US OPEN

August 31, 1998

Monica Seles

Q. Why did you destroy the stock market?

MONICA SELES: Oh, stop it. When I left it was at 43 points, so the chairman said when I left: Oh, you brought the stock market up. He was so nice, any time I can come back, win or lose, I have got to come back. I am not sure after this he wants me back, but -- oh, it is scary.

MONICA SELES: I just think I started working hard. I mean, Gavin couldn't be with me in the California tournaments. Once he came to Montreal, I felt my game slowly getting better so, that has helped tremendously. I just think -- I don't know, I think also, you know, the hard work started paying off a little bit more. And I went from my shots at key times, which I didn't do before. But that comes obviously with more confidence.

MONICA SELES: I think it did, definitely. I think for me it was very difficult because after I left for Federation Cup I played some great tennis there. I had a horrible back problem once I got off the plane in San Francisco and it was just gone for me, San Francisco was just a tournament that I didn't even know what I was doing. After that one, I think I kind of got down because I was so tired, just really the whole season was getting me a little bit tired, I think. So it was just nice to get some fresh energy going again.

MONICA SELES: Yes, back in Florida, yes.

MONICA SELES: I think definitely it starting from the first round to the quarters, it is a lot tougher. Like before you would maybe have one or two -- not floaters, who you could get on the tough side of the draw like if you would be No. 1 you could get Jennifer in the quarters. Now we have two, three players that you kind of had to play in the quarters not only in a Grand Slam tournament, but a lot of times in Tier I tournaments, so it is very tough. I think there are a few floaters that none of us once really faced in the early rounds. It is just different. I think the girls are just getting physically so much bigger. I mean, a lot of girls out there are just so tall, just naturally they have the height and much more athletic than before. I think that is just a big advantage and with the longer rackets, everybody is hitting the ball harder.

MONICA SELES: I think so. And I think this year has definitely proved that. There are so many different winners on the COREL Tour, no question. And very different styles of game too.

MONICA SELES: I just think I had so much chances on her serve in the first set and I just started pushing the ball back, but it is always tough to play another lefty on the serve and it was windy out there, so it is hard for me to get the timing. I was probably a little bit nervous, first match. It is normal. At 5-2, it was too bad I didn't close the first set-off. When she got back, at least I raised my level when it was needed and that helped, but she was running down some great shots and I really was just staying in some points and amazingly well. It is always tough. I had to really work hard for every single point. I didn't get too many free points. I kind of knew that coming into this match because I played a tough one against her a year and a half ago.

MONICA SELES: I really don't want to get into that. It is between her and her dad and her family.

MONICA SELES: Obviously, I mean, any time you win a Grand Slam it means a lot. But, you know, I have never thought about even when I was No. 1 and people said, for sure she is going to win the Open in '92 that I will or I won't. For me I just love to hit the ball and just strive to improve really every time. Hopefully that will produce some great wins, obviously, that will be a tremendous feeling. But right now I just feel I just need to keep working hard and just go forward.

MONICA SELES: Pretty much. I didn't feel that I was playing some great tennis in Montreal personally. I mean, I think I definitely raised my level the last two matches, I think. But I was still missing a lot of balls. I think I went a little up in my tension in my racket which has helped, which before, I felt if I touched the ball and it would be flying. That I think helped. But it did -- I can't say it surprised me because I really expected to win some of those California tournaments, but I felt coming into them I messed up a few things and I think I let it bother me too long. I was just thinking about, that is okay, I could still do well at the tournament. Going into Montreal, I think -- it doesn't matter that I messed up, that is a done deal; I wouldn't do that next time, but you still have that tournament and I think that mindset helped me tremendously.