Post by Brinyi on May 25, 2005 9:21:59 GMT -5
... after his win over Vampiro. From the Tribune de Genève, www.tdg.ch/tghome/toute_l_info_test/sports/tennis__25_5_.html
Stan, your biggest victory?
Yes, I think so. In any case it's the first in a Grand Slam tournament.
Nicolas Massu, double Olympic champion. was a hell of a challenge. What was your state of mind at the start of the match?
I was nervous. I couldn't settle down. So was he! I gave him that first set tie-break. Then I got my concentration and I got an early break in the second. That was a big help.
So was his foot injury at the end of the second set?
I knew he wouldn't give up. I was told he was a fighter, so his behaviour didn't surprise me.
Not even on his service games when he was taking so much time?
That didn't bother me, I like to take my time too.
You double faulted three times serving for the match. Was that nerves?
No, not enough concentration. My head was somewhere else. It was such a big moment and it's not easy to manage. This was my first match at a slam, so I thought about it, unconsciously.
Are you going to celebrate?
Nothing special. I'll have dinner with Dimitri et Grégory Zavialoff as usual. Tomorrow I'll hit some balls for an hour, and then go into town to buy some things.
James Blake is next.
He's a very good player. His ranking doesn't reflect how good he is. Of course the clay is not his best surface, so I have my chances. Anyway, I have no choice, I have to take what comes.
With what ambitions?
To go as far as possible in the competition. I already won 3 qualifying matches. I don't want stop here. I may look tired but believe me, I still have something left. I'm ready to fight more battles. I've been working hard since the Davis Cup with Pierre Paganini, on my weak points: my agility, speed and footwork.
Stan, your biggest victory?
Yes, I think so. In any case it's the first in a Grand Slam tournament.
Nicolas Massu, double Olympic champion. was a hell of a challenge. What was your state of mind at the start of the match?
I was nervous. I couldn't settle down. So was he! I gave him that first set tie-break. Then I got my concentration and I got an early break in the second. That was a big help.
So was his foot injury at the end of the second set?
I knew he wouldn't give up. I was told he was a fighter, so his behaviour didn't surprise me.
Not even on his service games when he was taking so much time?
That didn't bother me, I like to take my time too.
You double faulted three times serving for the match. Was that nerves?
No, not enough concentration. My head was somewhere else. It was such a big moment and it's not easy to manage. This was my first match at a slam, so I thought about it, unconsciously.
Are you going to celebrate?
Nothing special. I'll have dinner with Dimitri et Grégory Zavialoff as usual. Tomorrow I'll hit some balls for an hour, and then go into town to buy some things.
James Blake is next.
He's a very good player. His ranking doesn't reflect how good he is. Of course the clay is not his best surface, so I have my chances. Anyway, I have no choice, I have to take what comes.
With what ambitions?
To go as far as possible in the competition. I already won 3 qualifying matches. I don't want stop here. I may look tired but believe me, I still have something left. I'm ready to fight more battles. I've been working hard since the Davis Cup with Pierre Paganini, on my weak points: my agility, speed and footwork.