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16th July, 2000 Why Scud’s name is banned at the moment' Mark P’s decision to pull out of the Davis cup semi-final tie this weekend against Brazil over- shadowed the build-up to the match but it's a subject that hasn't been discussed sincy by the players. We haven't formally talked about anything that has gone on and that's been a deliberate decision. We'll get around to doing that sometime down the track but right now we want to concentrate on finishing off the job on Brazil today and there has been too much at stake this week to allow distractions to get in the way.The guys who came here to play just wanted to get on with the business and make the Davis Cup final. On the plane on the way back from England on Monday I became aware how much publicity a Wimbledon final generates. We had a few newspapers on the flight and it was pretty amazing how much attention was paid to what I said about the Philippoussis thing. In a way I wish I hadn't opened my mouth but that’s what happens I guess when you've just lost a Wimbledon final and you’re fustrated about things. Looking back on the match against Pete it all seems a bit unreal. The whole Wimbledon experience is amazing. The arena is so tight and the noise there is incredible. After the match a small group of us went back to the house and had a few beers with friends. We didn't go overboard because this match finished late, just before 9pm, and we had to get on a flight the next day for the Davis Cup. We missed the Champions' Dinner because of the last finish. The support I had for the whole tournament was very important, with Lara and my brothers Peter and Steven, the whole family and Rochey all making it easier for me. It's been unbelievable over the past couple of weeks. There are times when you want to pinch yourself because it's been fantastic. Very tiring but worth it. |