NEWSWEEK CHAMPIONS CUP

March 12, 1995

Andre Agassi

GREG SHARKO: First final between the 1 and 2 players in the history of this tournament. Questions for Andre.

Q. Andre, you and Boris seem to play so many close matches yet you keep seeming to come out on top, why?

ANDRE AGASSI: It is tough to answer that. I mean, honestly, all I can say is really what happened there, I got a little bit lucky to win the first set and got a little bit lucky winning the second set and in between, I played real well. And I think that he played extremely well too. He had one loose service game after a rough call that I mean, I couldn't see clearly, but from what I hear, definitely missed; then I got a break that game and it was enough for the set. And then he was serving in the 120s probably in the mid 70s of service percentage. I didn't like my chances of breaking him in that second set. I knew my only shot would be in the tiebreaker and he missed a few balls that I don't think he would normally miss. The sun was dipping down over the bleachers there and it was tough to pick it up. I mean, he hit a couple of serves that were close to me that I just-- I whiffed, you know, so that it was starting to get tough to pick up the ball so maybe that attributed to a few errors.

Q. Do you think it was that or maybe he was trying to be so fine out of respect for your ability to run down balls and pass him?

ANDRE AGASSI: That is what I'd like to believe. I certainly like to believe that he missed it because he thought I was going to get there and pass him. Unfortunately, if I had to call that like I saw it, I think the whole court was open and, you know, he got a little bit excited on it, maybe. I think that he normally would make that shot. I think most players would, and you give you a loose point in the tiebreaker, you know, that can swing the whole thing.

Q. Andre,, comments about the match that we are going to see tomorrow?

ANDRE AGASSI: A lot of fireworks tomorrow. You can count on that. I mean, geez, I have been hitting the ball real well and Pete is back in his form again; nice to see him in the finals and playing his best tennis and this is what it is all about. I mean, today, was what it is all about. Semifinals, we had here, was just exciting tennis, I mean, a year ago, they are asking "is tennis dying" and a year later this is incredible. I am having a blast being a part of it. I imagine how the spectators feel being able to sit out there for four hours with that kind of tennis. You know, it is just like today with Boris, I stepped on the court with a great amount of excitement and enthusiasm and also respect for what he can do which brought out another level in my game. It is going to be the same thing tomorrow and I think Pete and I, if we play 20 times, if I play real well, most of the time I will win 11; if he plays real well, he will win 11. It is a great contrast in games and I am looking forward to it again.

Q. Andre, do you ever have moments recently where you are feeling sorry for Boris? This is eight in a row now.

ANDRE AGASSI: Okay, last time I beat Boris was Key Biscayne which was a year ago and I think both of us really weren't playing as well as we are today and before then was Wimbledon of '92. Before then was middle of '91. So the past few have been spread out. It is like a different player, almost. I am out there and I had trouble reading his serve and normally I don't because I am used to seeing it, but I haven't seen it in a year, so it makes it a bit difficult, but no, it would be disrespectful to feel sorry for him because, my goodness, I mean, he could have taken a lot of these last eight matches that I have gotten him -- I could never say that because I am out there; always feel like I have to play real well to win.

Q. When you dominate a player to this degree, a player of Becker's ability, do you think it pays dividends, for example, on those two forehands; do you think those kind of players really struggle to get back against you?

ANDRE AGASSI: I think any time you create a situation where any time there is a situation where there is more riding on it whether it is, you know, you never won the tournament before; whether you have never won any tournament before; whether you have never beaten a certain player before, there is a certain amount of adrenaline that makes you a bit more tentative on some big points. But Boris is a very big match kind of player and I don't necessarily feel like he missed that because of me. I mean, geez, we were playing great tennis the whole way; you are bound to make a few mistakes. I made a few, but just not at the crucial time. But when there is that kind of weight on the match, you will definitely see --- you will see it either bring out the best in somebody at a given moment, or all of a sudden bring out the worst in him.

