ATP Tour World Championship

November 28, 1998

Carlos Moya

Q. When did you feel that you actually won the match? Do you feel maybe the first set, because Tim wasn't consistent with his serve, that you had a chance? When do you think it turned for you?

CARLOS MOYA: Well, I think I didn't realize yet, because I had already a tough match. Well, I start playing really well the first set. Maybe at the beginning of the second set, I relax a little bit. He had the chance to break me. Then the third set he broke me at the beginning again. I thought if I don't make any break, the match is over. So I took more risk. I hit harder the ball. Today it work out. I think I played pretty well, maybe one of the best matches I play on indoor surface. I don't know, I think he has to play pretty well. We both deserve to win, but there can be only one winner. Today it's been me. You know, I think I played better in the important moments than him.

CARLOS MOYA: No. Sometimes you have to come, you know. Just play from baseline, they already used to play with you. They know this. It's good tactic to surprise them, you know. They are not used to take risk, to hit every ball for winner. When they see you at the net, they also get really nervous. You also put some pressure on them. They not used to that. I think this week, today I didn't volley really well, but last days, I did pretty good volleys. I'm still working on that. I think I can improve much, much more. I'm going to work on that for the future.

CARLOS MOYA: There's always pressure being in semifinal of World Championship. You know, maybe I think I handle it a bit better the pressure. He has never played the final in a major tournament, like Super 9 or Grand Slam. I think that was also an important factor for me. I played two final in Grand Slam, I won one Super 9. So maybe this little experience help me a little bit. I cannot say I have a lot of experience as Pete Sampras has, you know, but I have a little bit more than Tim. Maybe in important moments, I played better. But I don't think it was nervous. I think the people watch a really pretty match. I think they enjoyed in the match.

CARLOS MOYA: I think today I played amazing, you know. I had to take risk any moment, you know. He was putting so much pressure - I wouldn't say he played a bad match - he was putting a lot of pressure, not making mistakes in the volley. So I had to hit as hard as I can to pass him, you know. But also I played a great match last year. You know, I cannot say which one I played better, but that one was first match of round-robin, this one is semifinal, so I think is more important this one.

CARLOS MOYA: Well, depends who is winning, you know. Maybe I have better chances if Corretja wins. But I would love to beat the No. 1 in a final. You know, I think I'm strong enough right now to do it. For sure, it won't be easy to beat any of them, but I'm going to do my best. I'm working really well and playing really well, really confident. Just play well and enjoy out there.

CARLOS MOYA: Top three maybe.

CARLOS MOYA: Yes.

CARLOS MOYA: I never expected to win Grand Slam, Super 9, and be final in Master in the same year - I don't know - semifinal of a Grand Slam, you know, US Open. It's unbelievable what happened this year for me. It's been great. Next goal will be to be No. 1. The problem is my concentration, you know. If I could be able to be as concentrate as I've been these days, I think I could be No. 1. You know, I have to be really focused every single match. I'm not ready yet. But I hope in the future I'm going to improve that.

CARLOS MOYA: Yeah, maybe it was a bit relaxed when I qualified for Hannover. It was like two months ago. My goal was to play well here. I proved to everyone in the important moments I'm there, you know. Nobody gave me anything. I had to fight until the death every single match I won here. You know, I am really proud of that, that I am in final. I beat three of the Top 8 players, indoor specialist all of them. Maybe I don't know why I didn't win any match. Important thing is that I won three here, which was the biggest tournament.

CARLOS MOYA: Yeah, I thought I would be the second Spanish who wins The Masters. It would be great. I have to go stage by stage. Only one match left. Now I just want to enjoy this victory. Tomorrow I think about my next match. I say I want to win this tournament when I came here. Nobody believed me. Now is just one step away from me. Maybe they took it as a joke. But I hope you realize when I talk, I'm not joking at all. I'll try to beat either Sampras or Corretja tomorrow.

CARLOS MOYA: What holidays? What is that (laughter)? This year I have no holidays.

CARLOS MOYA: I have the Spanish Masters next week.

CARLOS MOYA: No.

CARLOS MOYA: Yeah, but I'll be practicing. I don't think any single player is going to make holidays in Christmas, because they have Australia. I'll be in Mallorca, but I'll be practicing. I want to prepare well the beginning of next season. I have no points to defend. I think I have chances to be up there, I don't know what number, but the players which are ahead of me, they have many points to defend. I have no points to defend at all. I think it's a good chance to try, try hard, and try to become No. 1. But that's why I'm not making holidays. I'm going to do my best.

CARLOS MOYA: Well, I will have no friends, for sure. It would be great if he wins today. But tomorrow I don't care if he's Sampras, Corretja, or my father who is there (laughter). I'm going to fight until death, you know. In final of a World Championship, you don't care who's in front of you. Even God can come to play and you'll try to beat Him.