AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 29, 2006

Nick Lindahl

NICK LINDAHL: First was to win this tournament, definitely. Final, it's not bad, but I would have loved to win this one. This is my last year of Juniors as well, and this is gonna be my last junior tournament. But, yeah, I can only hold my head up high.

NICK LINDAHL: Yeah, definitely. I was pretty sick this whole week, really. I didn't play my best tennis. I played really good yesterday, and today second set I was playing a lot better than the first set, yeah.

NICK LINDAHL: Uhm, well, in my second-round match I had to get taken off in a wheelchair. I was just -- never felt that way in my life. Was just so tired. And then was feeling so weak, was shaking. My whole body was just shaking for no reason. I was just sleeping. That's about all I was doing for a few days.

NICK LINDAHL: Yeah, I thought I had him then. He played two good service games. My service game, for me to serve it out in the second set, he started with two return winners which was a bit unexpected, I thought. Then he played a solid game. I was a bit unlucky to lose that game. I thought I had him. If I had won that set, I thought I was mentally on top of him.

NICK LINDAHL: Yeah, the game to lose when he lost 5-2, he sort of just like tanked it really, the last two points. I don't know what went wrong. But then 5-3, he found some hidden powers or something, I don't know.

NICK LINDAHL: I didn't really see. I was a bit more interested in the speed gun. It was first time I had it this week. Was trying to get the serve over 200 sometimes.

NICK LINDAHL: Last year really, just midway through last year.

NICK LINDAHL: Pretty good. Qualifying -- I lost in three qualifying ones, the only ones I've played. I managed to get my ranking to 650. I was happy with that. I wanted to get it to 500 to finish the year, but 650 was still respectable for me.

NICK LINDAHL: Yes.

NICK LINDAHL: I haven't really got a specific coach yet. Just I don't think the whole Tennis Australia revamp is done until February 1st, so then I'll find out what happens then.

NICK LINDAHL: Not entirely sure.

NICK LINDAHL: Jason's a really good guy. He's always helped motivating, then always gave good advice. Always giving me like phone numbers for other people to hit with and stuff. So he's been really good.

NICK LINDAHL: Yeah. Used to live in Melbourne until I was six years old. I think left 'cause of the weather and my dad's work. But I like it again now.

NICK LINDAHL: My dad and my mum and my brother came out this week, which was really good. Haven't seen them for a while. But I'm living now with my grandparents.

NICK LINDAHL: This year I want to break the top 300 in the men's. Basically be direct acceptance for men's quallies next year. The wildcard playoff this year for the men, I want to win that one.

NICK LINDAHL: I was a bit shocked really. I should have won the first point. Missed a bad forehand bottom of the net. I think I did four after that. I wasn't feeling nervous. I think I was just maybe overexcited or too happy or something. I don't know. I was just really confused (laughter).

NICK LINDAHL: Yeah, I've been pretty sore the last few days. Grandpa is a good acupuncturist. That helps a lot.

NICK LINDAHL: He's Indonesian. He's got a clinic in Carlton.

NICK LINDAHL: Uhm, no, haven't really thought about that. There's still so many good players in front. I don't think I'd be playing my standards up for that yet.

NICK LINDAHL: Yeah, just recently after my match they asked if I wanted to join them in Switzerland. Still a bit of a shock still because I wasn't really expecting that. I haven't really made up my mind yet, but I think I'll be going.

NICK LINDAHL: Very mixed. Feel like I don't really know yet what's going on.

NICK LINDAHL: Uhm, basically looking at my schedule of tournaments. But I don't think that should be a problem. I think I'll be going.

NICK LINDAHL: Fitzy.

NICK LINDAHL: He said, "You've been invited to come to join them in Switzerland." I was just, "Oh." Bit of a shock (smiling).