NEWSWEEK CHAMPIONS CUP

March 13, 1996

Goran Ivanisevic

JOE LYNCH: Goran is 25 and 1 since the Australian Open.

Q. Waiting a long time?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Waiting six years. Long time to wait.

Q. What was the difference today than all the other years?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It is different because first I am very confident at the moment. I have won a lot of matches and I came Monday, so I didn't care too much, just went there and hit the ball and everything went in.

Q. What have you been doing since you have been here?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I played the doubles yesterday, and lot of practice, and nothing much. Today nothing special. Practiced for 20 minutes and watched some movies and played some good tennis this night.

Q. What movies?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Actually I saw this Ace Ventura. Pretty funny.

Q. Was it a good movie?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It was funny. It was a pretty funny movie. This guy is very funny.

Q. Have you surprised or stunned yourself with the results that you have had in the last three months starting in Munich?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I think I surprised everybody. Everybody asked me what is going on with me, when I am going to lose and it is strange because last year they were asking me when I am going to win something; now they are asking me when I am going to lose. See, with me, it is winning or losing. I can't produce something in between that. So -- I don't know what is going on. It is just a nice feeling and I hope I can keep this as long as possible.

Q. Has Bob Brett said anything to you?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No, we had a run yesterday at 6 o'clock in the morning and we talked a little bit and..... Nothing interesting.

Q. So are the people any older here --

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I am not going to say.

Q. -- than previous years?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I said it once.

Q. Maybe they all died off from the last time?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: The fresh one. They make the fresh -- no, actually, it is a nice place. I always say it is bad, but I always come back here. Especially after two indoor tournaments, here it is very nice. It is nice. It is getting -- I mean, actually yesterday it was so many people. Today was bad weather, but it is getting better and I enjoy it more and more here.

Q. Obviously you will be a factor at Wimbledon again this year. Did you think that you can be a factor at the French as well?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Why not, if I am playing like this, and if I believe I can do it keep my mind, everything is possible.

Q. Do you feel good on the clay court?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I had a great season last year on clay court beating Bruguera, Berasategui a lot of guys, and I play bad French. I lost first round, but I have a good chance. I grew up on clay and maybe it is one of the best surface I play.

Q. What do you think of this tournament having the men and women together? Does it have any affect on you or your practice?

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Actually I liked it before when they finished on Sunday and we come on Monday. I don't have anything against women, but just I don't like to see them too much around, you know. It is better for my mind, especially I have to see them in Key Biscayne and it is too close, but actually after Hopman Cup I changed my mind a lot about women's tennis especially after Hingis and Rubin they had returned my serve like a piece of cake and then I really -- it is unbelievable. I couldn't hit an ace. They were returning better than guys, my serve, so I was pretty impressive.

JOE LYNCH: Anything else?

Q. Congratulations.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Thanks.

End of FastScripts........