COMPAQ GRAND SLAM CUP

December 7, 1994

Stefan Edberg

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah, it wasn't easy today, and I played a lot of tennis in the last nine, ten weeks and I tried what I could today and it wasn't enough.

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah, I wasn't on my highest energy level, but I guess it could have been the same for him. We both played Davis Cup last week, and you are normally a little bit drained after that, but overall, it was not a bad match. There were some good points; obviously there were some bad points as well. We both worked hard for it.

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah. My biggest problem today was really getting up, which you need for these matches, and -- but, you know, he is a good player. He is playing very well indoors, and he has got a big serve which got him out of trouble a lot of the times.

STEFAN EDBERG: We knew before we went to Davis Cup and obviously, you know, we both would have liked to have played somebody else. We are only three Swedes here, but at least the good thing is one of us would advance.

STEFAN EDBERG: Sure. Well, not much difference because what I need is a little bit of a break now; get away for a week or two. That is going to be important because there is nothing wrong with it. Tennis is just in the -- I really played 10 weeks in a row which is way, way too much for me. And I just need to get away for two, three weeks and then, you know, I will start a new year in the sunshine and I will be okay, I think. I just have to pace myself and be careful so I don't play too much. I just have to play and take a little bit of a break and go out and play again. That will be my strategy for next year.

STEFAN EDBERG: Next year will be less. I mean it, too.

STEFAN EDBERG: We had to go to the banquet at the Kremlin which was an experience, and it ended up actually being one of the best banquets that we have been to. It was a lot of fun and obviously a little celebration and a little dancing, things like that, so it was really a good evening. We had a little celebration on Saturday too because that is really when you feel that you have won it.

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah. Definitely. I think it is important; especially for me being Swedish. I think it is very important that the best players support Davis Cup because it is one of the major events, and there is nothing that is as big as Davis Cup in Sweden. It actually is bigger than almost winning a Grand Slam on your own, because it is really important. It has always been important to me too, and I have played Davis Cup now ten, eleven years in a row, and I will play until, you know, whatever.

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah, it's a pity because with a history we have with Davis Cup, nations playing against nations, I think you want to keep that tradition going and have the best players playing and it is important. I mean, I have always supported Davis Cup, but other players may feel differently if they come from somewhere else.

STEFAN EDBERG: It has been very positive. I think that is really what we needed, was a lift for Swedish tennis, and actually has really been good things.

STEFAN EDBERG: No, I think you have to sacrifice with Davis Cup, and I always had to do that because you are never going to find a perfect schedule which is going to fit everybody. There is going to be one date, possibly two dates, where you are going to be struggling with travelling, and I have had to do that for ten years. And wherever you put the Davis Cup matches is always going to be at a bad time somewhere along the line. Because there are so many tournaments around the world; so there is really no choice and you may as well get rid of the first round early on.

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah, that is what they have done.

STEFAN EDBERG: Yeah, it is going to affect some players, but when you think about it, you are going to have four players in the semifinals. If you are losing in the quarters that means you have -- you have actually nine days until you start playing Davis Cup so that is enough time to fly and get ready, so it is really affecting four players; that is the ones that make it to the semifinals of Australia, so it is not that bad, I don't think.

STEFAN EDBERG: Not a great one. Not if you look at my standards in the past. There has been some good times of the year. There has been some bad times. But overall, for me, it hasn't been a good season. I am still No. 7 in the world, which is not that bad, but I would have wished at least to ended up in the top five, and I would have wished to have done a lot better in the Grand Slams. That is really what has been wrong this year, I think.

STEFAN EDBERG: Well, I am not going to make too many comments. I know a little bit of what is going on, but I don't know all the details, but it is something which is going to be solved and, you know, I think it is going to work out very well in the end. I don't think we have heard the last bit of it.