12th March, 2000

Weather brings cold comfort

I've deliberately taken a conservative course with my recovery from shoulder surgery, but I don't want to rule out playing singles in the Davis Cup quarter final against Germany next month.

I was disappointed at losing in the first round in Scottsdale to Juan Carlos Ferrero, but the weather didn't help. A storm blew through and made it too cold for me.

It was difficult to stretch out properly, like you have to against a player like Ferrero, and my shoulder was a little sore afterwards - although it feels good again now.

The Champions' Cup in Indian Wells this week is going to be a good test not only for me but also Mark Philippoussis, who's been battling a knee problem.

"Rochey" (Davis Cup coach Tony Roche) will be in California doing all he can to get us at our top for the first Masters Series events (formerly Super 9) before the Ericsson and Davis Cups.

I want to wait and see about playing singles in Davis Cup. Ideally, I would like to be eased back through the doubles.

I had a couple of good wins in Delray Beach before I lost to Paul Goldstein when I tired physically. There was no problem with the shoulder and I was able to use my kick serve without any problems.

I'll also probably enter the doubles in Indian Wells with Lleyton Hewitt.

Lleyton continued on his amazing run this year with another strong performacne in Scottsdale.

He's an incredible player and continues to surprise on the tour.

If he maintains his current rate of improvement, he's going to win a lot of tournaments. When he plays so well, it's sometimes easy to forget he's still so young.

I get a lot from practising with him because he's always intense and wanting to do the best he can. He's been described as the new Michael Chang, a compliment when you consider Chang won the French Open at 17.

Lleyton will be under pressure going into the Davis Cup in Adelaide but he's capable of anything.

Hopefully Mark Philippoussis and myself can produce our best and take a little pressure off against Germany at Memorial Drive.

There are plenty of rumours that Nicolas Kiefer will reverse his decision not to play. If he does, they'll have a strong team as Tommy Haas is also playing. We'll need to be at our best.

BACK