Patrick defeats Julien Boutter
rd 2 15 November 2000 Paris Masters
On Wednesday, Patrick Rafter defeated Julien Boutter 6-3, 6-2.
THE MODERATOR: First question.
Q. Fairly comfortable win for you?
PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, he really struggled there today. I started off serving very well, and he didn't. And I kept the pressure on him with my serve the whole time. Never really allowed him to feel comfortable. His game sort of deteriorated, unfortunately for him.
Q. What are your aspirations for the week?
PATRICK RAFTER: I really play one match at a time. There's too many good players here to say that, oh, you know, quarters, semis, finals, whatever, would be a great result, because there's just so many great players here. But the next match -- I've beaten Guga the last few times. But, you know, every time I still go out there, I feel it's a 50-50 match and we're going to have a good battle. I enjoy playing him because he's a good fellow. So it's really just one match at a time at this stage.
Q. Obviously longer term, three weeks' time, is the Davis Cup final. Both yourself and the Aussies here and the Spaniards here all sort of can't keep that out of their minds really. How worried are you, particularly about Lleyton Hewitt, with the virus that he's been carrying apparently since Canada? When he was talking about it yesterday, it sounded like it was something that needed sorting out, rather than just carrying on and hoping it will go away.
PATRICK RAFTER: I think he's been trying to sort it out. But it's just one of these things no one can put their finger on. I think that's really the most frustrating thing for him. He's 19 years old, and he's done a wise decision by probably pulling out of these next couple weeks and maybe try and get more tests done. I'm not quite sure what he wants to do. Maybe he's had enough of getting tests done. But he's really got to think about his health right now. So I guess there's always a worry about it; but we always know that it's for the best, whatever decision he makes.
Q. You'd think with so many doctors still not being able to tell him, it might not be a bad idea to say, "Okay, Davis Cup is coming up." But then after that it will be the Australian Open. There's always something coming up.
PATRICK RAFTER: That's the problem with our Tour. It's just continual big events, or events going on every week and commitments that you have to go to. There's just no end in sight, unfortunately.
Q. Do you think maybe under the circumstances, he might be better having a thorough investigation, sort of, in Australia? Stay there till he sorts it out, then, "Off you go again"?
PATRICK RAFTER: You'd be a great father, wouldn't you? (Laughter.)
Q. Worst-case scenario: He's not right, and he can't play. Then what? There's obviously another guy around.
PATRICK RAFTER: Paul Kilderry can play. He's ready. He's been training with us the past couple years. Yeah, it's obviously a very difficult one. I suppose either Andrew Ilie or Richard Fromberg will be the next couple of guys.
Q. Mark's a definite no-no?
PATRICK RAFTER: Mark and I have sorted out our differences. He thinks it's best he should sit out. We say maybe we should just leave it as the team that it's been for the year, and we'll start from scratch next year. I think he's looking for a break. I think he's very tired. It would be great to have him on board, but so many things have been said and done. So we're just leaving it alone.
Q. After reaching the Wimbledon final, your shoulder problem sort of came back for a while. Now it seems okay again. Is it for you now definitely part of the past, or...
PATRICK RAFTER: No, the shoulder will always be a problem as long as -- if I don't do the right work, if I don't take the breaks. You know, I've got to look after it the whole time, and that's what I've been doing. I'm doing the right exercises; I'm doing the right training. And at the same time, you got to do the right recovery as well. That means time off. I've just come off a break. And this is my third week, and I've got another three weeks of hard training. And that will see my shoulder out -- then I'll need another break off it.
Q. So the doctors tell you you'll still have to carry until the --?
PATRICK RAFTER: I have to look after it. There will always remain a tear in my shoulder. It's never been repaired. I just have to make sure it doesn't get tired; the tendon starts working again. When that starts happening, I'm going to tear it even more.
