US OPEN

August 31, 2001

Justine Henin

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

JUSTINE HENIN: It will be the first time. I don't know her very well. I play Venus three times already but never Serena. I think it's a different game from Venus because Venus can move, I think, a lot better than Serena. But she's stronger so she can play very fast. And, you know, she's a tough player. In the Top 10 everybody can beat everybody. So it will be a close match and we will see what's gonna happen. Because I don't know her very well.

JUSTINE HENIN: Mentally I have to think that I can beat her for sure. I have to think that I can be strong also, that I can beat her. I am good player. I played well this year. So I have many chances in this match for sure. So mentally, I think maybe that will be the key. Not physically. I think I'm okay now, and I like to play against the strong players, so it's not a problem for me. So I think in the head I will have to think that I can win this match.

JUSTINE HENIN: For sure.

JUSTINE HENIN: For sure. Yes, for sure.

JUSTINE HENIN: Yeah.

JUSTINE HENIN: I said she's a great champion also. And, you know, she has a lot of experience here, especially here in the US Open because she won two years ago. So for sure it will be difficult match, but I go on the court to win. If not, I stay in the hotel.

JUSTINE HENIN: No. No, because I think when I will have to play against Serena, it's a top player. She's in the Top 10. I will have the concentration that I will need to play a good match. So, you know, today was a little bit difficult because I played a tough match two days ago. And today was a lot different. I think that in two days I will be okay to play a good match.

JUSTINE HENIN: Yeah, for sure.

JUSTINE HENIN: It's not a problem for me. I don't mind about that. She's American, she will play with her fans here. But, okay, when I play in maybe in the French Open, I have the fans with me. So it's okay.

JUSTINE HENIN: Sometimes it's difficult. It's a lot different from Wimbledon or the French Open. You know, different crowd. But I think, "Okay, it's American. It's one time in the year, so that's okay."

JUSTINE HENIN: You know, like I said, everybody can beat everybody in the Top 10. So I never thought about that, because maybe in the ranking I am the favorite, but I think for the court she will be the favorite. So, no, we would be two persons on the court just to win the match and that will be the best important.