ATP TOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

November 21, 1996

Yevgeny Kafelnikov

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Well, I think today I was a little bit more fresh than I was in Bercy. I had to -- today I had to play best of three sets; I think that was the difference. I was concentrating for long period, plus for the short -- that is why I was able to keep my concentration for one hour. That was good enough to win the match.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I was a little surprised. By the same time, I realized that it could happen that way, that Andre played a match against Pete. I am sure he was ill, that is why he was unable to perform 100%. So, yesterday night I got call from the ATP and they said I am going to have to play Thomas. So, in the beginning I was a little surprised, but then I just took it as any other matches.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I am sure it is good for Boris.

( Laughter.)

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I don't know. It is just -- it is -- of course it is a factor against which opponent I am playing. For example, if I am playing Becker, no matter what kind of surface, I mean, if you are playing indoor, no matter what kind of surface Green Set or Taraflex, it is still going to be very difficult. But, I mean, this surface, to me, it is quite okay.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Not very much. I saw some highlights. But, it was quite extraordinary. I saw the tiebreak in the second set. No question that Becker is playing the best tennis, by far, indoors, that I have ever seen him play.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Yeah.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I don't feel any pressure because last year I was 0 and 3 in the matches and losing to Becker, you know, after that my chances were really low. But, and I still feel like Pete is going to be the favorite tomorrow. But, I will try 100% tomorrow because that is -- the winner of our match goes to the semifinal; maybe Pete got tired today and anything can happen.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: It was exciting before I went to the court against Becker and that was quite exciting to play Becker and in front of his home crowd. And, to play Pete, he is No. 1 in the world, I am sure it is going to be the same feeling, and at the same time I will try hard as I was doing before. So, I am going to take that match very seriously. Even if I lose, it is not going to be the end of the world. I know that we are going to play so many other times against each other, so it is just going to be the normal, regular match.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: No.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: No I am going to have to play Grand Slam Cup. I am going to Florida for preparing for the new 1997 season. It is not going to be any weeks off for me. I will try to keep my shape, my form and my shape.