Q. So where are you going to go from now until Barcelona? Are you going to head for Spain?
PATRICK RAFTER: We have a two-week training camp in Spain, then make our way to Barcelona after that. So I think Lleyton's going to go down as well. At this point, take it easy more than anything, but just be with the team and hang out. And then I'll start the grind straight after here. Then the boys all arrive. Roche and them will arrive tomorrow.
Q. In Marbella, isn't it?
PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Back to List of
Titles
Interview
from 1999 from Patricks official web site oncourt.com(now defunct)
Question 1:
How often do you get back to your lovely retreat in Bermuda?
Answer:
A: "Well, generally if I'm playing I get back there quite a bit, but since
the shoulder surgery I've had to come back here to see the specialists and
doctors back here in Australia because they really are I think the best,
unfortunately not enough this year, probably only six weeks, but I'd like to
spend two months at least."
Question 2:
When you are at home, do you do the domesticated thing, do you cook any meals
yourself at home?
A: "We cook up veggie burgers everyday for lunch. I like to go out for
dinner because there are so many good restaurants."
Question 3:
Now that Mom is not there, what about washing? Do you do that yourself?
A: "I do about three or four loads a day. I go through an absolute
truckload of stuff. Because I come back sporadically I've got to pre-wash the
clothes because they get a mildew build-up because it's such a humid place. But
I don't iron. I draw the line there."
Question 4:
You still haven't got a car, right? Moped? Do you own a moped?
A: "No, but I have a moped in Bermuda. Yeah. It's a lot of fun. People,
when they go to Bermuda... it's a nice island, a beautiful island, but some of
the highlights are the moped trips, and I have yet to fall off - it's been five
years, and I don't really want to fall off. Oh yeah. If you don't... I haven't
worn a helmet before and the locals give you a really hard time, if you don't
wear a helmet. So you better make sure you wear one."
Question 5:
And what about the activities you do when you're at home?Lots of watersports?
A: "Yeah, my favorite would definitely be golf, because you can play all
year round there. Its very sort of seasonal, like Queensland - same sort of
weather like that. So you don't really get the really, really cold, but it gets
very windy - since its such a small island, the clouds blow over very quickly.
My handicap is 11. It's going alright at the moment. Yeah I can beat
Steve."
Question 6:
You and Lara went on holiday, to an island oof Weipa?
A: "Sandon! That's Sandon Stolle... Well, it wasn't off Weipa - it
was..(Hmmm).. I guess the pacific goes into the Gulf of Carpenteria as well..No,
it was on the other side...on the Cairns side of things. We flew into Cairns and
then took another flight 2.5 hours North..single engine -very, very old plane
called Barramundi. It's a crayfish run plane. They just pick up all the crayfish
- very popular fishing up there. So, they run up there and haul them back in
this little plane and we went up in that and landed on a make-shift air strip
they had made and had a fantastic time. It was really beautiful."
Question 7:
Am I right in saying that there was a really rugged guy, sort of a tough nut,
that you were sharing accomodation with?
A: "Ahh -No, not really, no. They were..ahh..they knew the land, they knew
the water, they are very country - but it's a great way to live....I mean,
everything is provided. Tell you what, if I lived there, I would be exactly like
that as well.. and their kids, and everything. They are going to grow-up to be
very self-sufficient and otherwise fantastic."
Question 8:
Let's talk a little bit about the early years on tour you had. It was obviously
tough starting out.
A: "My first trip, I think, I went away was in 1990 - we went through
France and Spain. A month in Spain and a couple of months in France. We just
traveled around, stayed in hostels, like 3-4 in a room, quite often the shower
was very cold and the dunny didn't flush. Donuts for breakfast...there were days
you got by.. I was probably only 17 years old and you can eat anything at that
age. But mind you, I was only playing probably one match a week, because I was
losing first round of qualifying all the time. And then we went on to France and
we were playing French money tournaments and we hired a car. Another friend,
Mathew McMarr, from Adelaide, traveled around with us as well, and the three of
us just cruised around France for three months and ahh...we played tournaments
over there and really learned how to play."
