U.S. OPEN

August 28, 1995

Shuzo Matsuoka

SHUZO MATSUOKA: I think at the fourth set start, beginning in the fourth set, I felt like a little cramp in my left leg, front of left leg and I broke his serve at the 3-2. But next game I serve, I could not hit 100% because if I bend my leg -- every time I bend my leg, it is coming, coming a little bit. So I start changing a little bit to -- not his fast serve many times when I bend very low when he hits the ball low, every time I had hit the ball low, I feel it. This is a U.S. Open; even I am winning, so I have to keep going and I was doing -- and many time I look at coach because I was scared. I feel like I am cramping every time I hit the ball, cramping, but I just keep going and at 5-6 in the first point is when I hit the forehand; just cramping very bad, strong, and I fall down and both legs only I can do is scream and I was in so much pain, I know match is finished, but I was very sad. But at that time I just so much pain and that happened.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: Yeah, I think I am kind of person that is cramping a lot, and this year beginning of this year, I get cramping at the Philippine, during the Davis Cup, and same thing and I was on the court 30 minutes, I cannot even move, yeah.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: No, I have been doing many things. I was drinking a lot. Taking the mineral, and eating during the match. I was doing everything, but I guess I am the kind of players, I am very aggressive and I have to use lots of energy, so that is why, you know, I get the cramping.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: The front.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: No, because if somebody touch me, it is finish. Nobody can touch for the cramp and I have to do it myself to get out and play again. Nobody can touch me.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: No, because I know cramping was so bad and it happened many times, like that it is -- no, I cannot even move.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: Both legs, yes.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: Yes.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: I pulled a muscle when I played Kafelnikov last week and I pulled a little bit, so I have been taking care and it is a little pain myself, but I just tried to do my best and maybe just a little reason a little bit because I have to use more left leg than usual.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: No, I think it is the right rule. I think she shouldn't touch it. Cramping is one thing, you have to -- you have to work out and you have to be more fit and cramping is different than pulling a muscle, so I think it is just a rule and I think I agree with the rule.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: No, when I start cramping right away, I knew I cannot play anymore, but only I can do is screaming because I am in lots of pain and I was very scared in myself because if I start cramping more, maybe with the muscle with the back, one times cramping everywhere and if I go that way, it is able to break every muscle with cramping, so --

SHUZO MATSUOKA: No, I didn't ask it. I want to ask it, but I only can do the screaming at that time.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: It happened before, so I try to see a doctor, blood testing and everything, but they couldn't see anything, so I was doing that, you know, tried to be normal, but more training; I bring the trainer and I was training very hard. It is just U.S. Open, Wimbledon, so I just tried to do my best, so nothing I can do.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: Not for cramping.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: I guess so, but I tried to do my best as I can. I think I was working very hard for the summer. To get this cramping, I have to say is just bad luck and everybody has a different body and I am the kind of person to get cramping a lot.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: Of course, he is a very good player, but I could never hoping to get a good draw. Just try to do my best and I know it is going to be a good match, but I am very happy I tried to say thank you to USTA to put grandstand, our match, I was very happy.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: He said "bad luck." And I said "good luck for next round."

SHUZO MATSUOKA: I stopped the cramping a little bit after ten minutes on the court and they put me ice and I tried to drink a lot and I tried to eat many things and now I feel a little better.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: During the match I -- most of the time I eat bananas and I was drinking mineral too during the match.

SHUZO MATSUOKA: I think ten minutes.