EUTELSAT MONTE CARLO OPEN

April 24, 1996

Thomas Muster

THOMAS MUSTER: As I say, after the match, I got two days. The first day was awful windy, which is very hard to practice normal and get a feel for the ball. Yesterday we had mud all day. I mean, actually I had almost no practice. It was the first time playing on center court, which is always different. The first match, 10:30, really early. All those things, you know, it didn't make me feel too happy going on court today, but I think during the match I managed to get my game together a little bit, get used to the court. Still making too many mistakes, but slowly in the game I had good feelings about things coming along. I think tomorrow will be much better.

THOMAS MUSTER: You get more confident; you know what you do. You lose maybe two, three games. You know what your strengths are; why you won the last two weeks; why you won matches. It's a matter of confidence, for sure. Those tournaments, winning them back to back, actually; repeating the wins, I mean, that's very good for me.

THOMAS MUSTER: No. There's no difference. Last year started the same thing off, Estoril. Not develop expectations, play well, better and better. Every tournament you have to start again each week, first rounds hard to play. I feel -- I don't think there's a difference.

THOMAS MUSTER: I don't care; as long as it's not mine. Others should worry. I don't care.

THOMAS MUSTER: If I feel I should shorten the rally, I better stop playing tennis. That means I'm getting too old. As long as I have the power to play, I play my game. That has been working pretty well the last season. There's always a few changes you make and adjustments, but not the basics of the game or tactics, which are different anyway every time you play somebody.

THOMAS MUSTER: Well, the weather the last two days didn't really make it better. You know, warmer days are coming up, I hope. I'm getting treatments and such. It's not too bad. It's not that I'm really worried about it at the moment.

THOMAS MUSTER: It has been worse; it has been better, so.....

THOMAS MUSTER: What's that?

THOMAS MUSTER: No. I don't feel sad or sorry. I needed my sleep. That's fine, you know. I mean, I like awards. If they're going into my schedule, you know, if there's another opportunity, I will take it if the time fits better.

THOMAS MUSTER: I'm not iron -- whatever. (laughter) It's just an award you get. I don't really know what it's for, I mean, nobody explained it to me.

THOMAS MUSTER: I should get a good bonus on my frequent flyer card, better than the Iron-man. I don't know what it has to do with Iron-man, flying.

THOMAS MUSTER: What keeps going?

THOMAS MUSTER: Well, it's good. I'm working, doing my job, I try to be good. I keep doing what I have to do. There have been worse days in my life, better days, but I feel quite confident and good at the moment.