Question 9:
The time did come when Jeff (sic) gave you his life savings to continue your
career.
A: "Well, in 1993, I had to make a certain decision on where I am going to
go now...92 was another year where I sat around about 300 in the world...and in
93, I thought, I have got to start trying to make a bit of a run now, it has
been 3 years and nothin's really happened. So, he came over and traveled with
me. It was a bit of a slump, but we got through it that year and got down to, I
think, to 50 by the end of the year. Yeah. It was a big sacrifice by him."
Question 10:
Before that, at that stage, was there a time when you questioned yourself?
Whether you could make it or not?
A: "Yeah, you always question yourself. And I mean, I don't know what is
making it as well...is 20 in the world making it? Is 50 in the world making it.?
Its very hard to put a number on it. I think you have to...it has to come from
whatever you think yourself has made it...and whether it is 100 in the world,
that's fine. Its whatever you think your capable of doing. And even at 20 in the
world, I thought maybe I had made it, but I thought there was something extra
there.. and after a year or two off, I had a pretty bad year, but in 97, came
back."
Question 11:
Let's talk about some of the guys on tour. Who are the really good guys? Say, in
the top ten, whose company do you enjoy?
A: "Well, the top 10 changes so much, as we see. Some of the better known
guys, guys like Goran Ivanisevic, he is crazy, but he is an absolute champion
man. Corretja, Moya, big fans of....Kuerten - nice guy. Todd Martin - nice guy.
Yeah. Jeez.. I don't know. There's a lot of guys actually. I would like to see a
list . Yes -Yes. No-No. Andre is not a bad bloke, not a bad guy. I don't mind
him at all. No. It was a big shock to me anyway. I just looked at him and said,
"My God." Ahh...Here we go - Top 10."
Question 12:
Did you get a Christmas card from Pete this year?
A: "Pete? We get along o-kay. Yeah. Again, it's sort of like, its fine,
"How you going" - blah, blah, blah. We sorted some differences out, it
was good, but you know, again, we don't go out for dinner and we don't..say........mind
you, I still don't go out with Ivanisevic, but I can sit there ...talk to Goran
,and just abuse him."
Question 13:
If you had to face Agassi or Sampras, at their peak, in a US Open final, who
would be tougher to beat?
A: "Ohhh.. you would have to take Agassi. I mean, Pete would have to be
tougher to beat. Yeah, I wouldn't like to face Pete when he is playing
unbelievable. I mean, we have all seen that...I think it's proven..at the French
Open, looking at Pete, you would want to play Pete Sampras a head of Agassi. No
doubt about it."
Question 14:
Growing up, what was the standard of the courts in Mt. Isa?
A: "Were they Bitchimum? I can't remember that. All I know is they had a
net. And Bitchimum courts. (and just a little worn?) Yeah! You never notice when
your a kid though. Somethings....you only know one certain thing.....I hadn't
made a trip down to Melbourne by then and experienced the cold or Tassie."
(Guess they mean bitumen here?- joes)
Question 15:
What about your idols as a kid? Who were they?
A: "Ohh..Would have been Borg or McEnroe. Especially Borg - and I guess the
guys convinced me that McEncroe was pretty good. Ahh. ..Yeah. I can't really
remember watching to many though...I was only 5 or 6. Ummm...but I remember just
going for Borg. I used to like his demeanor and everything. "
Question 16:
You started off by tagging on to the end of the lessons for some of your older
brothers?
A: "Yeah. Jeff used to get coached down in Nambour. I used to tag along. He
would stop after like 20 minutes, and have a break, or half an hour, for about 5
minutes. I would get a couple of hits in."
Question 17:
Did you always want to be serve-volley?
A: "Yeah. I always wanted to play that solid game. I don't know why, I
don't know what made me play that - I can't tell you....I just wanted to come to
the net. I thought that is where it was supposed to be played. "
Question 18:
You enjoy goofing around with the Aussie boys on the tour, especially with
doubles specialist Andrew Florent. Tell us how you exacted revenge on the king
of practical jokes at the US Open.
