TMS - INDIAN WELLS, WOMEN

March 17, 2000

Mary Pierce

WTA: Questions for Mary.

MARY PIERCE: I don't think that was the case. I think, like you said, fast start. I started off really well. There wasn't much that Martina could do. It was the same when I played Serena. And then Martina just played two really good games at 4-1, just really made me work a lot for the points. I probably just dropped by intensity a little and wasn't as aggressive or coming as forward as I was in the beginning of the first five games. I just kind of rallied with her those two games. That probably took a little bit out of me. My legs were already a little tired, kind of heavy. After those two games, it was 4-3. I just didn't feel like I had the energy that I needed today to be able to perform like I did against Serena or in those first five games today. I was just, you know, missing some shots, just going for it maybe a little bit too much, you know, too soon. I just was a little tired, I guess. Martina, I definitely give her credit, because she stayed in the match the whole way through, played consistent. Just, you know, did what she needed to do, bring the balls back.

MARY PIERCE: No. It doesn't really matter. With Martina or Lindsay or Monica, I mean, anybody, we all know each other, we've all been on the tour for years, played each other many times, practiced together. There's really no secrets, I think. I mean, when you get out on the court, it's just play your game, each one tries to win and do their best.

MARY PIERCE: They're just solid, you know, kind of really consistent, every week able to produce day in and day out basically.

MARY PIERCE: Well, I guess, yeah, mental. This sport is very mental as well as it is physical, even more mental. They have to have something special, you know, definitely for them to be 1 and 2 all the time.

MARY PIERCE: I like to put it a different way, I guess - to go on the court believing in myself, just having confidence when I step on the court, no matter who I play, what round it is, what match it is, what tournament it is, just always take every match with the same mentality, just feeling like I'm prepared. Just go out there, like I said, believe in my game, play my game the best I can, and have fun.

MARY PIERCE: Well, it could have been the mistake that my hotel gave me a wake-up call at 6:45 (laughter). Besides that, I have no idea.

MARY PIERCE: 8:30 (laughter). I had a little trouble falling asleep. No, that's not a reason to make my legs heavy today. Maybe just playing, you know, this whole week. I've had some three-set matches, playing singles and doubles. When I look back on this week, I'm really happy with the matches that I've come through and won in three sets, the match I played against Serena. I've been working hard lately, and it's starting to pay off. I know I still got to work harder, just keep doing what I've been doing. Just, you know, it hopefully can continue to pay off.

MARY PIERCE: No, it wasn't him. Maybe I would have been able to go back to sleep a little better, but I was mad after that.

MARY PIERCE: Third match on Court 2.

MARY PIERCE: Uh-huh.

MARY PIERCE: I don't understand your question.

MARY PIERCE: Don't know. Can't answer that question.

MARY PIERCE: I never want to count myself out in anything. Monica is starting to come back. As long as she's healthy, able to work hard, she can always play some great tennis. Of course, the Williams sisters, you know, depends if they're healthy and hungry to play the game. They're very athletic, hit the ball hard, great tennis. You never know.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know (laughter). I haven't seen their matches.

MARY PIERCE: Maybe I'd ask for ten more wishes, I guess. That's a good question. I don't know.

MARY PIERCE: She's pretty consistent on her forehand. I'd have to say she's more consistent on her forehand. Her serve hasn't gotten more powerful. She places it well. That's what she does on most of her strokes, good placement. But her forehand is more solid. It used to be a weakness where she would make mistakes once in a while.

MARY PIERCE: Like I always say, you never know in tennis. My dream, of course, is just to improve every day, just to keep going forward. I just always think that anything's possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. I don't see anything specific. But I was 3 in '95 after I won the Australian Open. The competition is much tougher now than it was then, definitely. You know, like I say, you just never know.

MARY PIERCE: I guess not, being up 4-1 (laughter). Geeze. You never want to count anybody out. I mean, I've come back this week being down 5-3 in the third set. Someone who's No. 1 is definitely never going to give up, no matter what the score is , 6-0, 5-0, 40-Love. You always have to believe you have a chance.