TMS - INDIAN WELLS, WOMEN

March 17, 2001

Kim Clijsters

KIM CLIJSTERS: No. I mean, it was good for me. I really like it when the crowd is behind me, when there's a lot of noise. I mean, I think it helped me, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, especially in the beginning. Like yesterday, when I went home, you hear a lot of people saying that they're not happy with it and all this stuff. I mean, we're competitors. I mean, yeah, I didn't focus on all the things that happened before; I just focused on my match, to play against Serena. Yeah, that was all I focused on.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I think when you're on the court, you don't really hear it. We're so focused and we're so concentrated that you don't really -- you hear it, but it's not going really into your mind. It goes one ear in, one ear out.

KIM CLIJSTERS: If you're a good player, you're supposed to not focus on that.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I was starting to feel I was getting a bit tired. I mean, I've had some tough matches throughout the week. I mean, I'm still young. Well, yeah, I mean, I had a chance in the second set to break her at 4-3, but she just played like too good a point. I could nothing do about it. I mean, yeah, I was feeling a little bit tired in my legs, especially in the third set. That's tennis.

KIM CLIJSTERS: She definitely did it in the third set. I mean, in the first two sets, especially in the beginning of the second set, she was making more easy mistakes on my serve, like she missed a lot of returns. Throughout the third set, she was playing better, playing more and more consistent, she had more first serves in. That's all the credit to her.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I mean, I've almost beaten her before. I just had to believe that I can. I mean, it's hard. I mean, it won't be a match like -- like when we play each other, it's always tough to have very long rallies because we both play sort of similar games. We both try to finish off the point as soon as possible. We play very aggressive tennis. Also that means that we play tennis with more unforced errors. It was hard for me. She just made less errors, and that's why she won.

KIM CLIJSTERS: No, not really. I mean, like, I just did all the same things as I did before after I beat Hingis. I just had room service, rest, was ready for my next match, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, I mean, I think it was an advantage for sure. I mean, she had a few more days off than me. Yeah, she had a few easier matches than I had. Those are small things, small details that can make a difference like when you're playing at the top level.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I was still having dinner in the restaurant. When I came upstairs, I just heard that she pulled out, that I had to play Serena in the finals. That's all, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, I mean, it's hard. In the beginning, it was probably -- the crowd was very loud, even when she misses like a first serve, they were clapping. So, I mean, it's not her fault, I think. I mean, she's still a tennis player. I think we have to -- I mean, she's a very nice person and everything. I don't think it's up to the crowd to put pressure on her. I mean, it was only in the beginning. In the second set and third set, I think it was equal. There were also people clapping when I missed my second serve. It's the same.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Not really. I'm serious, I only focus on my matches. Like, I didn't look to the other players. I didn't know how they were preparing or what was going on. I was only focusing on my matches and on my tennis.

KIM CLIJSTERS: (Nodding head.)

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I've had good matches here. I've played good tennis. I think this tournament made me have more experience. So for the bigger tournaments, yeah, I'm very happy with this level that I played here and with my final here. I think this will help me for in the future.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yes.

KIM CLIJSTERS: No, we were just like talking when we're going to Miami, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I think the most important thing is that I stay with my feet on the ground. That's what all the young girls do. When they beat like a good player, I think that's the first thing we have to do, is that we're not thinking that we're in the Top 10 already or anything. We still have to prove everything. But I think I've been doing that well. Like I'm looking forward to play Miami. I mean, it's a nice tournament. I played the Orange Bowl when I was playing Juniors so I really like it there. First of all, I'll have a few days off. I'll have two days off, I think, then I'll start practicing again. I'll probably leave Monday to go to Miami.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I think it's nice. I mean, I also learn a lot. My coach always used to say that I had to look -- watch a lot of men's matches because you can learn a lot out of it. I think it's good. It's not that I only watch Lleyton. I watch the other men's matches, as well. I think it's good to have like more tournaments where the mens and womens are combined.

KIM CLIJSTERS: It's probably worse. When the match is over, there's probably more hitting and fighting than in the tennis (laughter).

KIM CLIJSTERS: No, no, no (laughter).

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, I just saw him quickly. Just said, "Good tournament."

KIM CLIJSTERS: I don't really care. I mean, wouldn't have mattered for me. If Venus would have beaten Serena, I mean, they're both great players. Yeah, I've got a lot of respect for them, what they did to women's tennis. Yeah, I mean, I had no preference.

KIM CLIJSTERS: No, never. I've never even asked the trainer on court (smiling).

KIM CLIJSTERS: Of course. Why not? I think that's a silly question. Let's say if I first round, say if I win Miami first round, go outside and run a little bit, I twist my ankle, I can withdraw from a tournament, as well. If you're injured, you're injured. If you can't play like a hundred percent in your next match, you shouldn't play, I think.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, I haven't had that -- like I haven't had my best result on clay. But, I mean, my whole life in the summer, I've always played on clay in Belgium. I'm used to playing on clay, like especially in the summer. Yeah, so I like clay. I don't think I have a preference. If I would choose, I'd prefer the faster courts a little bit, yeah, where the ball bounces like a little bit quicker, yeah. I don't mind. I like the clay courts, as well, yeah. The only stupid thing is that your socks get all red (laughter).

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, for sure, I mean, that I was in the final, that I was a finalist, and that I beat the No. 1 player in the world, and that I had a good match against Serena. I mean, it's hard to tell because all the matches are important for me. The matches I played when I first won, and my second round against Justine Henin, the other Belgian, was a very good match for me to win. It's tough to play against another country player. I mean, I handled it well. I think I'll remember the whole tournament.