A: "That story goes back to 1998, in Tokyo, after I'd done a very bad cover
for Australian Style Magazine. I was very upset with the cover. I don't know
what I was thinking. I'll never do that again. I had these tight, little blue
shorts with a fan blowing through my hair. I hated it; it was the worst photo.
Sure enough, it was in the locker room in Tokyo. So as payback, I tried to track
down a few photos of Florrie that my brother Steve had. It was a pamphlet of le
coq sportif in which Florrie had done some modeling photos when he was 16 or 17.
So, I blue tacked them up over the urinals at the US Open. It was just head
hight for the guys to look at."
Question 19:
You and Lara – How did you guys meet?
A: "We met at a function in Sydney in 97. Since then, we have been going
strong for two years now. It comes and goes. We had a bit of a break this year,
for a couple of months, because she was working in Sydney and I had to get on
the road to travel. Since then, we have been together a lot - the next 6 - 8
months. It would be like......were together all the time for 3 weeks, 4 weeks,
and then we won't see each other for 2 weeks, but, you know, that's been my
whole life. I'm used to it....I don't know any differently."
Question 20:
So, when you guys get some spare time…. does she like the beach and
watersports? As much as you?
A: "Yeah! She likes to get out there as well.........we try to meet up the
best we can - from Sydney."
Question 21:
What's a typical Christmas day for you?
A: "Yeah...We wake up in the morning, used to be very early - like 4:30 or
5 - but now were getting a bit older, we usually crawl out of bed at 8:30. Grab
the presents underneath the tree, start unwrapping them. But now...they are
getting fewer and fewer, the presents. And, we just sit around and eat chocolate
in the morning to start off with - maybe a croissant or something, and then we
get ready around 2:00 for a big baked chicken roast."
Question 22:
Where will you find yourself on New Year's Eve 99?
A: " At this stage, on a boat in Sydney harbor. Packers actually. I think
we are hooking up with Lachlan and everyone later. I think they are all just
going together..have a few beers, watch the fireworks. (What about James/Packer
wedding?) Pretty amazing. I had to get up... I had a 6:00 flight the next
morning, for my shoulder operation, so I had to stop all food, all drink, all
water.. everything, at midnight. So I had a few beers, but I didn't want to get
drunk, because I had to undergo anesthesia and all that sort of stuff. (You
can't disgrace yourself at James/Packer wedding) yeeaah....No. There was a lot
of people there, and I was bumping into people and talking the whole time. It
was....pretty amazing party. BIG, Big party. It was just amazing seeing Elton
John there, just playing 10 feet from you..just watching him, dancing - the best
I can."
Question 23:
Speaking of parties, which was the biggest celebration? After your 2 US Open
wins or after the Davis Cup in Adelaide?
A: "I like to have my time when I celebrate...I use them sparingly, sort of
thing, but I haven't partied in a couple of months, and they had one just the
other day, annual party, my family and friends, up at the farm. It was pretty
big. hmmm...biggest party? The Brisbane Davis Cup one was pretty big. All though
I didn't plan it. We had a big, big night. ......the Adrenaline bar. It was just
great. .. I love it..I love the team."
Question 24:
A couple of standard tennis questions:
A: "Steve, did you pull me out of Adelaide? GONE!...(you don't look to
disappointed) Well, there is nothing I can do about it. Well, I would love to
play and get ready for the Aussie. But it's just not ready. (Still not serving
at this stage?) I tried to serve a little bit today, but it still not ready for
it. I know that much. (So, at this stage are you just going to try to play the
doubles at the Australian Open?) Yeah, at this stage. Paul-are we out of
Colonial? (yeah mate) GONE! (How about your doubles partner for Melbourne?)
Wayne Arthurs!"
Question 25:
If the Aussie Open is out – you still would like to get back into the Davis
Cup?
