US OPEN

August 31, 2004

Anastasia Myskina

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yeah, the score was like really easy, but the game I guess was like not really easy because I know that if you give her little chance that she can take, you know, and play her game. But I was happy with the way I start. That's really good.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Oh, yeah, I mean, I do feel different, you know. I start to be more professional I guess on the court and enjoy more tennis right now and enjoy life. Yeah, the crowd really support me now, more support. People recognize me more right now. It's really nice. I mean, I'm really happy right now.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: First question I can answer. Williams really dominated, they were No. 1 and 2 in the world. Nobody can compare with them. But right now I think first of all the tennis improve a lot, the girls improving tennis. They practice hard. They start believing them self that, first of all, they can play against them, and second that they can win. I guess that's the key why everybody start playing better against them. Yeah, I believe that Serena and Venus can come back. I mean, right now, I don't know, Serena not Top 10 or whatever.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: But she will be back for sure because I think she's hungry and I think for sure she wants to be No. 1 again. Push her practice and play much better, for sure. About the Russians, I guess we have good competition between us, you know, like we playing a lot of tournaments against each other. You know, for me I know behind my back so many good girls, and I want to be No. 1 in Russia. It push me practice and play better. For them, they wants to be ahead of me so it push them to play better.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Who is the favorite here?

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: American, for sure. But all girls playing right now good. Like Amelie playing unbelievable. Lindsay played really well. She played four tournaments, and she won four of them. Serena playing really good first match. So I think it's going to be good competition and good tennis this week.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: She playing really well. So I think, yeah, why not. She believe in herself. She fit. I hope she fit. She playing really well. But, of course, she can win.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: I don't know that. You should ask them, not me. But we have a good course. Maybe it's a little bit harder for them to compete with the top players. I know they practicing pretty hard, but maybe not the time right now for them. More coming for sure.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: I don't know. For me, not really because I was really young back at that time, and I didn't really think that I will be -- it's going to be my job. I think maybe Anna, she shows that, first of all, we can be one of the best tennis players. I don't know, the money not -- for me, it's not in the first place. For me, was more to win. I would just like to win. That's it.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not sure. I can't really comment that. But, you know, every year somebody was playing good or bad. Every year something happen tennis. That's how tennis become popular. First Natasha, then Olympic, then Anna. Now, I don't know, hundred Russians playing good. You know, that helping to popularize.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yeah, and also men's. Yevgeny, gold medal. Marat, when he won US Open 2000, that's small steps, but really helps.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yes, he bring a lot of money I guess to tennis. He bring sponsors. He love to play tennis. A lot of rich people start playing tennis, as well. Big tournament in Russia, Fed Cup in Russia. Yeah, you know, lot of money right now around the tennis.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yeah. Just, you know, I understood before when you were playing, you were like 50 or 60. You was always under pressure because, I mean, you don't want to be in the middle of hundred, you want to be the best or you don't want to do this at all. And I was really sad because I tried really hard, but nothing was working. And right now, my life really going well. You know, I'm playing tennis really well. Everything really good. That's why I'm enjoy.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Russians, yes, yes.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yeah. Right now, yes. I mean, because we have sports channel, and the tennis really popular. Show almost every tournament. People recognize us in the street. We have commercial with Russian tennis players. I think it really goes well right now.

ANASTASIA MYSKINA: Yes, I mean, really, really good. I have a lot of friends traveling with you. It's not that boring. So you can speak the same language, you can go out together. I think it's nice.