Q. You are getting closer to No. 1. How much of your focus goes to that position?

ANDRE AGASSI: I want to win every time I am on the court. I mean, I hate losing now, you know, it is something that doesn't sit well with me. When I lost in Philadelphia last week it was just on my brain and I am out here just, you know, just excited to play and I am in the finals now and this is what I came here for. I came here for this match, you know, I mean, there is a lot in between, but the bottom line is that if I win tomorrow, I walk home feeling like it was a great week. If I don't, it was just okay, You know, so No. 1, I think is a byproduct of continuing that kind of intensity and that kind of focus and concentration and executing your game plan every time you step on the court. So just one match at a time for me and tomorrow is another one.

Q. You said you hate losing now. You didn't in the past?

ANDRE AGASSI: No, because, you know, I felt like in the past if I'd win, then expectations grew, but if I lost, you know, maybe people would start leaving me alone to a degree, so there is always that element I was dealing with, and now it is just about tennis, which is a nice feeling for me.

Q. Andre, do you feel unbeatable out there every time you step out on the court?

ANDRE AGASSI: No. Quite the contrary. I feel like I can be beaten; that is why I rise to the occasion. I have an amazing amount of respect for why these guys are where they are. Enqvist did it to me last week in Philadelphia. I played him here this week; playing Ferreira, I was very focused because it is because of the fact that you feel these guys are able to beat you.

Q. A question about Davis Cup. Awhile back after the Bermuda Tie you were really critical of the Davis Cup, ticket pricing, USTA; now you have had this wonderful agreement with Pete and the USTA. You said that the USTA officials are looking out for the players. Do you see a difference?

ANDRE AGASSI: I said Les Snyder. That was plural, USTA officials is plural.

Q. Gully I presume too?

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, but I don't consider him part of the USTA. I consider him one of the fellows who understands what it takes to win out there on the tennis court.

Q. That is part of my question anyway, do you think that what is the difference, is it Mr. Snyder particular or. . .

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I think he is -- the players get a definite feeling from him like he is going to really work on behalf of our concerns. But playing this Tie, I wouldn't say is 100% because of Les by any means. I mean, Pete and I got together to discuss the possibility of us going down and playing, and we absolutely grew in our passion for wanting to be a team as we talked it out the; same with Jim. The more you lay it on the table, the more you realize how important it is, really, and there are certain times when you are more capable and more willing to make the sacrifices for what it is you still cherish which is winning that Davis Cup and I have had my problems with the USTA. I am sure I am going to continue to have them. Starting with not being able to sell out these stadiums when we play to playing dead rubber matches that risk us to injure just so they can make a little bit more money which they don't even do that because they don't sell a lot of them. So there is a few things I want to see happen that I am going to stick to my guns on. It is not like all of a sudden I don't have a problem, but the bottom line is, is we have some of the best players in the world and it is a shame if we don't suck in it up and go play.

Q. You would like to see less expensive tickets and full stadiums with enthusiastic fans?

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, would you?

Q. I'd love it.

ANDRE AGASSI: Good.

Q. Golf sometime people talk about the zone, when the player is really rolling and winning. Do you feel that this exists in tennis; are you feeling that you are in a that zone now?

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I got a hot putter. I feel like I am rolling them in from all sides of the green. Yeah, I feel good. I feel focused. I feel prepared. I feel, you know, motivated. And I feel like I make king all my shots now. I am not making loose errors. I mean, just my whole game has come together and this is what it is about, you know, when you look back and you say these were my years, I really believe it is starting for me.

Q. Charlie Pasarell has said Monday night final, he thinks would be a good for tennis to promote the game, sort of like a Monday Night Football; your thoughts?

ANDRE AGASSI: That is a tough call. I have to think about it a little bit more. I can't be objective. I just know when you are watching a tennis match on Sunday, you are conditioned to believing that that is the match; that is the final, so I would be interested to see the ratings and then we can just base it on that. But I really wouldn't have an opinion offhand. I'd just be popping off if I said something.

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