ATP TOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

November 22, 1996

Yevgeny Kafelnikov

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Well, on this point it is a matter of which opponent I am playing. For example, if I play serve and volleyer, of course we are going to not see any on the baseline. But, a player like Pete, he can serve and volley, but at the same time, he feels also confident when he plays on the baseline. That is why the crowd was able to see so many great points.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I have no explanation on that.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I feel fine. Honestly, deep inside, I feel like I played a great match and just it wasn't my day. Plus, Pete was the same. He is No. 1 in the world, and he prove by winning the most crucial points at the end of the second set, and he definitely deserved to be in the semifinal.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: All I can tell you, he served very strong. Even when he is down Love-40, he still feel that he is able to come back serving a couple of aces. And then he, just what happened, once he was Love-40 down, he came with like two great serves and one great passing shot and then he was back to the game. So, he is a very tough opponent; plus he keeps playing much stronger when he is down in the game - Love-30 or Love-40; then he is concentrating 100%.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: You know, I was competing twice in this event, and twice I had Sampras and Becker in the same group. But, to me, it is three players really can win this tournament: Becker, Sampras and Ivanisevic. Those three players who can really have a shot. At the same time, I feel like Krajicek has a chance, too. I don't have any particular --

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I don't want to say anything. I like everybody.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Every time I am playing against those guys, we are having a very close match. But, when the points come to the crucial moments in the match, I am always the loser. I don't know. Maybe because my serve isn't strong like the others. For example, Becker when he is down breakpoint, he feels like he is going to come with an ace, and he is making an ace. I don't feel like same confidence as they do. So, hopefully, you know, I need so much -- I need bigger movement on this aspect of the game.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I would say so, because all the guys who won this event - Becker, last year; Sampras before; 1993, Stich - all the guys, they are really strong players with big serve, great groundstrokes, excellent volleys. And you don't see many clay court players who won this tournament, except maybe Agassi, but he also is a strong hitter.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I wish we played this tournament on clay. Me and Muster were going to vote for the clay.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Yes, that is my other problem.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Yeah, when I have the breakpoints I always, you know, like to go for the ace. And then sometimes it cost me game because this moment I am losing control of myself. And, hopefully I need more experience on that. I am only 22, that was my fourth year on the Tour, so hopefully, you know, -- it cost you a lot when you are making those errors. Especially when you are playing guys like Becker, Sampras who is dominating the tennis.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I will be in Moscow next week, then I have to go to the Grand Slam Cup. And then after that, I am going to prepare for next season. So, I won't have any breaks.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I think so, yeah, because when we - when I am going against Pete on the clay, I feel strong inside. And, especially when we go in the best of five set, I know that maybe in the end of the second set or even in the beginning of the third, Pete might get tired because his game is very strong and all the time he is going for the shot. But, on the clay, you don't have to do so much. But, when we play indoors, I feel like he has an edge over me psychologically.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I feel it has been a great year for me. And, I am very glad that I won my first Grand Slam title, the French Open. Winning -- I mean, this year, I played 10 finals in singles, and I guess it was like 7 times in doubles. So, it has been a great year for me. Hopefully, you know, I will continue to do the same things next year.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: To be honest, I feel more confident, for example, on clay. Not like I used to.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: When I am playing on the clay court. Because 1995 I felt like clay isn't my favorite surface, but winning the French Open really helps me because now I feel like when I am going against Spanish players who is dominating on clay, I feel like my chances are increasing compared to last year. So, that is, I think, advanced one step further than before.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: No question that I improve my singles because I play lots of doubles. And, I am sure that all the top 10 guys will play doubles in the near future because they will realize how doubles also is important.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Not in the states. If Doubles Championship would have been in Europe, I would go right after Moscow because I know it is a great preparation for the singles I would get a couple of doubles matches and I would keep my body in shape. I would go, but, you know, I was so unhappy that the Doubles Championship was in Hartford.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: No.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I think -- I improve a lot my volleys by playing doubles because now I feel like -- I feel much more confident at the net. Not like I used to be. I used to be so afraid to go to the net, but, now, I feel that I can cover the net quite well by playing doubles. That is, I think, that is the benefit.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Yes, I will.