I feel much more respected in Europe than I do in the States from the press and from the people. Americans expect me to win every match I play.

I let my racket do the talking. That's what I am all about, really. I just go out and win tennis matches.

I don`t know why, but I love the dog eat dog nature of tennis. It`s real, it`s brutal and there`s no hiding place - it's like a one to one street fight. I love the intensity that comes with knowing you walk off court either a winner or a loser. It`s daunting but very exciting. There is no one to blame except yourself, no one cares who comes second.

My goal one day is to be in the same sentence as Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall.

Choking is being in a position to win, and then experiencing some critical failure of nerve or spirit. That never happened to me. And I can't help but think it was because I was never afraid to lose.

If I win and play well, then the ranking will take care of itself. Defending points is really not a problem. Just go out and play and not worry about it.

I could be a jerk and get a lot more publicity, but that's not who I am.