US OPEN

August 26, 1997

Gustavo Kuerten

MARGARET HEENAN: Questions in English, please.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: I think just after the third set, I broke him in the first game, so that was important for me. I mean, was the big game for me in the match because I was in very bad situation and I come back right away to broke him in the first game. I think after that I really controlled the match, start to play more solid from baseline and serve pretty well. So I was really tough. I didn't think that I will win before the match was over, so I was always trying to find a way to win. He was fighting a lot. I think was maybe the important points I had a little bit more of lucky, and that decide the match.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: I can't say like that. I mean, I'm feeling good playing in hardcourt, but I have more trouble to adapt my game. I need like four, five days to practice to start to play good. So right now I'm feeling great. I'm feeling playing with the good rhythm and good time. So I can't compare it very much because the guys play different also. But my game, I think it's solid right now. I'm prepared to go to the second round. I'm very happy just to win this match.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: They have to look me play tennis because the only place -- I always inside of the court. If they look me, they look me playing tennis. I think they really enjoy this match today. I try to do my best and win the match. I don't think like to do the game to the public, they really like the way I play. I try to win. I hope they like the way I play, but I can't do always the right thing, always what they want me to do.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah, I think so. But it's not always like that. The last time I played just in Wimbledon, and I had a bad experience in five sets. I think it was the first time he play five sets and he beat me. I think this again was the first time Justin play in a five-set match. I think for sure that help me. I think from the start of the game, no problem, if I have to play five sets, no problem, because I'm ready. Maybe he didn't think that because he didn't know how he is. He never play five sets. I think this helped me a little bit. But sometimes this help; it's not enough to win the match.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes. Not too many changes. I think I had not too much time to stop and see what happened and what will happen. I just keep playing, playing too many tournaments. I hadn't stayed too many times in my home, and I haven't stopped of playing already. So for me, just keep going the same. I practice, I'm playing, I'm trying to win all the time. Maybe for the people who look me, fans, they watch me more, they follow me more. Maybe they look at me like I'm star of tennis now. For me it's just the same.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah. I think it's great, like to play today before this crowd was maybe one of the reason that I could come back and win the match.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Like ten days, yeah.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Well, it's different, but I didn't have too many time. I was sick for a while, and I had to start to practice. I didn't have too many time to do too much things. But for sure, it's always a relief after you win a Grand Slam. But I can live my life. I still can do the things that I want.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Okay. Pretty good.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: No, no. After the French Open, she said my coach is good (laughter). I don't need her help anymore.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah. For sure that is a big experience for me. I can come here and play like one match today, five sets, or a third, fourth round, I already know how it is. But it's not everything. It depends how you play on the day, how is your feeling with the court, your timing. It's very difficult to say. But for sure this can help me next match.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: If not, I wasn't here. That's why I'm here. I know it will be very tough, but I'm sure that everybody is still winning has a chance to win.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Looks like my city.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yes.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: Yeah.

GUSTAVO KUERTEN: (Thumbs up.) Almost everybody who lives in my city, live in only one building. So big.