TMS MONTE CARLO

April 20, 2000

Cedric Pioline

Q. Yesterday you wanted to us make you 10 years younger when we were talking about confidence. Now do you want us to make you two years younger comparing this match with what happened with Berasategui two years ago?

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yes, it is true, it was in the third set with Berasategui, 5-1 and two breaks also?

CEDRIC PIOLINE: It is true, but I believed he played well. Sometimes I was not being fast enough to get organized. I believe he was playing well. He was taking many risks. He took over the court, therefore, it was not easy.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: He plays very flat. It is not easy. When he does one shot after the other we have the impression he is taking all the risks and it is always going into the court. Therefore, it is not easy. He played a good match. Today I missed a little bit. I didn't serve very well, but the important thing was the basic game. I tried to keep my shots working.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: During that break he played well. He made good points. There is nothing much to say. We can always say that we can do better, but he played well. After I indeed thought I would be able to come back but each time I had opportunities I didn't push him enough.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I saw myself in a difficult position to be honest. He played well. Each time he was playing good shots at me. I told myself if he continues like that the only thing left to do will be to tell him he played well, or then maybe it will turn around and it did turn around.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I was on a roll, so it wasn't dram dramatic. So it was not bad. I was on a roll so it didn't really bother me. I was seeing that I was starting to be dominating.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: With his game it is not easy. When I feel good, it is okay. But when I let him do his thing, he takes many risks and it goes -- everything goes into the court. It is a bit strange.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Maybe there is a bits of let-down in the concentration and therefore we make a few mistakes; we hit a bit less hard certain shots and this gives air to the other one.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Guy is here? I don't know, I didn't see him.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Certainly we will discuss it. It is important to meet together and to choose the best surface to welcome the Austrians. It is important that the captain and the players discuss together.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I believe a fast surface would be quite good.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I don't know, I talk to nobody except to you because I was already asked that question, but I didn't speak with Guy.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yes, apparently I am not too tired. Normally I am not exhausted. A good plate of pasta, a glass of wine and it should be okay.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: No, he plays well. Against Medvedev I thought he played very well. But everybody plays well at this stage so you have to play well also.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: It must be a while we didn't play each other because if we played, because I don't remember it.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I don't count the matches in Dusseldorf.