DAVIS CUP - AUSTRALIA vs FRANCE

December 3, 1999

Sebastien Grosjean

Q. Can you tell us what Eric told you in the locker room?

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Well, he told me I didn't play an excellent match, but you had to see the quality of Philippoussis. He didn't let me express myself. He played a very good match. He told me to stay within the tie; it was not finished.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Well, I'm going to see Cedric play and watch him, and I hope he will win and get a point, then the tie is not finished.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: I was feeling good. I really wanted to play a good match, to play well. I know the atmosphere was very good. In the beginning, I was relaxed, but then he started playing very well and I felt a bit tense. It was more difficult for me to come back into the match.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: No. I knew he was going to hit hard during the rallies. I knew what to expect. He was a bit lucky. He played a very good match anyway. He tried to unsettle me, and he succeeded. I didn't play a very good match.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: No, because I played him already in Monte-Carlo, and he played a very good match there. He hits hard; he serves well on all surfaces. I think on fast surfaces he's a bit more indoors, on grass, because he can express himself better. But he can also play good matches on slower surfaces.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: No. I don't think you should have regrets about such a match. I tried to do the most I could possibly do on the court. But he played a very good match, and I didn't have the opportunity to free myself and express myself.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: He told me to fight and make him play a lot because he doesn't like to play long rallies; he likes to play in two or three shots. But today he played very strongly, close to the lines. It was very difficult to make him play.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Yes. The serve is very important. He was able to be aggressive and attack me on the second serves. I had to make sure my second serve went through in order to be able to get into the rally with him.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: No, that was not the case. But he pressured me all the time. Every time I was able to hit hard back to his shots, every time I made a point, the crowd was shouting for me. They were great. I think we have to congratulate Philippoussis for his high level of game today.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: No, because I took a break after Moscow. I regained my energy again during that break. Anyway, during Davis Cup, you are pumped up and you feel you want to play at your maximum. So mentally and physically, I was not tired. I always had resources to fight back and to play matches like this one.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Well, today it was a bit difficult because he played a very good match, so it was not obvious. I had difficulty expressing myself and using my weapons.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: I am sure I will have to start again on Sunday evening. For the time being, I'll try to recuperate. I will try to think about something else. It's going to do me a lot of good. Tomorrow I'm going to prepare myself for a decisive match.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: For Sunday, well, I will try to get back my feelings on the court and I will try to enjoy myself on the court. I will train and practice a lot.