STATE FARM EVERT CUP

March 12, 1998

Steffi Graf

Q. Tell us how your injury happened, Steffi?

STEFFI GRAF: Sudden movement. It just really was severe pain right away. I was hoping that it was something like a cramp, but it was too strong. I mean, I finished the game somehow. But, I mean, I knew that I probably strained something. Hopefully only a strain. I mean, I tried to continue, but there was no way. I couldn't move.

STEFFI GRAF: No, not at all. I mean, it was just a sudden move, I guess, that just happened. I mean, I have no idea. I've never had anything like that before. I guess I'm pretty much through everything.

STEFFI GRAF: Yeah. I mean -- yeah, obviously I'm really disappointed, kind of sad right now. Hopefully it's going to be a quick recovery, it's not too severe. I stopped early enough, so hopefully it's not going to take too long.

STEFFI GRAF: That's what I'm thinking right now. It's like, What else? Like I said, I mean, I think hopefully get everything out of it soon enough. It was such a good feeling to be playing well, the way things were happening. It was nice. Hopefully, I'll get to it soon.

STEFFI GRAF: Sorry?

STEFFI GRAF: Too much?

STEFFI GRAF: No, I don't think so. Again, I was pretty tight. I mean, I was tentative, especially in the first set. You know, I'm not very loose right now during my match. So maybe just because I'm a little tight and nervous at times, I'm just not loose enough. I guess that's a little bit the key to it.

STEFFI GRAF: Yeah. I mean, that's -- it's difficult to look at it right now. I mean, obviously, I'm worried about the injury. But, you know, either way, the outcome tonight, I was very happy about the way things were happening, and hopefully I can keep up with that.

STEFFI GRAF: The minute it happened, I knew. I mean, the second it happened, I was like, "Oops." I mean, you always -- I mean, I always try. I almost made the game. I almost had a chance. But just standing there, I was scared I would worsen it. It just wasn't possible to stay.

STEFFI GRAF: It depends how severe it is. Usually, if it's a strain, they say it's one or two weeks. So I think it's going to be cutting it close. Going to have to see how it's going to go.

STEFFI GRAF: I didn't feel it was very high level. I think it was a good match, but I don't think it was a high level. I think there were too many errors in the match to really to be at the top level. I mean, it was close, but I just don't think it was at that kind of level.

STEFFI GRAF: Much further than I expected, again, if I'm just more used to playing again. And today, like in the first set, I had so many chances, I just didn't really -- you know, I just didn't really follow through playing the right points at the right time. My forehand was a little bit shaky. So I guess, you know, once I start believing that I can do it, and I think soon that will happen, because maybe I just didn't believe too much in myself yet. But as I was playing, I mean, yeah, I feel -- I mean, I was ahead of time.

STEFFI GRAF: Probably not very different, no.

STEFFI GRAF: Well, this one I haven't had before. I think there are a couple left (laughter). That's the scary thing about it.

STEFFI GRAF: Yeah. Even though I felt I was pretty tight out there, I still enjoyed it. You know, I tried hard. It was good. I mean, it was a close match. Yeah, I mean, I did enjoy myself a lot.