US OPEN

August 25, 1997

Mark Philippoussis

ANDRE CHRISTOPHER: Questions for Mr. Philippoussis.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I was definitely happy with the way I played today than I have in the last few weeks. It's obviously difficult for the first round. You know, he's a tough player. Last time we played at the Italian Open, he beat me Love-2. Definitely had some revenge there a little bit today, so feeling good.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah. I felt like I had some good rhythm today. I was down one breakpoint. I think that service game I served like three double-faults, missed some easy shots.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah. I mean, today I tried to mix it up a bit more. I mean, I was happy with the way I served, but as the matches go on, I'd like to serve better each match.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I think my attitude on the court, you know. I thought I was concentrating well, which I haven't been doing the last few weeks. And, you know, I was really eager out there. I was definitely on my toes from the start. That's important for me.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Well, each year I'm a better player. You know, I'm getting better, mentally stronger. You know, I'm more mature. I've got, you know, some more matchplay under my belt. I'm more experienced. You know, I love playing here at the US Open. You know, the courts are great. The balls are -- I like playing in front of the crowds here. They get into the matches, which is good. Just enjoy playing. So, you know, I just love being out there, just playing my game.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah. That court's pretty quick, I think. The balls bounce extremely high. You know, last year wasn't such a good match on that court. Year before it was good. Yeah, I have played, I think, a couple more times maybe than he is. So obviously that must count for something.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Well, I was disappointed, you know. The good thing was, at the start of the first set I broke him early, so I was up early. I broke him straightaway in the second. So he really never had his nose in front, which was important for me. You know, just started off slow in the third. You know, it was just one service game there, so it didn't happen again, which is good.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: No. I mean, I was -- I mean, I was concentrating. You know, I didn't want to lose concentration or get slack or anything. Three double-faults don't count. 40-30 point, went for a forehand down the line, which wasn't on, things like that.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I mean, last week I was -- I had a week off, went to Lendl's place, played a little bit of tennis in the morning, lots of golf in the afternoon. I just -- main thing was to recharge my batteries, to get mentally prepared for here. Like I said, it's two weeks. Have a day in between your matches to recover, be prepared for the next match. Like I said, I'm hitting the ball well here. You know, every match is going to be tough, but I feel confident that hopefully I will be in the second week. Lots of players say the tournament doesn't start until the second week, and I think that's very true. Once you get to that second week, the top players seem to go to a next level, third gear or something, play better. That's what it's about.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: A couple of golf tips here and there, you know (laughter).

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I mean, he just talks, you know, a bit like that. You know, Lendl speaks his mind, tells you straight out what he thinks. That's what you need to hear.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: He said you got to try to hit the ball in the fairway a lot more, not in the rough (laughter).

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Sorry?

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I went to his house three years ago, he invited me over. The option is always open whenever I go there to relax. Just an opportunity to go before the US Open.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Good. I mean, I love dogs. Fine.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Well, I mean, you know, everyone has their own opinion. You know, that's great. You know, I don't really care about what people say. You know, I know what I'm doing, what my goals are in my life, in my tennis. And, you know, I'm still 20. I have lots of years ahead of me. You know, if I lose a tennis match, my life isn't over. You know, I'm healthy, I've got my family. That's the most important thing. Tennis isn't the most important thing in my life. You lose a tennis match, you lose a tennis match. I'm just grateful I've got the talent to play, you know, I'm doing something. But, you know, I'm just going to give 110 percent, that's the best I can do.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: That's a good question. I've asked myself that a couple of times. But, I mean, everyone's different, you know. Some people, some time off here and there. I haven't played a lot of tennis. For some reason, I haven't been concentrating as well. It's hard for people to judge you. They don't understand, you know, what's going on. It's not just the tennis court, you've got things outside in your private life. You know, if it's good, that reflects on your tennis, you play good. If it's bad, you sort of think about it, you're not there for your matches. People just don't understand that.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I don't know where that came from (laughter).

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I drive around, but I drive well under the speed limit, of course (laughter).

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, it is a fast car, but I drive it very slowly (laughter).

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Well, it's funny because people were sort of building up the hype for that match. It was played on a night match. Energy walking out there, you know, was good. It was a good feeling. I think maybe I got too sucked up in the whole thing. Go out there, try to bash him off the court. Again, that's experience. I've just got to learn, take it -- play like the way I've been playing. So, yeah, I mean, like I said, every year I'm a more mature player. Hopefully that's not going to happen again.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Well, the funny thing is, you know, one lady over the microphone says for the first round match at 11. Then she goes, "We'd like to welcome everyone to the new US Open." We're like, it's the new US Open? It's a great stadium. Everyone's getting lost in the stadium. That's pretty much the only difference. You know, the scene on that centre court is amazing, Arthur Ashe Day was he electrifying. It's hard to explain. It was a great thing out there. Definitely one of the best centre courts I've ever seen in my life.