COMPAQ GRAND SLAM CUP

September 28, 1997

Patrick Rafter

Q. Patrick, heavy schedule over the last couple of months; what really appeared to be a really draining semifinal yesterday. How much did they take their toll on you today?

PATRICK RAFTER: It was a little bit. I mean, I did have probably a little bit of a sore arm was the main problem, I think. I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. But, you know, even if I was feeling fit, I still don't think I would have beaten Pete on the day. He's just too good and too strong. I've got to look for something new, something different to try to crack Pete. But I haven't found anything yet.

PATRICK RAFTER: Well, I was quite happy with the way I returned about the last set. I just started to pick up on a few little things which is very promising to me. I had a lot of problems with his second serve. He won far too many second serve points. That was probably one of the biggest problems that I had during the whole match. I just have a lot of problem with his second serve.

PATRICK RAFTER: Hmm, not really. I'm struggling with that one, too.

PATRICK RAFTER: Melbourne, Australian Open?

PATRICK RAFTER: Doubt it. Maybe the crowd might play a part, but that's about it.

PATRICK RAFTER: No (laughter). Not that sort of guy, mate. But I did need something like that to get me going, need to turn the thing around.

PATRICK RAFTER: A fraction. But I felt pretty good. Didn't feel too bad. Not the reason why I lost.

PATRICK RAFTER: Oh, it was very frustrating for me out there. It was a little bit similar to the Davis Cup matches, as well. I haven't felt that frustrated in quite, you know, quite awhile, being in the Davis Cup and also today's match. Just that everything I tried, he has an answer for. I guess that's why he's the best.

PATRICK RAFTER: I am having two weeks off, and then I'm going to start in Lyon, then Stuttgart, then Paris, Stockholm, and then maybe Hannover.

PATRICK RAFTER: There's a big party put on for us from the tournament, so I think I'll be probably enjoying myself. But I have an early flight tomorrow. Have to make my way back to Bermuda. Probably not too many beers tonight.

PATRICK RAFTER: I reckon things will die down by then. No? It's because of Craig, people like you in Australia, that's keeping it going (laughter). It's going to be pretty crazy is what I heard. I haven't been back there. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

PATRICK RAFTER: Well, you know, it's sort of going to be a little bit invading on my privacy. It's not very nice, but I guess that's part of it, isn't it?

PATRICK RAFTER: I think the consistency, you know, of being able to back it up pretty well nearly every week, except for the Davis Cup. I felt like I played pretty well here this week. The Davis Cup I felt like I struggled a little bit. But I sort of came back here and I played well again. I think that's important, to being a good player, consistency. Hopefully can I keep it going now for the rest of the year, you know, and for the years to come. You know, that's the most important thing.

PATRICK RAFTER: It's fine. No one knows me here, it's okay (laughter).

PATRICK RAFTER: I usually go there to do nothing is what I'm going to do. You know, I feel like I deserve that. If there's been a time where I've had to practice, my brother might come over and help me. There's one or two local guys that don't hit a bad ball, so we go out and train. Very rarely am I there to practice tennis.

PATRICK RAFTER: My friend's got a boat, so I'm on the boat a lot. Just lie on the beach. Lie at his place, eat all his food. He's got a great house.

PATRICK RAFTER: No. I've been offered to, a guy is going to teach me how to do it. Might do that when I go back. A lot of snorkeling as well. Golf. A lot of sleeping.

PATRICK RAFTER: Do I notice it?

PATRICK RAFTER: I notice it, yeah. I don't have a problem with it, though. It's a good thing.