AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2004

Gustavo Kuerten

THE MODERATOR: First question, please.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: It's a different game. At least I was thinking, you know, if he was too much -- he had the hurt too much and all. But that stage, I was little bit worried about this, this situation. And then you miss some concentration, try to play a little bit safer. He's trying to go for the shots, and he was doing quite a few shots there that was make me a little bit difficult. But I think at least I was relax, you know, by how the situation was going. I didn't get too much frustrate or excited, you know, to win the match that quick. I just was there, I was feeling well, so that's one thing I start to think about, too. And then dealing with the game, trying to see when I have my opportunity to win.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes. As far as you have the choice of shot, you try to make him run. Same time you don't want to miss a shot, you know, like trying to go for the shot and miss to give the guy a free point. It's always a little bit of strange situation, you know. You don't really -- you go out a little bit of your game and then you try to play a safer game and try to win in percentage.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: I think I came here many times and for me, it's like one more year play this, a great event. I never really felt that I was playing great tennis on this tournament, so I need to get few more wins. Like today was important for me to build some confidence, you know, to win a tough match like this. I think it's gonna raise my confidence and my level for the next match. So maybe one or two more match, I can get myself going.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah, I played well there, like last year, too. I really start the year playing in a good way. Would be interesting for me and great if I could manage to keep going like this, you know, and at least I have a few more rounds in front of me here.