TMS - THE ERICSSON OPEN

March 28, 2000

Sandrine Testud

WTA: Questions, please.

SANDRINE TESTUD: You know what, I was tired, too (laughter). Well, you know, it was just a matter of we were both tired, I think, today. We had tough matches yesterday. It was just a matter of getting out there and trying to give your best. I knew she was tired, but I was very tired, too. I didn't start very well the match. But when I came back, you know, I saw that I was just more patient than her today. She was trying for too much. It was just so windy out there, you know. It was important to keep the ball in play. That's what I've done much better than her today, I think.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Like I said, you know, it was very windy out there today. Probably it's difficult to play good tennis. I just think I was more concentrate on keeping the ball, you know, in play, and didn't make too many mistakes compared to what she's done.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Well, they are both -- I mean, Lindsay, we know a lot about her. Petrova I know also. She's a tough opponent. She's a tall girl. She has a very good serve. It's not going to be easy for Lindsay, but Lindsay has been playing unbelievable in the last few years. I'm expecting maybe to play against her. I'm really happy, you know, to be where I am now. I'm going to get out there. You know, I'm going to have a day off, finally. I'm going to try to rest as much as possible. You know, I'm going to try to play my best tennis. I've beaten already Lindsay a few times. She's very tough. You know, she's probably the best player in the world right now. But I have nothing to lose. You know, I'm just going to try my best.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Well, like I did here, for example, I've been playing tough matches first round, and yesterday. I didn't play great tennis, but I won those matches. You know, that's what make the difference, you know, between the better player and maybe somebody between 10 and 20. So hopefully I can keep doing that and maybe have a chance to get better.

SANDRINE TESTUD: I start to get a little bit tight at 3-1. I knew, you know, I could win the match. She just -- I just let her play a little bit too much. I was waiting for the mistake instead of, you know, keep trying, you know, to play the ball and try to make her run. When she came back, you know, I just say, "Okay, well, let's start again like I play the whole first set." I tried to be aggressive when I had the chance and tried to make her, you know, hit a winner or something, okay? That's what I've done, I just been more consistent than her today.

SANDRINE TESTUD: I'm much younger than Tauziat (laughter). I'm very disappointed that you're saying that. No, I mean, what is doing Nathalie is unbelievable. I probably won't play that long. You know, everybody has a chance. Not everybody's like Hingis or Capriati, those players that play great when they're 16. It took me a long time. I start on the tour, I was 18, so I had no chance to be No. 1 when I was 16. You know, I'm just happy to be where I am now. I'm enjoying my tennis. Hopefully, I have a couple of more years to go and have fun.