TMS MONTE CARLO

April 17, 2002

Sebastien Grosjean

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: I had another ultrasound, and it's better than last week. The lesion is still there, but it didn't become worse since Sunday, and that's good. It's on the right track. But the lesion is still there.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Yes. It was a bit more difficult, especially that he was playing to my forehand all the time and I had problems running to the ball and coming back. So it was more difficult, but I tried to stay in it.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Fortunately - because I was in a difficult situation at 3-3 and 4-4, it was becoming more and more difficult - I served well. Fortunately.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Indeed it would have been very difficult. I had problems moving. In the end I became a bit lucky. He missed one or two volleys in the tiebreaker, which were important points. And afterwards, I served well. But it was becoming more and more difficult.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: On this type of court I am able to manage the situation properly. I avoid sliding, sprinting. I feel where the limit stands, and that's good. And, also, I am not feeling bad. I am feeling the ball well. Tomorrow, if I feel it's getting worse, I will stop. Otherwise, I will play the match.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: In any case, I will play the beginning of the match. If it becomes more and more difficult, maybe I will stop. We'll see...

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Yes. But, in fact, it's better than Sunday. On Sunday, after half an hour or three-quarters of an hour I was feeling something bothering me. But I was not forcing it very much. But now it's better. Yesterday I was able to play without it really bothering me. Today, a bit more. But it didn't become worse. Therefore, it's on the right track. But to play in a Masters Series, maybe it's not enough. We'll see tomorrow.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: Whatever happens, I'll play. As to finish it, we'll see. It's difficult to give the number of chances I have, but at least I have one. That's clear.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: That's absolutely clear (laughing). Maybe he will make me run more. Although in the end of this match, Hrbaty was making me run more than in the beginning. He was missing less. But the truth is that maybe Novak plays slower than Hrbaty. But on the other hand, he mixes it up more and he has a greater margin of security in his shots. So I might have to run a bit more, but I will also have more time to hit.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: If he plays like in Pau, it's going to be very difficult because he played two excellent matches. He was playing very well. We'll see.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: I don't know yet. I have to see how I will be tomorrow and the following days. If it improves correctly and I feel no bother, there's no reason to change. But if I'm still bothered, then we'll make a decision.

SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN: No, because it didn't become worse and I'm managing the situation. I am not going to extremes. I am not doing big sliding or big sprints. I'm managing the situation on the court. When I know I cannot reach the ball, I don't really try to go. So, no, I don't think so. Otherwise, the doctors would tell me to stop. There is a little lesion, but it is not big.