GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE ATP CHAMPIONSHIP

August 4, 1997

Greg Rusedski

Q. Problem with the groin, I presume?

GREG RUSEDSKI: No. The groin is absolutely fine. I had a good start today. I returned well and I had a few chances early on in the second set. And I just gave away the second set with three doubles faults and a missed easy volley. It wasn't like he did anything tremendously well to win the second set. And, the third set, I had three games in a row where I had breakpoints. I mean, if I probably looked at the match stats, I usually won more return points I probably in every single category besides winning the match. So, it is one of those matches you should have won on paper. But I am not too worried about it. Just move on to New Haven, Boston and get myself physically stronger and get ready for the Open. That is where you want to play your best tennis. I am not going to kill myself. It would have been nice to win, obviously would have liked to get more chances in this week. I had a good opportunity to play Corretja in the second round. I think Jonathan is going to have a hard time beating Corretja. But, I thought if I would have played Corretja I think I would have had a good chance. I didn't do what I had to do today. It was one bad game. That is the way tennis goes. Just getting back into the -- I returned, I stayed down low and in the third I started lifting up a little bit. Just technical things here I need to fix up. I mean, if I didn't play that bad game at 3-All probably would be in the locker room in two sets. That is the way tennis goes.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I just did rest and rehabilitation. It was absolutely fine for about ten days. Just had a holiday. Got away from tennis which is nice. My mind is fresh and ready to go for the rest of the summer. Well, I was in London for a few days. After that I just went to Barbados for a week for holiday. Didn't pick up the tennis racket and just trained in the last four days in Saddlebrook with Pete (Sampras) the last three, four days leading up to here. I had the physio on it and I had the look on it, so it was great. It was good. I had good practice there and I worked on my return of serve and things like that. I mean, I was pleased today the way I returned. I just didn't return the big points well and I didn't stay down in the tiebreaker much. Few technical areas which I think I will clean up before New Haven and Boston and the Open. I mean, my goal on the hard court season -- I mean, it would it be nice if you play well in these weeks, but everybody's goal is to play well in the Open. If I can get in, say, between about six to ten matches before the Open, I will be pleased and then have a good shot to do well there. Because that is where everyone wants to make sure they play well.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Sampras is in the best shape of his life. He is going to be tough to beat. When I was practicing him, he is probably playing better right now than anybody. There is no question. He is in a class by himself. If he plays the way he has been playing in practice, I don't see anybody troubling him at all.