THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 21, 1998

Andre Agassi

Q. Did you see Nicolas play in Australia and what did you think of his game today?

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I saw him play in Australia. He certainly is playing well there. Today was very breezy, very windy. He takes a pretty good cut at the ball. He can make some good -- great shots and some errors. I was just hoping today just to play tight, play inside myself, not give him a chance to take too many clean -- get too many clean looks at the ball and hope that, you know, that he wouldn't just be making winners. He missed a lot.

ANDRE AGASSI: No. I mean, I knew once I committed to the work, that it would happen again, as far as just being able to play well and feel good about my efforts on the court. But the question was when, and it is just nice for it to happen this soon.

ANDRE AGASSI: What did he announce?

ANDRE AGASSI: All right.

ANDRE AGASSI: A lot of veterans on that team. We will be well prepared.

ANDRE AGASSI: It is tough to say. He missed a lot of first serves. I don't really know if his serve is not that good or -- and, you know, he can make a lot of errors. But apparently he can -- if he gets to the semis after the Slam, he has beaten guys in some tough matches. Wasn't like he was just getting lucky by any means. He was working hard. I am sure I didn't see his best tennis today. But seems like the semis was a good result for him.

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I am. I am very pleased with the way I am playing.

ANDRE AGASSI: It is actually an easier adjustment, I feel, because you can start hitting out on your shots a little more. The wind is always difficult, but thank goodness it is windy on both sides of the court.

ANDRE AGASSI: There are a few factors make a person a good wind player or not. I think, first of all, you have to have good footwork. A little footwork, not necessarily fast, but good adjustment. Got to be able to adjust. The people who can hit the ball, if they have a bigger strike zone, if the ball is up high, if the ball is down low, they can still take a good swing. Some players like the ball in a certain pocket, it is difficult for them. Or if you have a high ball toss. So there a few factors that make certain games better for the wind.

ANDRE AGASSI: I have always considered myself a good wind player. I have the ability to hit flat through the winds or to play with spin, that makes a difference, too.

ANDRE AGASSI: It is one of the best stops in the year. Looking forward to it a great deal.

ANDRE AGASSI: You know, I mean, on the court obviously was a huge differences. I mean, I had no confidence in my game last year; no real work no preparation behind me, no matches, no -- not that much training and I felt like was miles away. This year is quite different. I feel like I can win matches, not playing well and then play well at the right times, so it is a considerable difference.

ANDRE AGASSI: You never he enjoy it when you are used to winning and you are not winning anymore. It is not enjoyable.

ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I do.

ANDRE AGASSI: I haven't made my schedule yet for that part of the season. Next Grand Slam is the French, so, it is hard to look past that.