US OPEN

August 27, 2003

Daniela Hantuchova

MODERATOR: Questions for Daniela, please.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah, exactly. Was very difficult for me at the end of the second set because she started to play very strange tennis, something that I haven't been used to for a couple of years. I think last time I play against somebody like that was maybe when I was 12. So it was very strange, but, I mean, still, I think I should have, you know, shouldn't have been in that situation at all; should have won much easier. But, you know, in the first set I think I played well and I was really pleased the way things were going. Then I just start -- stop to play my proper game and that's where I got into trouble little bit. But then I fought my way back, and I'm really glad that I got through in two sets.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: You know, I just felt like I should have been already out of the court much earlier. And because I started to do more mistakes, I felt like, you know, I was giving her another chance. I just, you know, I just wanted to finish it as soon as I could. And maybe at times I got really tight and that's why I made it so difficult at the end.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I mean, it took me by surprise because I haven't seen many girls doing that, that's for sure. But, you know, I mean, it was, as I said, very, very strange. But I just try to, you know, to stay focused on my game and try to do my things the best way I could. And I'm really glad how I got on top of her at the beginning of the tiebreaker and then that I won in two sets.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I was not angry on her. I mean, I was a little bit angry with myself that, you know, I haven't finished the match in an easier way. And, in a way, it started to remind me little bit of my Wimbledon match where I was 6-love up and then I just screwed the things up. That's why I got little bit tight, because I suddenly had that feeling again. I just wanted to finish this match in two sets, no matter how difficult it was going to get. I'm really glad that I did it.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I think it's something that I already got used to. And I think I'm trying to prove it with my results and with my tennis racquet that, you know, tennis remains for me the No. 1 priority. But at the same time I understand that when people come to watch our matches, they don't only want to see us as tennis players but they are also interested in many other ways in what we do off the court. I think that's what makes women's tennis so interesting, that you've got many different personalties not only on the court but off the court at the moment. I think it's great for today's tennis.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I mean, I've been working really hard for the last couple of months and trying to get to my proper shape. I'm really pleased the way things has been going in the last few days, and I'm really happy with the way I'm hitting the ball. So I just hope to continue on the same way.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I mean, I've been working hard before that already. So I wouldn't say that that match has changed something in my physical preparation or something. I think more than anything else, the match at Wimbledon really hurt me. Since that time I just try to work as hard as I possibly could and try to be prepared not only, you know, technically but also physically and mentally as good as I can be.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: No, I mean, I'm still doing the same kinds of things - working even harder I would say. And trying to have a good balance and also rest a little bit more. And, you know, most important thing is to have fun on the court, which I really do at the moment.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, I'm trying to work really hard mentally as well and trying to make sure that I'm ready for the things that might happen on the court before they already happen, so... And trying to learn from the mistakes I have made in the past.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, I played Tamarine once already in Sydney this year. It was a very tough first set, but I won in two sets. I'm really looking forward for this match. She's a great player. She has been on the tour for many years, so she definitely knows the game. She has beat Patty Schnyder, so she must be playing good. I'm expecting a tough match, and I will try to do my best.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, definitely the draw is wide open this year. I will try, for sure, to do my best to get as far as I can. But I'm trying not to look too far ahead of myself and just, you know, take it match by match and try to do my best on the day and see what happens this year.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Actually, I just try to think about the next point because that's what really matters, and just to be focused on the next ball and give my best. And, yes, if I start to think about, you know, the past, I just try to stay calm and think about what's happening now in the present.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Not at all. I think women's tennis at the moment is such a high level. Any tournament can win almost anyone. You've got so many great players, so it's very tough. Even though the Williams sisters are not here, the draw is still strong. I think it will be very interesting this year. Personally, myself, I will do my best to get as far as I can, so we'll see.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, I mean, at the moment, I think they really deserve to be the No. 1 seed and number second for what they have done in the last couple of months. You know, Kim deserves -- really deserves to be No. 1. Justine has won her first Grand Slam. So they are the two players to beat, and it will be very tough against them. But you've got Jennifer here that has won already a few Grand Slams, Lindsay Davenport, Amelie. So there are many other great players, too, so it's very hard to say.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, I'm just trying to sometimes take it little bit easier maybe, because maybe before I used to train too much. And at the moment, I think I really got the balance right and I feel great.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, I think there has been many questions already about it, so...