PACIFIC LIFE OPEN

March 14, 2002

Daniela Hantuchova

MODERATOR: Questions for Daniela, please.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, today was pretty tough because Emmanuelle was playing well, and the conditions were a little bit harder because was quite windy. Especially in the first set, I didn't feel like I was hitting the ball that well, like I did the matches before. But then I was very happy that I changed the momentum and started to play much better in the second set. I put her under more pressure. I started to feel much better on the court.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, of course, because there was a little bit of pressure, because I knew that I have a big chance to win this match today and that I was playing a player that is ranked much lower than me. I was a little bit nervous at the beginning. But then I was just trying to play my tennis, to do the right things, and it worked.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Not really. I mean, even though I'm playing really good this week, every match is different. Especially, you know, first time semifinal in a major for me was very tough, especially mentally. But I'm very glad that I got through this match. I'm looking forward for the final.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I can't ask for more. It's so exciting for me, to be first time in the final and playing one of the best players in the world, you know, on a major tournament like this. I'm so happy just to be here. I'm enjoying every minute here.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I never played either of them. I mean, it's going to be pretty tough. I'm just so looking forward for the final. It's going to be exciting.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: No, not at all. I mean, I will just try to do my best no matter who is on the other side of the court. We see what happens.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah, of course. We going to talk with my coach, of course, about the player who I going to play, then we see.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Of course, in the final I'm not under pressure at all because I'm playing either Martina or Monica, one of the greatest players ever. I just going to enjoy it out there, try to do my best. I know I have a chance because I was playing really good the whole week. So I'm quite confident.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah, I think so, because they are the ones that will be under the pressure. That's right, they never played me. You know, I just can go out there and play my best. We see.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I would think that's a nice idea, but I would also think that's a lot of hard work. But maybe I would believe them. I'm glad that that happened.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah, of course, I watched her many times. She and Martina were one of my favorite players. I admire them for their game. It's just great to play against them.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Not at all because I think every player should have our own technique and our own style of play. That's what I'm trying to do, just to be myself on the court. I never try to be somebody else or something like that.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: The crowd was great during the whole tournament. I felt a lot of support from them. It's been great.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I talked to my mom already and my coach. Right now I'm going to talk to the rest of the family watching it at home.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: They will be.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, I think it's thing that belongs when you are getting better and better. It's just one part of the tennis that you have to also do these things. But I'm very exciting about it. I'm really enjoying it.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah, that match gave me already a lot of confidence because I knew I was very close to beat her. All of the matches I played with the top players gave me a lot of experience and confidence, too. Especially this tournament gave me a lot because finally I broke through those top players and I started to beat them.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: No, I never played her. Never.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Huh-uh, no.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I think this Tennis Garden here and beautiful weather and great golf courses.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I started little bit, hit some balls. Just little.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah. It's a nice way to relax.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I think there was a big difference in my head. I knew exactly what to do in the important times. I didn't know that before. I got more experience. I was trying to be more mature than I was with Venus. Maybe to be a little bit more patience in the important points. I was just believing all the time that I could win this match. My attitude was different than with Venus.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: That was really crazy. I mean, especially in this wind, you didn't know where it was going to finish, that ball. So was quite tough this shot, yeah. Was strange.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I think she played really good today. Was very tough because was semifinal. I knew I had big chance, so was a very tough match for me. I'm very glad that I got through.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Which one?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Well, I don't know what that was.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: It was actually quite a good idea to do it in that wind, but I didn't expect that.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Last year at the end of the year I wanted to be in the Top 20 by the end of the next year, and I'm already there. So now I have to set up next goal. I'm not like trying to be on a certain place on the ranking on a certain date. I'm just trying to always do my best and then see what happens.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah, this tournament has been unbelievable so far. Yeah, I think one of the best I ever had.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Of course. I mean, this is what I always wanted to do. Enjoying every second out there.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Not really. It's something that belongs to tennis, too. I understand that the people wants to know more about the players that they are watching, so I think that's normal.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yes, yes, a lot. Also during the night, yes. That was not nice.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Yeah.

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I'm going to do that.