U.S. OPEN

August 28, 1995

Stefan Edberg

STEFAN EDBERG: Well, for me, obviously, it is a different situation to being unseeded -- being unseeded for the first time in a long time. That is, my ranking is not better than at least a 20, so I knew coming in here -- I knew that coming in here, and I don't know, I haven't thought about it that much, because once you are in the draw, you end up playing, sooner or later, whether you are seeded or not. I mean, it is a tough section playing Andre possibly, the third match and why not.

STEFAN EDBERG: I don't know. It is -- they are still nice to me. It is great playing the first match today. You know which time you are going to play. I have been here for some time. I lost first round last week and I have been practicing enough coming in here, so it is nice to get a match under the belt and I am playing my next round probably on Thursday now, at least, I am into the tournament, always makes you feel good.

STEFAN EDBERG: Well, to begin with, to be honest, I didn't really like this place too much - to be a little bit modest. But I think it has grown. Winning here twice has made a big difference and you sort of -- the more that I have played, the more that I have appreciated coming here and knowing what it is, even if it is a little bit of a madhouse, everybody knows that, but you just got to stay focused on what you are doing and try to stay out of all the things happening around you. But it is a very special place; usually have some good tennis here, last time of the year; it is on a good surface and, you know, it is going to decide who is the best player this year, for instance, so it is always going to be very special.

STEFAN EDBERG: I am not sure. We are still very good friends. He is still around. He is working with Petr Korda and looking out for myself a little bit. Of course, a little different, but not a whole different from last year where he only worked with me at the Slams. We sort of been gradually cutting back after we finished last year. I think we have given each other what we could have possibly done over the years that we have worked together.

STEFAN EDBERG: You can ask 100 questions why I am not in the top anymore; possibly you can give a few answers; some you haven't got a clue and I have no idea.

STEFAN EDBERG: Yes. Yes, definitely.

STEFAN EDBERG: That much?

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah, it is. I mean, it is something that I can be proud of because it is not going to happen that many times because not being injured and not being hurt at any time of those 50 Grand Slams, it is -- it is not going to happen to too many people and I have been able to keep the streak going and I haven't really thought about it that much not 'til somebody mentioned it last year I think that I played over 40 in a row. It is good that you can be involved in each of them and have a chance of winning.

STEFAN EDBERG: I don't take that much interest in baseball. I heard about that streak. He is playing tons of matches. I don't know how many it is, but I have heard about it.

STEFAN EDBERG: Thanks (laughter).

STEFAN EDBERG: I am looking at it this way: This is really the first year in my whole life I am facing something of a slight because, to me, it has just been going one way track and it has been real easy -- this year, it is a little frustration and because I am still working pretty hard, but the results hasn't been there, but I just sort of have to settle down as I am now and try to get my game back together and that means working possibly harder than I have done for some time and really try to focus on getting back to which I'd like to because it is great being at the top of the game. I still have a couple of months here to get things in pretty good order here. It is a tough situation to find yourself in. I have to admit that. But it is just the way it is right now.

STEFAN EDBERG: Well, I have said here and the Australian Open. Those are the two that I feel that I have the best chance because I have played my best tennis on hardcourts in the last couple of years. That is possibly where I still play my best tennis.

STEFAN EDBERG: Well, it could be a little bit like it was in 1991 where Connors made it all the way through to the semifinal and this could be a Seles Open to say where everybody else's could be a little bit in the background, but hey, why not, she is back and she is playing well.

STEFAN EDBERG: No. I have never really had that feeling. There has been times where I haven't been in possibly my greatest shape. There has been sometimes where I have been a little bit hurt, as well, but playing at the Slams, that still gets me fired up.

STEFAN EDBERG: Well, it all comes down to serving well. That is the key to my game. It has been like that and if I can serve well and really stay focused on point by point by point, that is what it is going to take. You know, you can't afford to have any lapses for a couple of minutes. I feel that I am hitting the ball pretty well; been picking up in the last couple of days. I played a solid match today. I did what I had. I felt pretty good. I think winning first round obviously is going to do a lot of good for me.

STEFAN EDBERG: I still feel that I have a chance, yeah, I have to say that, if I am playing the possibly best tennis that I can putting it together for two weeks, it is still very possible.