TMS MONTE CARLO

April 20, 2000

Julien Boutter

Q. Disappointed?

JULIEN BOUTTER: No. Disappointed would be a bit demanding on me. I had my tactics at the beginning of the match and every time he had -- an answer faced me. The only times when it went very well he made many unforced errors. Then very soon I was ahead, but then it stopped and the balance broke. After 5-1 in the second it went fast, I couldn't stop -- I couldn't stop the bleeding. Compared to other players I was not tired but what was missing was my serve. On my forehand the ball escaped me sometimes and that was enough.

JULIEN BOUTTER: Relatively speaking, yes. As soon as I was playing on his backhand there was no problem, but sometimes he was able to turn his forehand and then he destroyed my balance. When I was playing on his forehand he was making a big topspin on my forehand. Then he was dominating. The thing is I should have served better. My strong point is a good topspin and my serve, but I always had an answer in front of me. Either a fast ball, either a ball which went down quickly, which was difficult to negotiate.

JULIEN BOUTTER: I don't know. I never saw him very often play. He made it more difficult for me than the other players.

JULIEN BOUTTER: Yes, but it was not enough. Maybe I missed the last key.

JULIEN BOUTTER: First I am going to keep good memories. It is not going to be complicated. At this level on four matches I was able to sustain the rhythm. And in the fifth match I was two points down before going to the third set. I still have to work a bit more. Maybe endurance-wise; not only for the game but also psychologically - we are going to work on that, but still it is encouraging. You are less talkative than yesterday.

JULIEN BOUTTER: No, we are going to continue while the muscles are warm.

JULIEN BOUTTER: Yes, I will certainly play on Monday or Tuesday. We are going to go over there and try to confirm what has been set up here.

JULIEN BOUTTER: In fact, he had a sports career before, but not in tennis. He had many contacts with basketball players, gym, Federation players, Ralley drivers. Each time he had good results. I think when you know what the high level is about, you can apply the recipe in many other disciplines. He comes from a sports of combat, of opposition, of forces, so even if the distances are not the same, they are similar points - on the match approach, on the way of working, on the physical condition and it is very important.

JULIEN BOUTTER: Yes, the fact that he comes from outside gives him a critical sight on tennis and on top of it he has a good quality of communication. He is able to find out things very well. He took very little time before being into it and understanding things in tennis. Technically, of course, he doesn't know everything, but what is tactical, the game phases, he understood very quickly. He surprises me. The fact of working with someone who comes from outside brings a bit of new blood. It is appreciable. We can see the result.

JULIEN BOUTTER: I didn't say I had no contact with tennis coaches. On the contrary. Yesterday I was saying that during preparation periods before the tournaments I was used to go to the Roland Garros with Tulasne and Potier. So I have the technical support I need. It is a good balance. I have someone from outside with and an impartial view and other people who know tennis. It is complimentary.

JULIEN BOUTTER: The matches are like the other ones.

JULIEN BOUTTER: You should not lose your rhythm. I am going to train and practice again. After I will have a break and prepare for the French Open. I will keep my rhythm and practice during the next two days two or three times a day; then I am going to go to Maya.

JULIEN BOUTTER: What do you mean?

JULIEN BOUTTER: No, many things have been settled here. I am going to try to play my own tennis. What is true is in one way is also true in the other. Those who are less well ranked than I am, I will have to beat them in the same way. An opponent remains an opponent. But I don't think it will be difficult to continue. I am not saying I am going to win but I am going to continue with what I have started here.

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