US OPEN

September 1, 1997

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Q. Arantxa, how are you playing? What do you feel the level of your game is right now? Are you getting close to a hundred percent of where you want to be?

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, I'm feeling good. I mean, I've been playing better each match here. Today I feel much more comfortable. Not making so many mistakes, going for the shots. I was very comfortable, so I'm happy the way things are going for me.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: I don't have to do anything different. I just have to play my own game. I mean, she's the one who has all the pressure. I just think that I will go there and be very concentrate each point. Try to be aggressive when I have the chance. Just play the way consistently as I've been doing in the past matches; just play my own game. Not because she's the No. 1 or it's Martina Hingis, I'm going to play differently. I think that she is the one who has probably much more pressure than me. That can help me a lot.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: It's the way of playing each point. That's what I say since the beginning. Just, you know, it's a long way since the beginning till the end. You know, a lot of things can happen. But like I say, be focus and concentrate each point.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, she has very good anticipation, and that's what makes her, you know, be always in the position. I will try to, you know, move her around so she's not as much in the position. Maybe she will make many more mistakes that way.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: You cannot compare. I mean, it's three years different. I'm feeling, you know, good. That's what I'm thinking right now. I'm not going to compare myself three years ago to now.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, I love tennis. I mean, I enjoy myself on the court. I think that tennis gives me a lot. And I still enjoy myself on the court. That's why I keep playing. I been there for so many years. I I've been every time doing very well. Just, you know, want to continue doing well and have as much fun as I can.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, I think that each time, you know, you have to travel much more. You cannot stay so much at home. But that's something that you know is going to happen. I mean, I been 12 years already playing professional. I think is long enough. But probably, you know, take a little more time at home. But at the same time, you know, just concentrate even more for the tournaments. That's it.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, because, I mean, I won in 1994. It's three years different. I think that it's complete different year this year than three years ago. I'm just, you know, this is 1997, you know, US Open. That's why I say that. I'm just concentrate right now. Everything that I done is there, it's great. I have always good memories. I always playing well here. But, you know, this is this year. And that's why I say I don't want to compare. Nothing wrong or anything. I just think that what is done is done, but life is continue. I'm just thinking about 1997.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: No. I mean, I don't think. It's been happening many times that I have to play my opponent, my doubles partner. I think she knows my game; I know her game. I think that it's completely different. I mean, tomorrow, this afternoon, tonight, we'll be partners, on the same side of the court, tomorrow we'll be across the net. I think is just another match. It's always great to face, you know, the No. 1 player in the world. I mean, you always have a challenge because you want to do well. If you win, that would be even, you know, big win. If not, then you know I'm going to go there and give my best and see what happens. It's like another player.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, we trying to always in doubles communicate a lot. I mean, if she makes a good shot, I tell her. If I make one, she tells me. But I think we compliment well. It's always nice, if we both hit a good win, that the other one say something. But just sometimes depending on the occasion. I think that it's different. When you play singles, it's yourself. There we both try to good things for her, do things for me, be as good a team as we can. But we don't discuss so much about it.