WIMBLEDON

June 28, 2005

Mary Pierce

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

MARY PIERCE: Thank you. You know, I had a difficult time getting going today in the beginning of the match. It took me a little while I think to get used to the elements and the environment. I hadn't played on that court in I think it's about five years. Usually we get to practice on the court sometimes before we can play on it, and I didn't get a chance to do that. So it took me a little bit just to get used to the environment. And Venus played very well from the very beginning, was hitting very hard and very deep. You know, I just -- I've already felt like last couple days that I was having a little bit of trouble getting going. You know, my legs didn't feel totally powerful, dynamic today. If you're a little slow against someone who is going to be hitting very hard and aggressive and deep, it shows a lot more. Second set, I started to feel better and started to play better. I was making a lot of unforced errors, as well. That was my legs, you know, just not moving. You know, second set, I started playing better. I still missed some shots that could have made a difference in maybe me winning the second set. If I win the second set, it's a totally different match. So, you know, I just try to learn some thing from every situation. I'll definitely watch the tape of this match. You know, I know I was a little bit tired and that played a big factor in that match today. And also Venus played great.

MARY PIERCE: I don't even know how many I had exactly. I know for sure I had three, three or four. You know, what can I say? On grass, points go by very quickly. Anything can happen. I did the best that I could. I know that I hesitated a little bit and I needed to be more aggressive basically on a few points. You know, I think that's also why I missed a few of those shots, because I just hesitated.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know. That's a good question. Each person I think is different individually. You know, experience helps a lot, you know, with just daily doing things and training, important points in matches, things like that. You know, I don't know. I guess we just have experience, and that helps.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know. I really don't know. It's tough to say because now women's tennis is so much more demanding, you know, physically there's more injuries than back then. We play a lot more. The matches are a lot more difficult and a lot more physical. I would be really surprised to see players having a long, long career. This is my 17th year, and I want to play a few more years. To really see girls playing 15, 20 years, I think I'd be surprised.