US OPEN

August 31, 2000

Tommy Haas

MODERATOR: Questions.

TOMMY HAAS: I told you before I was injured quite awhile. I didn't expect too much for this tournament for me. Just going out there and try my best. Obviously on a hot day like this you have to be physically fit. I'm far away from it. Obviously the first set was very important. I think Rainer played bigger points better than me today, served extremely well, played a good match. It was extremely tough for me to give him a tough time.

TOMMY HAAS: No, you don't really think about it too much when you go out on the court. You go out and try to win. Doesn't matter who you play in my eyes. Obviously it's good for Germany that we have another guy in the third round. I think he has a chance to go farther and play Pete in the Round of 16. Like I said, I think everybody plays for himself, tries to do the best he can. Today Rainer played well and beat me.

TOMMY HAAS: Well, I've been injured on and off the whole year. I had some things going on with coaches. I didn't really have a steady year like I did the years before. I just need to get back on track and get in top shape. Most likely I'm getting a physical trainer after the Olympics, try to go from there. If I'm not a hundred percent fit, my game is not there where it can be. That is pretty up there. The next thing for me is to get back in shape, play more tournaments, get some matches. It's totally different than practice. Just wait and hope for a good indoor season.

TOMMY HAAS: Obviously it's shifted on that. I'm not a hundred percent fit. It's kind of tough, tough travel. When you're not feeling a hundred percent, you don't have confidence. It's kind of maybe your second guess if you should go or not. Obviously it is the Olympics, you play for your country. It's a great deal. Maybe I don't have the opportunity to go in four years or in eight. I'll probably end up going. It's going to be tough decision to make.