4th April, 1999

THE NERVES GET TO YOU by Pat Rafter

Waiting to play a Davis Cup match - any Davis Cup match - must be the most nerve-wracking experience you can have as a player.

I don't think I've ever been as nervous as when Mark Philippoussis played Byron Black in the first rubber yesterday.

The match seemed to go forever and it's bloody hard to control your nerves just waiting around. It's much easier being out on court, I can tell you.

I felt really sorry for Mark when he lost.

It was good to see him out there for Australia and, although it would have been rough for him to lose like he did in the fifth set, he'll come out a better player for it.

It's tough sometimes to drag something positive out of a loss, but I know Flip can do it.

There's been a lot said about his attitude but I know all of the guys have been really impressed by the way he's gone about things this week.

He fought his guts out on the court and he's going to bounce back in the reverse singles in a big way.

I would not like to have to play him in the fifth rubber knowing how eager he is to do well for Australia.

The team spirit this week has been fantastic.

All of the boys - Flip, the Woodies (Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge) and Lleyton Hewitt - are really behind Newk (John Newcombe) and Rochey (Tony Roche).

We realise we have got a big opportunity here and we don't want to let it slip.

Byron Black showed what a great competitor he is in Davis Cup.

There's two ways of looking at Davis Cup. When you win, it's the best feeling you can have. When you lose, it's the worst.

For that reason I was really happy to get through against Wayne Black.

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