TMS - MADRID

October 14, 2003

Mark Philippoussis

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Mark.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I mean, he played well today. He served big. You know, I didn't play too well. It's a combination of both. He took advantage of that. Simple as that.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I hope he is. Hope he is. Doesn't worry me.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I just think I got some nice fuel today to fuel the fire for the Davis Cup final. Simple as that. The reaction of the crowd, I just want to thank them for that reaction, because I'll be thinking about that when the final comes.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: I wouldn't care anyway, whether he does or not. Really doesn't worry me.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Of course. I mean, obviously, it is a bit of a setback. The points are still very tight. To win one Masters Series, you know, that's a hundred points. There's still plenty of points out there. There's still two tournaments left.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah. You know, he served pretty big all match. I guess I really think I should have been looking for that wide one, especially on the breakpoint. He did it to me a couple of times actually in the second set to save breakpoint. You know, I looked for it at 15-30. He made a hell of a volley. I should have been looking for it again. But, you know, not much you can do now.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: You know, obviously losing the final in Wimbledon is always going to be there in my mind. It's always going to be tough. Nothing can change that. But Davis Cup is a big part of me. Our goal this year is to win Davis Cup, simple as that. Now we're in the final. We're playing at home on grass. We have the opportunity to do that. That definitely is my priority. You know, I think if we win that, it won't outweigh the final of Wimbledon, but it will definitely bring the end of the year to a good finish, that's for sure.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Would I give advice to the team for the final? No. It's their decision to make. Whatever they make, obviously they're going to have to live with it. You know, they've been in the Davis Cup finals before. You know, they know what it's all about.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Obviously, it's an advantage for Australia. But it's nothing to take for granted.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: He also has a bit of an injury he has from the semifinal of Davis Cup. So he's looking after that. So obviously he doesn't want to do anything to injure that further. You know, he'll take his time, obviously train. Getting ready for the Davis Cup final is obviously a big priority of his.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Obviously, they got good depth. You know, you've got Ferrero, Moya, you know, Costa, you know, Corretja, Lopez, Nadal. You've got some very tough Spanish players. It definitely makes a strong team. It's obviously shown this year through the Davis Cup. So, you know, depending on how they handle the grass in Melbourne is another thing altogether.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Number one priority in my life has always been my family and their health and my health. And, obviously, number two, my job is playing tennis. So obviously I would like to fulfill the things that I think I'm capable of fulfilling, try and fulfill those dreams also. You know, it's a combination of both. But nothing comes in front of the family.

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS: Yeah, of course. Surfing is a big part of my life. You know, obviously things are going well for me in tennis because I'm happy outside of my life. You know, when I'm happy outside of my life, in my private life, I play good tennis. It's as simple as that. I'm a happy person. I need to be happy to play well. I'm not that kind of person for things to make me angry to play good tennis. I like being relaxed, being happy. Getting to where I am and working hard, there's no point now in changing what I'm going to do. It's what has got me here. I think something that relaxes me, takes me away from the pressure of tennis, things like that.