XXVI OLYMPIC GAMES

July 24, 1996

Goran Ivanisevic

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Nothing happened. I just took 20 days off after Wimbledon, and I had two days practice arriving two days ago, so I don't think I didn't expect any better.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I wanted better, but it was not possible because with two days of practice here, I don't expect any better.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No, no, no, I was in the island, you know, on the beach.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I know, everybody tells me that. But I practiced without shirt, that is what I tell to everybody.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I just needed some time off because I had very tough first part of the season, and then I was just losing my energy and concentration; French, Wimbledon, you know, two very important tournaments for me, especially Wimbledon. I just -- I was missing a little extra energy to go forward, and I lost quarterfinals, so I decided that if I get prepared well for here, and then I am going to kill myself for summer season here, so I just took some two weeks off and came here and just gave it my best. It was not good enough, so.....

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I mean, he served good, but I mean, I was moving a little slower to pick his serve and to return it. The balls are flying a lot here. I don't know why, but just it is tough to control the ball.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I have to play doubles tomorrow, and then I don't know, if I lose, then I don't know what to do. I have ten days to go for Cincinnati, then I am in trouble. But I hope I am going to win the doubles tomorrow.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No, I am taking.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No, I mean, I didn't take so seriously. I came here to try to represent my country and give my best. I gave my best today; it was poor, but that was the best I can give at the moment. And hopefully I can -- I was hoping to play doubles Friday, so I get one extra day practice to try to put my form a little better, but unfortunately playing tomorrow maybe on the half court I think I can do better, I can play better. Plus we are playing against Bjorkman-Kulti, which are very tough players to beat. So nothing to lose, just play and try to win.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Well, I mean, didn't bother me. I didn't expected to I am going to win this match, so it didn't bother me so much.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Home.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Rented a boat and I just was cruising around.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: That is right. I think if I want to do well 'til the end of the year, that was the only solution for me, to take the time off and prepare for this rest of the year. Plus I have two medals in Barcelona, so I think so many other guys here in Croatian team who can win the medals.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I didn't change. I had a bad luck. I get neck problem, then I got sick a little bit, then I couldn't get prepared well for clay season. And then I was, like, catching something instead of taking couple of weeks off and prepare for French. But I just wanted to play every week, every week, thinking I am going to play better, but it was a mistake. And then I just lost my energy at Wimbledon, I was not 100%. I was there, but little things in the game, you know, made me lose in the quarterfinal.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I mean, I still have ten days to prepare for the hard court season, plus I want to do this year well at the U.S. Open, which I didn't do previous year, so I have three tournaments to play before U.S. Open, and hopefully I can get well prepared for that.