WIMBLEDON

July 3, 2000

Andre Agassi

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah. I was very pleased with the way the match went today, pleased with the way I'm playing. Everything seems to really be coming together nicely.

ANDRE AGASSI: Oh, I mean, "rather" is a tough question. You know, I mean, I've never played either of them on grass. Lost to Henman once, lost to Philippoussis once. It's good for this country if Henman gets through, that's for sure. Philippoussis deserves a lot of credit for that performance in his last match.

ANDRE AGASSI: What's that?

ANDRE AGASSI: You know, I mean, I wouldn't have any opinion on that. I think what matters most importantly is what happens in between the lines. Whether Pete's injured or not, he still has to raise his game and beat these guys. If you don't accept the challenge of going out there to beat him under any circumstances, that's your choice. What happens inside the lines is the issue. I thought Pete looked good today. I thought he played well.

ANDRE AGASSI: You know, big difference this year and last year. Last year, had a lot of momentum on my side, kind of just kept rolling with it. This year I've kind of worked myself into pretty good form. I mean, this is the best I've felt the whole tournament. That's quite a nice thing to feel for me now going into the quarters because this is when you really want your game to come around. I think I'm positioned to start really playing my best tennis now.

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, yeah, sure, concerned. I think unless you've won the previous tournament you've played, you know, tennis is like that. You're only as confident as your last few competent results. For me, I needed to get through the first week. I needed to make sure that I didn't judge my tennis too harshly, just that I got through the matches, stayed positive, and kept working through any potential kinks in my game. But, yeah, I was a little concerned. I mean, again, the court plays much different the second week than the first week. I'm not a guy who's going to go out there and rely on serving big. You know, I try to win every time I play, whatever surface it's on. I need to find my range to do that. On grass, it can take you some time.

ANDRE AGASSI: I'm ready to be in the quarters. For me, my experience tells me that taking every match intensely and seriously is the way to have great things happen. I'd love to win it. That's why I'm here. I'm truly not looking past any match. It's not possible for me to do so. When I'm playing my best tennis, that's what I'm doing.

ANDRE AGASSI: Why would that make it strange?

ANDRE AGASSI: We all have to make tough decisions in life (smiling).

ANDRE AGASSI: I would like to know what it feels like, you know, to have - Philippoussis hit a 128 second serve down set point . I'd like to know what that feels like. But I wouldn't change it. I've enjoyed too much the relationship I've built with the game of tennis, as well with many people who enjoy watching it. I like the fact that my dynamics of play matches up pretty well against baseliners and big power hitters. I think it brings out a lot of elements that the game of tennis has to offer. I mean, I've found too many positives with, you know, playing on the baseline.

ANDRE AGASSI: I mean, the strongest point is my ability to take the ball early, a strike zone that goes from my ankles to above my head. Wherever the ball is, I'm taking a cut at it. That's my strength. When I put my game together, I use that strength to break people down and to get to people. That sometimes means returning well. That sometimes means controlling a point and breaking somebody down physically. Other times that means playing aggressive tennis real close to the lines. It all depends what's asked of me that day. It does vary a lot.

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, the desire to win Slams is always there. I mean, you know, there's a distinction between that and confidence. The clay wasn't certainly a good part of the season for me. You know, your abilities just don't go away. I'm experienced enough to know that everything is there. I just have to keep working and hope that things go right. I mean, it's not easy to win all the time. I certainly don't expect it. But I'm well aware of how quickly things can turn one way or the other.

ANDRE AGASSI: Enqvist lost?

ANDRE AGASSI: You know, surprise. You know, certainly a surprise how the field opens up. I mean, you see it to the semis sometimes. Sometimes down in Australia, a player can make it to the semis without ever playing a seed. But I'm sure that would be pretty rare to get all the way to the finals without playing a seed.

ANDRE AGASSI: No. 2, instead of Pete?

ANDRE AGASSI: I'm not even discussing that. Pete is playing, as far as I'm concerned.

ANDRE AGASSI: Did you watch him play Bjorkman today? Don't start talking about him not playing. You're going to just will it.

ANDRE AGASSI: Tough from the aspect of missing it?

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, yeah, I think it kind of speaks volumes for her interest in my game. I don't think it would be easy, no. I'm sure it's not. It's always easier playing than watching. If it wasn't for me, I doubt you'd see her in the stands watching Wimbledon. But it's easy I guess from one perspective of just wanting to get out there and support my dream to win this.

ANDRE AGASSI: No, not too much. Not too much.

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I mean, she's not a hundred percent healthy with her knee. That's a problem. She'd have to be a hundred percent healthy. You've got to hit balls. If you don't play, it's difficult.

ANDRE AGASSI: What do you mean?

ANDRE AGASSI: No, I mean, I've watched a lot of tennis. I feel like one of my strengths is kind of understanding what's taking place between two players. I have to always be thinking when I'm out there. I mean, it was nice to watch it on Centre Court. But, no, it wasn't any different. My mind was working a hundred percent of the time, just like when I'm playing.