THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 20, 1995

Andre Agassi

ANDRE AGASSI: No. I don't think so. I think the score is a little disceiving out there. Tommy hits the ball very -- off both sides; he serves well; can come in; moves; does a lot of things real well, and, you know, I just had to really stay on top of my game and dictate the play and really, I did that and stuck to it. I didn't bother to try new things because I didn't feel like I could. I mean, at 4-0, maybe in the first set when you are up a couple of breaks, but no, not at this stage of the tournament, you know, too much respect for the other players to do that. You just got to get through it.

Q. Does a match like that help you or hurt you if and when you get to the semifinals, finals in the tournament?

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, it can go either way. I didn't lose a set in Australia, and then people asked the same question. But I'd rather, for sure, get to the semis or the finals, and then worry about it than have the tough ones that some of them you don't get through.

Q. Is there a tendency to look past some of the matches to a Pete Sampras or do you take each match at --

ANDRE AGASSI: I don't look past anybody, no. I mean, it is a cliché to say, "one at a time", but I mean, if I am looking past somebody there is good chance I won't be there. The spectators and the media, they can talk about the day after tomorrow and Saturday or Sunday, but although all the players know the only thing that matters is today, so one at a time for me.

Q. What did you tell the match you lost to Pete last Sunday, did you work at something special now?

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I didn't -- I didn't feel like I really played the level of tennis that I am capable of by any means. So, I didn't really stress it too much. I mean, you are bound to have those matches where you are just a little flat. I felt a little flat out there and he took advantage of it. You can't afford to be that way, so, I just kind of try to put that behind me and just elevate my game again and try it again.

Q. When you lost to Enqvist in Philadelphia you said afterwards that you were really obsessed in that match; you had "Enqvist on the brain"; you and Brad honed in on what went wrong with that match. Will you dissect the match like last week?

ANDRE AGASSI: No, I played Pete so many times that we have beaten each other so many times that it is not like quite -- it is not quite that consuming unless there is something that really stands out where I felt no matter what I tried, he had me beat. If that is the case then I got to start rethinking my game plan, but I wasn't -- it is not like that, no. This one, you know, the loss to Pete is different. It is just one that you got to accept and move on from.

Q. Both of you and ATP and Nike and us are building the story of your rivalry between Pete and you. Do you feel it is a bit too much what we all write about, you and Pete?

ANDRE AGASSI: You know, before I go out and play these matches, I think you guys make too big of a deal out of it. Then when I am done playing 6-0 6-2, then I had think, geez, maybe you don't. But, I go into each match with an incredible intensity. That is important in order to get through. But I mean, I believe if I am playing my best tennis, I am confident and controlling the match against anybody and Pete is one of the guys that does have a say so in it. There is no question. And you got to stay on top of that. You can't take it for granted that you are just better than somebody because it is slips too easy. One at a time and keep trying to improve is just how I look at it. But I can honestly say that there is a different feeling when I step on the court with Pete than with anybody else.

Q. Who wins in the advertising the new one, you or Pete?

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I won that one, yeah. I won that one, make no mistake.

Q. I just come from Italy. I have some questions about Davis Cup which probably you don't mind very much. Last year you had so many good souvenirs, but you had the best souvenir in Rome when you play Pescosolido. What do you remember of that match, can you believe that you can lose to an Italian player like that or it is just --

ANDRE AGASSI: I had a lot worse losses than Pescosolido, let me tell you. I had a lot of worse losses. Back then I felt like an underdog every time I stepped on the court, I was struggling a lot on the clay and I just remember not knowing my ass from my elbow when I was out there.

Q. Do you think between Gaudenzi, Furlan, and Pescosolido, it would be worse for you to play again against Pescosolido or it doesn't really matter?

ANDRE AGASSI: It doesn't matter because it is Davis Cup. I mean, Davis Cup, it all depends on how you react to the environment and does it elevate your game or does it make you play tight, and, you know, to me, it is not who I am playing, it is what I am playing.

Q. If you get to the final, will it affect you the fact that you get so far in the tournament, I mean, you or Pete, if you arrive there the last minute and play on clay; on different climate

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I mean, trust me, anything can happen. It's what you get. There is a shot you guys can win. There just is, you know, and getting there last minute is not ideal. But we just have to adjust to it the best we can and go out there and compete hard and hope that we live up to our rankings that day.

Q. Thanks...

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