AC NEWS & MEDIA
2010 TRANSCRIPTS
VERDASCO CLAIMS AAMI CLASSIC TITLE
Spain’s FERNANDO VERDASCO defeated J0-WILFRIED TSONGA (FRA) 7/5, 6/3 in the final of the AAMI Classic today at Kooyong.
Verdasco was in scintillating form, looming as a serious contender for the Australian Open title in two weeks. He said after the match “I hope that it’s going to help me a lot to be ready for the next two weeks, so let’s see if I can play at least as good as I was playing last year here. So I’m very happy that I came again this year to Kooyong and getting ready for the best I can for the Australian Open. For me the most important thing is that I put myself in a good level with these tough conditions and I win three good matches against three very good players, so that’s the most important thing for me” he added.
In an entertaining first match, BERNARD TOMIC (AUS) had a solid preparation for the Australian Open, proving too good for NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SER) 6/4, 3/6, 7/5. “I played well and I took everything seriously today” he said afterwards. “It was tough conditions out there, the ball was swirling around and I couldn’t ask for anything better than to win today so I was happy”.
Kooyong fans were taken back to the halcyon days of the grand old stadium when PATRICK CASH (AUS) took to the court against HENRI LECONTE (FRA) in the final match of the day.
For further information, please call Marie Kelley on 0417 168019.
Website: www.aamiclassic.com.au
FERNANDO VERDASCO
MARIE KELLEY: Congratulations Fernando.
A. Thank you.
MARIE KELLEY: You are the 2010 AAMI Classic Champion. Well done.
Have we got questions, please, for Fernando.
Q. Fernando, how important for your confidence and preparation
was this week, to go through and play the finals in tough
conditions? Is all that good for your preparation ahead of
the Open?
A. I think that is - and I hope - that is going to help me,
no, these three wins during these four days, and doing in
this tough conditions that it was with the wind and, you
know, I think it was also the first singles matches of the
year for me since London, Masters Cup, last year. You
know, I hope that it's going to help me a lot to be ready
for the next two weeks, so let's see if I can feel myself
and play at least as good as I was playing last year here.
So I'm very happy that, you know, that I came again this
year to Kooyong and getting ready for the best I can for
the Australian Open.
Q. Can you assess how well you are playing - 80 per cent, 90 per
cent?
A. Sorry?
Q. Can you assess how good your game is at the moment, or do you
need to go further?
A. Like, my game, in per centages?
Q. Yes.
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A. I think that with these conditions it's tough to say one
per cent, you know, with this wind because, you know, is
sometimes almost big part of the game you just try to put
the ball deep and difficult for the other guy and just move
the ball a little bit around, but also with big margins,
you know, because with this wind, if you don't play with,
like, some big margin then you make a lot of mistakes and
forced errors, so that's one thing. So I think that I can
say physically, yes, physically I can tell you that I'm
maybe - I'm not hundred per cent, but maybe I'm 90 per
cent. I think that with the rhythm of the matches I'll be
a hundred per cent during the tournament. I was working
really hard in the gym during two weeks in Las Vegas and
these three matches, and all the practice I had the last
week, playing a lot of sets, was to make the next step and
to put my physical condition the best as possible for the
Open. So I think I'm pretty close for the hundred per
cent, but I think I can be a little bit more when I get
more rhythm of matches. And technically, about the heat,
like the forehand, the backhand, everything, I'm feeling
really good. It was really windy and really tough to play
so, you know, if I play as good as I play with this wind I
think I can really play so good if it's no windy. But for
me, the most important thing is that I put myself in a good
level with these tough conditions and I win three good
matches against three very good players, so that's the most
important thing for me.
