TMS MONTE CARLO

April 17, 2000

Fabrice Santoro

Q. How were the game conditions? Was it up to the limit?

FABRICE SANTORO: Apart from the wind called Mistral there was everything out there. It was almost the worst conditions possible. We really had the impression we were playing in mud. It rained all the time and rather strong and stronger than the other rounds. The last two or three games were really up to the limit. The match should have been stopped. At that time I tried to lose a minimum of time because I didn't want to stop. I didn't want the umpire to stop the match. Apart from the difficult conditions I am happy that I completed my task.

FABRICE SANTORO: All the same, yes. The first match on clay is always a special match that I really fear enormously. Plus, in these extreme conditions, the game was not easy. I came out of it lucky given the game conditions. Apart from the 25 first minutes where I was defensive and I had problems finding a good depth for my shots, then I became more aggressive when I needed it.

FABRICE SANTORO: No, it is in your minds that it is my preferred surface. My first final was played in 1990 on hard court in Toulouse. The second one was in Dubai in 1993. In your minds I might be a clay court player, but for me, even if I am not bad on clay court and I know I am able to come out of a difficult situation, I don't consider myself as a good clay court player. I am better on hard courts or indoors.

FABRICE SANTORO: Yes, since Key Biscayne I had to play on clay. I had a few days break and after I did a very hard work and I learned to slide on clay courts again, but today it was useless because the court wasn't slippery at all. I am not really well prepared because of my injury in the back, so was not playing before.

FABRICE SANTORO: Yes, only three tournaments. That is not much. I have the impression I didn't play on clay for two years. I had to do a great work, winning this first match was very important.

FABRICE SANTORO: Yes, in Bournemouth.

FABRICE SANTORO: The game conditions were completely different. It was American clay court which is different. It is green. It is faster than ours. This player is able to hit hard on both sides and he has a very good backhand on the line. What I had to do was to have him play inside of the court where he is more vulnerable. I was able to play sliced shots and he was not very comfortable with them.