EUROCARD OPEN

October 25, 1997

Petr Korda

Q. Can you compare this day's semifinal than the one four weeks ago? What was the difference that says today you have won?

PETR KORDA: The difference was the court, a slower court and not such a high altitude and I knew I am going to play more balls than in Munich because it was much faster, which is helping Patrick more than me.

PETR KORDA: That was in 1995 before I went to the first surgery. I mean, I was going out of the tennis. I didn't want to come back. I didn't want to go through the pain. But, then they make me realize, you know, how I like tennis, or I am enjoying tennis. I had two or three weeks after the surgery probably the most decisive time in my tennis career. I was with Tony Pickard and with his attitude, he convinced me to come back to play tennis again. We talked about everything at that time and since that time I am really enjoying tennis. When I hurt my -- when I injured my right groin, the first thing I was looking at was to have surgery as soon as possible and to be back and to really -- to work hard again, to get, conditionwise, on the level with the guys. That finally happened, you know, in the beginning of this year. And, since that time, I am really enjoying tennis even more than I was enjoying before.

PETR KORDA: I mean, I always knew I belong to the top 10. But the problem was, I have been injured many times which people didn't believe me. They were always saying, you know, I am crying too much instead of to be a tough man. But, I think I was tough enough to even play and the doctor told me that I was completely crazy that I could play with this one for such a long time. But, I am very fresh inside and also one of the reasons I come back, I am doing the performance, I want it to be -- like they were saying my days are over, the time I got married, everything, I went down hill and, you know, whatever -- whatever bad comment they came up with. And, really, right now, I am sitting in a sport where I am really just laughing, how did they understand myself and how did they understand my tennis.

PETR KORDA: I am better. I improved my serve. Even the time I didn't play and, you know, even I am -- I was injured, I developed a little bit my serve and I think that is the reason also I am -- I can play good matches with the top guys. Because I was always struggling with my serve. I know I can still improve my serve. That is what I am going to look forward, you know, when I am going to have the time off after the season to improve my serve. And, I am looking only for one thing, you know, to go back to the top 10 for one week and really, to satisfy myself. If it is going to be this year, next year, whatever, I am going to do 100% for this work and, you know, to bring the joy because I know my clock, it is running quite fast. My tennis is, let us say, five to twelve and these five minutes, I want to really enjoy and really to bring the joy for the other people to watch my tennis and support me.

PETR KORDA: No, I was always concentrating, but I am older, you know, I am older, you know, I am more mature than I was before.

PETR KORDA: No, I didn't have up-and-downs' matches. The up-and-downs' matches was coming with my problems. I mean, I am -- I mean, really, when I hurt my groin in 1994, Dusseldorf, you know, if you would look at '91, '92, '93 always was consistent, really consistent. From '94, I was not consistent because I couldn't. I could play one match. Then my body was like washed out completely. I was completely tired with the pain. But, I kept the pain inside of myself. I know right now it was the biggest mistake in my life. It cost me probably a lot. But, probably it was important time -- I probably went through an important time or through an important period of my life. I became more mature. I know I reevaluate my tennis at that time. I met a person who had a big impact on my game. It was Tony. He introduced me tennis from the other side, than just to hitting the balls, to enjoy my life; how to spend some time with the family. And, now I am just -- that is the results and continuation, you know, what I learn through that period; what I learn with Vladimir Zednik and that is why I am playing good tennis on the level that I am playing right now.

PETR KORDA: You have to ask Tony. You have to ask Tony. And, I mean, I am just wishing for Tony, he is going to be able to help him, you know, as his friend. As opponent I am not making any comments (laughs).

PETR KORDA: For me it is hard to talk about it because I truly believe I had it that time and something hit me badly. If I would have to decide one more time to play the match against Bjorkman, this time there was no way I would play. I am still having problems since US Open with my sinuses. I am having surgery after the year because there is something wrong and I have to be cleaned. There is a chronical problems. Whenever there is air conditioning, you know, I have the problems that -- but, it was an important, probably, lesson again. I went from the moment, you know, I was really on the top and another day I got -- two days after I got hit, Hamburg, to get on the bottom again. But, you know, I realize I can play tennis. I can beat No. 1 player in the world. And, if I am going to stay healthy and, you know, just work hard and enjoy tennis, there is something that is going to -- there is going to be some results. I don't know -- I mean, I am not saying it is going to be good results, or the bad results. It is going to be some results. But, if I am going to put 100% for this one, you know, I think I am going to be satisfied with any results.

PETR KORDA: No, I don't think that I will ever get over it because, you never know in your tennis life if it was -- maybe it could be my second and last chance, but in that time, if I would close my eyes and, you know, you could spin me around and I would hit the ball anyway, the best -- because really I will probably -- one of the best timing in my life and still almost couldn't lift -- couldn't lift the racket and I could play a tough match with Bjorkman. It is hard to accept, but I am going to have to accept it because, you know, the result was Bjorkman went to the other round.

PETR KORDA: The body, it is very young inside. Three years I didn't practice too much and I am still capable, you know, to work and I am enjoying to working. Like I said, it is making me more motivated than I was ever before, you know, to use the five minutes properly. Unfortunately I don't have my conditioning coach with me because I start to do, after Wimbledon, something different than I was doing before. I am doing a lot of stretching. But, unfortunately, my coach - I don't want to say became blind - but he had eye surgery and he cannot travel with us at the moment. And, he is still recovering. I think with his help and with the help with the tennis coach, and with the motivation, I think I can stay in good shape. But I don't want to predict how many years I am going to play or how good I am going to play. I think -- I know I am always going to play tennis which hopefully people, they are going to enjoy. And, I think if I am going to play tennis that I am producing right now, I am going to be able to come to the top 10 which is my goal.

PETR KORDA: I mean, they always told me, you know, you are as old as you think you are. And, I think I am very young inside. Compared to Boris or Stefan or the generation I have really grew up with, you know, I turned pro when I was 19. They turned pro when they were 15, 16. That means they have been ahead of me some few years. That means I still have a lot. Plus, I didn't work hard -- not hard, I couldn't work hard. I couldn't work hard and my tennis is a little bit lighter than other players. And if I would improve my serve just two, three percent, I think I can put some good results because groundstrokes, I don't think so I can improve. Return, I think it is working fine. I can improve volleys -- if I want, I can come more to the net, but everything is going to be depend if I am going to have motivation to improve my serve. I don't know if in case I would reach top 10 if my motivation is going to slip down, but I have big support from my family, which is most important and, you know, I am enjoying it. I think if I would -- would try to go a little bit right, I know -- I mean, my family would keep me back, my coach and my friend, Tony, would put me back on the track again.

PETR KORDA: I am losing weight.

PETR KORDA: I went to see my doctor and I asked him to put some weight on. He said, "Okay, you will have to drink like ten beers a day." I said, "No, I will become an alcoholic." I think -- I am pleased with my weight, with -- I have different fibers. I mean, my muscles are different fibers, much stronger, couldn't do weights and I eat a lot which people, they don't believe me, I am still so skinny. But, I am burning quite good, which is good and hopefully when I am retired I am going to have a nice body (laughs).