THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 27, 1997

Monica Seles

DEBBI EDWARDS: Questions for Monica.

MONICA SELES: Well, I think I took control a little bit more than in the sets before. I really wanted to do that today. Otherwise with her ball, she would just throw me way back. We had these long points, started the match late, it was humid. I just said, "Go out there and play your game, don't have any long points," that was my goal.

MONICA SELES: I played pretty well against, I don't know, 6-Love, 6-1, win against Coetzer at the US Open. Obviously I haven't played too many matches.

MONICA SELES: Yes. I think a combination of being in the finals and playing Martina again, definitely. She's playing some great tennis. I mean, she hasn't lost a match this year. That speaks for itself.

MONICA SELES: I don't know. I went out there and tried to do the best that I could, and she was clearly better that day. She creamed, whatever word you would use, me on the court that day in Oakland.

MONICA SELES: Each time I go up there, I don't like to think of the past match, even if I won or if I lost, because it's a new match, new site, new surroundings, all those things. But try to maybe improve on the score would be great, of course.

MONICA SELES: I think that's very special for her, but in my mind that will not make a difference. Obviously the level of tennis she's been playing, it's amazing, and the maturity she shows, it's great, and it's great for women's tennis.

MONICA SELES: Definitely. A week ago, last Thursday when I played Naoko a three-set match, and Friday, I didn't really think I would be here. Obviously, I only had a couple weeks of practice. I just felt I would take it a match at a time and just hang in there. That was one of the key things, and against Spirlea, I would be fine.

MONICA SELES: Both, I believe. Both, I really believe.

MONICA SELES: No. I think when I became No. 1, I played Martina in the finals, and it really didn't make a difference. Of course, then I had to beat Martina to be No. 1 that week, which for Martina is not the case, she's No. 1 no matter what. I lost to Martina and it didn't matter. She's the youngest No. 1 ever, and that's great, unbelievable achievement. I'm sure she'd love to have another title, like all of us.

MONICA SELES: Oh, no.

MONICA SELES: In my mind, that match ended very fast. It really was just a blur. That was just over so fast.

MONICA SELES: For me, being the No. 1 position is not a goal; it never has been. Especially at this point, it's not. It's really doing well at the Grand Slams.

MONICA SELES: I don't go into any match thinking that I'm favored or anything like that. A lot of players are surprised like when they play doubles with me, the way I converse with them, my thoughts. I go in just a point at a time really. I don't think I'm going to come out a winner or a loser in the match, because I just want to be in the present.

MONICA SELES: I think she does gain that. I think I had that, Steffi had that, and Martina has that. When you do win so much matches and tournaments in a row, you do gain that. You also gain that confidence. She's unbeaten.

MONICA SELES: Yes, definitely. You could see that in today's match clearly.

MONICA SELES: I really don't look at it that way. I believe you go out there and do the best you can. You fight hard for every ball, every stroke. You give it what you have. If you're better that day, you'll win; if not, you'll have to go back and practice harder.

MONICA SELES: I don't know. Obviously I can't speak for Jana. I know mine and my own reasons. Steffi I'm sure will be there. Martina is, in my opinion, going to stay No. 1. I can't say for sure, but quite safe through the Open because Steffi has to defend a lot of points. Martina doesn't have that great of results, so she's going to gain a lot of points. She's playing more tournaments than Steffi. I'm not sure how open the No. 1 spot will be till pretty much the end of this year.

MONICA SELES: It's hard to say because when you look at it, Martina has really improved so much the last six, seven months. A year ago today, she lost here in the first or second round. If any other players can make those improvements, yeah. Obviously, a lot of them have the talent, but Martina is there, and the other ones have to get there.

MONICA SELES: I give equal chance to all of them, to Anna and Venus. I think both have equal chances.

MONICA SELES: I think so, yeah. I haven't seen her play on grass. That's the only surface I haven't seen. She seems to play very well on it, too. She won the juniors at Wimbledon.

MONICA SELES: Also, yes.

MONICA SELES: US Open, yes.

MONICA SELES: Great birthday present I got (laughter).

MONICA SELES: It wasn't the next day. It was the same day. I did not break it during the practice, I broke it during the match.

MONICA SELES: Yes. I broke it catching -- when we were warming up for the match, catching her serve. That was it, you know.

MONICA SELES: I think Martina beat me 6-4, 6-3. I'm sorry, I think it was 6-4, 7-6.

MONICA SELES: I watched today's match a little. Jana beat her, I know, in Chicago, the last time I saw them play each other. I wanted to see a little bit. I watched a set. It was some awesome tennis.

MONICA SELES: No. I mean, maybe with Steffi, you see her backhand is a little more weaker. Martina, I think is all-around really good. She plays the key points great.

MONICA SELES: No, I try not to. When I do, I'm in trouble. That's been the problem the last few years, since I came back, trying to do that. That's not my style. I think for me it's better to lose matches playing my game in the beginning instead of playing it just safe like that.

MONICA SELES: Thank you.