US OPEN

August 27, 2002

Nicolas Kiefer

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Nicolas, please.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Thank you.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Well, I mean, I was already close in the fourth set, already had my chance in the fourth set. He was up 5-4 - I don't know - yeah, he was up 5-4. I was serving 40-15, I hit an ace. That was very late overrule. But in general was very close match. I mean, I was also in the tiebreak I was up 3-2. I knew that he's also cramping. But finally I couldn't make it.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I'm gonna go now again. I would prefer to stay there and lay a little bit down, but... It's also important to talk to you.

NICOLAS KIEFER: No, I didn't hurt. My legs just cramping in general ,the whole legs, groin. I had never had cramps before, I just saw on TV when somebody was cramping. But now it happen to me also. It's very bad feeling.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Both, yeah.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I was playing for four hours 15 minutes, four and a half hours. It was 6-All in the fifth set, only five or ten minutes to go. I try to put all in this five, ten minutes, to focus just on these five minutes - doesn't matter how. I was down with a mini-break 1-2, I won both points on his serve. Then I lost two points on my serve. It wasn't easy because Marat serving very good and played very aggressive the whole time. But I also had my chances in the tiebreak. It's not easy when you cramp and you have to serve. You don't get any power from your legs.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I mean, I didn't think about it. I wanted to continue, I wanted to finish it.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I wanted to finish in a better way, but didn't work out.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I play many times against him. Also he beat me here in the quarterfinal one time. So I play against him this year already. I know how to play against him. I had my tactic, and I think you could see it.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Everywhere, lower body.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I was up 3-2 also. I mean, yeah, as I said, I was playing for four and a half hours. I got to the tiebreak in the final set, only five more minutes to focus on these points. This is little bit disappointed, because I was out there for four and a half hours and I had the chances, I was very close to win it. Finally, I didn't make it. But on the other side, it's also -- it's important step for me, for my game, for my serve, for my confidence. Now I can be at my game on what I show today.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I don't think so. I prefer to win in three sets (smiling).

NICOLAS KIEFER: He was serving from -- what?

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah, French Open.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah, I remember.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah.

NICOLAS KIEFER: No.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I couldn't move anymore. I had problems already before, but I could make the points somehow. I just went for it, and I made the points. At 5-3 in the tiebreaker I wanted to hit the ball. From the head, I wanted to hit, but my legs didn't move. Then I was just standing there, cramp in the left leg.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Maybe middle or end of fifth set, I can't remember. It's not a good feeling to remember like this.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Me or him?

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I lost. I came here to win.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I played a good match. I played good tennis, aggressive tennis. My game is coming back. Most important thing is to keep on working on these things. And, as I said, it's good for my confidence. I know how to play. I know how to play against these players. The only thing I need is to win more matches - matches like this. Then you make another step up. I know how it works. I did it already.

NICOLAS KIEFER: It didn't happen to me before, was first time. But I think we should talk about my tennis, not about cramping. I mean, it happened one time to me, so can happen to everybody.

NICOLAS KIEFER: It was a great match, so we can talk about the great match. Good atmosphere outside, good spectators. I think it was very fair for both of us. It was just great to be out there.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I had a bad feeling but I wanted to. I wanted to stand up, I wanted to finish the match. Then I made a point, 6-4, I think, "Wow, he's getting nervous, too." I try -- I had great shots at this point. No, but he had good hands. The last point I couldn't stand. I just went for it. Sometimes going well, but sometimes not.

NICOLAS KIEFER: It was nice that he came up, because we were playing for four and a half hours. We are also good friends out of the court. What can you say? He won't say, "Get up, one more point" (laughter).

NICOLAS KIEFER: Well, I think he also had tough weeks, but it's good to see his confidence is good. He's playing very good tennis and he's strong - as you can see - his serve. From the baseline, he's playing very aggressive. But I had my game, and he didn't like it.

NICOLAS KIEFER: No, was unbelievable feeling for me to be out there. I mean, we are fighting for four and a half hours, both of us. They were supporting me and him. It was great to be out there. All I did today was fighting for every ball and to give my best over 100%. This is how I have to see it.