US OPEN

August 26, 1997

Conchita Martinez

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: Well, of course it was very important. You never know what's going to happen if you lose that game or not. But, I mean, I think I was changing ends, playing with the wind two more games. Seems like she had a little trouble with her serve, especially the second serve. You know, I hang in there. I didn't want to give her anything, fight. You know, I was much more consistent than she was.

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: Well, she's hitting the ball really hard. I mean, but she's making some unforced errors. You know, I mean, of course I'm playing pretty good myself. I've been having three, four good tournaments this summer. I'm very pleased with the way -- I'm very motivated to do well here at the US Open.

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: Like I said, I think she's making too many unforced errors still. But, I mean, she's hitting the ball hard. You know, she had some bad luck. In Rome, she twist her ankle and couldn't play. I think she needs a lot more matches. Of course, I mean, tennis these days is more difficult because everybody is playing well. If you have a bad draw. All she needs is matches, getting back, to get that rhythm. But we'll see. I mean, of course she has the potential to come back.

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: She appeared to?

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: Tired?

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: Well, yeah, sometimes you can see. You normally notice more when the match gets a little bit tighter, more close. I didn't really look. Winning 6-1 and 4-Love, I mean, I didn't think she was tired. I was trying to focus on myself and trying to play point by point; just concentrate on what I had to do.

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: Well, I'm really happy. I mean, yeah, it's really very good feeling to be from Spain, seeing that we having great success. The boys are playing unbelievable tennis. I'm so happy because I know all of them, and they're really nice people. So it's really nice to see Spain doing so well in tennis. I mean, there's so many people playing here at the US Open and doing well, so it's great.

CONCHITA MARTINEZ: Well, I used to go out with a few of the players. For example, I mean, I used to practice with Alex, juniors, and with Alberto Costa, you know, some of them. I get along well with most of them.