AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 15, 2003

Paradorn Srichaphan

MODERATOR: Questions, please.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, I really enjoy the match firstly. You know, I know was going to be great tennis because Mark, he's playing well right now. You know, he's former Top 10 in the world. He's a great player. And it was really exciting today. You know, it was a lot of fun out there. I just tried to enjoy the match as much as I can.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: You know, it's a lot of fun. That's what I'm expecting. It's going to be loud. Every point is going to be exciting. I just feel that, well, they are nice. When I'm playing well, they are also, you know, cheering for me. It was fun. It was a great game.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I feel it's great. I'm really thankful for Australia tennis, trying to put the Asia tennis together. It's great for the Asian tennis player, too, that they can at least get one Asian player men's and woman to play in the main draw. They've been giving away the wildcard to the Asian player every year, which is great for Asian tennis.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. I mean, you know, I get the wildcard last year, I'm playing here. It's really first step that I have a chance to play in the main draw in Australian Open. You know, I come back this year, I've been doing well so far, I'm a seeded player this year. I'm really great that I make a big jump.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, I really happy that finally they put one ATP tournament in my hometown in Bangkok, in Thailand. It's really great for Thai tennis and also Asian tennis that they have another tournament in Asia. What a great time that I'm still doing well. Definitely I going to play that tournament in Bangkok.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I know that he going to chip and charge on the second serve. But he's serving well today. He hold his serve, you know, really well from the fourth set and the final set. You know, he just play at the right time, the right place. 6-5, he was returning my serve, and he make a good point, chip and charged really sharp, then I missed the passing shot. Like the final set, 4-3, he just played great tennis. You know, he's a tough player, so he played really good today.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, you know, he's a Top 10. But he was injury. You know, I'm glad that he make it back, and hopefully he can do it better. It's great for tennis because his game is big game. So I'd like to see the player like that, you know, come out and have a big game like that.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I have nothing to say because I was really -- before the match, my plan was, you know, holding my serve as long as I can. No, it was great tennis. You see the score. It's a five-setter. You know, second and third is 6-1, 6-1. But still in the game is really tough, a lot of great point. We both trying hard to win it tonight. The crowd was great today. It's a lot of people today. It was a lot of fun.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, no. Whether I win or lost, it's just the game. Just try to give them my best, you know, that I'm trying hard. As you can see, I split my leg. Just trying my best, and he play a better tennis. He just win today. I don't feel disappointed at all because I was just trying to won the crowd, try my best.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, sure, this is really big match. Yeah, just like you said, home crowd, you know, night match. It was great, great tennis.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, this really close to that match. It's a night match. You know, it was a great match. They both have a big serve. You know, those two match, I mean -- with tonight match, I would think I love that two match. Even I lost, I still enjoy. The crowd was packed. You know, it's just feel so great out there. Just try to enjoy myself. I feel a little bit, you know, disappointed a little bit after I lost my service game at 4-3, then he broke my serve, and he's serving for the match. I try to come back, but it's tough to break him again because he's really confidence right now.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Compared to those two matches, I think in New York more people more going for me because, you know, I'm like upcoming player play Rusedski. Here, I play against Philippoussis, his hometown. But I don't feel that bad because, you know, it's great to play out there. I know that I try my best. I know that the crowd really enjoy it tonight.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yes.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Easier this way, not this way.