Yevgeny Kafelnikov comes across as a confident person, who is clear about his goals and objectives in life. He keeps repeating the word `desire' not only for winning Grand Slams, but also winning more matches and keeping himself healthy. Not for nothing, he is called the `Iron Man' for his insatiable appetite for competing.Talking to the media here on Monday, the World No.2, said: ``It was a simple thing, I would like to try new places,'' when queried about his visit to Chennai for the ATP Gold Flake Open where he is the top seed.Kafelnikov had a dream start to 1999, winning the Australian Open and becoming World No 1 in May, one of his ambitions. But has he fulfilled his full potential?The Russian answered promptly: ``No, I think, probably I achieved everything I wanted to, although I have something more to achieve. I have got three or four years still left.''Kafelnikov seems to have a ravenous desire for winning matches and said: ``I want to win more matches and tournaments. And, winning the Chennai tournament will be wonderful.''About the new ranking system, Kafelnikov sounded positive. ``They have to perform 100 per cent. They don't have to play. They have to be much more prepared even though they don't have to be playing in every tournament,'' he added.Larry Stefanki, who has been Kafelnikov's coach for the last year and a half, has not only been a motivator, but also a friend, and it has contributed to the Russian's success. And Kafelnikov gave Stefanki his due. ``Our relationship is special. We are good friends. We have a lot of things in common. That's why I have done well in the last year.''Kafelnikov's high respect for Pete Sampras is nothing new. During the '99 US Open, after an injured Sampras withdrew, he openly said: ``This is the best chance for me to win the US Open.''Continuing, he said: ``Pete is special. He is the player of the 90's. He is little bit ahead of the rest. He is talented, has a big serve and big game. Sometimes, it's hard to compete with him.''About the need to improve his own game, Kafelnikov said: ``Not really. I'm a complete player. I have no room to improve.''Twice Kafelnikov and Russia had a chance of winning the Davis Cup, but faltered in the final to Sweden and US. So, this is one of his biggest unfulfilled goals for him. ``That is one of my goals, winning Davis Cup, not only for me, but for my country,'' reflected the Russian.On his slump of form after becoming World No.1, Kafelnikov felt the transition from hard courts to clay was difficult, which was hard to believe, considering his first Grand Slam title ('96 French Open) came on clay.``You have to specifically prepare for the clay courts. I was not prepared for that. I was losing in the first rounds and lost confidence. I have to bide my time,'' said Kafelnikov.The Russian admitted his fear of failure. ``I have been worried about big number of failures. Especially when you are not in good form and losing to unknown players in earlier rounds. It makes me humble.''On Paes and Bhupathi, he said: ``They are a great team on and off the court. It's much tougher to play doubles than singles,'' said Kafelnikov.He felt his victory in the '99 US Open quarterfinals against Richard Krajicek was one of the most memorable ones, because he was able to stave off the big serving Dutchman even after he fired 49 aces.
