TENNIS MASTERS SERIES - ROMA

May 16, 2002

Silvia Farina Elia

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Silvia.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: I think I let go at the beginning of the second set. On my service game, we were 40-15, and she broke me. The whole match changed. She played better than usual. I won the first, and then she became more aggressive.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: I regret this - not having been consistent in the second and having allowed her to become more confident.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Yes, but that's normal when your opponent plays aggressive. You can expect that, and also shots which can go out wide. But it was difficult for me to keep my serve, and she held her serve easily. So it was difficult for me to break her. I was always on the defense.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Well, you know, we had a long match and we had these long rallies. We ran a lot. I was a little bit tired, but maybe mentally.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: No, not at all.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: It was not easy, because she served so well. When it was me serving, I had problems with my second serve. She was aggressive right away, so I was always defending.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Well, you know, I'll have to watch the tape of the match. But, anyhow, I think we're talking about a few points.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: She played very well, and maybe I expected her to make more mistakes. I felt a little bit of tension. I let her play well, and she was very consistent - especially in the end. She was still going for the shots.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Well, I know her. And when I try to slow down, she knows it and she's even more aggressive. She doesn't even wait for the ball to bounce. At first, I was using my slice, but then I stopped. And I know that if I'm playing defensively, I try to be more aggressive. But I know. You're right. Maybe I should have tried.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Well, you know, we're not often at home. But sometimes we practice together, especially in the winter. This year we practiced before the Australian Open.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Yes, of course. It was very helpful. But on the other hand, when things are going wrong, I could feel that they were disappointed. It was like being a lion in the arena and being totally alone in the dark.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: No, I'm playing Strasbourg, defending champion. I just will try to keep on playing like this and try to learn this lesson, not to make the same mistakes again.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Yes, yes.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Yes, it is less than hers. Mine is 25, 24.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: No, it isn't, because the system has changed and you gain more points in Grand Slams as of quarterfinals, and you gain less in smaller tournaments in the first rounds. But, well, it's fine.

SILVIA FARINA ELIA: Well, no, would have been no big difference because Mauresmo was there, too. But it would have been much better. That's obvious.