A: "No, I won't be ready for singles...if I haven't played, I won't be
playing Davis Cup singles. I will be doing a lot of training, I will be ready to
play straight after. I'm not going to put myself through a 5-set pressure match
straight off the bat....it's not a disappointment because I don't want to push
it......it is, it is disappointing, but it's a no brainer. I can't go in
there..I can't go swinging."
Patrick defeated by
Galo Blanco rd one US Open 29 August 2000
7-6, 2-6, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6
MODERATOR: Questions for Patrick.
Q. Where do you think you missed your chances tonight?
PATRICK RAFTER: I don't know. I didn't really give
myself a lot of opportunities throughout the match.
You know, it was just a lot of unforced errors, you
know, something that when the points -- when the match
gets tight, I generally am pretty solid and make him
come up with a good shot. If he does, then too good.
Tonight just far too many errors.
Q. Could you have played him any differently than you
did?
PATRICK RAFTER: It was hard to because I just wasn't
hitting the ball well. I was finding it very hard to
pick the ball up there, on volleys, on returns
especially as well, groundstrokes. It was hard for me
to play a game, you know, that I feel comfortable
with. My chip-charging wasn't working, my
groundstrokes trying to get into play wasn't really
working. I just missed a lot of the fundamentals, a
lot of high volleys. You know, my game was off. I
guess, you know, points like 15-30, I made a lot of
unforced errors and things like that, which are a
little bit uncharacteristic I think at that stage.
Q. Can you put that down to anything in particular?
PATRICK RAFTER: Maybe probably lack of matches. You
know, that would probably be one thing that comes to
mind. You know, Galo also played very well. You know,
we both fought very hard out there. I'm happy with the
way I fought, and I tried to win. You know, some days
it just doesn't go your way. Tonight was one of those
ones.
Q. Do you think he played well above his level?
PATRICK RAFTER: He's a talented player. You know, he
has struggled probably in the past. I don't really
know what his level is because I've only seen him play
twice. But he put in a good performance there. Just
too good on the night.
Q. Is there a bonus with regards to the your shoulder
could stand up to a match like that, given the
engagements you've got coming up, Olympics and Davis
Cup?
PATRICK RAFTER: It's been a funny sort of last couple
of months. Coming into this, it's been sort of a
little distracting in a way, I suppose, with the
Olympics coming up, also the US Open and Davis Cup.
These three things are all on my mind. It's hard for
me to focus just on one thing at the moment. These are
three huge events, especially for me. But the shoulder
does feel good. You know, I need matches, and they
haven't come. It's just a lot of hard work I guess now
to try and get the form back.
Q. Were you holding back a little bit on your serve
earlier in the match? You seemed to pick it up later
on.
PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, I was just trying to find my
rhythm, trying to find what worked out there. I lost
my serve, a bit unfortunate to lose, only losing it
once. Yeah, you know, he stands back a long way. I was
just trying to find what works best. Eventually I
found my rhythm, started serving well.
Q. It wasn't anything to do with the shoulder, being
tentative about it?
PATRICK RAFTER: No, not at all.
Q. Where do you think this is going to settle in your
list of career disappointments? You were keen to do
well here, after coming back with Wimbledon and all
that.
PATRICK RAFTER: It is disappointing. But, I mean, I'm
trying to be very positive about it. You know, it's
just another loss. These things happen. You know, it's
not the end of the world. I try to always make myself
think like that. You know, it's going to be hard to
sleep tonight. It is disappointing.
But, you know, you go out there, put in your best
effort. If it doesn't go off your way, you don't hit
the ball quite as well as you'd like to, these things
happen. This is just part of the game.
Q. What is the program now?
PATRICK RAFTER: I've got no idea. I was trying to
think of that in the shower. I really don't know. I'd
probably like to get out of New York pretty quickly. I
would have enjoyed hanging around here. But it's very
hard staying in a place, you know. I won't come back
to this venue now. It's doesn't have a lot of good
energy for me right now.
