TMS - INDIAN WELLS

March 15, 2001

Patrick Rafter

MODERATOR: Questions for Pat.

PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, mate, it was good tennis. I don't think I can play much better than that. I served very well in the end. The last two and a half sets, served a very high percentage. I served very well. I started returning well, mixing my game up. I'm very happy with today.

PATRICK RAFTER: It was great tennis. I said to him, "I can't play any better." I thought he played well. You know, one of those matches you come off and say, "It's a good match, just too bad."

PATRICK RAFTER: I raised my game today. I didn't think there for a time that my game was good enough to beat his. He raised his game in the third set. He went to sleep a little in the second. That was probably his error. He let me back into the match in the second. The third set, I raised my game, he raised his game. For a while there, I thought he was going to be too good. It was just one or two points here or there and the match just swung.

PATRICK RAFTER: Oh, yeah. I mean, it's very different, though, Davis Cup. I'm sure it was there in the back of the mind. It was nothing personal out there. We were just having a go at each other, getting stuck into each other, just playing tennis like whoever it is, nothing personal out there. I think we both -- well, I know I enjoyed the match anyway.

PATRICK RAFTER: Another way to look at it is I feel more pressure because I want to perform every week. I don't want to go out losing. I think, if anything, I don't feel it either way. I don't have an opinion on it either way. I'm just playing good tennis anyway. Sometimes I come off and I lose, and I've still played good tennis. It's okay. We all have those days.

PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah. I answer this question every time I come in. I'm a little bit sick and tired of answering the same question. Yeah, it is a possibility. I want to somehow not answer this any anymore. I think it's my fault, though.

PATRICK RAFTER: Well, I did it for the Australian public, not for anyone else.

PATRICK RAFTER: I'll kick the shit out of you (laughter).

PATRICK RAFTER: No, I think I can handle him (smiling).

PATRICK RAFTER: Right, yeah.

PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, sometimes it enters my mind. It was an opportunity that I had to win that match. I got very nervous. I think right now it's very different. I was coming off something. I'd been playing good tennis, but I hadn't had too many great results. I was just so happy to be there in the final, I guess I lost track of the match. When I got into a winning match, I got very nervous, very tight. This is a little bit different. I'm starting to prove myself and starting to play good tennis. But Pete, you know, he's one of the best ever. See how it goes on the day. But he's got a tough match tonight. He knows he's going to have to play well to win. But, you know, the possibility is there to play. I've got to serve like I did today and somehow get his serve back.

PATRICK RAFTER: No, I don't ever go into a tournament like that, or any major or Davis Cup or any tournament. I go there trying to win every one. If I can win one, I'm just so happy and grateful for that. I wouldn't say this is more important or this is more important, whatever. They're all very important to me, and I'll take anything I can get my hands on. That's the way I look at it.

PATRICK RAFTER: I think it was a bit of both. The US Open, you're right, I was playing great tennis. I had the results on the board. There was nothing to think of on the court. When I got out there, I hadn't been in the situation for quite awhile, hadn't been in the final of a Grand Slam. And, hang on, this is Wimbledon. Sure, that plays a part. I think both played a part. I didn't stand up under the pressure. Simple as that.

PATRICK RAFTER: Oh, mate, I'd hope to think a bit better.

PATRICK RAFTER: La-ti-da.

PATRICK RAFTER: I could.

PATRICK RAFTER: No, have no thought of what I want to do. I want a big break for about six months. I'm sure something will pop up.

PATRICK RAFTER: I think just not going and jumping on a plane will get me excited, not being in another hotel room. I think that's reason enough to get out of bed with a big smile on your face.

PATRICK RAFTER: It would be a lot easier, put it that way. Then you'd probably want to travel, so.

PATRICK RAFTER: I didn't see him. I didn't see Rocket. He's a legend, isn't he?

PATRICK RAFTER: God, yeah. He's a hero for everyone. There's nothing not to like about the guy. He's just one of those guys, he's a great bloke. I didn't see him. If I saw him, he would have just inspired me.

PATRICK RAFTER: Well, I think, you know, the Aussie Open I played pretty consistently. I just got better and better as the matches went along. This seems that way. It''s happening again this week. I want to keep the momentum going this week, next week also in Miami. Two big tournaments. Then there's Davis Cup. I'm going to work really hard for the next three weeks.

PATRICK RAFTER: Got to be on a plane somewhere. I mean, you've got to be flying somewhere, get to somewhere. I mean, I don't live in America; I live in Australia. I live in Bermuda, but I just came from Australia, Davis Cup. Got to get here.

PATRICK RAFTER: A lot of work to do yet, mate. We'll just slow down a little bit.

PATRICK RAFTER: He's close. He's very consistent, no doubt about it. Sometimes he gets a little overpowered by certain guys. Day in, day out, he's probably one of the most consistent competitors out there. It's going to be tough on him, too, to continue to do that. He's got a very physically and mentally demanding game. He'll make it, I think. I've been a big believer in Lleyton's game. I've seen him in big-match situations. I think if he gets a couple more big-match situations, you'll see how good he is, like a semifinals again or a finals of a Grand Slam. You've got to beat him. I don't know the answer for why he hasn't really made it just yet. But he's only 20. Leave him a bit of slack yet.