TMS - THE ERICSSON OPEN

March 31, 2000

Gustavo Kuerten

ATP: Gustavo has reached his fourth career Tennis Masters Series final. He's won two of them. It's his second on hard court.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: No. I think I just there to play my game. I mean, was a good chance to pass to the final. I was feeling good out there, having fun, too. Play good game. That was things that I wass concerning during the game. Of course, when the trainer goes on, you start to pay attention on all these things. But fortunately I could just be focused on my game and try to win the match on two sets like I did.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes, especially at the beginning when I had tough match, first rounds, they really support me a lot. I think that's nice for tennis, too. Not only Brazilian, but a lot of countries that have many supports here, people singing, screaming. That's good for us. It's more attention in the game. I think that's why we all practice and try to enjoy these moments in these great matches.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah. But I can play well, also I think a little long. First tournaments I play this year, I didn't play well in Australia. I had to maybe play a couple of match and get my timing from baseline, my rhythm going, too. I still not thinking that I'm really hard court player. I'm sure I'm much more comfortable on clay still, but I don't see something that don't give me a chance to play well on hard. So when I'm playing well, serving well especially on hard, I can give trouble for good players, too.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Well, I think right now it's completely different. I just facing the tournaments much more normal. It's just (used/easy?) for me to go out, play against great player. At that time I had to adapt myself to start to live this new life. Right now, I just know how to deal with my expectation, know how to get my rhythm in the best way, how to try to get my game going. So I learn a lot of things. Still time to learn. So that's what I'm doing, trying to be better and better.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: I think they very different from each other, the way they play. I'm sure if I play Pete, he's going to put me a lot of pressure, he's going to come in all the time. He serves great. It's going to be a completely different game than if I would play Hewitt. We both play from baseline. He will give me more time to try my shots. It's two different players that they play very well. I think whoever wins, I just have to be ready play best-of-five maybe in the hot day. I'm going to have to don't waste too much energy, motivate myself and enjoy, too. Just doesn't matter who I play, I'm going to be there. I will try to take advantage of this.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah, a lot. I mean, I had match point against me in my first round, so I could be very far from here already. After that, we change completely. I didn't lose any other set, start to play really well. That's build your confidence so much. I mean, I could leave here very angry, and now I'm very happy.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah. These points sometimes you play to lose, and you finish winning. I try a terrible shot, but just went in the line. He thought was going out, and was in, so I win that point, come back in the game.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Me. I think was 5-4, 30-40 in the third set.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Backhand down the line. Looks like going out. He was just looking at the ball and forgot to play (laughter).