Q. Would you go back to Sydney straightaway?
PATRICK RAFTER: No. I'm going via Melbourne to call on
and see the physio. I've got to hit tennis balls. I
don't really know. I don't know what to do.
Q. Might you go to Australia earlier than you would
have?
PATRICK RAFTER: It's either Australia or stay here for
a couple days or Bermuda, one of the two. Depends what
Rochey is doing, the training that I can get, which I
need.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
"I WANT TO BE A THREAT AT THE U.S. OPEN"
L'EQUIPE MAGAZINE
Story by Virginie Sainte-Rose
Saturday 26th August 2000
Translation by Marie The
Accompanying
pictures
His shoulder injured again after his Wimbledon finale, Patrick Rafter took
refuge at home, in Bermuda, to recover his health and his morale. It was there
that we found him, even if he wasn't very enthusiastic at the idea of receiving
some visitors. You imagine a show-off's villa? The Australian tennis player
occupies a great condo in a small housing development. Peter, the brother,
offers the local ginger and rum-based bottle. Lara, the girlfriend, dries her
beautiful hair in the next-door room. Pat arrives a bit later from the practice
and climbs on the massage table. The atmosphere is pro (he speaks slowly, as we
asked him for it) but relaxed. In top form, the champion even suggests that we
keep chatting a bit, even though the questions and the massage have stopped. We
sit down again and we listen to him, finishing the rum and ginger-based
cocktail. It is come at the right time, he opens one in his turn...
Q.: Why did you settle on the Bermuda islands, in the middle of nowhere?
Usually, your colleagues are rather in Florida or at Monte-Carlo.
Pat: I didn't want to settle anywhere. In Europe, I thought of London because of
the language, among other reasons. As for the United-States, it really was the
last choice. And then, I came here, I really felt in love with the place. It's
superb. I've begun to make a few friends, and I've just acquired an other
apartment. From now on, I'm at home far from my home.
Q.: You felt the need to move away from Australia?
Pat: No, not really. Even if it's good to dodge requests, I love to come back
there. For Christmas, and to play the Davis Cup too.
Q.: Is it possible to get all the care you need here?
Pat: My shoulder was operated on in Australia and my physio lives there. It
would have been great if she would have been able to follow me. But she has her
own life and it wouldn't be easy for her to be in Bermuda. So, we speak to each
other every day on the phone. Otherwise, I've met a good physio here. For the
two last weeks, it felt tight again and she made me feel better. Today, I even
was able to play for one hour and a quarter. And I stopped mainly because it was
too hot.
Q.: You were back in late February after your shoulder surgery. Now, you're
injured again. How do you feel?
Pat: I'm very frustrated, of course. Until my finale at Wimbledon, in July, when
I was approximately in good form, I played badly. And here, I have to stop when
I'm in full momentum! It's difficult... but I have to look farer and to think
that if I take good care of myself, I can still be on the court for two or three
years (he's 27 year-old). Whereas if I do too much, and if I must have an
other surgery, it would sign away much the end of my career. At the same time, I
think that shoulder injury is a sort of blessing: it allows me to move a bit off
tennis, to think of my game, my motivation, and to know that I really want to
play again.
Q.: Did you sometimes do too much in the past?
Pat : Oh yes! As in 1998, for example: I've had it at the end of the season, I
was quite burnt out. There was the success at the U.S. Open... I was incredibly
mentally exhausted.
Q.: It's also for that summer that you left courts with some ice on the right
arm and on the left leg. However, you held your title at Flushing Meadow. Does
the situation be the same this year?
Pat: It's true that I always had to face some physical problems, in the
shoulder, and elsewhere. But, last year, at Roland-Garros, I really suffered and
it only got worse until the surgery. It's more serious than an ordinary hitch.
Q.: Do you remember your first round at the U.S. Open in 1998, against Hicham
Arazi? It was one of the most beautiful matches of the event!
