U.S. OPEN

September 5, 1993

Steffi Graf

STEFFI GRAF: Obviously, it didn't. Usually I play pretty well when I have an injury, but normally I don't make it a habit.

STEFFI GRAF: It was end of my practice first, I hit a hot shot ball was coming toward me; tried to get away and I hit my knee with the racket and I kept playing points and then I started -- I hit a forehand and I twisted my knee; that is when I suddenly had a lot of pain, so I just stopped right away from there and saw the doctor.

STEFFI GRAF: I played so much better. I think she didn't play the first few games. I mean, I think she was a little bit nervous in the beginning and she made a few errors and then from then on, I just dominated the points real easily.

STEFFI GRAF: That was difficult for her today. I mean, she -- I think-- once I think it was 4-1 or 5-1 in the first set; she didn't really know what to do, because whatever she did, I mean I played faster; then I moved well around the court. She didn't really have anything that she -- had a chance on trying to go for it. Then she tried a few higher ones. I mean, I just went for every shot and it just worked today. I took her first serves and I played very deep and with a lot of pace. It was difficult for her to just doing something.

STEFFI GRAF: I don't think they could have played much better. There were rarely any mistakes. I mean, it wasn't a game that I just waited for the right point. I mean, I just went for it right from the beginning, my serve was fine. My return, I mean, there is nothing I really could criticize. For that stage, I played great.

STEFFI GRAF: Well, you don't play like that everyday. I mean, you got to treasure these moments. It is -- like I said, five weeks ago we had a close match, a lot of close games. It just happens; one day you play great. Next day you don't play as well. You can't really--

STEFFI GRAF: Fine.

STEFFI GRAF: Very. Actually- - I didn't, I mean from the beginning I didn't really know what to expect. I mean, I took a lot of painkillers. It will be all right. But probably -- I played a few points or I practiced a couple of minutes before the match and it helped me a little bit because before it really hurt when I stepped on it, and plus with the knee brace, it felt pretty good and I think it was great that I played a few minutes before to just make sure that I would be confident and know that it is possible to play on it.

STEFFI GRAF: Definitely. She has the shots. She plays them extremely fast and her body is perfect for tennis, actually. I mean, physically she can't be in better shape. I think she knows that for herself. For her service motion and the way she plays, she kind of has it, really. She will need awhile to play the points maybe a little bit better, but I think she definitely has the talent for it.

STEFFI GRAF: Probably was tough to her get into the tournament but I think it helped in a way. It helped her just to concentrate on tennis and to be in a tournament and to have matches and enjoy it. I think she really enjoyed herself. So I think in a way that helps to play a tournament.

STEFFI GRAF: No, not at all. No, I mean, I know that people were would be more for her today and I knew that -- I would sense more that she would be more without pressure today. I thought everybody was expecting a lot from me, rather than from her, so I was surprised that she was a little bit nervous at the beginning.