U.S. OPEN

September 5, 1994

Mary Pierce

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, I was because I played Iva the last time last year indoors and it was a pretty tough match, but I think I just played really well today. I felt like I was moving great. I feel like this is the best match I have played so far in the tournament.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I think that tennis has become, you know, my first priority in life, but also something very fun for me, I am enjoying it a lot. Nick and I have been working a lot on my serve, also with Sven on my footwork, and my forehand a little bit. You know, just basically everything. Those are the main things.

MARY PIERCE: I feel like I am playing more consistently better. I am not mentally -- my mind doesn't wander as much. I think I am more focused.

MARY PIERCE: A lot. A lot. Because you know, tennis is very difficult and very demanding mentally and physically, so if you make it easier on yourself you can last longer and you don't go out there some days and you are kind of tired, oh no, whatever. So, if you really go out there and enjoy it, don't take it too seriously, and, you know, just go out there and every day I look forward it to. I think that helps a lot.

MARY PIERCE: Unbelievable. It is so funny. I mean, I played with Luke at the French Open. I am playing with Murphy here. You know, I know the whole family. They are great people, and just to play with them. It is lots and lots of fun. It is great to be able to play matches like that in a Grand Slam tournament.

MARY PIERCE: What have I learned? I don't know.

MARY PIERCE: I have already been enjoying it before I have been playing with them. I don't think I am enjoying it just because I am playing mixed doubles with them. I kind of learned to joke around a little bit and probably just joke around while we are playing.

MARY PIERCE: I would have said, "I hope you are right." I mean, it is hard very, very hard to say what can come in the future in tennis because you never know what can happen, you know, physically if you are still in shape and who comes along. There are a lot of good players. I guess you just have to take it -- take the opportunities as they come.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I get this question asked quite a bit, you know, so it is very easy for me to answer. It is for me, I don't really feel that there should be a certain age because I think that if the girl is good enough, I don't see why not -- don't waste her time and her talent and not let her compete against the pros. I think it is more for her to develop her game. But I feel strongly that they should stay in school until they graduate from high school or if they are in Europe, whatever, high school they are in, but whatever age they are, they can only play a certain amount of tournaments. If they are like 13 or 14, maybe three, four tournaments, something like that. The older they get; the more tournaments they get.

MARY PIERCE: No. I don't honestly think I turned pro too early. I just think that maybe I played and travelled here round too much and I didn't really have a home to come back to or base. I think that is something really important when you are young.

MARY PIERCE: Which article?

MARY PIERCE: I think I was. I didn't read that, sorry.

MARY PIERCE: I mean, yes and no. I kind of feel I guess -- first of all, I haven't really realized yet. I don't think it has sunk in that much yet. I do feel that I am capable of being in the top five. To stay there, it is something very difficult. You have to consistently play well, and that is something that I think I can do. But it is not easy.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, that is true because it comes with a lot of responsibility when you are in the top five a lot of the other people, you know, young girls, younger people, look up to you and you have to consistently, you know, behave and play well, and that is something that comes with maturity and experience. I am only 19, so I have only been on the Tour for four, five years, so...

MARY PIERCE: I probably have to say that would be my mom because basically she has been with me my whole life and in my tennis career. Probably the person that I am closest to and my best friend; she has helped me a lot. My mom has been there you know, when I needed her all the time, so she has really helped me.

MARY PIERCE: Gosh, winning any tournament would be just great for me, but you know, I think my dream is to win the French Open one day, but definitely, I would definitely try my best to win here for sure. So. . .

MARY PIERCE: I think probably 99% of the time English. Sometimes in French. It just depends.