FAMILY CIRCLE CUP

April 1, 1994

Mary Pierce

MARY PIERCE: I think it is probably a really big one, I could say. I mean, I just feel so happy, I feel so great. In the first set I played great tennis. Second set, I didn't play too badly, made just a couple much more mistakes than I did in the first. Then the third set I just told myself to try and really stay calm and to keep playing aggressive.

MARY PIERCE: A little bit at 4-1, but I told myself to try and stay calm because when I get nervous is when I don't play my best tennis. It wasn't easy, but I think I handled it okay.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, in the third set, after I lost the second set, I told myself to stay really positive and to just keep playing my game, keep playing aggressive and not to worry, and just to still enjoy it, to have fun in playing. I think the second set I started to get a little bit too serious about it. That is when I made a couple of more mistakes, but in the third set I was just really concentrated.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know. I mean, I was really focused on my side of the court more.

MARY PIERCE: I just feel great. I mean, I just feel so happy. I just worked really hard when I -- last month for four weeks at home in Florida and hard work pays off. I just feel so happy because it is a great feeling.

MARY PIERCE: No, I don't think so because, you know, I had two good wins in New York in Virginia Slims Championships, and I kind of enjoyed the day and just savor the match and enjoy it. Then when I wake up tomorrow morning, I'll just start over like a new day.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, I have played Iva, I think, once before.

MARY PIERCE: I mean, she is playing pretty well. I know she is aggressive from the baseline, a tough player, you know, I just have to go out and play my game and stay concentrated.

MARY PIERCE: No, not really. I mean, I know Lindsay plays really aggressively and hits really hard from the baseline. I know Iva hits kind of high top spins. I think Lindsay wasn't as patient, maybe made a few errors.

MARY PIERCE: There was a few points where I didn't pick the right shot and execute it correctly and Arantxa won the point. That, of course, gave her more confidence, so.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah.

MARY PIERCE: All those little points can make a big difference.

MARY PIERCE: I mean, this is just as good, I mean, maybe better because I know this year I didn't start off too well. I had two really bad tournaments earlier this year, and I went back home, like I said; worked really hard and just a great feeling to know it pays off.

MARY PIERCE: Everything. I mean, on the court; my serve; my footwork. Off the court, getting stronger physically, you know, everything.

MARY PIERCE: Nothing, really. I don't think I knew what to say or she didn't either. She just, you know, shook my hand and gave me a kiss on each cheek.

MARY PIERCE: Nothing, I just said "yes." I mean, I was just -- just happy that I finally won.

MARY PIERCE: No, not really, but I think that is the way that I have to start to play a little bit more because all the girls are getting used to my game a little bit that I am hitting the ball so hard. So when I change the pace up and then if I hit a few drop shots and then when I hit my ball hard, it is more effective.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know. I just have to go tomorrow and concentrate and play the best that I can for tomorrow's match.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, sometimes I get a little bit too hard on myself and too serious. When I make one mistake, I start to get a little upset; then I might make a few more mistakes. I just have to realize that nobody is perfect; I am not like a robot, so I can't make all the shots. Just to stay relaxed and just to enjoy playing.

MARY PIERCE: I played for France. I have played Olympics, Federation Cup two or three times for them. So I am playing for France, but I mean, you can't really say that I am American or that I am French because I live most of my time in America. I mean, I don't feel either/or because I have been travelling so much.

MARY PIERCE: Yes, I have. I have lived in France when I was 13. I lived there for about a year and ever since then, excluding this year I have been living there for about four months out of the year.

MARY PIERCE: Why should I be surprised?

MARY PIERCE: Sure, but I think a lot of times the crowd pulls for the underdog too sometimes. I have had that happen to me. I mean, they see how hard I am trying and I think that they enjoy not just -- I think they enjoyed our match and thought it was exciting.

MARY PIERCE: He just told me, my father, when I started playing, just on both sides, forehand and backhand, hit the ball as hard as I could; take the ball on the rise, and they would all go out but eventually he said, "one day, they will go in."

MARY PIERCE: Sure, it helps, but also it can make you a little bit nervous. When I went up 5-1 the crowd really got behind me so, you know, I tried not to listen really to anything or see anything. I just tried to stay focused on to the court.