TMS - THE ERICSSON OPEN

March 21, 2001

Nicolas Kiefer

THE MODERATOR: First question, please.

NICOLAS KIEFER: It's a great relationship. I mean, we are all the time in contact and we also play in doubles couple times. Last week we play doubles, this week we play doubles. Also during the summer we try to play doubles. We are good friends.

NICOLAS KIEFER: What is strain?

NICOLAS KIEFER: Everybody said it not good, but we have a good relationship.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Talk about something different. Well, it's not easy to play in this condition. I was happy that I play on Center Court. I think outside is much more wind. But still was terrible outside. And, I mean, I didn't feel good there. The most important thing is just to come over to win this match, and this is important for me.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah, everything's fine.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah, right.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Well, there was a time we were just young and they offered us a wildcard. So we took the wildcard and we played very good, and we also played good singles. And we decided to concentrate more on singles. That's the reason why we both didn't play so many tournaments. Then from last year on, we said we should try to play a little more doubles because it can help our game. That's the reason that we come together again, to play more doubles.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Tommy. Was Tommy last time.

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah. Because it doesn't matter where we play, deuce court or advantage court. We both play good from both sides so...

NICOLAS KIEFER: My doubles style?

NICOLAS KIEFER: I mean, just a solid serve, solid volley. That's it. So we don't have it, we have to work on it. We have a solid serve but not a solid volley. (Laughing.)

NICOLAS KIEFER: It's my own hat. It's my nickname.

NICOLAS KIEFER: It's a long story, long time ago when I was maybe ten years old. My first or second or third coach gave me this name, and from this point on it just continued like this and went on.

NICOLAS KIEFER: No, he was German.

NICOLAS KIEFER: I like this fruit. Lot of vitamins. (Laughing.)

NICOLAS KIEFER: Yeah, I mean very tough draw, one of the toughest I could have. Could have picked Pete or Andre. And, well, last week I had two matches and then I had to play Andre. He won the tournament. Hopefully, I can do it tomorrow, the day after tomorrow against Pete. He's a very tough player. He's the best player we have on this planet at the moment, except -- I mean Andre and Pete, and for sure I have to play much better than I did today. Last week, I didn't play good tennis against Mardy Fish, then I played a great match against Andre. Hopefully, I can do the same -- I can make him angry.

NICOLAS KIEFER: On the one side, it's good to play early against Pete. But on the other side, I would like to play in the final against him because I've never been in a final of a Super 9 tournament.