TMS - INDIAN WELLS, WOMEN

March 15, 2001

Kim Clijsters

KIM CLIJSTERS: I'm very excited. I mean, this is probably my greatest tournament -- my greatest victory probably. Yeah, I played a good match today, especially in the first and in the third set, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: No, not really. I mean, I felt that I was playing better level than I was playing in the first set. I was quite confident, not that I was going to win, but, I mean, it was good that I broke her in the first game. That's probably what makes her a little bit unconfident, as well. I lost my serve at the end of that second game in the third set. Even though, I was still focused, yeah, trying to get the break back.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, I think the mistake that I did in the second set was that I was a little bit too far behind my line and I wasn't playing that aggressive anymore. Then like when I was 5-Love down, I said, "I'll just go for it, just forget about everything, just forget that you're 5-Love down in the second." I won two games. Yeah, I mean, in the third set I just went for it again.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, I think I was more consistent today, like especially in the first and in the third set. My other matches, I've had some chances. The last time I played her, it was in Sydney. I had some chances there, but I couldn't take them. I made some easy mistakes still. I think today that was perfect.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I don't think they're afraid of winning. I think they're probably more nervous, like when they come close to beating like a seeded player. Especially with the young players. I mean, I've had that against -- when I played Serena Williams at the US Open a few years ago, it's the same feeling. And that's experience. That's why the top players have got more experience. They can probably do a little bit more when they're down. They can play a little bit better, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I mean, probably a few players. I've been closer and closer every time I've played her. I mean, I can beat those players. Yeah, I mean, I know that Martina didn't play her best tennis today. But, I mean, those are the chances that I have to take, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, that help a lot for me, as well. I really like to play for a big crowd. Yeah, that really pumps me up, as well.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, I think that was -- it was probably good that I won those two games and that I broke her, even in the second set. But, yeah, I mean, like even when I lost that second set, I just forgot about anything, just said, "This is the start of the match, just go for it now."

KIM CLIJSTERS: I was returning quite well, like not in the second set, but in the first set that's what probably make a big difference for winning those serve games. Yeah, I mean, I've kept the pressure on her serve every time, so I think that was good.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, I mean, my forehand is probably one of my most aggressive shots, and I think with my backhand I can open up my court, and with my forehand I can finish it off. I think it's good, yeah. I can hit like sort of winners around everywhere on the court with my forehand.

KIM CLIJSTERS: You're not really thinking that she's No. 1 in the world. I mean, like I don't really think about who I'm playing when I'm standing. Like every match, you have to play, you have to win, even if I'm playing a player like 120 in the world. This is more special. Even afterwards, it's like all the people are telling you that you beat No. 1 in the world. I mean, I think I have to stay with my feet on the ground. I'm looking forward to my next match.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, I mean, I think last year, at the end of last year, I've had some good matches that improved my game, especially like when I beat a few Top-10 players in Filderstadt and in Leipzig. I went to play the Chase Championships, and I think that was a big step in my career, more experience for me. Yeah, I think even this now, I think it's good for my confidence. I know that I'll have to stay with my feet on the ground.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, yeah. I mean, you always try. I know that it's going to be very hard. I mean, I'm playing against Serena, against Venus. It's going to be very hard for me. I'm just trying to do the same things. I'm just trying to rest. I'm going to go out there and I'm trying to be fit. We'll see what happens.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I've never played Venus in singles. I've only played Serena once - twice, actually. I mean, I've got no idea. Watch the match tonight. I don't really care who I'm playing. I'll have fun out there tomorrow.

KIM CLIJSTERS: The last time I played her was here last year in the fourth round, I think, and I lost 4-4, I think. The first time I played against her was at US Open two years ago. I was 5-3 up there in the third set. Yeah, I mean, I was still a rookie. Yeah, I was actually quite nervous then. I mean, I've got that little bit more now. Last year, I mean, she played a great match here. She just overpowered me.

KIM CLIJSTERS: It all helps. It's probably because of then that I can be in the final here now. It's like little steps in your career that makes it like a career good. I mean, it's hard. I mean, it's hard to say. But, I mean, I don't know.

KIM CLIJSTERS: No, not really. I mean it's not because I beat No. 1, the No. 1 player in the world, that I'm going to be Top 5. I mean, I'm still ranked 19 in the world. Yeah, of course, I'll try. I'll try to get as high as possible. When I go out there on the court, I'll try to win every match. We'll see where I end up.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, well, it means a lot to me. Belgium is so small, you can actually drive like three hours from one side of the country to the other. A lot of players look up to the tennis players. Even when the men now, we have the Rochus brothers. A lot of players are looking up to the tennis players. I think Dominique Van Roost and Sabine Appelmans did a great job for Belgian tennis. As soon as they retired, it's good that we have two new players there.

KIM CLIJSTERS: It's hard because I think a lot of people still see me as the daughter of the soccer player in Belgium. Maybe not anymore now. No, I mean, I've won some sportswoman of the year. I don't think I'm as famous as Sabine was. I mean, she was like Top 20 for like ten years. But, I mean, it's hard to tell. Probably with the younger kids, I'll probably be -- they know me better because I'm more recent.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Belgium is not that big, so, yeah, they do.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, sometimes it can be a little bit -- sometimes when I'm going out shopping or something, I'm trying some clothes on, and people are trying to see what I'm wearing. That's sometimes a little bit annoying. But, I mean, that's what I chose for. That's why I play tennis. Yeah, I'm happy with that.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I mean, he helped me out a lot. I really looked up to him. We have always like worked well around pressure, around media and everything. I mean, I think that's what helped me a lot, as well.

KIM CLIJSTERS: He just said like, "Go out there and have fun." That's what I said to him.