NEWSWEEK CHAMPIONS CUP

March 14, 1996

Wayne Ferreira

JOE LYNCH: Wayne has entered the quarterfinals now and was actually down 6-0 in the career head-to-head with Courier; turned that one around today and has always played well here reaching the final in '93. First question.

Q. Wayne, did you happen to know what time it was you got off the court last night?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I'd say maybe 9:30, quarter to 10:00. Somewhere around there.

Q. What time was it today that you got back on the court?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I played third. I would say about 1:00, quarter past 1:00.

Q. That is not a great deal of an interval; is it?

WAYNE FERREIRA: Not really. I didn't really have much choice, really. Believe me, I'd rather have finished that match last night than rather finish it today, so that was one good thing.

Q. This was your easiest match?

WAYNE FERREIRA: Yeah, so far. It wasn't supposed to be. Put it this way, it was the shortest. I don't know about the easiest.

Q. According to my figures you played 91 games in this tournament; Sampras has played 19; yet he is in the same round as you are. Does that seem quite fair to you?

WAYNE FERREIRA: Well, I guess it is fair in a way that he got a "bye" in the first round. They get "byes" for the top 8; unfortunately, I was 9th so I missed out on that one. He got lucky. He got a walkover, it happens line that. That is just the way it goes. Hopefully somewhere down the line it will be the other way around. But in a way, I am glad that I have played these matches because I have been -- last week I had a great week, but I still feel like I need to play a lot of matches and I have played good guys. I have had tough ones and I will probably be in better shape going into the quarterfinals than, I guess, Pete would.

Q. How good is Hernan Gumy?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I struggled really badly in that match. I found it difficult. The wind was tough. Didn't play as well as I'd like to, but I do think he is a very good player. I think he will be a lot tougher and a lot more difficult to beat on the clay courts. But out of all the Spanish and South American guys, you know, out of all the clay courters like he is, I think he is the most aggressive out of all of them.

Q. Are you exhausted?

WAYNE FERREIRA: No, I am actually feeling pretty good. Unfortunately, I have to play doubles which may tire me out and I am a little bit behind in that. I have to catch up two matches somewhere along the line. I actually feel pretty good. I am pretty pumped up on the way that I have been playing and the results and I think that is going to help me through a lot. But I am in good shape, so I don't think I have a problem with the amount of matches I have to play.

Q. What was the difference against Courier this time than previous times?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I served extremely well today. He didn't really have any chances. I know one game he had breakpoint, two breakpoints; besides that, he didn't have any, you know, so if I was going my serve games so easily, I was able to get a little bit more concentration; little bit more effort on his serve and I was a little bit more aggressive and I tried to do more different things; tried to work the forehand a little, and then get a chance to come in on the backhand which I did quite well. My volleys were good. So I just, overall, I'd say aggressiveness helped me a lot.

Q. After you won that tournament in Scottsdale, when did you get here?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I actually flew that evening and arrived here Sunday evening.

Q. What did you think about the speed of the court?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I like the speed of court here. I think it is good. These days, they are changing the balls; making them heavier, which is a little difficult, but I like these courts. I especially like the clubhouse. I don't think I have lost a match out there. It is a good court for me.

Q. The balls seemed to be bouncing pretty high?

WAYNE FERREIRA: Yeah, they do. I quite like it. It is pretty good for my game.

Q. What do you likes about the clubhouse?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I think the atmosphere there is great. The stadium is obviously nice, but it is more -- you seem to be in such a big arena and people are quite -- there is such a large space between the court and the backboards and people are spread out all over the place. The clubhouse, when you play out here, you got someone sitting right behind you. Everyone is involved in it. It is just the atmosphere is much nicer.

Q. How do the courts compare to Scottsdale?

WAYNE FERREIRA: I think they are exactly the same except there is that slight bit of altitude which I felt the ball came through the air a little bit slower, but as for the bounce of the court, and the speed of the court, I think they are pretty much identical.

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