WIMBLEDON

June 26, 2002

Paradorn Srichaphan

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Sorry, I didn't hear you?

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. He's No. 3 in the world, right? Yeah, I think so. Yeah. But I think when Norman No. 3 in the world, I also beat him in three sets in 1998.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, I mean, this is really good for, you know, Thai tennis that I'm playing on Centre Court today and I really glad to be out there. First time to play Andre. He's, I mean, he's a great player. I just play my best today so it just happen.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: That's a good question. Because I didn't play another No. 3 in the world, so this is just my second time that I play No. 3 again (smiling). Well... (Laughter).

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Actually, I didn't did it. I forgot. And, you know, beating Andre, is like -- everything just happen. I'm so glad that I'm playing so well.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Actually, I always did it. I mean, even I lost or I win on a big stadium, or on a big court, it's like, just like a Thai culture like saying thank you for the crowd that, you know, both, full side, just like doing like this (bowing), just saying, "Thank you."

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. Actually, I'm Buddhist, so I kind of pray a little bit after the match.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: You know, just, you know... It's just happen. I mean, just doing like this. Then, you know...

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, actually...

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Actually, I didn't look at the draw. My first goal is, okay, this year I didn't have to qualify because last year I had to play qualifying. I didn't qualify and got lucky loser last year and lost to Todd Martin first round in four sets. My goal is just win the opening round. And then after I see the draw, well, if I won the first round, I got to play Andre. So that should be, you know, that's it for me. Well, just have nothing to lose, go on court, just enjoy. And, yeah...

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, just after first game, after, you know, he won the toss. He choosing to receive. And, well, I don't want to open the match, you know, feel little bit shaky for me. First time on Centre Court, big crowd. After I won first game, it's just okay, little bit relaxed. Just gonna keep my serve. I'm serving well today. So that's one of the key that I won today.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: No, just, you know, that's normal, because I been playing on the big court quite many time and play the top player quite many times. So they always, you know, the crowd's always going like, "Come on," this name, this name, and that's normal.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Well, you know, he may just, you know, not ready or, you know... If I won the toss, I gonna choose receive. I want him serving first. First game, you not really ready yet. You know, just let it go the first game.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: No, not at all. I mean, you know, Andre is different. I don't know. Just happened.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. Well, I call my mom after the match. She was watching on TV. It's live back to Thailand. So she's really pleased. All my family is watching on TV.

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: You know, just like I give him a hug and he was... He can't believe this is happen. Well, he's normally taking the video in my match. Today he can't. I mean he just -- on big court, it's already on TV. So I got to keep that tape (smiling).

PARADORN SRICHAPHAN: Actually, I've been on the road since Monte-Carlo. I haven't been home yet. So this is my number ten week in a row. So after this I plan to go home and have two weeks off and then gonna come to States to play on hard court season. So actually I'm planning, you know, to play first week here and then second week home. So that's why I have three weeks off. So now, you know, I keep winning, so I will have just two weeks off, which is fine for me.