9^th July, 2000

WIMBLEDON MY DREAM

WIMBLEDON has been the tournament I've wanted to win more than any other for as long as I can remember.

Growing up in Queensland, I used to stay up late and watch the tournament as a kid. I'd drag out a blanket and sit there with the rest of the family and take it all in on television. I remember playing here for the first time in 1993 and losing to Andre Agassi in the third round. Now I'm in the final. It's incredible to think back on those days when I was 10 and dreaming of playing at Wimbledon one day. When I made the semifinals last year, 1 was very satisfied because it was the first time I'd done well at Wimbledon.

I got beaten by Andre; he was the better player and you just cop it on the chin. He was too good, as simple as that.

This year, I've sort of sneaked through the draw. Nobody took that much notice of me and that's the way I like it. It's a real luxury to go through while the focus is on somebody else.

It allows you to do whatever you need to and it's helped me stay relaxed.

The pressure has come on more now because there's only two of us left. Pete Sampras is a tough player at any time, but especially at Wiinbledon and it's going to be a tough ask, but I've definitely got a shot.

I've been trying to relax leading up to the match, staying away from all the distractions and doing only the things I need to.

There's a sense of shock that I'm in this position. It wasn't that long ago that I was feeling pretty ordinary about my game and it's been a long road back from the shoulder operation in October.

The most satisfying thing is that I'm back playing the way I was before I had to stop and I want to go ahead with the job against Pete in the final.

I was really pleased with my second serve against Andre and I was very aggressive. Against Pete, you've got to use different tactics. I've got to find a way to get his serve back and you know going into the match he's going to be servevolleying.

I've really got to take my chances because there will be no baseline rallies and I won't be able to chip-charge.

Pete's always tough to play against. He has a presence and I remember the first time we played in Indianapolis in 1993 and feeling very scared. But things went my way and I ended up winning the match.

Since then, we've had some big battles and he's won most, but I've had a couple of victories over him, too.

This is a Grand Slam final. He's been here many times at Wimbledon and I have to go out there with the same relaxed attitude.

I'm going to need to serve like I did against Andre. If I can do that and play at the same Idnd of level, I have a chance.

There's been some uneasy moments between Pete and I over the years, but that's all behind us now.

And there's too much at stake for us to be worried about each other.

This is the Wimbledon final; it's the place every player wants to be. I can't say I expected to be here, but I've taken my chances and I've played well.

Pete's going for his record here and he wants it desperately. I'm just trying to find one title here.

It's going to be a great occasion and I'm trying to keep a lid on things. There's nothing worse that getting too excited and letting things get out of hand before the match.

There won't be any mysteries out there today. It will simply come down to who plays the best on the day.

Everybody knows what a great player Pete is and I know what I'm up against today.

But everybody is beatable and, just like with Andre on Friday, I'm going to try and take my chances and see what happens.