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| 03 Sep 2003 | |
| Baghdatis plays waiting game as rain washes out day three |
By Eleanor Preston in New York
For the second day in succession, the whole day’s play at the US Open junior event was washed out; leaving a scheduling backlog that presents a headache for the tournament organisers and a lot of frustration for the players.
While the drizzle poured down, Michaela Krajicek (NED) and Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) killed some time by taking a look at the magnificent Arthur Ashe stadium court, which can hold up to 23,157 people. Baghdatis last stood on the court when he received his runners-up trophy last year after losing a close match to Richard Gasquet and, after posing for photos with Krajicek, said he was glad to be back at Flushing Meadows.
“I feel excited because we are playing for the World No.1 title as well as the US Open trophy here,” said Baghdatis, who is also reigning Australian Open champion. “I’ve been playing juniors for four years and I want to have the No.1 trophy to show for it. Last year I came into this tournament with a small chance of being No.1 but this year it’s a reality so I want to do better. I want to stay calm on important points, which is something I didn’t do in the final against Gasquet last year.”
The last twelve months have brought plenty of changes to Baghdatis’ life. He has changed coaches (though he still divides him time between Paris and his home in Limassol, Cyprus) and is now working with Jean-Paul Damit. More than anything though, Baghdatis says he feels that he has grown up as a person since last year’s tournament here.
“I think I have matured, I think I have changed in my head and I know what I want more and what is most important for me,” said Baghdatis. “I’m so motivated to do well here and have fun. I want to finish No.1 because it means something for me and for my country. I’m doing it for me and for them and for my family. Since I changed to my new coach I feel more certain about what I’m doing and he knows what I need. We are good together. We have fun, that’s the most important thing.”
Having fun yesterday meant trying not to let New York’s awful weather get him down and making the most of his return visit to the Arthur Ashe stadium, even if he and Krajicek looked a little embarrassed when a small group of soggy spectators began cheering for them.
“I have to get used to that kind of thing and being on big stadiums if I ever get into the top ten,” he said, smiling. “I’m kind of used to it anyway because I come from a small country and everybody knows me there. Besides, it’s been nice to have something to do while it rains!”
Photographs by Susan Mullane
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