WIMBLEDON

June 21, 2004

Amanda Janes

THE MODERATOR: First question, please.

AMANDA JANES: Uh-hmm.

AMANDA JANES: Uh-hmm.

AMANDA JANES: I think she did definitely come out a bit stronger. I was very pleased with the way I was playing. She certainly came out with a much more forceful game plan whereby she came into net. She wasn't coming into net, so then she was coming into net a lot. I think I was able to hold my serve to get the set. But she was sharper, much sharper in the second set. All the things that I had been doing in the first set, I was still trying to impose my game, but I wasn't able to do it to the level I had been, which I think showed . That's really the difference. But I felt sharp again when I came out for the third set after the second rain delay. I was really pleased to get that service game. But I think, again, I didn't -- she had a higher level, I think, that I couldn't quite attain.

AMANDA JANES: I'm very disappointed (smiling). It's never much fun to lose a match. But I think, you know, I respect Ai Sugiyama. She played a very good match. You have to look at her ranking and whatever. But I felt I was close and I could have maybe -- I'd liked to have turned things around a bit in that third set, and I find that disappointing. But I was never given the chance to, so...

AMANDA JANES: Thank you (laughing). No, it didn't feel like it to me either. I certainly wasn't thinking about, "Oh, my gosh, I'm 200-and-whatever, she's, you know, 11." That wasn't really something that bothered me. I was more concerned about trying to play my game well. In that respect, I am pleased because I feel like I did all I could, it just wasn't good enough. So I've worked very hard, but it wasn't enough, yeah.

AMANDA JANES: Yes, because you can see the level that you're aiming for. And in that respect, it is very inspiring. But it's also frustrating because I feel I've worked very hard, and I've worked up to peak for this. And you get the chance, and it's very easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself. I don't think that's why I lost, but, you know, it's disappointing.

AMANDA JANES: Anne won, did she? Oh, that's very good, yeah. That's a good win. I think the British women, you know, just need positive wins like that so that you can, you know, make everyone believe that we are capable of competing at a higher level. I'm glad Anne's won, because it does show that. And, hopefully, the other British girls will go out and get some more wins. Because I think it does create a positive atmosphere and a positive feeling about the women's game that maybe is often lacking.

AMANDA JANES: Yes, yes (smiling). Yes, I mean, I train here all the time, so it feels very much -- while I've been training here recently, I've always been thinking, "Oh, gosh, what court will I play on? Which one will it be?" Certainly, it's been a long time waiting for it at 26 (smiling).

AMANDA JANES: I don't think I've broke any records or anything, but it makes it more special having waited that bit longer.

AMANDA JANES: Yes, yes. I had a lot of support, which is great.

AMANDA JANES: My father was there, both my brothers, my fiance and, yes, I think a couple of friends from university, so...

AMANDA JANES: Yes, it's next July.

AMANDA JANES: Yes, it's the second Saturday, the 16th.

AMANDA JANES: Yes, yes.

AMANDA JANES: Dominick.

AMANDA JANES: I haven't had a chance because I've been off giving a urine sample. So I haven't had a chance to do anything yet (smiling). But after the last rain break, you know, I sort of said, "I'm 3-2 down, 30-40." She said, "Don't panic, you know, just go for it. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work for you." I think I felt I did go for it, but it actually just really didn't work. She maybe didn't let it work.

AMANDA JANES: Yes. I know, I know. It was great (laughing). I felt great at 3-All. Then, yeah, it just seemed to go away very quickly after that.

AMANDA JANES: Yeah, I did know that, yeah. They had a long match, didn't they? She was - I remember seeing her after that match - she was pretty disappointed. No, I didn't. But I had seen Ai Sugiyama at Eastbourne last week, so I sort of had seen her performance a bit.

AMANDA JANES: Barry Cowan's been helping me quite a bit recently. He's been a great help, as has Chris Clark. He's been helpful, too. My mother, it takes a load off her. Otherwise, I think -- she likes to have a break now and again.

AMANDA JANES: Dear, specific tips. I think they both wanted me to stay focused and aggressive, sort of imposing my game, really. No, and try -- and try and enjoy it, not let it all -- you know, in the second set I felt I could have let things get on top of me, "Oh, no, I'm not carrying on as I did in the first." So I tried to relax and enjoy the experience a bit.

AMANDA JANES: Good question. I had hoped that, you know, if I could have done something here, that my ranking would go up and I would be able to, you know, enter the bigger tournaments and look to play on the hard courts in America. There's still no reason why I can't do that, it just means that, you know, still my ranking will stay as it is. I had hoped, you know, to sort of break the 200 mark. But I just have to work at the level I am, and maybe that's a realistic level. I just have to work away at that (smiling).

AMANDA JANES: Well, yes, I hope so (smiling). I hope so, yeah. Hopefully, not with a wildcard. That would be ideal. But we'll see.