GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE ATP CHAMPIONSHIP

August 6, 1996

Greg Rusedski

GREG RUSEDSKI: I don't think I was aggressive enough. I played an absolutely shocking game. I gave him the break. He didn't get the break. I just gave it to him in the third set. I missed an easy volley, doublefaulted; then he shanked a return. I didn't react to it. So to win matches like that, I get down 40-Love and then I start playing the right game plan point by coming in and attacking Jim, so if you don't play intelligent tennis and you play on the back of the court with Jim, you are going to get beaten so I was serving so well I didn't get aggressive enough out there and come in which I should have done.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I thought I served reasonably well in that set, just mixed it up. He played a good game to break me. I just didn't make him -- I just wasn't aggressive enough on his games. I mean, one break a set, you should at least be able to break back once or twice in a set. If you get aggressive enough and come in -- if he beats you, then that is fine. I am disappointed the way I returned. I didn't return smart enough by attacking Jim. I should have attacked Jim more. If he beats me passing me then I am pleased. But the way I played points against him wasn't too bright.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I really wasn't worried about what I was doing on my serve. My serve didn't make the difference in the match today at all. Maybe that one game in the third, but I got myself into a tighter match than I should have been in.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think it is a little bit of my stupidity out there, to be honest. I mean, he served a high percentage of first serves, which is fine, but I mean, I should just take a few more matches. If you are serving really well, you can take more chance on your opponent's serve which I didn't do today. I mean, all credit to Jim, he is a great player, and, you know, he knows how to win matches like that. I would be much more pleased if I came in here and I lost this sort of match, but I played it the right way on the games points and that is fine, but I wasn't pleased what I did. I woke up 40 then I started getting aggressive instead of being aggressive from the back right away.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah, I played a lot of top 10 players over the years. I have lost close to a lot of them. My first five events of the year, I lost to five winners of the tournament. I lost to Becker in five in Aussie. I lost to Martin 6 and 6. I lost to Sampras in three sets, 6 and 6 to Sampras, so I have got to win these sort of matches. I can't just be losing these sorts. I have played the top guys; played them 7-6, 6-4 in the third, always very tight, but to make the next step up to stay around 70, 50 or 30, you have got to win these sorts of matches to get up there.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah, that is where I have -- I have to kick myself and that is what I have to do. I have to realize during the match and say what am I doing this for; I just have to take that next step forward, and if I don't, then I will just stay where I am.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, 1993 I beat Chang, Ferreira Krajicek all in a row, and lost to Martin, so there is no reason why I shouldn't be able to beat players like Jim. I am not saying beat them every time. Maybe if I played them ten times maybe get 2, 3 wins would be nice. I mean-- and then move it up from there, but I am not taking those opportunities and those chances.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I don't look at it that way. I think if I play it more intelligent out there and I just go out there with the same focus, but you have to bring the game up another level to beat these sort of players.

GREG RUSEDSKI: No, I didn't. It was a personal decision, so....

GREG RUSEDSKI: No, it was all my decision and it was just personal choice. I mean, I had every right to. My mom's English and I have lived there the last five years and my girlfriend is there so on. I just answered that question the last year and a half. So.....