U.S. OPEN

September 3, 1995

Mark Philippoussis

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, I really enjoyed myself out there. Very pleased the way I played and the way I handled myself. A bit unfortunate I had my chances, but really happy with the way it went.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Probably experience, and Pete had served really great couple of games, served pretty bad couple doublefaults, three doublefaults. That is how I got into the third set when I was down, but he served well towards the end.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Well, I went to his camp, like, three years ago on a scholarship for two weeks and since like a year ago talked to him, rang him up at the camp and give me some ideas and couple of pointers depending on what I am playing and things like that. But, you know, they both get along pretty well. My dad gets pretty excited on the side of the court and he is pretty calm, so it is a good combination.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I was happy to win the first, but I didn't want to get too excited because there is another two to go to win, so I didn't want to relax too much or get too excited. I am just happy I played a good set.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: That is my problem at the moment, that is why even on important points I tend to go for my shots and my serves and my forehand and I went for too much sometimes, but that is probably why I won some matches and some matches and lost.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: You know, I can't think about it. I have to look at the tape, see what I did wrong and what I did right. I can't think about if I did that and what if I did this.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I felt like I was playing with more consistency, more toughness. I didn't give him too much. I didn't serve. I didn't get a lot of first serves in at the start, but I served my second serve very well, I thought, and, you know, I thought I was a lot more consistent in the first set.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: It was different. I mean, Edberg got that kicker serve and volley and serve and volleys first and second serve he will be chip and charging on me. With Pete, he can do both. He can. But he serves huge. He can serve and volley. He can stay back, hit hard and chip and charge to put you under pressure. I think, towards the end, he chipped and charged well and put some pressure on me.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I feel like I am a much more mature player and experienced player since.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Definitely. I mean, you got to enjoy yourself. This center court is like nothing else in the world, it is huge. And when they have got the crowds going -- it is a bit of a crowd there, and, you know, the shouting and really, you know, rings in your ear drums, so it was good.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: We are in America and Pete is American and, you know, as soon as I got inside I knew who they were going to support. I had to forget that. It doesn't worry me too much. I am just playing my own game.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I mean, when I did -- in the second and third I broke down both sets, couple of breaks down in the third; I got back and got 6-5 down and the first one where I went with a wild forehand down the line, which I should have maybe just got that in and came in and passed me if it got to the tiebreaker, wouldn't know what would happen. - But in that third set I mean, he chipped and charged me. I think it was on the deuce court three times in a row and put the volley away and he just applied the pressure when he had to.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, I mean, that just shows the champions - if you give them an inch, they will take that. If you give them a chance; you stay back, they will put the pressure on you; come in and that is why.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, you know, I prepared well. I thought yesterday I was really looking forward to this match and, you know, I definitely gave myself the chance because if you go in the match like that thinking that you are just going out there for fun and can really -- it is not worth going in not if you don't give yourself a chance at all. I definitely thought I could win if I play well; that is what I got to be thinking going in.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, I think. Like I said, I had a bit of unforced errors. He got to a next level and played like that -- got to a next level, when other players stay the same; that is why he is there and I think, you know, that is -- puts a bit of pressure on me because I know if I do give him anything, you know, he will just keep on going and I will be behind.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: That what is my goal -- I am happy that I achieved that. The year is not over with yet. I think I might -- I am capable of getting much more than top 100, but I don't want to push myself too much. You know, when I do finish this year then I will have another goal for myself and start of next year I will take a tournament at a time.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: You know, I think I just got to get more consistent. I think I have got the shots, but I got to know when to use them; how to use them and get a lot more tougher on the court and a lot more mentally tougher and just concentrate a bit more better...