Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Q. Is it always the same problem with you and clay?
NICOLAS ESCUDE: Well, it's a way of seeing things. In this specific
case, it might be a bit different. I've been injured before the
French Open, and the latest of this injury has created problems,
muscular problems, in the abdominal muscles. That creates a certain
tension just before the French Open. Don't forget that my main aim is
the grass - and we're not far from that.

Q. How did you feel about this?
NICOLAS ESCUDE: I started having problems after the first interruption.
I had just eaten, so I was wondering whether my stomach was upset or
whether it was my muscles. It was still aching. At the end of the match,
I went for physiotherapy. I noticed when I undressed that it was my
muscles. So I checked with the doctor then. We decided not to check
before this match, not to do any further examination. I played with
heat before the match. I lost 20 kilometers per hour on my first serve.

Q. But you were quite good yesterday.
NICOLAS ESCUDE: Yes, but I made slightly less mistakes. I had quite a
good number of first serves. If we didn't have an interruption because
of the night last night, I'm sure the score would have been different.
But this is the way it went.

Q. You think the dampness created a problem?
NICOLAS ESCUDE: I have been checked by the doctors and there was a
queue of two or three other people with the same problems - the fact
that the balls are very wet, the courts are very wet, the temperature
is what it is.

Q. You're not going to play doubles?
NICOLAS ESCUDE: No, definitely not. It's a pity, but I cannot afford
to reach the grass season with an injury. I have to recover before I
get to Wimbledon. I have to check that first.

Q. We know there might be a problem with the tournaments preparing for
grass. Sometimes you stop the minute the rain starts. Here it is crazy
because sometimes you are playing even with rain.
NICOLAS ESCUDE: On clay you can still play even if it rains a bit. What
can you tell the people that organize the matches? It's true that it
gets very heavy. It's not my sort of game. It's a good advantage for
other people. It's a bit difficult.

Q. You should create trade unions with people like Sampras and like that.
NICOLAS ESCUDE: Well, look at Wimbledon. It's the same. When it's wet,
it's a better condition for me.

Q. I have a question that has nothing to do with your match, but the
center court here. I would like to hear about the first match that
you played there against Becker. You were very young. How did you
feel then?
NICOLAS ESCUDE: There was no pressure whatsoever before starting the
match. When I actually set foot on the center court, I realized where
I was. I felt totally petrified from beginning to end. All I wanted to
do was go back home and see my mommy and my daddy.