Q. What did you think of your draw, Fernando, for the Open?
A. It's tough draw, is very tough, starting with one guy that
is going to have whole lot of people supporting him, you
know, all the country, but at least just the people in the
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stadium that I will feel. I think that, you know, he's a
very good player, he's improving a lot and it's going to be
a tough match. Then the other rounds, after that, you
know, third round seeded is Ferrero. I think I heard he
had like it was his uncle in Auckland and he didn't know if
he was able to play, or not, but I think he's going to be
able to play, and if he plays he's going to be a very tough
player. Then, you know, in fourth round, Davydenko, maybe
the guy in better shape right now; quarter-finals with
Federer; you know, I can say, semi-finals with Djokovic,
final with Nadal, Del Potro, sort of, or not. When you are
looking to win the tournament, when you come to one grand
slam looking with a goal to win the grand slam you don't
need to really look, you know, in semis or in finals. You
really need to go match by match and just try to feel and
play the best as possible every day, and don't think about
who are you playing in ten days, you know. I will think
about Tuesday, and then if I win Thursday, and like this.
So we will see.
MARIE KELLEY: Anything further for Fernando?
A. Thank you.
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA
CAROL WILSON: English questions first, thank you.
Q. I would just like for you to assess how this week has been
important in the lead-up for you in the Australian Open?
A. Yeah, it's important because it's the first match of the
year and I can see where I have to work and I can see how I
feel in this beginning, and that's it.
Q. With the wind at this event here, was it almost impossible to
play how you want to play?
A. Yeah, today was really difficult to play. The wind change
side every point and it was really difficult. But we have
to play - it's for both player and today the other player
was better than me.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
MARIE KELLEY: We won't keep you too long, Novak. Questions, please.
Q. Just a light-hearted or useful hit-out, I suppose?
A. No, it was good. I was happy to stay on the court for
almost two hours and had a good match. I think Bernard
played very well. I didn't play my hundred per cent, like
I didn't do that in the last two matches as well. As I
said, you know, the match result does not matter for me
here. I have done what I needed to do, and it's really
tricky to play, to play well here because of the conditions
as well. It's very windy, you know, so time to time you
have to compromise and try to find the good solutions in
the point. But overall, I'm happy that I got three
matches. All the people that organised this event in
Kooyong were really kind to me and I want to thank them
now, officially, again, and I'll certainly consider coming
back next year as well.
Q. Your experimentation with aggression, serve and volley, is it
against your instinct as a baseliner to do that? Do you
think it will be difficult to execute in other matches?
A. It will. I'm well aware that this is a process that's
going to take more than just one day. It cannot happen
overnight. I'm well aware of that. But this is something
that I want to have in my game, in my repertoire, in order
to have this variety and just be able to play offensively,
defensively, at the same time. I was working on that
lately with Todd Martin and I think I was quite successful
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today on the net, played some great volleys, great points,
and that's what really matters to me.
Q. Novak, Australians are pinning a lot of hopes on young
Bernard. I'm just wondering what are your thoughts on him?
A. They should, because he's very talented player, and he's
only, what, 17, 18 years old, and he's got the shots, he's
got the weapons, definitely. He's got a big serve, he has
very good baseline play, you know, very good feel. As I
said, talent helps him too in these specific situations
when he needs to play good shots, and he does. Maybe he
needs to work a little bit on his second serve and on the
net play, but this is all process and it takes time and I'm
sure he's already has a quality to be easily in top 50.
Q. Was it good for you, Novak, that the time on court was spent
also on in reasonable heat as well, some hot weather to
acclimatise?
A. Definitely. I've been working really hard in last seven,
eight, nine days that I've been here in Australia, and it's
normal, you know, just prior to the grand slam, that that
is what we do. In last couple of years that I have played
professional tennis I tried to work really hard in the
first week or so, and then couple of days before the
tournament starts just take it easy and then get ready. I
mean, it's the best of five. Who knows what can happen in
the opening rounds. You can play five sets, so I need to
be physically and mentally ready for that.
MARIE KELLEY: Anything further? Thank you.
BERNARD TOMIC
MARIE KELLEY: Questions for Bernard, please.
Q. Obviously an exhibition, but a good hit-out ahead of the
Open?
