U.S. OPEN

September 2, 1992

Gabriela Sabatini

Q. Gaby, how do you explain ten straight wins and then losing four in a row?

GABRIELA SABATINI: I think I tried to finish the match there, when I had the match in my hands. She start getting more confident and she start playing deeper. She was not rushing so much and I think she is a good player. She has improved her tennis a lot. And she has a very good forehand. She likes to hit hard, the forehand, so, you know, you have to play deep to beat her.

Q. Gaby, when you play two tournaments in 53 days and you see the schedule, it says you are playing two days in a row, is that good, bad? What do you--

GABRIELA SABATINI: It doesn't matter. I think it is okay, yeah. You should be ready for anything. So it is good.

Q. Any part of your game that you are happiest with?

GABRIELA SABATINI: That I am not?

Q. That you are most happy with, the last two days.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I have to say everything, pretty much. More mentally, I am very focused. I am very concentrated, and that is the best part and technically, I am playing very good. My serve is one of the things that is much better.

Q. All that time off you had, was that more like a vacation or just a quiet way of preparing for this tournament or was it some of each?

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, I had some days off for vacation and then, after a few days, I tried to get ready for the tournament.

Q. You were saying, yesterday, you were a little surprised about how well you played, being a first round match, and you felt better after that match. Are you surprised today that you were dominant with a player like this?

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yes. After yesterday's match, I was more, probably relieved, because I played a good match and I say, well, yeah, now I am on the tournament, yeah, now I am back in and mentally, that is the main thing to, to be prepared mentally. I think I am in the tournament now, yeah.

Q. Is there a difference emotionally being the defending champion and not-- Is it easier for you now to just walk around and be here?

GABRIELA SABATINI: I think it doesn't make any difference. Not at this moment.

Q. What part of your game would you like to improve as the tournament goes on?

GABRIELA SABATINI: Probably try to come to the net a little bit more, you know. Today I should have gone to the net a little bit more, when I was winning at 5-1. That is what I think I have to really do a little bit more.

Q. I have heard some players mention your second service may be your only weakness. Do you see it as a weakness or do you try to improve it?

GABRIELA SABATINI: I think it is much better. I have been working on that because I know it is something that I need to work on. Today was a little better. Still, sometimes, it is not so powerful, but I feel much better with the second serve as well.

Q. What is the way to work on it? Is it like strength or practice?

GABRIELA SABATINI: Well, yeah, practice. I think it is a lot of practice. And also get the confidence too. That is the way to get the confidence.

Q. When you look back, you say your game is better, but when you used to be here, you never had a complaint. I mean, when you look back, what was missing? What -- when you look at how you used to play, what was the downside?

GABRIELA SABATINI: I don't think it was something missing. I just had to get more mature; that is, I think, -- that was the reason. Like two years ago, before I won this tournament, I was -- I didn't know what was happening. I was playing very good tennis. Everything was there. I was working so hard. And I wasn't winning any big tournaments. So, after that, I realized that I wasn't, you know, it just didn't happen. I just had to wait, and mentally I feel more mature on the court. I have a better view.

Q. Last year, you said you changed your training too; right? Didn't you stop with weights or something?

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, I stopped. Yeah, I stopped two years.

Q. You notice a significant difference between your present Yamaha racket and the Prince that you were using before?

GABRIELA SABATINI: The difference?

Q. Yes.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I think this -- the Yamaha is more powerful. I mean, I have very good control of the racket, which is the most important thing, and it is very powerful. I would say more than the Prince.

Q. Thank you.

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