TMS - INDIAN WELLS

March 15, 2000

Greg Rusedski

MIKI SINGH: Questions for Greg.

GREG RUSEDSKI: No. I think I played really two bad service games where I got broken, hit three double-faults. On the breakpoint, I hit a double-fault. It's not like making him play to give him the first break. That really doesn't help. In the second set, I think he hit an unbelievable first point return, then I came in and misjudged the ball a little bit, hit an easy half volley into the net, hit another double-fault. You just can't play two games like that when the guy is serving that well. I mean, the first set, I think he served as well as anybody could possibly serve against me. You know, that one break really cost me. Then in the second set, I had I think Love-30 two or three times, then I had 15-40. One forehand I should have gone cross-court; hit it up the line. The Love-30 points, I have to work on taking advantage of coming over a few and taking a little bit more risk. I wasn't really pressured on any service games except for the two bad ones I played. It's disappointing because it was a great opportunity. The draw had opened up with Agassi losing. To lose a match like that is tough. But he played well. The strategy was to get a lot of first serves in, hit the first volley to my backhand, I didn't make enough backhand passing shots. That's the area I need to work on for the Lipton, keep working on the serve and the backhand passing shot. In practice I'm hitting it well. Three areas actually, return of serve at Love-30, taking more risk. If I clean up those three areas, then I'll be able to play a lot better next week.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, three areas can be quickly taken care of. I mean, I thought I served pretty well in my first match. I was pleased with that. I didn't hit as many double-faults in any key points. You know, that's just tennis. You've got to keep working on your game and doing those things.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I never played against him. I think it took me a while to get into reading his serve. In the second set, I read it pretty well; just didn't take the opportunities. You know, it's just very disappointing.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Just going to take a day off tomorrow, relax, then get to work on those three areas I just discussed. I look forward to that. I mean, this is a great opportunity given up. It frustrates me to lose a match like this because you don't get draws that open up like this too much. With Arazi and Dosedel in the next round, anything can happen here. It's reasonably quick, it's good for my game. To go out that early is obviously a disappointment.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, I don't think the heat had anything to do with it today, to be honest with you. I don't think the heat troubled me at all. It was just putting my game together. It's disappointing when you don't. You don't mind if someone goes out and they really beat you on the court. But when you know you've done a lot of things that you should do out there, then that's tough. That's a tough way to lose.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Probably go on to Miami sooner than later to get used to it. It's a bit more humid there, probably a little bit slower, the ball through the air. It will be different conditions to here.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Obviously it is. It is a tough one to lose, one you don't want to lose. I've never played him before. I just didn't do a good enough job out there. You know, I think it's still building up in the process. I've only been back -- this is my second month back. You know, there's no excuse for losing a match like that.

GREG RUSEDSKI: No, I have nothing to say.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I have no comment.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I don't have an answer to that. I'm available that week.