A. Yeah. I mean, look, I played well and I took everything
seriously today. You know, it was tough conditions out
there, the ball was swirling around and, I mean, I couldn't
ask for anything better than to win today so I was happy.
Q. Is that the best opponent you have played?
A. Yes, probably the best opponent I have played.
Q. What did it tell you, Bernard?
A. I mean, I just came back from Adelaide and I had a few good
wins there in the mens. I knew if I played like that I
would have had a good chance today and, you know, I did. I
executed my shots. Sometimes it got a bit windy, but look,
you know, in the end I played pretty good.
Q. He has been experimenting a lot, trying to build more
attacking into his game. Were you surprised that he
advancing as often as he did?
A. Yeah. He kept hitting and coming to the net against me,
and changing it up, and I didn't like it. I mean, I
couldn't pass a winner at all because it was windy and I
hope, you know, when the Australian Open starts it's going
to be less windy and more sunshine.
Q. Does the wind like that give you a lot of confidence heading
into next week, Bernard?
A. Look, it's good to play in the wind. Hopefully the weather
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is good next week, and I have nothing to lose when it
starts, so hopefully it goes good.
Q. Is there anything that has been outstanding, playing these
senior players, that you are learning that you have to do or
that - - -
A. I mean, well, any short ball that they get they will hit
winner off, so I've got to leave the balls and hit more,
you know, deep and, you know, move them around more, which
I was doing good today and over the last week. If I put
that all into the first round I can do well.
Q. How do you compare where you are at now, you know, from 12
months ago when you won that first round match?
A. I'm one year stronger, you know. It's a big difference,
you know, one year, and hopefully in two years I can be
much stronger and much better of a player.
Q. Mentally, though, where do you feel you're at with the
expectation from the public?
A. Look, I think I'm fine. I mean, the tennis the last, you
know, six months has been good and I have started improving
a lot in my weaknesses. That's the important thing, and I
think I've got a lot more improving to do; so, I mean, it's
good.
Q. Do you feel under pressure to deliver some results here in
the next fortnight?
A. No, not really.
MARIE KELLEY: Anything else? That's it, Bernard, thank you.
A. Thanks.
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA
MARIE KELLEY: Questions, please.
Q. You're hitting the ball well?
A. Yeah. Perfect.
Q. What is the ice?
A. What? This?
A. Yeah.
Q. What is this?
A. I don't know. I think every player use ice after, after
play.
Q. Given it's the start of the year, Jo-Wilfried, how would you
describe how your game is?
A. My game improve, you know, match after match, and I play
better and better every day and I think I will be ready for
the big event.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about playing Fernando tomorrow.
Is that ideal?
A. You know, for me it's a good test because I lost against
him last year in the same condition, so it's going to be a
good test for me to know if I'm ready or not.
Q. What round - did you play him at the Open last year?
A. Yeah.
Q. What round; can you recall?
A. Sorry?
Q. What round was it?
A. It was qualifying.
Q. Have you played him since?
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A. No.
Q. Jo-Wilfried, if there's going to be a play-out, if one of the
two top favourites comes out of the hat, like you did a
couple of years back, who do you think it might be?
A. What?
Q. A wildcard - a not wildcard; a player who comes unexpectedly
and does very well at the Australian Open - usually there's
one - you know, Baghdatis, yourself, someone?
A. Yeah. I don't know. I really don't know, because there's,
you know, a lot of player who can do that; so I can't say,
you know, there's one.
Q. What do you know about your first round opponent?
A. Nothing. I don't know who is it.
Q. He's now playing on court. Will your coach have a look at
that match?
A. Play Stakhovsky?
Q. Yes?
A. What I know about him - I know he's dangerous player
because his rank is not very good, but he won some
tournaments and he's dangerous because he played serve and
volley and it's all the time difficult to play against this
kind of player.
Q. Would your coach watch that match going on now? Would he
have a look?
