NEWSWEEK CHAMPIONS CUP

March 10, 1997

Jim Courier

JIM COURIER: Come on, I walked all the way over.

JIM COURIER: Well, I am obviously disappointed to lose. More so than I am disappointed in the way I played out there. But, you know, I have to give credit where credit is due. He played a very good match due to what I gave him. I think I gave him a lot of opportunities and he took them like most good players will do.

JIM COURIER: No. It is much hotter in Florida right now than it is here. So this is actually fine.

JIM COURIER: Yeah. I am 100%.

JIM COURIER: It is the same for both of us; I felt that way too, but, you know, those are -- conditions are conditions and they are the same for both guys. So that doesn't really -- can't factor that in.

JIM COURIER: Well, I was hitting the balls shorter than I needed to, and basically, above all, I was a little bit inflexible. When things weren't working, I didn't change. I just kept trying to do what I was doing better and, you know, 6-4 in the third, it is a close match say, a one- or a two-point match. But, that's where the difference comes, when you are able to be a little bit more flexible and change things up and see what is working and what is not working. I didn't do that very well today. That is something for me to work on.

JIM COURIER: There is no question I didn't play the schedule I wanted to play due to going to Brazil it kind of threw a whammy in my schedule. But, I am fine now. I had a nice week at home last week and my body feels good. So, my schedule should be pretty sane from here on in.

JIM COURIER: On-court flexibility.

JIM COURIER: It is something that we need to work on right away.

JIM COURIER: Harold may talk to you about what we do, but I don't. So, we will just leave it at that. That is why I pay him the big bucks. If I spread the word to you guys then what is the point? That advice is for me and for me to utilize. So....

JIM COURIER: How am I going to get back to what?

JIM COURIER: Well, David, now that you asked. Basically the key is for me to start playing a little bit wiser on the court. I think there is no problem with the way I am hitting the ball. No problem physically. And, mentally I feel very, very strong out there right now. I just have to play a little bit more thoughtfully. I think -- I am not far away. But, you know, that little bit (indicating inches) means a lot out here because competition is so good.

JIM COURIER: There or the U.S. Open.

JIM COURIER: I think Wimbledon is where the weather affects the tournament the most because Wimbledon can play -- if it is raining, it can be strictly a serve-and-volley-tournament. And, if it is hot and sunny conditions, like we are having here, then baseliners can get involved in the fray too. The French, I think, you pretty much -- weather is not a huge factor there, I don't think.

JIM COURIER: It is a long season. There is really no reason to blow up over something like that. But, it is definitely cause for concern. It is something to look at and hopefully learn from.

JIM COURIER: Well, in many ways I am 17 again I am starting with a new coach. And, this is a bit of a rebirth for me. So I have to what is past is past and what is present is here and that is what I have to work on. So, none of these guys are giving me anything because I have won Grand Slams. And it doesn't mean shit to them. And it can't mean shit to me either. I have to go out here and earn it everyday. It is very simple.

JIM COURIER: Yeah, I think we have no chance. (laughter) Absolutely no chance.

JIM COURIER: Well, let's see. Who won the tournament last week? There you go. You never know.