THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 25, 1998

Anna Kournikova

VERONIQUE MARCHAL: Questions for Anna.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: In terms of ranking, yes, of course. But I received much more joy beating Monica.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I was just glad that the second set was over, it was off my shoulders. Just started thinking what was happening. At the end of the second set, I was already, "Okay, I have to get ready." I was already thinking about the third set. I didn't really concentrate at the end of the second set. I was glad it was over.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think I've been working very hard. I had a very tough draw here, playing Lucic, Monica, Davenport. I always play better against better players. I was working really hard, practicing since Indian Wells. I think it pays off.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think I'm getting sure confidence by beating No. 2 in the world.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I still have to play somebody else before her. I'm just looking to my next match.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I mean, I think I lost most of the last year in time. I was not able to play. I can't change it now, so I have to start from where I am and prove one more time to everyone that I'm still a good player, even that I wasn't able to play. Even with eight tournaments, I was ranked No. 25 in the world.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: The victories that I had might tell you something. So I don't think about that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, for sure probably make her move. I mean, you can't avoid anybody's best shot, if they have a best shot. You have to find the weakness.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Of course. I mean, they're not the fastest player on the Tour, so I try to use that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think it's always been happening. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could be able to change that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No. If I would be impatient, I think I would already quit or something. I mean, I had so much pressure by not playing, because I was not playing. I still had to do well. I've learned to take it a step at a time. Even now, I hope I'm going to continue playing, but I'm going to take it easy, a step at a time.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I would say so. I played great tennis at Wimbledon, but right now I'm much smarter. I mean, I got much more experience since then. Every time on the court, even if I'm losing, even in the second set, I stop, think about it, started doing new stuff. Right now it's all just mentally probably, because physically, the way of making shots, I could do anything probably.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I don't think she showed any emotions today. Maybe once. But I don't recall that she was -- I think I was showing emotions.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No. I was focusing pretty well. Focusing on the way I played. I always try to do that. Like I said, you can never change the other way players play, you can only change the way you're playing.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, probably. I try to use the wind. I think I did it well. For me, you know, it was hard. Of course, it was really hard to serve. When you toss the ball, it was going different directions. But I think I used the wind pretty well.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I'm not definitely the hardest player. I think there are a couple girls that hit harder, bigger than I am. But I don't just try to hit hard the ball. I try to play the point, use my head to win the point. I mean, physically I understand that I'm not the biggest one, right? So I don't try to hit it harder than somebody.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: He's got a lot of experience, so he helped me a lot mentally. It's great to have somebody every day with you on the road, on the tournaments, talking before the match, after the match. He's done, you know, a great job so far. I really like it.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Like I say, hasn't really changed my game. Like I said, I could probably do any shots I want. It's just everything is in my head. I have to prepare and learn how to win matches.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No. It was her serve, first of all. She was on serve. She served really good those two serves. I couldn't have done better. She served really well those two shots.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: For sure, I enjoy it really a lot. It's great to stay at home, when you're playing a tournament. Any court is a tennis court. I learn to play on tennis courts in Russia.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: A couple of months ago.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I basically practice at the tournaments because I've been on the road since the first of January.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes. In Russia and here in Miami Beach.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Uh-huh.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: For sure. Right now I'm basically even working on my groundies; I'm just working on my all-around game, serves, volleys, returns. I've been always, you know -- I've always liked to volley. Just continue to do that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: For sure. Especially on this surface, it's very helpful to me. I feel great at the net. I feel like I could do any volley I want, you know.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I just have to get set with my serve, you know, and then probably that's the only thing.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Oh, I have to go play doubles (laughter). I'm relaxing playing doubles.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Right now -- what time is it now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: By the time I start playing doubles, it will be six. By the time I'm done, it will be eight. By the time I get home, I'll go to bed.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I've been originally coming from Florida, you could say. I've been there since I was nine. Originally, I practice much more on hardcourts. I like to play any surface because you can do so many different things on each surface.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes. I am playing all the European tournaments.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I don't know. I don't know what to answer. I mean, right now I'm only thinking about my tennis. I'm not like reading anything. I don't know about that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I enjoy playing doubles, first of all. It's a lot of fun. I have a great partner. It's also a little training. So all things. I've always played doubles; since I was playing juniors, I've always played doubles.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I played both of them. They're going to have a tough match today, I think. We'll see. Whoever wins, I'll have to play them.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I mean, if I say I want to play Arantxa, Novotna will win. If I say I want to play Novotna, Arantxa will win.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Miami Beach.