ATP TOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

November 16, 1994

Pete Sampras

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I felt like my timing today was -- it wasn't that good. Just took me a little while to get used to the surroundings and the conditions, and obviously Boris played yesterday, so I think that might have worked to his advantage. But he played too well. I mean, he was hitting his second serves as hard as his firsts and I really couldn't get a play on his serve and all it took was two breaks and that was it. I really didn't have any chances. I had two breaks points and I didn't get a racket on his serve. He hit two aces. So, too good.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think a little bit of both. I think that is the best he has ever played against me, and obviously the fans helped him out. And my timing of my whole game just wasn't there.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, the times that Boris and I have played, he always seems to go for his second serve, but he always seems to throw in a lot of doublefaults and today he only doublefaulted twice and, you know, that is the way he plays. He just goes for it in every aspect of the game; from the backcourt, kind of puts a bit of pressure on me that he is just going to tee off on everything, and that is just -- that is what makes him very dangerous.

PETE SAMPRAS: A very big difference. I think he is a much better player indoor; the ball bounces much lower. I prefer to play him on a slower court; clay court at Rome was pretty good this year. But he is a lot better player indoor than out.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, not really. I mean, they were certainly loud and definitely caused play to slow down; especially the big moments of the match, but that wasn't really a huge factor. I mean, I am sure it helped him out and he raised his level. The crowd can certainly do that.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think so. I think concerning we are playing indoor green set which is a pretty medium surface, but still plays pretty fast and tomorrow I will play either Goran or Stefan who is not an easy match for anyone. And the other half definitely has the baseliners and clay court players, but that is kind of the way the draw turned out, and there is nothing really anyone can do.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I feel pretty good. I feel healthy and got some good energy out there. Just wasn't there today.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think the calls were fine.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I am not out of it. But this is definitely not a good start for me. Obviously I have to win my next two matches. If I don't, then I will be home on the weekend and if I can win my two matches; then maybe I will still be here.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, I feel like I want to.