COMPAQ GRAND SLAM CUP

December 10, 1994

Goran Ivanisevic

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I mean, reaction -- I mean, I played a good match. I gave everything. I tried everything, and then again, I lost. But I mean, maybe -- only mistake what I did I let him too easy sets -- I gave him two easy sets, second and third. After winning the first set, I stopped, I don't know what for; why; what was the reason, but I just stopped. That was -- then it is tough. Then I have to put all my energy back because he is No. 1. He is the best player in the world, and he is two sets to one up; then I have to put all my energy back to come back into the match, what I did. Then again, you have to fight, fight, fifth set always a little advantage. He was serving good, and he starts to return better.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I think, that was maybe the best match I played this year. It was very exciting. It was a good match. I mean, that is a little luck when you don't have a tiebreak in the fifth, 6-All, 7-7, you -- just luck; you have to wait -- one backhand, but it is easier for him because he is always serving on 7-7, 6-6 and it is less pressure and he is going for the big second serves. And every time when I serve, when I come, those guys, they are going around with these waves. Then I have to wait for five minutes; they are "waving" like idiots around and then, you know, then you lose a little concentration. You have to be very focused because when you are 7-6, 8-7 down against Sampras in the fifth, you have to be 100% there. If you are a little bit out, you are gone because he is waiting there. You make two mistakes; you are gone.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It is not easy. I am always down first and if I don't put the first serve, he is waiting in the second, and then why I have to risk a big second serve, I have to do something. But I was serving a lot of good second serves. I stayed back -- back and from the back I was playing better than him, I think. It is tough. I mean, it is pressure. No tiebreak. One has to go down. I mean, one has to lose concentration a little bit, and that last game, I mean, that ball was -- I don't know. I mean, he called good; like he called wide, and then at Love-40, I missed easy volley, but what can I do.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: When you are serving like Pete and me in the fifth set, it is better to play tiebreak. But it is okay, like this. It is lottery. Tiebreak is lottery like this also because one has to -- you cannot go forever, you know. One, because it is a big service. I had a chance at 8-All, 30-All. He hit a second serve, but he was always serving very deep, because he was going for it. And if I don't hit it clean, then it is no way, I mean, then he hits a good volley and no chance for me.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Pete is No. 1 player in the world, you know, and every time we play good matches, and sure he is tough. You give him a little chance, he is taking it. Then it is tough to get back, you know. He is mentally very strong, he is No. 1 and he has for sure proved that he is best player in the world at this time. He is mentally better than maybe everybody in the game now. He is really good. He is hitting some big shots when he needs and I mean, he is the best player.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I am going skiing a little bit, if I can ski, no snow, but -- and then I prepare a little bit, eight days I go home and then I go to Australia to practice for two weeks.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I mean, I would like to do a lot of things, but not allowed, you know, but what can I do. I mean, this is -- even if it is not for the points, this tournament is a big tournament and I came here to win, to hope to win and it is a big disappointment for me, but in the end, I lost to the No. 1 player in the world 10-8 in the fifth and that is -- he is No. 1 and he has to beat me 10-8 to beat me, and yeah, I am disappointed, but I think I finished the year in a good way. I had a great year and I hope next year I can do a little better.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No, I try to control because if I explode completely then it could be dangerous, but there was some chances I could explode completely, but then I said, okay, I am not going to, safer for me and everybody there. I mean, it is tough. It is tough in the fifth set, the guy is making such bad calls, you know, then it is tough to stay in control. I mean, like 5-4, he had that first two matchpoints, 6-5, I hit ace on 15-40, and the let-guy calling "let." That was not even close to be a let and what can you do to him, I mean ...

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It is not -- I mean, then next point I tried to scream or yell just to get out everything, you know, but it doesn't affect anything.