US OPEN

September 1, 2004

Marcos Baghdatis

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I got in the match a bit nervous in the beginning. So I was playing against No. 1 in the world in the biggest stadium in the world. So I was a bit nervous, and I just started to have fun in there. I just played my game. Federer just didn't play so good, and I took my chance. I won the second set. And then he put his level up. He won the third. In the fourth, I just got a bit tired, start cramping a bit. He continued to play so...

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Very (laughter).

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: He's very talented. He can make every shot. It's amazing playing against him. I mean, it's tough to play against him. You don't read his shots. He's very, very talented.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yeah, a bit. But, I mean, everybody has his game. Everybody has his talent. I mean, it's a matter of work and I'm ready to go back and work and try to be like him.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: No, I mean, I don't know how to explain. But he has his own game. He knows how to do everything. I mean, some players don't know to do everything. I don't know how to do everything, but I'm working on it so I can do everything also in the court, every shot.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Played pretty good. I had some -- also I had some better matches in my career, but I played really good. One of my best.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: No, I didn't really model Federer. I have my own style of playing. I'm working on that.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: No, I mean, it was the occasion, but I like having fun in the court because, I mean, I love tennis and I love playing tennis. So for me, it's fun.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: First of all, I think I have to improve my physical and improve a lot of things. Like I said, I'm ready to go back and improve all those things. I mean, he has a great experience to play in front of this crowd. It was my first time. So I just have to work and do my best.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: It was great. It was one -- I arrive to everybody, I am 19 years old. I mean, it was amazing feeling for me. I had a lot of fun. It was a great match and I try to have fun. That was my objective before the match, and I did. So I'm happy with that, I'm proud of myself, and life continues.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: No, I never worked with Bob Brett. I was in his academy, but I never worked with him.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: He just told me good luck in my career. I told him it was great playing with him and good luck for the tournament.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yeah, of course. You get the rhythm of his -- the quality of his ball. And, I mean, I think that's what I need, playing more with this kind of players, practicing with this kind of players, and getting in the rhythm of the quality of the ball.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Like I said, I'll go back, work hard, try to do my best, I'll go play some challengers, go fight a bit, and I hope I'll play good. That's all I can say.