A. Yeah, he will. He will, for sure.
Q. So you haven't looked at the draw?
A. No.
Q. Do you tend to not worry about the draw?
A. No, I don't care, you know. I have to play match after
match. I just want to know, you know, the player who I
will play, the day before, and that's it.
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Q. So you didn't know it was Stakhovsky till then?
A. No, no.
Q. So you are only prepared just before - - -
A. Yeah.
Q. Each match? So you don't - do you analyse their strengths
much, or do you just play?
A. No, I just play, you know. Every match is different and
you have to win the first one to go through, and that's it.
That's it.
Q. How comfortable do you feel at the Australian Open compared
to the other Slams?
A. I don't know. I feel good because physically, you know,
I'm, I feel good and I'm very confident, you know, and it
give me a lot of confidence to play because I know if I put
the ball in the court, you know, it's going to be difficult
for my opponent, you know, to make me move and everything.
So for me the condition is perfect.
Q. What are the strengths of Tommy Haas, who you have just
played? What sort of player is he? Is he a dangerous
player?
A. Tommy Haas?
Q. Yes?
A. Yes. Yes, he's dangerous player. He won tournament also,
and he play, sometime, serve and volley. He's very
offensive and, yeah, he's dangerous.
MARIE KELLEY: Any further questions? Thanks very much.
FERNANDO GONZALEZ
CAROL WILSON: Questions for Fernando, please.
Q. Have you had as look at the draw?
A. I just saw the draw, yeah.
Q. What do you think?
A. I mean, it's -you do not have easy matches in the Slam.
Olivier is coming back. I think he drop in rank a little
bit and he's coming back. We know each other really well
since long time ago, so it going to be a tough match to
play.
Q. How have you gone against him in the past?
A. I think the last time I played him about four, five years
ago. I think I don't remember right now.
Q. Do you feel ready for Monday?
A. Yeah. I have to. It's already Friday so, you know, two
more days, two more days to go, and I feel better and
better. I mean, these three matches became really good for
my game.
Q. How are you feeling this time, compared to last year?
A. It's different because last year I took like three months
without playing a tournament and was like a little bit
nervous maybe. This time, I'm more calm. I mean, I play
full season last year and I played good in the Slams, but
in my game I feel the same, you know. I feel in the good
shape.
Q. And how do you see the tournament? Who do you think is the
player to beat? Roger, or someone else?
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A. I know Roger and Rafa are always the favourites; but now
you have the young ones like Del Potro, Murray or Djokovic.
I mean, they are the five top players of the world today,
and I think they are the ones to beat.
Q. What about Davydenko?
A. Yeah, he's like - how do you call, the - I mean he's always
winning matches but you never - he doesn't make too much
sound when he win, but he wins every time. But if I have
to pick I prefer to play against Davydenko than Roger, by
far.
CAROL WILSON: Thanks, Fernando.
A. Thank you.
ROBIN SODERLING
Q. How's your shoulder?
A. Well, it's more my elbow, actually.
Q. Or your elbow?
A. Well, it has been worst. It's still hurting me a little
bit and it was better yesterday. Today, I felt it a little
bit more, so I figure I didn't want to take any risks.
Q. How do you feel about the Australian Open, with that injury?
A. You see, I had this a few times before. A lot of times,
you know, it got better in just a couple of days so, you
know, with some rest, some treatment, I really hope I'll
feel good next week.
Q. How recently did you have it previously?
A. Sorry?
Q. How recently have you had it before?
A. Oh, I had it at the end of last season.
Q. At the end of?
A. Well, in Paris, a little bit.
Q. What is the longest it has kept you out for?
A. Two weeks, maybe.
Q. How many times have you had it?
A. I don't know. I don't know.
Q. How long it has been going on for?
A. For six, six months, off and on.
Q. Is there a diagnosis?
A. Yes. There's a little bit tendonitis. But it's getting
better. It was worse this summer - well, for your winter -
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so I had it, you know - yeah, I had it for six months and I
got, it got a little bit better. But you know, sometimes
when I play a lot it comes back a little bit, but then if I
rest it again it normally gets better, so that's what I'm
hoping for.
