WIMBLEDON

June 28, 2001

Arvind Parmar

MODERATOR: Questions.

ARVIND PARMAR: No, I don't think so, not really. I mean, I was still a little bit sore, but you expect that from a best-of-five-set match a couple days before. But that wasn't the reason why I lost.

ARVIND PARMAR: Well, I mean, I started off well. I didn't take my chances in the third set. I had 15-40. Hit a good return. He actually hit a good volley. Then he actually upped his game. He got a lot more confident. He started returning really well, hit a lot of winners, put me under a lot of pressure.

ARVIND PARMAR: His?

ARVIND PARMAR: No, not at all. It wasn't down to fitness. I didn't lose that match because of fitness.

ARVIND PARMAR: I wasn't 100%, but no one would be 100% after the match I played. But, yeah, like I said, it wasn't down to that at all.

ARVIND PARMAR: I think for any player, if you want to look to go far in a tournament, you don't want to be having long matches to start with. It could take its toll. Yeah, I think every player would agree with that.

ARVIND PARMAR: I think I gave it my best shot and I got myself in a good chance in the third set - but I missed that chance. You know, he's a world-class player. Difference was, when he had a chance, he took his first chance. That's all the difference was really today.

ARVIND PARMAR: When? Today?

ARVIND PARMAR: I didn't hear him say it. Never heard that before.

ARVIND PARMAR: I haven't read that. Well, he's always said that, so it doesn't really bother me.

ARVIND PARMAR: No, not at all. I'm not bothered.

ARVIND PARMAR: No, I'm not bothered.

ARVIND PARMAR: No.

ARVIND PARMAR: Yeah, I mean, the crowd were backing me. The crowd is always good here. I'm just concerned of what my team says, the people around me who are trying to improve my tennis. That's what I'll, you know, keep listening to them, I'm going the right way.

ARVIND PARMAR: Definitely, yeah. You can't let too many people come in and out. You know, it doesn't benefit you with people taking interest one week and not for the next three or four weeks. You just stick to the people that's trying to help you and try to keep learning.

ARVIND PARMAR: Yeah, I mean, it's not a nice thing to hear when you're playing pretty well, you eventually get through a match where you were cramping, proved that you could actually do it. But I think with any sport really, there's always going to be some guys that are going to be outspoken. You know, you've just got to deal with that.

ARVIND PARMAR: Sure.

ARVIND PARMAR: Who is this?

ARVIND PARMAR: I think high-profile names are great. You know, it's what works for me. I don't think because they're a high-profile name it will benefit me or benefit anyone else. Maybe it will. Just because he's a big name, he's won Wimbledon, been a very successful player doesn't mean that he's going to automatically be a good coach. It's something the LTA have always thought about. You know, at the end of the day, it's their choice. I'm happy with the coach I've got and the team I've got around me.

ARVIND PARMAR: I think on the grass obviously the attacking player is very, very helpful. I think for me, if I feel I'm hitting the ball well, I'm returning well, then the rest of my game comes together quite nicely. But, yeah, I think for me I need to be at the net a little bit more, but also I've got pretty good groundstrokes and I like to use those to get into the net.

ARVIND PARMAR: Yeah, it's pretty good. I think obviously every shot can be improved. My movement around the net could be a little better.

ARVIND PARMAR: You know, it's great that I won my first-round match after struggling. You know, I proved my fitness, that I could get through a match like, that a best-of-five-set match, hot conditions. I'm going to take away a lot of positives.

ARVIND PARMAR: I still have doubles. Hopefully I'll be here for the next few days.