THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 24, 1998

Anna Kournikova

Q. Anna, good match. Did you expect that? Did you expect it to be done so quick?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I played Conchita last week in Indian Wells, so I was really -- I knew what I had to do to win. I think I did it pretty well. I'm really glad the way I played. I basically did everything my coach and I decided to do, so I'm very happy about that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, yeah. This tournament has always been a big influence on my tennis, even last year or the years I came here before. It's always a special tournament, it's in Florida. But, of course, now that I've beaten top players here, it's even more special.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think I'm used to that. I think it's always been that way.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: You should ask them.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I played her in Sydney, in the beginning of the year. It was three sets. She's obviously playing well right now. I'm playing not too bad. We'll see what's going to happen. I'm going to try to do my best, of course, as always, see what happens.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think I was much more patient. I didn't try to go for winners right away. I did go for winners and they all went in. Unlike Indian Wells, I went for winners and they all went out. I think I had a little bit more control. Of course, I had good confidence by beating Monica yesterday. That helped me a little bit also. When I played her at Indian Wells, it was first time. I didn't really know how to play her or anything. This time I was really prepared. I knew what I had to do.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, I think so. But I'm already there. I mean, this last -- since the beginning of the year, I played a lot of tough matches. The reason I won those I think because I was patient. I think I've already, you know, got that experience that I needed. Right now I just have to keep on playing, you know, not stop what I have done, not to stop what I have done, just to continue doing the same things.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, for sure, it's one of the most important, strongest part of my game. I mean, at least I hope so. I'm really an aggressive player, like you probably know. Every time I come to the net, you know, I try to come to the net every time, as much as possible. I feel great at the net. I think that I can make all the shots over there.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Especially on this kind of surface. For me, I think it's great. I really like to play volleys. I like to play an exciting game. You know, for sure, it helps me a lot.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, not really. Of course, I want to be as high as possible. It all comes the way you play. I'm just concentrating on the way I play right now. Depends on how I play, there will be my ranking.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, like I said, I think -- like you saw, playing pretty well right now. If I continue to play this way, I think I'll be able to do that. I played a lot of tournaments since the beginning of the year. You know, I have to just really try to maintain physically, you know, healthy and stuff like that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think we are. I mean, every period of time has its new generation coming, so it's not a surprise that some young players -- the players that have been playing, they can't play forever, right? Every time there's somebody new coming, it's not a surprise. A couple years ago, ten years ago Monica was coming, Steffi was young, everybody. Just right now happened that I think right away, like four or five players, young. Before, it was maybe two or three players. Right now there's like four and five, so that's why probably it's such a big deal.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: What is it about?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: What's the question?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: You should ask him. What do I have to do with this?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I haven't talked to him in a long time.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: -- age eligibility rule?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think it was no benefit for me. I mean, everybody sees that I'm ready to play. I mean, I think I could have done -- my ranking for sure would be much better right now than it is if I would play more last year. I think that I would get much more experience earlier, it would be much better for me. But, you know, I can't change anything, so I'll just have to go from here.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: When? I still can't play as much as I want.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: That puts much more pressure on me. Every time out there, I have to do well, because I have a limit of tournaments.