Q. So you played the French Open final, didn't you?
A. Well, yeah, I felt - no, actually, it started in Wimbledon,
I'd say, firstly.
Q. So just after that?
A. Yeah.
Q. You said you were out for two weeks at one stage because of
the elbow. When was that?
A. It was in August.
Q. August?
A. Before your summer.
Q. Before the US Open?
A. Yes.
Q. So when did you realise, in the match you just played, that
you had to stop, or did you go for treatment and then decide
to stop?
A. No. Well, yeah, I felt it a little bit this morning and
then, you know, I played and it was very tough conditions,
you know. For one set I don't think one of us hit the ball
clean once, and then it gets a little bit worse for the
arm, you know. We hit the balls and when I'm hitting the
ball well, you know, it's usually a little bit better. But
today was really tough, tough conditions for the arm.
Q. Robin, you said you have had it for about six months or so
now?
A. Well, it has been good for quite a time now. I played
tournaments when I didn't feel anything.
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Q. So how's the recovery time?
A. A bit getting better cared the now. When I first had it,
it's much better but still there, and I really don't want
to risk anything. There's a lot of big tournaments coming
up and there's Australian Open next week.
Q. So how you are going to manage the next few days? What are
you going to be doing?
A. Some rehab, you know, some exercises I have, and some
treatment, and I'll have a rest for the two days now.
Hopefully it will help.
Q. Can you just explain for me, because I missed it on the
recording, what it is that's troubled and why you had to pull
out?
A. My elbow is hurting and, you know, I had it for a while, as
I said, and it gets worse sometimes when I play a lot and,
you know, I felt a little bit today and I didn't want to
risk anything.
Q. So you won't play another match here?
A. No, I don't think so, no. I'll rest it.
Q. The chances how you will be able to play in the Australian
Open, how would you assess that?
A. A hundred per cent I'll try, you know. Of course, I'll
try. Hopefully it will work but, you know, you never know.
Hopefully I'll play a lot of matches, and there's long
matches, best of five sets.
Q. Do you have anyone you go to for treatment?
A. Sorry?
Q. Do you have someone with you?
A. No, not, not now. I used to have at the end of last year.
Now my physio is at home, right now.
Q. So who will you be going to?
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A. The guys over at Melbourne Park. They have been pretty
good. They have been helping me, so they are pretty good.
Q. Thank you
FERNANDO VERDASCO
MARIE KELLEY: Questions for Fernando. Great win today, Fernando.
Q. A general assessment of the way you played and the way Novak
played?
A. You know, I don't like to speak about the others. I can
let you know or tell you about my feelings and about my
game, and I think that Novak is the one who needs to speak
about himself. So, about myself, I was feeling good to
today. It was good conditions? We all know that here,
always, every day is pretty windy. The wind is not going
to the same side of the court all the time. It is changing
pretty much and so is not - you know, when is windy like
that is not easy for everybody, you know, for anybody. So
my feelings today to be that feeling was pretty good. I
was trying to control as much as possible this condition
and just, you know, just give my hundred per cent, like I
said yesterday, to be the best as possible for the
Australian Open. I think that that's the goal, you know,
and that's what I want to do. That's why I'm here playing,
trying to feel and put myself in the best level as possible
to go to Australian Open next week with good confidence and
feeling good, feeling the best.
Q. Was it a surprise to you to win that easy?
A. Of course there's always surprise, you know. You never go
to the court, and even less with one guy like Novak
Djokovic and you think that you are going to win 6-1, 6-2.
But I was just trying to do what all the best I can, trying
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to put the balls in, trying to force more when I had the
chance. But with this wind it's pretty tough. The ball is
moving a lot and it's pretty difficult to have a rally,
good chance to attack, you know. So I was just trying to
do what I think is the best for me and I really play so
good, so the result for me is not important. For me, the
important thing is to feel good and to try to get as much
confidence as I can for next week.
