US OPEN

August 30, 1999

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

WTA: Questions for Arantxa.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, not really. I think that after the first set, I was be able, you know, not making so many errors, you know, moving her around. It was difficult with the wind, but I attack I think the ball pretty well. It was a tough first round, but I'm very happy the way things went for me.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, I think, you know, she was hitting -- making many more winners on the backhand. But I just tried, you know, to mix the game, move her around. When she's standing is when she hits the ball really well. I tried to move her around. When I attacking the ball when I have my chances, and I think I serve really well, too, so I think that help me a lot to win a lot of free points. Just trying, you know, to go for the open spot, go for my shots. Maybe look like I play more to her forehand.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, the first game was really good for me, I break her serve. After that, with the wind, I hit many errors, you know. She hit pretty good shots. I know that I have to, you know, if I want to keep in the match, I have to change things. I think I was more focused, more patience, you know, went for my shots. I start coming back, you know, things turn around really well for me. In the important points, I think that I did, you know, play better.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: They were tough. I mean, it was very tough. It was moving.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: If you're going for one side or another, it's a little bit more easy. It's hard anyway, but it was going around. It was really difficult. You have to be looking the ball really careful, be very concentrate. I think I tried to never, you know, get upset, even if I was down, I come back and play better. I was able to be win the match, but it was tough for both of us.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, I think I said it all. It's probably, you know, not easy to see her not here at the tournament after so many years I've been playing on the Tour, too. I mean, she's been a great competitor and she's also a good friend. All I say is, you know, I mean it, and it's hard not to see her in the tournaments anymore.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I think what is good for the game is it's a lot of competition right now. I mean, it's normal that the young ones are coming, a new generation. It was the same when I started. I was also, you know, very young. I just think it's kind of like different generations, different personalities, different ages. It makes the game more interesting, but I don't think it's competition or anything of the. It's funny because they call us veterans; only 27 years old (laughter). Compared with the kids, they are 16, 17, 18, so it's normal. But the game, it's good for the women's tennis that have all these different kind of personalities. As long as I think the results is everything. It's nice to be part of the game as long as I've been there. Keep winning now, try to win many more tournaments also with the young ones. It's normal.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: It's different. I mean, I think the game now is very powerful. They're hitting the ball probably harder than ten years ago when I started. It was different styles of game. But it was tough anyway, you know, ten years ago than it is right now. You just have to keep in your best good shape, try to play good enough to continue winning. It's kind of different winners all the time, so it makes more interesting to see, you know, who is going to be there. But it is good for the game. As long as you feel you can compete with them, it's fine.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Yeah. I think it's better. After, you know, that I have my injury last year, now it's coming back. I feel pretty strong. I have good season before I came here. I'm looking forward to having a good US Open.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, she likes that shot. She did that; sometimes it work for her. I was ready sometimes. She also win a couple points. I definitely, you know, was focused on that. I'm quick enough to get there and win the point. But maybe, you know, it works for her sometimes, so she likes that shot.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: She's young, she's hitting the ball very flat. She definitely have a very good year. She did play really well at Wimbledon. Definitely, you know, they are coming and doing really well. You have to play really well to beat her, but she's on the way.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: It's hard for me to say what she thinks. Maybe you have to ask her. I mean, you never know. Every match is different; every player is different. I was very focused. It was sometimes kind of like to have a tougher match at the beginning, because like this you are more concentrate, you're ready for the next one. Today, you know, it was my turn. I played really well to beat her. Maybe, you know, she has more chances to play more US Open.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Goals?

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I don't think you can look for goals. You just try to, you know, be fit, try to be your best. Maybe the Grand Slams, the big ones, you looking more for, you want to do well because they are the big ones. But definitely the ones you play before is good preparation. Just obviously, you know, being your best and play as good as you good. That's all. I don't think you put any more goals in that age.