AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2001

Mary Pierce

THE MODERATOR: First question for Mary, please.

MARY PIERCE: You know, it was a difficult match. Paola played really well. She served well. She just played a really good match overall. And, you know, I really just don't like making excuses for myself. I was on the court. I played. I tried to do the best with what I had, it just wasn't good enough today.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah. I mean obviously my leg is wrapped. I strained my hip flexor in the doubles two days ago, I guess, the very end of it. And, you know, I was a little bit sore yesterday but not really that bad. I just took it easy. And then today, it wasn't that bad. I had it taped more for precautions than anything else and it was maybe in the fifth game - third or fifth game, I don't remember exactly - but I just went for a forehand and I felt it. So, you know, it wasn't too good. It just kept getting worse and worse as the match went on. After I lost the first set, I called the trainer to have her tape it a little bit more and in a different spot also to see if that would help. It helped a little bit, but I mean I was, you know, limited in movement, and my forehand is what really bothered me the most.

MARY PIERCE: Left.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I mean during the singles I thought about, you know, not continuing the match and stopping 'cause, you know, I mean it's a tough decision when you're out on the court and you really just can't move and you can't play your game. But I tried to have hope during the match, and to never give up. And, you know, it's a long way to come over here, and it's a Grand Slam tournament, and, you know, I just tried to leave everything on the court and do the best that I could. But, you know, after that, my doubles partner came up to me, Sandrine, and asked how I was doing. I told her I was fine. I promised her I would play doubles, I said I would try and see how I feel. Doubles is only half a court. It's much easier to play. You don't have to move. And so it was a bit easier, you know, of course playing doubles.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, like I said just now, I said that I did think of that because I wasn't able to play my game or move really well. But, you know, like I said, it's a Grand Slam tournament and it's far to come over here. I just didn't want to give up. I kept trying to, you know, have hope and just to play to the last point. You never know what can happen.