Pat : Yes, Arazi fired. For the two first sets, I didn't find the answer. But I
didn't be thrown. I kept being aggressive. And then, there was a contentious
call, he really got angry and he lost his focus. From that moment, I knew what
would be the result of the match. But, whether it was a beautiful match or not,
I certainly would have done without that kind of meeting at the beginning of the
U.S. Open.
Q.: What makes you so successful for the New-York tournament?
Pat: The heat makes fly the balls, the surface also suits me. A lot of players,
especially the European ones, have trouble standing this climate. They are much
more physically and mentally vulnerable, because they don't like that,
especially with the humidity. As for me, it suits me, I grew up in Queensland,
in Australia, where the climate corresponds to that.
Q.: You're not the only player who tries to recover his form just before the
U.S. Open. Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras aren't either at their top level...
Pat: It's the reason why this probably will be the most open Grand Slam tourney
of the year. I believe that some young players have the opportunity to win their
first big tournament. Oh well, if I feel well, I hope to be a bloody threat at
the U.S. Open.
Q.: You're getting old, your body is weakening, and, above all, your way of
playing (serve-and-volley) is physically very tiring. Didn't you think of
doing a few adjustments, and even some changes, in your tactical choices?
Pat: Yes, I even tried to do it. But I can't win in another way, I wouldn't be
myself. I must play my game. Even if it has to be learnt, it's a really
particular way of playing, which corresponds to my personality. You lay a bet
for each rally, you take risks. If I can't keep playing like that, then I stop.
Q.: You don't have a full-time coach. Why this choice, which is not common on
the tour?
Pat: I've learnt a lot of things with Tony Roche, who takes care of us for the
Davis Cup and who will stop training the team next year. So he'll be free and we
have decided to work together. I know that he doesn't like much to travel, so
he'll come when he wants. He's really the one who will decide and I'm happy
things happen like that.
Q.: You have much respect for Tony Roche. Who are the other people who have
mattered in your career?
Pat: Tony is probably the one who has brought me the most. John Newcombe also
counts. I've gone through some very tough moments, for the ones I really wanted
to stop playing tennis for a while. Each time, John cheered me up. My family
helps and protects me much. And I have to reckon that the fact Lara travels with
me this year makes things easier and happier for me. At last, with the young
players, as Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis, there is a competitive
effect. Even if sometimes we're not the best friends in the world, there's a
synergy which makes us improve one and all.
Q.: When you play for Australia, you are outstanding. When you play in
Australia, especially at Melbourne, you are much less good. How do you explain
this paradox?
Pat: I ended finding an enough simple explanation: I also believed for a while
that I was too nervous at the beginning of the year, when I was playing in
Australia. That it was a mental problem, an inability to manage the pressure...
But, in fact, it isn't that at all. Concerning the pressure, there's nothing
like the Davis Cup, and, believe me, I've always been in a position to play as
well as I've been able to do it, whether it has been played in Australia or
elsewhere. It's simply due to the fact that at the beginning of the year, I lack
matches, I'm not ready. With my way of playing, I need some matches. It is why
I'll go to Long Island next week. It is only with the aim of getting in some
matches. Otherwise, I have no chance. Anyway, I never play as well than at the
end of the summer, when I've accumulated lots of matches and that I don't feel
yet the weariness of the end of the season.
Q.: With regard to the Davis Cup, did you speak with Mark Philippoussis about
his lack of commitment in this event, as you expressed the wish of it at the
beginning of the summer?
Pat: No, I wanted to do it, but I didn't do it. We saw each other only briefly.
Then, I took two weeks off the circuit. But I believe that we spoke enough about
that on both side. If he wants to talk to me, I'll always be there to listen to
him. I don't want to provoke anything.
Q.: Though, speaking about it maybe could allow him to realize what the Davis
Cup represents?
