US OPEN

August 28, 2002

Paradorn Srichaphan

MODERATOR: Questions.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, you know, I'm just playing my game today. He's playing well. It's like he need more experience.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. You know, I just go out there and just whoever I'm playing, I keep playing my game. I didn't change anything.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: That's right. This is my first win at US Open main draw. Well, this is my third time -- third or second.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, in the main draw. Well, actually for the last two times that I've been playing in main draw here, I have a tough draw first round. I remember that two years ago I played Corretja, then I played Sanguinetti last year, you know, top player. This year I get wildcard. But, you know, I have to go out there and play my best, too, otherwise it could go either way, too.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, my win over Agassi is giving me a lot of confidence. I feel that if I can keep my level of tennis the way I'm playing against Andre, if I can keep it going, that's mean I can go out there and play with anybody. Just like last two weeks, you know, I've been playing great because that win helping my confidence. Just keep the way I'm playing.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Actually, it's two main thing. One is confidence, and the physical fitness that I've been building up. I've been working hard for the last two years. I mean, last year I didn't do anything that great. But it's time to pay off for this year that I've been working hard last year.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Especially lower body, from the hip going down. I've been working hard on my legs, how to moving well on the court, all the reaction thing. It's all about, you know, if I can get to the ball, to sit on the ball, get the good position to hit the ball, then I hit it good. You know, when my leg is tired, I can't get to the ball, good position, I can't hit that ball.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, Star Sport, live to Thailand. It's about 10 at night.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: It's been -- no, this is not my first match live to Bangkok.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: The people was really exciting about it when I'm come back. I mean, Agassi is really big name. To me, he's really my -- could be my hero, you know, because he's real No. 1 to me. He's been No. 1 in the world, he go down, he come back again. I mean, to me - to everyone - Agassi is a big name. You know, to beat Agassi at Wimbledon on Centre Court, there's no one expecting that.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: They not doing any parade. It's all the TV, all the newspaper like line up almost every day. I get less practice, but still I have to do it because it's good for the people.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Looks like it. I played him one time, lost to him in Los Angeles, close match, 6-4, 7-6. That's two years ago. I look forward to play him.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, actually is practice for Davis Cup, too. Well, it's going to be good match, I guess. I look forward to play him.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: We went to the Japanese restaurant.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. Long Island is like one-hour drive from here. After the match, the tournament director give me the long limousine from the site to get to Manhattan. I stay in the Union Plaza. We get here at 8, so I just kind of walked to Japanese and get some sushi.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Actually, I didn't buy anything yet. No. Maybe coming soon.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Maybe new house, you know.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: The sign, the elephant. First thing, elephant for Thai people is the animal that really representing Thailand. It's huge animal. Used to be in the Thai flags. I don't know how long ago they said, "No, we don't want that picture in the flags." The man with the hand is me. They just paint it. Every time after the match, I do in the Thai way like this (hands together, bowing).

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I don't know.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: After Washington final, I'm talking to the press, I say my next goal is Top 30. This week -- I mean, after I won Long Island, my ranking is 33. It's really close. Three more spot and I reach my goal for the year. When you reach the goal, I have to set another goal. I go step by step.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I feel great, you know, to representing not just Thailand, I representing all the Asian people, Asian tennis. It's not so many Asian player playing at this level. I would like to see more. But I'm doing it right now, so I hope all the younger Asian, they can look up, like when I was young I was looking up to Michael Chang.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I think so. Actually, a lot of junior. When they're trying to turn from 18 to 19, the parents, they deciding for the kids that you're going to go to school or you're going to play.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: You know, not much.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I think so, you know. Well, I would say the match that I play Andre, if some guy's not from Asia beating Agassi in Wimbledon second round, Centre Court, I think it would be pretty normal, compared to Asian people beating Agassi, you know. It's kind of different.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I think so.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: I grow up on hard court. In Thailand there's no clay at all.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, I always going to finish it with the red one. The red color is the winning color for Thai. Especially on Sunday, they're wearing on Sunday the red in Thailand.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yes, I did. But at least I try.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: There's a lot of Thai restaurant in New York.