WIMBLEDON

June 22, 2004

Mark Philippoussis

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I don't look at it that way. I've always said I take each day as it comes, and I don't dwell on the past and think about the past. So for me, I think for me, I've been putting in some good practice since Queen's. Working on a few things. Mainly just trying to stay relaxed, get my mind right and enjoy myself.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, I think it was pretty straightforward grass court tennis. It was a good first match, first up. Good to set the -- get the match, get into the tournament.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, definitely. There's no other tournament, I must say, that definitely gives me those butterflies in my stomach before the match. You know, I'm not really wanting much to eat before the match. Little nervous. But I think it's good nerves. It's definitely a positive sign for me.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I was there mentally. Simple as that. I was there mentally. I've been working hard on and off the court. My fitness has improved a lot. Been working with Brett Stevens off the court, on the court. Working those hours on the court with him and my dad, and it's paying off. But, more importantly, mentally, I'm there. I'm focused, and I'm ready, you know. I think that's the biggest thing.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Definitely. If you're not gonna switch on at this tournament, and if I'm not pumped, then there's no use playing. Might as well put the racquets in the closet.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, I'm just looking at a match at a time. Today, I was focusing on today's match. As I said, thinking about just the simple grass court tennis. Serve and volleying, first volley, getting in when I can, keep the pressure on. I'm 6'4. If they can pass me at the start, fair enough. But if they can pass me for five sets, then it's too good. The odds of that aren't gonna be too high.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, I feel like I had good rhythm today. So sometimes I rush a little bit. But all in all, I'm happy. I didn't drop my serve once. So that's a positive thing.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I'm definitely not the type of guy that needs matches, needs to play a lot of matches, a lot of matches, to be playing good tennis. Like I said, my mind has to be there. I've got to be pumped and just relaxed on the court. Today, that's what I was. I was relaxed. I just thought about going out there and playing it a point at a time. Enjoying myself, and being focused. And, like I said, this is Wimbledon. And if I'm not gonna get pumped this tournament, then I never will.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: That's perfect with me. I'm sure they contend -- they think nothing much was gonna happen last year. So I love that. I'm just gonna go about doing my thing, getting on the court, and playing my tennis.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I've been having a lot of fun, but not on the court (laughter). That's the thing so...

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah. She's, you know, she took time off. She's here to support me. You know, that's what it's all about. It's nice. Really nice.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah. Big server. Not a natural serve-and-volleyer. Not a natural volleyer. But big serve on the grass is always gonna be dangerous. Again, for me, I'm gonna concentrate on my serve. Do what I do. Serve and volley and then put pressure on second serves. Chip and charge. Put the pressure on. And, you know, we'll see if he can come up with the pass. If he can, too good.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Like I said, I'm just thinking about the next day. That's the only thing on my mind.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Don't even tell me. I don't even want to know. Don't even tell me. I'm not really worried. All I care about -- I don't even know who I play once I get off the court after a win. All I care about is who I play on the court that day. That's the only thing on my mind.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: No.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: No, I'm in a different house this year. Maybe if I won the tournament, I'd have stayed in the same house. But I'll keep swapping houses until...

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Obviously, hasn't been an ideal start of the year. But, as I said, I'm not the type of guy to dwell on that and worry about that too much. It's Wimbledon time. And I'm happy to be here. I'm pumped to be here. So I'm just gonna go out there and just play how I can play. Simple as that.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: No, not at all. I definitely stopped looking ahead and tried to, you know, tell myself or tell other people what I'll be doing in the few years down the track after, you know, having three knee surgeries. So for me, from now on, definitely taught me to take each day as it comes and just wake up and deal with that day.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, like you said, I'm 27. I've been on the tour for 10 years. Definitely takes a toll on your body. Especially I'm 6'4", 215 pounds. Yeah, there's other guys on the court that carry half the weight around and can run all day. Obviously, there's a little more pressure on the joints. But, you know, in retrospect, I had those three surgeries where I haven't played those three and a half years. But then again, you know, coming back from three surgeries has also has been very tough, too.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Mentally, yeah, more than physically. But pretty much just as much as physical, too.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Oh, you know what, I'm just -- that's just normal. That's just normal. And then in two weeks' time they'll be jumping on the bandwagon. So it really doesn't worry me.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Definitely. Without a doubt.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Because I have what it takes to win. I know I can win it. Simple as that.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I hope. I hope. But like I said, there's a lot of tennis to go. So most important thing is, you know, just taking it a day at a time. Today I got through. I worry about relaxing tomorrow, having a good practice, then I'll wake up the next day and tackle that day.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, the thing about when I come here is I'm in a simple frame of mind. I know I'm on grass. I know I'm going to serve and volley. Serve and volley first, second serve. Get into net when I can. It's very simple. You know, on the hard court, sometimes I can be a little confused about what my game plan is gonna be. That's why, you know, consistently I have done well here in the past. Because, you know, like I said, serve and volley first and second serve. Getting to the net. You know, when I have something -- in that frame of mind, I think I'm a lot more positive definitely as a player, and as a person.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, sure, they know that. Definitely no surprise.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, that's definitely the key. I think for me, like I said, most important thing is just not losing my concentration and just staying focused. Because, you know, when I do lose concentration, that's when you can get broken and have some, you know -- miss some easy volleys and be a break down. And it can happen real easy.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Nothing's coming in yet. I'm just doing my own thing.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Thank you. So, yeah, just...

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: She is today, yes.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Uh-hmm.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I think compared to what I used to do, surfing has definitely helped. It, you know, keeps me physically going when I'm off the court. I'm in the water, so I'm always doing something. It's great for fitness. I think being in the water definitely just keeps my muscles, my body loose. You know, it's definitely a good thing, positive thing.