ATP TOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

November 12, 1997

Greg Rusedski

Q. Greg, first of all, your fitness, did you have any problem with the thigh?

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah. I just woke up this morning and my hamstring on my right side was extremely tight, and it was hard to move on this morning. Before the match, I had the trainer warm it up. Just put a tape around it. But I couldn't move at all with the wrap on, I took it off. Unfortunately, trying to play against Sampras not 100% fit is not the easiest of tasks.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, I'm not going to say because in case, hopefully, I get it better to play Carlos on Friday. It just hurt my movement today.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah. I couldn't go for certain balls. I was probably about a step, a step and a half late on certain balls that I normally would get to. Pete came up with some good tennis today, and he was the better player today.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Beg your pardon?

GREG RUSEDSKI: It's hard to go out there against Sampras, the No. 1 player in the world, on any given day. You have to be a hundred percent fit. So I'm sure he knows how to take advantage of those situations. I was a little bit disappointed because to get to Hannover, to play such a good first match against Patrick, and to barely lose it, and then to come in today and to wake up and have this hamstring, a pulled hamstring, is a little bit disappointing.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah. I had a few Love-30s and 15-30s, but Pete came up with some good volleys and had some good shots. I think he's starting to find his form again, so it should be an exciting match with Patrick and Pete again.

GREG RUSEDSKI: No, I didn't feel it yesterday at all. It had no effect. I just woke up this morning and it was just very, very sore.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I don't really have a clue whether it has anything to do with the court (laughter). I don't imagine so. Maybe I just did a funny motion somewhere or something. I didn't feel it at all yesterday. It was just first this thing morning when I woke up.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think if I played the way I did yesterday and maybe a little bit better, I would have had a better chance. I had a few opportunities, but I think Pete served a little better today. If I can play my best tennis, I can have a good shot on any given day.

GREG RUSEDSKI: No. I knew he'd be back out. He only had a bloody nose, so it wasn't too serious. Actually came out and served better (laughter).

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, I just couldn't push up, that was the problem. That's my dominant foot to push up (indicating). That doesn't really help completely.

GREG RUSEDSKI: No. I don't feel that way. I think Sampras has proven himself as one of the greatest players to be. I think we're catching up, a lot of us. I think we're all working on our games, trying to get better. I'm sure one of us in the pack will catch him, one day soon, hopefully.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah. But I'd rather like to win, but unfortunately didn't go my way today. Considering everything, it's a little bit disappointing because if I could have been 100% fit, I could have given it a better go. But I tried my best today, and that's all I can say.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I hopefully will be able to get a Friday start. We'll just have to wait and see.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah, it's very tight. I just had it stretched, I'm going to get some treatment after I get done here.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, if they give me an invite, maybe I'll come (laughter). But we're having our celebrations in London as well, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it.