VIRGINIA SLIMS CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 21, 1993

Steffi Graf

STEFFI GRAF: Probably not. It was really difficult, Arantxa had two tough matches before. I wasn't 100%, so it was really difficult for both of us.

STEFFI GRAF: I think during the match it was actually pretty good today. I was not very well yesterday and I got another injection this morning just to be pretty much pain free, and it worked very well, actually. Not during the practice, but for the match I was very good condition, was important.

STEFFI GRAF: Sacroiliac is I think the English.

STEFFI GRAF: Sacroiliac.

STEFFI GRAF: It was at the joint and where the joint -- where the pelvis and back is coming together and I've had inflammation there since Toronto, it wasn't very good at the U.S. Open, it was pretty good for the last few weeks and it came back.

STEFFI GRAF: I can't hear you.

STEFFI GRAF: It's really difficult to say. I think in a way I'm happy to have a break now, very happy and I'm looking for some time away from tennis, I really do. But on the other hand, I had so much successes, but it's been a great, great year and that's the way if you want to end it-- end the year on winning this tournament, so it couldn't be any better, so I think I'm happy it's over.

STEFFI GRAF: The way she played the first game, yeah, I think it was going to be more difficult, because it is not very usual she plays forehand winners down the line on the run and I was surprised the way she started. She played aggressive the first game and then that's just -- and then I know she didn't play as impressive anymore. So I was able to control the points a lot better.

STEFFI GRAF: No, I didn't want to knowing my back

wasn't perfect and didn't know how it was going to be, I didn't try to pace myself at all. I knew every game would be important to take every point as early as possible and that's how I played. That's how I played the first set and won that quickly.

STEFFI GRAF: After what?

STEFFI GRAF: I wouldn't mind to have that dizzy spell in the third set like that. I think that she changed her game a little at that point, she played a lot more aggressive and made a lot of winners because probably she knows she wasn't able to outrun me or play long points against me today and that's why she went for a lot and did it well and was successful, but it was just a matter of time how long she can keep that up.

STEFFI GRAF: That's true.

STEFFI GRAF: There will be three exhibitions and one charity event. I play in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Ecuador.

STEFFI GRAF: Guayaquil.

STEFFI GRAF: Yes, I heard.

STEFFI GRAF: Actually, that doesn't worry-- I don't put my soul in that at all right now. What I will concentrate on next few weeks is to get healthy, to get injury free and I'm going to work very hard to be ready for next year and hopefully I'm not going to have as much injuries. And that's all I really care in the moment. I think my body is the most important thing and I'll have to treat it that way.

STEFFI GRAF: One will be with Laura Gildemeister and the other three there with Jana Novotna.

STEFFI GRAF: It was going to bring me a skirt-- just asked her to bring me another skirt, that is all.

STEFFI GRAF: Sorry?

STEFFI GRAF: I don't think that happens very often to me.

STEFFI GRAF: Possibly. Why, do you want me to come to the thing again? You have the juniors tournament on again?

STEFFI GRAF: Okay, I'll see what I can do.

STEFFI GRAF: I needed to be more aggressive and I didn't serve that well and so I was trying to concentrate a little better on my serve and I needed to step into the balls. I didn't move as well in the third as I wanted to and I felt I needed to get going and step into my shots and to play a little more to her forehand and-- that paid off. I mean, once again, the fourth set I had a lot more control over the points. I mean, I went for my forehands which worked well today and that's all I was thinking about at the moment.