CHASE CHAMPIONSHIPS OF THE WTA TOUR

November 15, 1999

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Q. How do you find the speed of the court compared to Philadelphia?

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, I didn't play in Philadelphia, so --.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: No. So I think I'm -- this court is different than the two courts we've been practicing on, but I think that it's pretty -- it's not as fast as it used to be.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I think she's a very talented player. She hits the ball really good on the right; so the ball comes really fast. Obviously, I was not at my best, at all, and just getting the last one. So I think that she did play really well the first set, and second set was a little bit closer. I have a few little more chances to get closer and stay with my serve. At the end, I lost the second set. But, I mean, she's hitting the ball really well so far.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I think anyone who is in the draw is very competitive; so all matches are going to be very good.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: No, I was expecting to play doubles. I was last one for main draw, and I was not probably at my best. I was just practicing, getting ready to play some doubles here at the end, but I got lucky and I got in. I think the second set was a little bit better, and I know I was not 100%, and she did play much better than me.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: It went too fast. All the games, you know, went on her side, really fast. I was missing a lot, the ball. The second set, I started to get a little more close in the match; it was a little closer. But definitely, it's been long since I played another match. But like I said, I was just thinking to come to play doubles here, but I think I was happy to get in any way.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I never was supposed to play there, so I didn't pull out of anything. My last time was in Filderstadt, and I was, you know, I've been playing a long time in the summertime for the last few months, and I needed a break and I decided not to play in the indoor tournament, to start practicing for the next season, and to become, you know, better. I was not 100% and tried to, you know, get some time to prepare for next year.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Everybody is asking me the same question. I am not going to retire yet. I am getting married after Wimbledon, but that has nothing to do with that I am going to stop playing. I think I'm going to try to start well at the beginning of next year. This year, I have my five months' injury that I couldn't play at the beginning of the year. So I'm looking forward to starting in good health at the Australian Open and try to do well and continue to play. But not yet, I'm going to stop playing.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I don't think so. I will have enough. (Laughs). I don't think so. If my sons and daughter wants to play, but I don't think so.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: No, she's still playing as solid as the beginning of the year. She has much more confidence in her game. But I think she's playing the same as the beginning of the year, that's why she's still doing well.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I think it's been completely different year for me. Something new that I have to live with, injury for five months. And when you know that you're not 100% to continue playing, it's kind of tough, and obviously, you have to be your best to play all the matches. Otherwise it's very difficult. I think at the Grand Slam, I done pretty good, but obviously, I'm looking forward to have a good season now, to prepare for next year and start better at the beginning of next year.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, obviously, the past goes -- the time goes really fast. I think you always remember the first time you win your first Grand Slam. I was very young; I was 17, I was obviously a kid. The next few years, I was improving as a tennis player, more mature, more experience. I think I'm very happy with all I've done so far, and as long as I can be fit, I'll be there. But I have very good memories of the last ten years.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: No.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I hope so, yes. I look forward to that. It would be my fourth Olympics. It's always very exciting to be representing your country, and hopefully, I'll be nominated and be able to play there.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I've already answered that question already. You want me to answer it again?