AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 29, 2006

Alexandre Sidorenko

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, it was very, very good on my legs, very good mentality. I have a good preparation. I make a good physical preparation before this match. So it's better because I start very good. Win three first games easier. I think he might break. I think this help me for this match.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, I am in Australia one months now. For me, it was very hot. Because some day was very hot today on these months, and it's accumulation of all of my matches that I play in Australia. So today I was little nervous physically, mentality. That's why I will try very fast, you know.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Uhm, I have no problem, you know. I can't -- no energy. So I would like to take little time for recuperate, and I would like that I don't have cramps. So I just take like -- I just want to take some massage just for cramps, you know, because I was very, very scared by this. If I have cramps after, it's finished. So that's why I called the trainer more early.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: It's very wonderful. I have no words to explain this. It's will be like a dream for me also to win a Grand Slam in the Juniors, but it's a Grand Slam. So for me, it's very nice. I'm very happy today.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, it should. If I start to win big tournaments, the sponsors would like to talk with me and this. But I don't play for sponsors, for money. I play just for myself and for my -- I enjoy, you know, tennis. I play just for me, and that's why I think that I play good. If I start to play with somebody others, it will be not good.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, yeah. Before to come in Australia, my ranking was like 130 ITF. Now I think I will be second or first. So in a month, it's a good progress, huh (smiling)? If I can progress like this on ATP, it will be nice, huh? I come every time in Australia. So, yeah, like I explained, I not play many ITF tournament last year. I would like concentrate only on the biggest. So that's why I wasn't first in quallies, but I play in final on doubles last week, previous tournament. So this give me special exempt here.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: I think on second I was very, very bad, and I -- maybe I just continued to believe that I can win. I don't let him to beat me in second easier. So I try to do what I can because I was very bad in second, on middle of second. And I try so I have little luck. When I broke him, I make some good shot. After, I recuperate a little, and it was good, better.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: I asked for because I feel that cramps start on me. So I would like to stop this. This why I called the trainer early. Because if I have cramps, after it will be very hard to play. So that's why I prefer to ask more early.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Uhm, I feel on beginning on second. I run very, very, very, many, many rallies. I won a lot. So that's why it will be little maybe more tired than my opponent.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah. I start -- I feel very bad in 1-All in second. First game I have two breakpoints. I don't take my chance. He play good after I keep -- I try to keep my serve. And on his service game, I just trying to some shots, you know, just trying to hit and we'll see, you know, because I feel very -- I start to feel very, very bad, you know, on beginning second. And after, I run a little much, very, very much. On my service game, I tried to defend it. And it's after I was very -- I was very, very tired. That's why it was for 3-2, 3-2 or 4-2, it was very big game. I was very hurt by this game. That's why after on 4-2, it was hot for me on my head and I play not very good game for 4-2, 5-2.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, my coach helped me also. But, you know, I have always good experience, so I can take my decisions and should, and it's better than if he can help me. But on the court I am alone and I have to take my decisions.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, sure, my coach is my father so (smiling).

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Valery. Sure, it's better for me to travel with my father because he know me better than every coaches. I'm usually -- usually I travel with him, so I have good results. Try to continue like this way.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: 17.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: I started at eight, when I was eight years old. First I start handball at four. And after I try tennis because it was a club near handball club, so I go there for trying play like two times by week. And after I like it, and I stop the handball and continue tennis.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Paris.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, sure, he will be now my best friend (smiling).

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, yeah. I think so. Maybe it's will be my talisman now, kangaroo. It was also my objective to see some kangaroos in Australia. I can't miss that, huh, in this country.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was there three days ago. So I pass a very good time there.

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: Before my semifinals on doubles on previous tournament. The referee say me, if you want special, you have a special exempt. If you lose, you play quallies. And the semifinal, I won 7-6 in the third set (smiling). So you can imagine how I be nervous, huh?

ALEXANDRE SIDORENKO: I don't know. I make put my hands (inaudible). I would like just to be don't change, you know. Sure, I win good tournament. Not to take big head and change my usually things. So I continue to make my preparation because I am in Juniors. But it's not finished. I have to progress on my game and try to win maybe in Seniors in some years. We'll see.