Pat: I don't know if speaking of that can help. For most of the Australians,
there's nothing which is more honorable than to represent their country, and I
grew up with that feeling. Lleyton is the same, like the other members of the
team (Mark Woodforde, Sandon Stolle...). Only Mark seems to have a
different point of view. It's difficult to understand that for me, but I have
not to judge. I simply know that the Davis Cup is one of the most important
experience in my career. It teaches a lot of things, we learn a lot of things and
it helps me to do performances on the tour. You feel the worst and the best, you
have to do it with your team-mates, even if they're not your friends, you
sustain an incredible pressure.
Q.: What is not learnt is the commitment in the Davis Cup. It's a bit inside
oneself, according to you?
Pat: For sure. I'm very patriotic. I have always had a real passion for my
country. I'm ready to play, to die for my country.
Q.: To die? Not on the court, all the same!
Pat: No (he smiles). I say that in the event of a general mobilization
for war, for example.
Q.: You've found in Lleyton Hewitt a fellow countryman who shares this point of
view and you seems to have decided to look after him?
Pat: I believe he's of an age (19 year-old) when you still are
vulnerable. He still needs some help, some advices, particularly concerning his
attitude as a player sometimes... But he's a very clever boy, on and off the
court. Believe me, he's crafty (he has a good laugh). I enormously
respect Lleyton, who will be the world n°1 some day.
Q.: Really? You like him much!
Pat: OK, I'm a bit biased in his favor... But, really, he will figure among the
best players in the years to come. He's like Michael Chang, a better one.
Q.: You speak about guiding him, helping him in his career. At the end of yours,
do you envisage to take charge of a player or a Davis Cup team?
Pat: Goodness! I don't know. I'm already interested in knowing what will be my
frame of mind at the end of my career. Maybe I'll be fed up with tennis, maybe
not. Thinking of it, I guess that I surely will have a break, but that it will
be difficult to draw a line under the past. Tennis is nearly twenty years of my
life. Moreover, I've always loved to back people up, to help them. So the idea
of making the other players benefit from my experience doesn't seem to me such
an absurd one.
Q.: You also have the example of John Newcombe, a great player who has become a
great captain.
Pat: It's true. With Tony Roche, they took the Davis Cup team in hand seven
years ago, then they put a lot of effort into the Federation. And they had three
aims: to win the Cup, to get a world n°1 and a Grand Slam winner. They were
completely successful.
Q.: What are your hope for the finale, next December?
Pat: Well... (crestfallen look), I believe it's going to be really tough
against the Spanish. But, usually, we don't pull through so badly when we are
in difficulties. Our team spirit allowed us to get out of extreme situations in
the past. It is why my aim is to be a hundred per cent physically ready for this
finale. After the Games, I'll think only of that.
Q.: How did you live the finale, last year, at Nice, against the French, when
you were injured?
Pat: My God, how tough it was! I was here and I got up at 1.00am to watch the
matches. They proposed me to come with them, but I had to get some injections and
care. In fact, I could have gone there, made sure to be treated there... And I
stayed here, to watch my telly. I really regret. In the same time, I was very
happy for them.
Q.: Your family has always supported you, your brother Peter comes with you on
the circuit and everybody is a bit involved to manage your career, whether it is
the charities, the public relations, or the management of your money... And your
father, Jim, who taught you the tennis, do you still listen to him?
Pat: Yes and no. I have always more trouble to listen to him. Because he's my
father, I suppose, and that it is not easy... Anyway, he takes care not to speak
too much because, sometimes, voices raise between us. Well, now, we are able to
sit round a table and to talk calmly sometimes.
Q. : You're coming from a family with nine children, how many nephews do you
have?
Pat : Only two, in fact.
Q.: So, growing up among height brothers and sisters didn't make anyone want to
start a big family.
Pat: It's true. And me, for the moment, I really can't.
Q.: And after?
Pat: Neither after. It's a pity, I believe that nobody among us looks like the
parents anymore. We've all become too selfish to give as much as they were able
to do it.