DAVIS CUP - RUSSIA vs USA

April 6, 1998

Andre Agassi

ANDRE AGASSI: Not likely. Not likely. I haven't played a match that poorly in a long time.

ANDRE AGASSI: No. I mean, you know, we all have to deal with the circumstances. I was certainly ready to play yesterday. But it doesn't make it easier. I just didn't find the range in my shots. The sun was out. Playing a lot quicker today. Just felt like it was jumping off my racquet. Then when I felt like I was just trying to make the ball, you know, felt like I was just way too conservative, and he was able to hurt me. I just never found that range that allowed me to just kind of relax. I always felt like it was an uphill battle. I was just hoping throughout the third, if I could just get through the third, I could start playing better. But it was -- it only ended a little bit better than it started.

ANDRE AGASSI: No.

ANDRE AGASSI: It was -- I don't know. I mean, I'm just pissed off right now.

ANDRE AGASSI: You know, I thought he started off shaky, but did not actually have to do much to win the first set. As soon as I gave him a sniff, he started playing a lot looser, then he played well. But I missed a lot early. You give players a chance to believe they can win, then their game is going to improve dramatically. That's what happened.

ANDRE AGASSI: I mean, he hit some big first serves. But I was expecting that. My second serve return was God awful. I would just miss it. Then when I did hit it, it didn't have good direction on it. So anytime a server with a vulnerable second gets away with missing first serves, it helps your confidence on your first serve. So then he starts serving better.

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah. I mean, I just didn't find my range out there. I'm not puzzled, puzzled when I was out there. I just didn't have enough time to get my range and find my game. I think I had a lot of energy to start the match. Really wanted to play well. You know, never -- was always behind from the early part of the first set on. That's tough to turn that around sometimes.

ANDRE AGASSI: I'll feel much worse if something weird happens out there in the next match. As long as we get through the tie, that's what I'm here for.

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah.

ANDRE AGASSI: It's never been a problem for me. I've always been able to rally up for a couple of matches. Here has been the strangest with the offset of the weather, not knowing if you're going to play, not play. The early start time of the day was tougher as well. I haven't played this early in a long time. I didn't get off to as good of a start as I wanted to. I mean, there's a few difficult things about it. But ultimately, you've just got two matches. That should be a no-brainer when it comes to just peaking. I didn't do it today. Just kind of wanted it too bad maybe, or conditions were a little different today than they've been, and I didn't -- you know, when I did start responding to it, I had already given him, you know, a set and a break advantage. Just started playing better, then it became even tougher.

ANDRE AGASSI: Of course.

ANDRE AGASSI: I said he started off shaky, and then he started playing very well. I gave him credit for kicking my ass. Doesn't mean I'm pleased with the way I played.

ANDRE AGASSI: It's the end.

ANDRE AGASSI: I'll feel a lot more if we lose this match here. I'm interested in winning every match, regardless of whether the streak is alive or not. It would obviously be nice to have won. But, you know, I'm thinking about the tie, I'm not thinking about the streak.

ANDRE AGASSI: If we lose out here with Jim's match, it does. The whole idea is to win the tie. You know, the tie is still alive right now because I didn't win. That's the problem. But if we win, I'll forget about it quickly.

ANDRE AGASSI: Hard to ask the crowd to be into something, not giving them a reason to cheer, down two sets in less than an hour.

ANDRE AGASSI: No, I don't know that.