An Interview With Marcos Baghdatis
Date: 2006-07-01
WIMBLEDON
July 1, 2006
Marcos Baghdatis
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND
The Moderator Ladies and gentlemen, Marcos Baghdatis.
Question You must be very relieved to have got that match finished tonight. Were you worried about it?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I was relieved to win it, first of all. Was not an easy match. Seb is a great player on grass. He's playing really good. I'm really happy to get through.
Question Can you tell me about your injury. You seemed to be struggling.
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yeah, the first -- I don't remember if it was in the first three, four games, Seb hit the backhand on the net and I run for it. And it come in, and I run for it and I felt a bit on the - how you say - butt. Felt a bit of pain on the butt.
So that's all, I think. I don't really know what's wrong with it. Just maybe a strained muscle for the moment. That's what was, so.
Question Was it similar to your first round injuries?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: No, no, not at all.
Question So how are you looking forward to your match against Andy Murray?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I don't really know. I cannot think about this now. I'm very happy that I won today, and I'll just take time tomorrow and think about that.
Question Has it been difficult since Australia, trying to get your head round what happened?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yeah, it's not easy, you know. Lot of things happen from one day to another. I have to -- I have a lot of responsibilities now, and it's not so easy.
But, I mean, I have great people around me. My parents are helping me a lot. My team around me is great. So it's a bit of a struggle, but I'm getting through it.
Question And will you be fully fit, do you think, for Monday?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I think so. I hope so.
Question You are a sport hero for two countries, Cyprus and Greece. You have made too many people in two countries watch your tennis match. How do you feel about this?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yeah, I'm happy to have all my country, two countries behind me. I mean, Cyprus and Greece, for me, it's the same thing. It's not one country, but it's the same thing.
So I have Greek blood in me. So it's great have having them around and giving me so much support and love. So it's been fun since I'm playing good. I mean, so many people behind me and giving me support.
Question How will you prepare for your match tomorrow? You've got a day off tomorrow. What are you gonna do in the day?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I don't really know. Maybe go have a sleep tonight and then we'll see how it goes. I will speak with my coach later on.
I don't know what time I'm playing on Monday, so it depends also what time I'm playing. Depends of a lot of things.
Question Do you like playing on grass?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yeah, yeah (smiling).
Question Some players really don't like it.
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: It's not that I like it, but this year -- last year I didn't like it, this year I do. So, I mean, I'm starting to have experience on grass, and it's a matter of time to feel good on it. So I'm starting to feel good on it. So I guess I like it. I start to like it.
Question Were you surprised when you heard that Murray had beaten Roddick?
MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Surprised, no. Everybody can beat everybody today in tennis. So I wasn't surprised. He's a great player. He's young. I think he needs some time also to become a great player. It's a matter of time that he will become a great player.
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