US OPEN

September 5, 2000

Wayne Arthurs

MODERATOR: Questions for Wayne.

WAYNE ARTHURS: Not too bad. It was actually a pretty nice day. It was a little windy, but didn't really affect my serve. I did serve badly, but it didn't affect my serve.

WAYNE ARTHURS: A little bit of fatigue maybe. I had a late night last night with the doubles. I had to hang around a little bit. Feeling a little tired this morning. No excuse, though.

WAYNE ARTHURS: I don't know. At a reasonable hour. It was just the hanging around here from the rain and stuff yesterday. It was a little tiring. That's not an excuse why I lost today.

WAYNE ARTHURS: Crept in a little bit in my game. I think it's when I throw the ball a little bit too far forward sometimes, just reach for it. It has something maybe to do with a little fatigue, as well, just like not going up, going forward too quickly before I go up to the ball.

WAYNE ARTHURS: Yes. He's one of the best returners. I knew it was going to be a tough match because he does return so well. Putting a lot of pressure on myself by not getting a lot of first serves in. I think my percentage was probably around 40 percent for the whole match. Not good enough against someone who returns that well.

WAYNE ARTHURS: A little bit, but not too bad. Much more pleasant day than like four or five days ago when it was 90% humidity.

WAYNE ARTHURS: No, I don't think so. I felt all right. I didn't feel nervous at all, no.

WAYNE ARTHURS: Yeah. If someone told me I was going to beat the No. 2 guy in the world before the tournament started, make the fourth round, I'd be pretty pleased, especially with the way my year has gone. All in all, I'm pretty happy with it.

WAYNE ARTHURS: I have about four weeks off until Tokyo, a couple weeks in Asia, Shanghai, then back to Europe for the bigger tournaments. Probably finish up about the middle of November.

WAYNE ARTHURS: Yeah, if I'm called up. My clay court expertise is not real good (laughter).

WAYNE ARTHURS: Definitely, yeah, I'm always available for Davis Cup. No problem.

WAYNE ARTHURS: No. I think that will be sorted out after everything is finalized.

WAYNE ARTHURS: Yeah, I've heard about it.

WAYNE ARTHURS: I think something to do with the UN, John Howard is there at the consulate.

WAYNE ARTHURS: I'm not really sure. I think most of the Australian tennis players are invited. Who turns up is anybody's guess, I suppose.

WAYNE ARTHURS: I'll probably pop in for a little bit.

WAYNE ARTHURS: Hopefully. I mean, it certainly raised my game after Wimbledon last time. Then I had a bit of a lull. Hopefully I don't have the lull this time after this performance.

WAYNE ARTHURS: I'm disappointed at the loss, but I'm not actually disappointed to where I got, to this stage in the tournament. I'm fairly pleased with that.

WAYNE ARTHURS: I always knew he was good. I mean, the guy has been Top 20. He's just been going through a little bit of probably a lack of confidence in the last six months or so. To get to the Top 20, you have to be pretty good. I knew I was in for a tough match.

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