WIMBLEDON

June 26, 2001

Jamie Delgado

MODERATOR: Jamie Delgado.

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah, for the majority of the match I felt pretty comfortable on my service games. There were, I think two games where I had to save breakpoints, maybe two or three games. But that's normal. I mean, you know, there's not many matches that you go through, especially a five-set match, having not lost serve. Definitely pleasing.

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah, I mean, I was definitely aware that that was a very important game. You know, a player like that, if you give him a set, you know, he might pick his game up a little bit. So I just realised that that game was very important. Yeah, maybe you tighten up. But I was very happy to win it.

JAMIE DELGADO: It's a great opportunity. I've never played anyone as good as that. I mean, he's maybe one of the all-time greats of the game. It would be a great opportunity to see how my game is against his.

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah. I mean, like I say, it's a great opportunity. I'd really look forward to it.

JAMIE DELGADO: Not frightened, No. I'm definitely aware of how good he is, and what he's achieved. You know, it's a good chance for me to show what sort of player I am on a big stage. You know, it's definitely a time to go for it for myself.

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah. I mean, it's the way the draw works sometimes. But we all won our first rounds. It's a great opportunity for all of us to have a go at the big players. Nothing to lose, all to gain really. It is a good opportunity.

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah. I mean, I've been working on quite a few things in my game, that being one of them, to try and be aggressive when I have the opportunity. A few times, at the right times, it paid off. So that's one of the things I was happy with, yeah.

JAMIE DELGADO: No. I've been working on a few things in my game, on how to approach matches. I'll just try and do that in my next match.

JAMIE DELGADO: No. You know, I'll be trying to express myself in my match if I play Agassi, try and put my game against his, see how good it is. But I won't be speaking to any psychologists, no (laughter).

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah, obviously he's a bigger guy, more powerful. But he doesn't move as well. You know, I'm never going to have the massive shots to hit people off, but I've got to try to be good in other areas, you know, not give him the shots to hit. You know, I thought I played pretty smart and didn't give him any opportunities to play his game.

JAMIE DELGADO: I've always had a soft spot for them. My dad is from Madrid. Through him really I like them.

JAMIE DELGADO: I beat Martin Damm also at Queen's. I've been winning a few matches the last few weeks. I lost to some good players. It's just another opportunity to have a go. Yeah, I've been playing pretty well the last few weeks. You know, it's a good time for me.

JAMIE DELGADO: Well, I lost to, last year in the quarters of Tashkent, to Safin, the week after he won the US Open. That's probably the biggest. I played Rusedski obviously at Queen's. I've played a few. You know, this is definitely the biggest, if Agassi was to win. They don't get much bigger than Agassi (smiling).

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah, it felt like I had good support. You know, most of the crowd obviously were for me. There was the odd cheer for Medvedev. No, I was pretty happy with it.

JAMIE DELGADO: Yeah. I mean, you know, I have no complaints. They definitely helped me through.

JAMIE DELGADO: I mean, you have to work that in your advantage. Like I say, pretty much every match he plays, unless he plays Sampras here or something, he's expected to win. So that's nothing new. But as regards me, people are expecting him to win, so it's a good chance to go for it and, you know, have an upset. You know, I think that's something that he's used to, supposed to win.

JAMIE DELGADO: When you do play these top players, the big players are key. Yeah, I mean, sure, that was a tough game. Every player I think gets a little bit nervous at different times. It's how you deal with it. As I say, I didn't lose serve in the match. I concentrated pretty well. For the whole, I thought I did it pretty well. Obviously, in every match you're going to have little moments where it doesn't go quite right. It's how you deal with them.

JAMIE DELGADO: A little bit.

JAMIE DELGADO: I didn't actually see the match, but I heard he got put off by that.

JAMIE DELGADO: I don't think Tony Blair has the same impact (laughter). Give it a go, by all means.