EUROCARD OPEN

October 27, 1998

Nicolas Kiefer

NICOLAS KIEFER: Whether I can remember a situation like the one today, yes, exactly one year ago. My first match here went similar. Today it was as hard. I am always happy if I win a match like this. It is good for your confidence.

Yes, I had to invest a lot of energy, but it paid off. I gave everything and also tomorrow I will give everything.

I worked a lot on my physical fitness, maybe this was the decisive point today. I don't know.

The No. 1 in Germany, I don't really care. The better player is always ahead. I don't really care what the others do. If I win, I am happy. If I lose, I know what I am missing. It is my aim to be at the top in the world, not in Germany. That is not important to me.

Last year I played extremely well. I didn't expect this myself. This year I was sometimes better, sometimes worse. I have to find a balance. It needs some time and then I will get there.

I haven't thought about the match tomorrow. Now I am going to play doubles first a strategy for the match tomorrow. I will think about it tomorrow morning.