17th October, 1999

ODDS IN MY FAVOUR FOR FRENCH FINAL

WITH less than seven weeks to go to the Davis Cup final against France, my chances of playing are about 60-40. My right shoulder is progressing slowly but I'm, pushing it with plenty of massage and strengthening work. The arm is still sore, so it is impossible to say conclusively, at this stage, whether I will make it back in time. There are days when it feels fine and days when it is sore.

I have been in Sydney for the past week working with Tony Roche and fitness trainer Mark "Muddy" Waters and I'm as fit as I can be apart from the shoulder.

I am heading to Melbourne this week to continue working with Muddy. "Rochey" is heading overseas to catch up with the other guys in the squad and I will be hitting up with players who are in Melbourne for the satellite tournaments.

The way the shoulder feels now, I will know before I leave for the Paris Indoors (November 1) whether I make it for the Cup final.

I thought I would go to Paris to test out the shoulder but, if I am not feeling confident about it before I leave, there is no point going. At this stage, the odds are in my favor.

ASIDE from working with "Rochey" and "Muddy" in Sydney, I also had a hit with Jelena Dokic. I heard Jelena works harder than some of the male players - and it is true.

She has a great work ethic and is incredibly strong, plus she has a great attitude so it is no surprise she has been able to knock over players such as Martina Hingis, Mary Pierce and Aranxta Sanchez Vicario. She hits the ball great off the ground and, being so young and with the right training, she is going to get better and better.

BEING in Sydney trying to get my shoulder right has also given me the chance to take care of several commercial obligations. It has been a frantic week, but these things have to be done. One of the highlights of the week was an interview with John Laws.

Rarely, though, does my focus switch from trying to get myself fit and back into a position where I can give myself a chance of playing in the final. That has been my goal for the whole of the year.

I know all of the guys feel just as committed to Davis Cup as I do and we all think we have a great chance of winning it.