U.S. OPEN

August 29, 1994

Mary Pierce

MARY PIERCE: I thought we had some really good points. It was -- I had a lot of fun out there. I think in the beginning, I think Andrea made quite a bit of mistakes. After that she really started to play a lot better.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah. I mean, for a first match, I think overall I did okay. I made quite a bit of stupid errors, had some easy shots and just overhit hit, tried to go for it too much. Overall, I am pretty happy.

MARY PIERCE: No, not at all. I mean, everything about New York and this tournament reminds me of it; lots of people, and it is really busy. Just kind of hectic so it is kind of like a feeling of a Grand Slam, so I am used to it.

MARY PIERCE: That I didn't play Wimbledon?

MARY PIERCE: No, not at all. I don't regret the choice that I made because at the time being that it was the correct thing to do.

MARY PIERCE: No, I thought that I -- I digested all of the issues at the time. I thought at that time I made the right decision.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I took quite a bit of time off which I needed, and then I have been working very hard physically, try getting in better shape and get quicker and work a lot on my serving.

MARY PIERCE: Basically, most of the time in Florida at the Tennis Academy in Bradington training.

MARY PIERCE: No, hard work.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I like to tell you that I had that question asked me many times since then and I have said the same thing every time. I have said that I have done an article about it and I really prefer not to talk about it anymore because it is more or less in the past. I have had a lot of things in the past that I like not to go back to. I feel like I have been playing really well; I am finally getting the good press that I like, and I just kind of like to turn the pages on those kinds of things off the court, and on the court and basically look more at the positive things in my life.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, I mean, it has a little bit -- actually a lot. I mean, a lot of more people have come up and wanted to talk to me; get my autograph; a lot more people recognize me, so I mean, it is is a bit more demanding of myself.

MARY PIERCE: That is a good question. I mean, I like to be able to say yes and then I win it, but it is not easy as that. I feel that I am in good shape. But you know, there is a lot of other players that are playing really well. It is not easy. I am just going to try take every match as it comes and play my best.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I mean, I beat Steffi at the French Open on red clay but I played her just recently two weeks ago Montreal hard courts. She is definitely a more-- she is a difficult player to beat on hard court. I think that is her best surface. For me to beat Steffi on hard court I really have to be physically in good shape and very concentrated and for every point because she doesn't give away points.

MARY PIERCE: The most positive of all those positives? Nothing special really stands out. I think basically everything in my life, being surrounded by people who I really love and who love me and who are taking good care of me, and I think that is the most important thing.

MARY PIERCE: I probably have to say Mary Pierce last year was also in very good shape, but I am a lot stronger now; a lot quicker, and I am playing a little bit more smarter, you can probably say, I really -- also there is another factor that I don't have many things bothering me right now so I am more relaxed.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I feel that -- I felt that I played pretty good. I made a few stupid errors, but for the first match I am very happy.

MARY PIERCE: My what?

MARY PIERCE: It is hard to say. I'd probably say the French Open right now the way-- just probably because I did so well and I also played for France so it is more of a home feeling probably and the crowd really supports me very well there.

MARY PIERCE: Today actually I thought this -- that they were great. A lot of people were out there cheering; pulling for me, so it was a good crowd.

MARY PIERCE: That is correct.

MARY PIERCE: Yes.

MARY PIERCE: I am sorry but he asked me that question before and I already answered that. Thank you.