U.S. OPEN

September 5, 1996

Goran Ivanisevic

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It is sad because such a big player, champion, leaving the tennis, one of the best players ever to step on the tennis court, big gentleman. Everybody liked him. I knew it was going to be tough today and somebody had to beat him. I am happy that I beat him. It is going to go to the record books as I am the one beating Stefan Edberg at the last U.S. Open. It is sad for him that he lose, but it was a little -- it is tough when 19,000 people - I don't know how many people - against you, clapping on your first serves when you miss, and it is -- I felt like playing Sweden Davis Cup.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No, I was very cool. Surprised, I think, everybody there kept even when I serve there -- because I played not great tennis; I served good, but I did not play well. Then I saw him slipping in the third set. He had a problem with the leg. I had a lot of breakpoints. I didn't know he was going to continue not serving. He was starting to serving not good, pulling these easy first serves. And then suddenly at 5-4 he played unbelievable game. Unbelievable tiebreak, you know, when I had matchpoint. I hit maybe faster serve today and he came up with some unbelievable returns, but I kept my cool. I didn't expect this crowd that they are -- I knew they are going to be for him, but not like this, I didn't -- I mean, every time when I missed the first serve, they were so happy, you know, and clapping and I know it is going to be same story Saturday. If I win Saturday, it is going to be same story Sunday, but that is New York. You have to deal with that. And if I can keep my mind like I did today it is going to be good.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I played good tennis today, not -- but you have to win even when you don't play good and I think that shows if you want to win this tournament even when you struggle you have -- you can win and I think I am going to play good Saturday. No reason why I shouldn't play Saturday. I play Pete who won unbelievable match, great effort, was throwing up in the fifth tiebreak, and he pulled out to win the match. We always have good matches. I lost to him in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago. I did couple of mistakes which he punished, so I think I have to play better and don't let him step -- I mean, from the first point, otherwise I can be in trouble.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I watched. I think Corretja played very smart. He had these high balls on Pete's backhand and Pete was a little impatient; tried to hit a lot of winners and he was missing. Then he pulled unbelievable thing in the tiebreaker, so I know how to play him, play a lot of matches, I don't need any tactics. I need to serve good. I need to play good and see what is going to happen.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, just show you how big that -- why he is No. 1 player in the world, you know, keeping his cool and trying even if he can't, you know, so I said it is going to be tough, just keep your cool and try to motivate yourself after this Pete and Corretja match, you know, just -- we started a little late and it didn't bother me. I just -- I was a little nervous, but I just wanted to fight and show them that I can be still dangerous here.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It is. Before this tournament when somebody told me if I am going to be in the semis I would say geez, it would be nice, but now I am because this year, I think strongly maybe I was mentally better than previous years, I believe more that I can do it. And I don't complain too much, you know, even today was a lot of bad calls especially 5-4 tiebreak when I hit -- I think ace, they call it wide. And then I lost that point. Then I came up with another big serve. There is no -- I mean, I don't think you should complain here, because you just put the crowd behind you, like today, and it is not easy. I tell you, it is not easy to play everybody shouting against you, but I won the match and hopefully I can win again.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I don't know. I mean, what is it going to take? I don't care actually. (audience laughter) What is it going to take? I have my 16 people in the box. Not too much, but it is something, you know, at least somebody is there for me who are pretty loud and I keep them happy; keep myself happy, and hopefully I am going to be more happier at the end of this tournament.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: In Croatian, you don't want to know. (audience laughter)

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No, nothing against them. I mean, it is just their choice. I knew previous years New York crowd is something special. If they like, you are lucky. If they don't like, you are in big trouble. I don't think they don't like me, but it is just Stefan is there, you know, I knew he is going to be tough, but not so nice when tiebreak you missed first serve and then everybody clapping, you know, then it is -- it is not Davis Cup. But the crowd is crowd. I know it is going to be another tough crowd Saturday there and I have to handle that.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Sure. I mean, it would be nice, but unfortunately it is not happening.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I don't know it. We will see Saturday.