US OPEN

September 3, 2005

Mary Pierce

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

MARY PIERCE: Hmm, no.

MARY PIERCE: Uhm, I wouldn't say harder, just different. I used to train really hard when I was younger as well, like eight hours a day. I now train really hard, too, you know, on the court, off the court. Everything that I do basically -- in my 24-hour day, everything I do is to be the best I can be.

MARY PIERCE: Over a year ago, last year, after the French Open, I started working with a new physical trainer in Paris. With him, he's just been fantastic. He's helped me so much. You know, I've just been able to have, you know -- get in really good shape. He's put a program together for me for whenever I'm not in Paris, when I'm on the road at tournaments or in Florida training. He's had such a great impact.

MARY PIERCE: You know, I mean, much better. I mean, I think it's also, you know -- I can see it, I can feel it. You know, I feel a lot fitter and stronger, faster, lighter.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, she's a good player. I have never played her before in singles. You know, she's quick. She hits a really good ball, really solid, you know, all her strokes - serves and returns, forehand, backhand. You know, makes a tough opponent.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, I can't tell where she's going to hit the ball.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know (laughing). You have to ask her.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know. Clay is my favorite surface. And, you know, is this a better surface for me to play against Justine? I don't know, maybe. What is her favorite surface? Of course it's going to be different. There's been some time passed since that match. I feel like I've improved a lot since then. You know, different surface, different tournament. You know, a lot of things have happened for her as well as for me. I've been playing pretty well lately and, you know, just I really have nothing to lose. There's no pressure on me in this match. Can't be too much worse than when I played her in Paris, so I just am looking forward to that match. I just really want to have a great match and a great fight out there. We'll see what happens.

MARY PIERCE: Uh-hmm.

MARY PIERCE: Uh-hmm. Well, you know, Justine is small, but she's powerful, you know, and she hits a good ball, too. She has a really dangerous backhand down the line and good serve, too, and good second serve as well. You know, she's small but she's powerful and she's quick. You know, she's a champion. She's been No.1, won big tournaments, Grand Slam tournaments. On any surface she'll be tough to play. You know, I just look forward to this match and just hope we play well.

MARY PIERCE: Uhm, how does it affect me as a tennis player? I guess basically I don't really worry about winning or losing. I know that I don't have control over that part. There are a few things I do have control over and I try to do them the best I can. You know, it takes pressure off. I don't worry, really get nervous. I mean, humanly, you get excited to play and stuff, but I'm just a lot, uhm, calmer and just know that whatever happens, it's for the best for me in the end, so...

MARY PIERCE: It's okay.

MARY PIERCE: A little bit. You know, my first match was mainly just like with the focus and concentration, finishing the match off a little bit. But, you know, other than that, I've improved with each match really, so it's been okay.

MARY PIERCE: I think I'm hitting the ball pretty good. Could be better, you know. Little bit more aggressive, not hold back too much on my shots. Just really hit through them a little bit more, I think.

MARY PIERCE: That's pretty good.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah.

MARY PIERCE: That's pretty good. I don't know if I've ever done that in my career before, I don't know. That's pretty good, actually.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, yeah. So that's pretty good.

MARY PIERCE: Well, definitely. You know, my game is a very physical game. I need to be in good shape. I need to have my legs, be strong and, you know -- yeah, being fitness has just definitely helped a lot. Just being -- having my brother, you know, coaching me since last year as well. Uhm, you know, it's just been great.