Press Conference with MARAT SAFIN

Safin vs. Martin 6:1, 6:0

Q: Congratulations. It’s helpful to get a job done as quick.

A: Yes. Thanks. It’s pretty good to finish the evening so fast. I wasn’t playing so good lately and wasn’t really in good shape in the past few weeks. It’s a good start for me. I see whether I can continue this way tomorrow. It was pretty good and pretty fast.

Q: Did you expect such a win?

A: I knew it was going to be a difficult match, because I wasn’t playing well. I wasn’t coming here with a lot of confidence. So, I knew I would have to fight a lot. Because it will not come easy. I felt comfortable on the court. I played my best tennis probably. I hope I can hold the level. Then I’ll be on the right track.

Q: Are you in better shape now?

A: Yes, I’ve been working hard. The week after Barcelona, I had 1 ½ weeks. I was working a lot for my fitness, but then my knee started to hurt a little bit. In Rome, I had to withdraw from the doubles. So, I was coming here without any expectations. But I’m in pretty good shape. I’m moving pretty well which is very important. I felt comfortable on this court which his strange because it’s slow and a lot of bad bounces.

Q: But you’ve done well in the past here. That might help.

A: In a way yes. I made two finals here, although I should have won one of them. I played pretty good tennis here, so it might give me a feeling of being comfortable on the court. That’s very important before coming to the French Open.

Q. Is this your best tennis since Australia?

A: Yes, probably.

Q: When I watch a match like this, I ask myself why you don’t use your talent much more? Is it just a mental thing?

A: I think everything together. Sometimes you’re a bit out of shape because you’re feeling a bit tired or because you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. After Australia I was a bit under pressure because I wanted to do well and make a lot of points coming to the US. Then, I didn’t play well. I lost my confidence, then I was struggling. Then I wasn’t moving well on the court. Especially for me, I’m a big guy, I have to work continuously on my fitness. Now, I’m doing everything in stages. You have to be careful not too work too much. The year is very long. You have to be smart.

Q: Do you think you are a contender for the French Open.

A: That’s my goal to go there with confidence.

Q: Did you no Alberto from your earlier stages?

A: Yes, he is three years older than me, but I saw him in Orange Bowl in junior tournaments. I was playing under 16. I know him for a long time.

Q: Did that contribute to tonight’s match?

A: We’ve played a lot of times. I always felt comfortable against him.