U.S. OPEN

September 5, 1992

Jim Courier

JIM COURIER: Well, it was a different match. Cedric was playing a lot more attacking than Andre was, but you-- over all, I feel pretty good about it. I really finished the match well. So I have a good feeling coming off the court.

Q. Was it a struggle up to that? I mean, except for the end?

JIM COURIER: It was a very tough match. I mean, he was serving very well, and I was, most of the time, winning comfortably on my serve, so it came down to, you know, the break in the first set, one break in the second, one break in the third, then one break in the fourth. So it was, you know, it was pretty nip and tuck all the way.

Q. We heard your commentary over the TV set on the McEnroe match. If he in fact does win, you, obviously, will be in the position of playing one of these Open crowd favorites. What is it you have to do beside play good tennis to get accustomed to the atmosphere that you are going to most likely have out there next match?

JIM COURIER: Just another tennis match, really. Go out there and you get into your concentration, you don't worry about the external stuff. I haven't had any problems. The worst case scenario you could ever see was Connors last year in the semis and I didn't really have any problems as far as crowdmania.

Q. Does there have to be sort of a nasty streak that a young player has to have to play in a match like that?

JIM COURIER: I don't think so. You just have to get in there and do what you know how to do and don't worry about the rest.

Q. Is it easier for you now than two, three years ago?

JIM COURIER: Well, I think that I am more mature on the court. I know I have been in more situations, so I know how to handle them a little better.

Q. And the things that you do to handle them are?

JIM COURIER: Just not to really do anything. Just to play my game.

Q. Cliché city?

JIM COURIER: Just here to help the club. Good Lord willing --

Q. Anyway that he can be more dangerous here?

JIM COURIER: John?

Q. Yes, than any -- you know, forget about throughout the French. But have any of the other --

JIM COURIER: Obviously has had a great season in the Grand Slams. He did very well in Australia, had a great run in Wimbledon. He tends to rise to the occasion, and that is what I am striving to do too. Always to rise to the occasion at the big moment. So I expect a tough match if John gets through, if Richard wins, but I expect a tough match.

Q. Did last year getting to the finals and so forth change your comfort level here drastically or not necessarily, is it more of a build up of all of your experience?

JIM COURIER: Kind of a combination of the two. Certainly helps to have done well at a tournament. You can do it, but I think that I have played a lot of big matches in the last couple of years, so I am fairly comfortable with it.

Q. Is there any worry at all about approaching a match like this. It is only going to be the fourth round and you are playing, you know, 16 seed and somebody else besides McEnroe or any worry that it could become too big?

JIM COURIER: I don't see it that way. I see it as here is my next match and every match is a new challenge. I am just going out there and hoping to perform well, and see what happens. No reason to expend any extra energy worrying about it. I can't control the outcome. All I can do is go out there and play my best, and we will see what happens.

Q. Have you ever intended to expend any extra energy worrying about stuff?

JIM COURIER: I used to when I was first coming up. But I have learned kind of to control it a little better. Thanks guys.

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