TMS MONTE CARLO

April 19, 2003

Juan Carlos Ferrero

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, you know, I'm really happy to be again in the final. I think I played a really good week. I played really good two matches against Mantilla and Gaudio. These matches give me a lot of confidence to go through to the final. I'm playing right now very solid - no mistakes, so comfortable from the base of the line. And, you know, waiting for the finalist.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, after these two matches that I spoke, I was little bit tired against Martin. But yesterday and today, you know, was easy. Of course it's better to me to go tomorrow best-of-five. Nobody knows if I'm gonna play five sets, three sets, four sets, so of course it's better to play these two matches easier than the other ones.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It means no mistakes, you know. Play solid, it's, you know...

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, I tell you, no mistakes, very comfortable from the base of the line, and doing everything - service, returns, you know, doing well everything.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I know, but he returned very good. He puts a lot of pressure because he goes so into the court to return. It's not easy to serve against him. I break his serve a lot of times as well, so was good. Here in clay it's normal to lose the serve. It's not very important.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: For Spain, it's better Carlos, of course - like last year. But Carlos is playing good, and his forehand is very dangerous. Coria also is very strong, Argentinian guy. Today is gonna be I think a long match.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know, because last year was easier than I thought. It was only a few sets. Normally when I play against him, if it's best-of-three, it's three sets. If it's best-of-five, it's always five. So last year was easier than I thought. So tomorrow I know -- I don't know what it's gonna be.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Last year I came from Estoril, played Estoril before Monte-Carlo. You know, I lost in second round. Just I played two matches before here. Here is the first tournament in clay, so, you know, I think I am in a good form because I play really good matches, two matches with a lot of rhythm. I think I am in the final with very good potential.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I know, I know. But you never know what is gonna happen the next match. So I know that I won seven times against two, but is the final, you know. You have a lot of motivation. So you have to fight like if it be the first time.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Nothing. I'm not gonna practice more time. I'm going to try to play from the base of the line, try to go to the net to finish the point. I'm not gonna practice more time.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Who knows? Nalbandian, I think that he thought it was impossible to be in the final last year when he started the tournament because, normally, the players that we play from the base of the line, we don't have a lot of chances. But, you know, Hewitt played from the base of the line and he won Wimbledon. So I think I'm gonna play one more tournament, it's a Grand Slam, and I gonna try to be at my best. I don't know if I gonna do first two or second, but I gonna try to give the same level as the other tournament.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't feel so many changes.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think is also confidence, you know. In clay court, I have a lot of confidence. It's easy to play good for me. So when I feel very good physically, you know, and very good mentality, I go to the court and the tennis is coming along, you know. So I did it. I did it and, you know, I am in the final.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I played Davis Cup, and I played one match against Ancic. I play the last week before, all the seven days, with Alex, Albert and Carlos and was very good practice. That's it.