US OPEN

September 4, 1997

Magnus Larsson

Q. Nicklas, can you tell us how your back is?

NICKLAS KULTI: It's much better. I had some problems with it over the weekend. I had a couple days of rest and treatment. I feel a hundred percent again.

JONAS BJORKMAN: No.

JONAS BJORKMAN: No.

JONAS BJORKMAN: Yeah, more or less. I think it couldn't be a much better way to finish the year off, if I could be part of this team, winning the Davis Cup. So that would be something special, definitely.

NICKLAS KULTI: Well, I don't think about that final. It's nice that we're in the final this year again, have some revenge. Hopefully we're going to win this. I can't say that I just had good experience from last year because we lost. We were close to winning it. But, I mean, overlooking everything, I mean, it was a great match. It's not that bad to finish runner up in the Davis Cup. Hopefully, we're going to win this year.

CAPTAIN HAGESKOG: The choice of Magnus playing the second singles was, after this week's practice, Magnus has played well. The matches against Pete and Michael, I think Magnus has a really good chance to do something big against Pete. And Jonas has good memories from the Hannover match against Michael. So we're going to discuss what he did well in that match and then go on from that.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I think the most important thing is that I know what it feels to beat him. Otherwise, it's tougher in tight situations. But, I know I can beat him in tough matches, which I've done. And, he knows also that he can lose to me, you know, if he doesn't play a hundred percent. So I will have that in mind. I did a good match against him a few years ago. I lost, but still I had a good match. You know, I have chance. I come here to take it. If not, I still hope we can win. If I lose to Pete, I'll have another chance with Michael. Hopefully, I can finish that one. I'm looking forward to the weekend. We have a great spirit on the team. Going to be excited about it.

CAPTAIN HAGESKOG: Of course, it's nice to play for a home crowd. It's easier to feel at home and comfortable the week before when we are practicing. So, yeah, it's going to help us, I think.

JONAS BJORKMAN: Well, like Carl said, it's nice to be back home. You've been on the road for many weeks this year, so it's nice to concentrate back home. The home crowd definitely will be nice to play in front of.

JONAS BJORKMAN: No matter who is going to play doubles on the American team, definitely will be tough to beat. But me and Nicklas has been playing pretty good the last couple months, and hopefully we can continue that.

JONAS BJORKMAN: Different (laughter).

JONAS BJORKMAN: No, not at all. It's definitely a nice feeling, but a little bit unusual. I'm not used to that, what can you say, only me up on the signs. It's nice, but the whole team is here to win, and hopefully we can win it together. It's not only a one-man show here. It's just nice to do something, try to promote the Davis Cup as good as they can.

CAPTAIN HAGESKOG: I think it's due to that we are a small country, and we have good support in the clubs. If there are talents, we know all of them. And we have a good system in the Swedish Association where they educate the players. And also tennis nowadays is very popular, a very popular sport in Sweden, that makes the talented athletes choose tennis perhaps instead of soccer or ice hockey nowadays. I think that also helps.

MAGNUS LARSSON: Jonas and I have totally different games, so it's a bit hard to say. I like it better to be back. Also I don't feel comfortable playing, hitting the ball early, when it's kind of windy. He was playing well. I just didn't take my opportunities.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I mean, it was really gusty out there. It's the same for both players. Really nothing to say about it. He was playing big points better first two sets. Final set, I had no chance at all. Nothing more to do.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I think first set, playing well, especially from 2-All, really played well. But the first two sets were so close. Think we won the same amount of points. Just a few important points in the first set. One breakpoint each in the second set. Hit his ball on the line when he had breakpoint. When I had breakpoint, I just couldn't make the return. Small difference.

MAGNUS LARSSON: Well, I mean, when started to play really well in the third, broke my serve, 4-2, then it's getting tough. Before, that the first two sets were really close. A point here, a point there can just make the difference.

MAGNUS LARSSON: It was always had the wind with you at one side, but also a little from the side as well. It was pretty gusty. I'd say the same for both players, we change sides. It's in both favors. Nothing more than that.

MAGNUS LARSSON: There are four guys left after tonight. All of them can win the tournament. If he come that far to semifinal, you never out of the tournament. Everybody can win.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I played a lot with Edberg over the years. I know what's happening, you know. But he's really athletic, moves well at net. It's hard to pass him. He's picking up his baseline game a little bit better every year. He doesn't miss too much from the baseline. He's improved his game a lot the last few years. He's going to improve even more. He could be a real danger.

MAGNUS LARSSON: Seven Grand Slams (laughter). Maybe six soon. Still big difference. Stefan was hitting the ball cleaner from the baseline, I think. But Rafter is moving really well. He's not over the hill yet.

MAGNUS LARSSON: Yes. But, I mean, it must be difficult for him to approach the net all the time as well. He was really handling the volley well. Played a lot of good volleys in these conditions, which is tough. So it's all credit to him.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I just sat a little with the TV that night. I didn't watch that much. I've seen him play a lot of times. There were no secrets.

MAGNUS LARSSON: Ask the coach.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I'm going to go there, practice with the team. Also Norman is ranked before me. We have a lot of players ranked better than the Italian players, by the way.

MAGNUS LARSSON: We going to have a lot of thoughts in the next few weeks to see who's playing. For sure, the best two players will. If that's me, Jonas, Thomas, Magnus Norman, we'll see.

MAGNUS LARSSON: It's important to play, but most important is to win. We'll see about that. We have a good team spirit. If I don't get to play, I wish the team support. If I get to play, I'll do everything to win.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I've been in pain the last five, six years (laughter). I'm tall. My body can't take that much. No, I have some back problems. Doesn't harm my game. When I play a lot on hardcourts, especially last year I had to retire here first match with back problems. Didn't harm my game. It hurts a little bit.

MAGNUS LARSSON: We live in the same town, played in the same club for ten years. I know what he's capable of. He's really hitting the ball well. I think he's not done here yet.

MAGNUS LARSSON: No, I have not.

MAGNUS LARSSON: Not this many weeks. The whole year, by the way. He's been playing really good. I think he's got some more business to do here before he's finished.

MAGNUS LARSSON: Yes. I know the ball was good.

MAGNUS LARSSON: I had a few bad calls before. On hardcourt, you never know. I would like to see him serve it out.