Q. Why do you think you play so well in Australia? Is it the
surface? Last year you were pretty close to winning the
Australian Open, a few points away maybe.
A. I don't know. It was - you know, if I'm honest, it's a
strange feeling because before last year was the grand slam
that I played worse, before last year, and last year was
the one I played better in my life, the best level of
tennis in my life. So it was a pretty big change from the
worst results if you see all the grand slams before 2009,
and in 2009 following the semi-finals and playing that
level of tennis. After that, I pretty get a lot of
confidence. I think it's a lot in there, the brain, you
know, mentality, and watching last year how I was able to
play that makes me realise that I can really play good
here. The conditions, I like the conditions, hot. I like
to play with a lot of sun and the hot conditions, so this
is one thing that I always like to play. But windy was one
thing that, like, two, three, four years ago it was pretty
tough for me mentally, you know. I was putting myself like
with a lot - I was always nervous when I need to play with
wind, and right now I'm confident. I just want to go there
and try to, try to get that condition the best as possible
and knowing that it's that bad for everyone - is not windy
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for me and for the other is not. So, you know, I really
feel so good here, playing good. The feeling is so good
always and, you know, since the first day I came this year
it was, it was good memories from the last year and good
feeling. So, you know, I was working really hard this
pre-season to try to come here with most chances as
possible. So this is what I'm doing, trying to work hard
to be ready for the next two weeks.
Q. Have you been hitting with Rafa lately? If you have, how do
you think he's placed for the Australian Open?
A. I didn't play with him. If I tell you the last time I saw
him was in Davis Cup in December. After that he went to
Majorca to practice. I went few days to Mexico for
holidays because I really want, of course I want holidays,
but the doctors told me to rest at least ten days because I
was in the problem with the sores that almost pulled out of
the final of the Davis Cup. So I went ten days holidays,
and from Mexico I went straight to Las Vegas to practice
with Darren Cahill and Andre Agassi and team, and I came
straight away from Vegas. I saw him yesterday. I think
what the first days I saw him since Davis Cup, so I don't
know how he feeling?
Q. Just with Cahill and the whole working with Agassi's crew,
how much has that given you? I suppose, is it maybe tactical
or what is it?
A. I start working with them, like what you can say working
because in July I was four days, so just to try, but really
working last December, December 2008 and, you know,
watching the Australian Open 2009 I can say that they gave
me a lot, and after 2009, my best year by far, you know,
and the finishing the year top 10 for first time, and now
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again, you know, the feeling really good for this
Australian Open. I was again for two weeks, like,
pre-season before, so I'm feeling good and all the help
that they are giving me is so important for me. I'm always
saying thanks to all of them because they are unbelievable
people and they are treating me so good and they are trying
to make me the best player as possible, so I need to say
thanks a lot to them.
Q. Darren is out here for the two weeks. Will you deal with him
on a match by match basis or is it - - -
A. The pre-season - the truth is Darren came to Adelaide
pretty soon to be with his family, in Christmas, so I
didn't have the chance to spend with him much time. But
last year was also the same. He came here so early and I
didn't have the chance to, you know. We talk and we are,
you know, talking about the matches and about the feelings
and about how I play and about how I need to play and
everything. But you know, the time I really spend with
Gil. Right now, Gil is like my second father, and when I'm
available I'm all day with him, every day, and working
almost half a day with him. And with Agassi is also the
same. He was with Steffi and the kids, like last year,
with, you know, staying Christmas in the mountains, and he
came just like three days before I came to Australia so we
had the chance at least to be talking a lot for these days
and he was giving me, like the year before a lot of, you
know, thoughts and experience that he had here in
Australia. It's the grand slam that he felt better, so he
had, he had unbelievable memories from here and he's trying
to teach me a lot from that, so everything is so important,
all three are so important for me?
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Q. Do you think you could win the tournament?
A. I think I can.
MARIE KELLEY: On that note, we will end it. Thanks, Fernando.
