EUROCARD OPEN

October 27, 1998

Tommy Haas

TOMMY HAAS: It is a change here. I didn't have a lot of time after Lyon to prepare myself.

The service here is different. It is more like a quick clay court. It is different to Lyon, but I am satisfied.

No, mentally the change is not that difficult. I was satisfied with my week in Lyon. I played very well. This is a new tournament, a new week.

Honestly it doesn't interest me that much that I could be No. 1 in Germany. If I play well, then I deserve it. If I don't play well, I don't deserve it.

I feel a bit tired and I brought my fitness trainer as well as my masseur with me. I play here, then Paris, and then Stockholm, then the year is over for me. I will try and give my best to better my ranking.

I am content with my year. Maybe I will change some things with respect to the tournament planning. It hasn't always been the best during this year. Next year I will try to better some things. For instance, in Bremen, I played Davis Cup. The next day I flew to Hong Kong. That wasn't of any use. I caught an intestinal virus and had to leave immediately. This affected the whole season afterwards.

The match today wasn't that easy. Davide Nainkin is not that high in the ranking, but he is a very good player. I hope that I will play well tomorrow; that more spectators are in the hall and that they will support me.