this match today with my victory over Magnus Norman, he was number two in the world and maybe the victory against Norman was more special because it is a real match. But a great win for me.
When you went down so heavily in the second set, did you think you had a realistic chance to win?
--No, when he won 6-1 and then it was too hard for him. I just tried to make one more game and I really didn't expect to come back in the match.
What were you especially pleased about with your game?
--Everything, three weeks ago I was not playing. I stopped tennis for one month because of injuries in my wrist. Against Suzuki, from Japan, it was my first match. I just tried to enjoy and come back into the competition and for the first tournament of the year, it was great for me to beat Safin and to play like this.
Was your wrist injury that bad that you were in danger of missing this tournament?
--I am playing for one week only and I decided at the last moment to come here. I really didn't know if I was coming or not. It was ok, so I came.
Is it giving you any discomfort now?
--No, it is fine.
Kim, what do you expect for this year?
--Nothing special, I am still just trying to enjoy tennis. Of course I am trying to improve my ranking but that is not the main goal in my career, I am just trying to have fun and I really enjoy playing tennis.
Olivier: She just wants to play with Lleyton!
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