A. Thank you.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
CAROL WILSON: Okay. Questions for Novak.
Q. Novak, would you sort of describe that as a sort of a minor
hiccup today or is it something you will look at seriously?
A. Well, look the results didn't really matter, even yesterday
and today, for me. The main point of my participation here
is to get a good practice, get some points and games before
Australian Open, which is of course my main priority.
Today, I didn't feel good on the court since I stepped in.
He played well but I made way too many unforced errors, and
that's it.
Q. Was the wind a factor at all?
A. Well, a little. But it was same for both of you, so I
can't say wind was explanation for my loss.
Q. You seemed to be missing a lot of stuff?
A. It's quite tricky conditions here, you know. It's really
different from Melbourne Park. But look, I got two matches
and I mean it's fine for me anyway. I played a lot of
matches last year, almost a hundred matches so I, to be
honest, I'm a bit fed up with the matches. I needed some
time to practice and try to figure out things, and I've
been practicing very hard in last two and a half, three
weeks, and I think maybe I was a little bit slower today
and wasn't moving that well, so that was one of the
reasons. But it's all setting up a good form for
Australian Open.
Q. What are the rest of your preparations before the Australian
1
Open? What do you plan to do?
A. Well, I'm going to slow down a little bit with the pace,
with the rhythm. We are going to try to work on some
specifics and maybe get some practice sets in next couple
of days with some of the players, and that's it, you know;
try to save the energy and then build up, you know, a good
mental condition for first round?
Q. Who would you like to see in the first round, against your
name?
A. Oh - - -
Q. Does it matter?
A. Q, Qualify. I don't know. I really, it's 128 players,
it's grand slam where everybody is willing to play and take
part in such a big event. Those lower ranked players that
you will probably face in the opening rounds are very
dangerous because they have nothing to lose, you know,
playing on the big stage, so I cannot under-estimate any
opponent, definitely.
Q. Obviously there is a lot of talk here, at the moment, in
regards to Lleyton Hewitt. Is he someone, particularly in
the early rounds, you think still poses a real threat?
A. Of course. I mean, Lleyton is a former No. 1 and grand
slam winner, playing at his home and willing to make an
effort and good impression. Even this year, he's trying
hard. I mean, you have to give him credit for that. He's
still a very good, very good player and very tricky
opponent whoever he plays against.
Q. You've got one more match here Saturday. What do you hope to
get out of that?
A. Well, I'll see. You know, I just need to take some time
and rest a little bit and then get another match.
2
Q. How is the body feeling? It has been a punishing ten days or
so since you've been here?
A. No, it's fine.
Q. Is it injury free?
A. No, it's fine. As I said, I've been working hard
physically, especially putting a priority on that to get
stronger and get a good endurance in order to play these
five-set matches. That's what the grand slams are all
about, you know - heat, especially here in Australia, so I
feel quite good about that. And game-wise I'm happy - not
with today's match, but in general, yes?
Q. Do you think, are you going to play stylistically, take a few
more chance maybe, this year?
A. Excuse me.
Q. Are you going to take a few more chances in are your style of
pray this season?
A. In what sense?
Q. Attacking the ball?
A. Yes, definitely. We've been working on that. Todd is
trying to improve my game in the net, and trying to
convince me to get more to the net and try to take the
chances and attack more. I think I have quite decent game
on the volleys and I'll try to use them.
Q. What do you think has held you back from doing that?
A. What held me back?
Q. Yes?
A. In past years?
Q. Yes?
A. Well, it's all - it all comes from head, it's all
mentality. You know, I'm a baseline player and the game
has changed a lot since last 15 years, you know. You had
3
serve and volley player 15 years ago ruling the game, and
then today you have the baseliners, which goes to my favour
obviously. But I think the important thing for today's
tennis is to have this variety in the game, to be able to
play defensively and offensively at the same time?
CAROL WILSON: Okay. Just some questions in Serbian.
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