TMS - HAMBURG

May 15, 2001

Gustavo Kuerten

ATP: Questions, please.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: He played very good. I had my chances but didn't get it. I think he played great when he needed.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: No, it was okay. Feeling good, yes. No problems.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: No, running around was just, you know, he was playing same level. Maybe mentally I was a little bit tired, but like this, tough match, today I let it go. A couple of shots today I could have done.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes. That is right.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: I think everybody can play well, all this, basically. He played good. He was motivated to play against me and it is like this, I mean, every player here has a chance to beat other players, I think.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah, I think me, Ferrero, we are playing good and then they got a little extra motivation, but every week is like this, we fight for what we want to play well and win, but sometimes both sides, I think, like that, and it makes things harder.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Of course. If I was here four days before the tournament, I could play, prepare myself better. But no, it was impossible. For me it was good to play final in Rome and then came here, see to try to play well too. But maybe if I win this round, I could play better the next place.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Right now not so good.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah, you cannot tell these things. I think I am playing well. This is not going to change for the next weeks and then I try to see, you know, the better way to prepare myself now - this is 14 days to start the French. I don't know which way would be better, but now I only have this way so that is what I have to think about.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah, like I said, my confidence, my game, it's working fine, so I just need to see what is better to me to do to get there in my best shape.