US OPEN

August 27, 2002

Martina Hingis

MODERATOR: Questions, please.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, obviously, you know, in a way I can be happy, too, to still be in the tournament. In a way I had to close out this match two times. You know, I never played this girl before. I mean, she's been around. I watched her play. She has beaten some great players. She had a good season so far. But, you know, when you're like rolling, physically I feel like I've had a few matches since I've been back which I wasn't able to close out. But, you know, I did it today, so I'm playing Thursday next match (smiling).

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, you know, it's like physically you have those ups and downs. Mentally, you know, when you're physically not up to it, you just tend to tighten up. I was real nervous when I walked on the court and the first few, you know, points and games, then I started feeling better. When she was up 3-2 after that, I kind of rolled and cruised through the first set until 2-0, 4-1. Them I'm like, "Okay, been here, done that before." I'm just like at this point -- all I can say, I'm happy to win the last point.

MARTINA HINGIS: You know what, I was nervous there, as well. You know, it's just there was the beginning of the season for everybody. This time it's like everybody's been playing without me for the last three, four months. It's just more difficult. Hard courts, as well. Rebound is a bit slower. You know, it's not like I feel I'm not there; it's just like really to make the next step. I'm happy I did it today, you know.

MARTINA HINGIS: In a way, you know what, at 4-1 I changed racquets for my serve. New balls. I thought maybe next game, I'll go ahead. You can't do that, not at this kind of level. The first two serves were like in the bottom of the net with the new racquet. I'm like, "Oh, my God." I knew it was going to happen almost before I hit the ball. You can't afford those mistakes. Two games later they switched the balls. It was already 4-3. It was getting closer.

MARTINA HINGIS: Players like her, at that point you have nothing to lose anymore. You know, she was getting back. I gave her the confidence a little bit to come back in the match. You know, I wasn't feeling the greatest at that point. You know, it's just like until that point, I was like giving her the opportunities to miss, then do something by myself. I was too defensive. But I was happy to be able to step it up again in the third set and just kind of change the game plan.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, it's like two surgeries in the last 10 months. It's not easy for nobody. You know, Lindsay, it took her nine months. She's playing great right now. She's slimmed down, moving well. But her, she's still got the serve. I still have to use my feet and anticipation. You know, it's like slowly but surely. Hopefully I'll get it back, you know.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, as a woman I think it's just natural instinct, I guess. Every time you go out there, you're afraid to lose. I don't know. Only if you really feel confident, like you've beaten that player many times, so you know that you're 100%, that you're going to win. That happens very few times, I guess, these days.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, but you have a little different mentality when you're 15, 16 years old than when you're almost 22, won a few Grand Slams, been No. 1. It's a little different walk-on.

MARTINA HINGIS: I pretty much know where I'm at, I think. It's just a matter of not giving up, just playing matches. This is like pure will, you know, getting through today's match, being still in the tournament. I feel like, you know, until a certain stage, I'm really competitive with the girls. I mean, that's not the problem. It's not the power or anything. It's just like physically at this point.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, strength, strength-wise.

MARTINA HINGIS: (Shaking head negatively.)

MARTINA HINGIS: The girls, physically, they worked on themselves. Montreal you had a gym, and everybody was working out before, after the match. It gives you motivation. It's a challenge. You have to do it yourself. It's gotten so much more professional.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yes (laughter).

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, you obviously know the feel of how to win matches, Grand Slams. I think at that stage, when you've been there, it's the most important to me being able to beat anybody who you face on the other side. It's like if I go out there, play the Williamses, if I'm at the best, I want to have the feeling that I have the chance to win.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, you know, I might as well change everything. My feet are changed for the better, new outfit, new racquet. It all changed. It gives me a little bit more power. I feel like the ball flies deeper. Of course, I have to work on myself to take advantage of the racquet, too.

MARTINA HINGIS: It's great, you know. She came back, made the finals right away, won Eastbourne, only lost to the sisters pretty much at both Grand Slams I think. You know, the first time she struggled a little bit more when she had the surgery. She kind of fell back. But this time, I think the older you are, the smarter you get, you know, more balance with your life.

MARTINA HINGIS: I don't know. I don't think so. Serena hasn't played in a long time. Chanda can play great tennis. Everyone knows that.

MARTINA HINGIS: In one way, yes; the other way, no. I know my game for this tournament probably isn't right there where it's supposed to be. It's like it's there with playing two tournaments. You know, I still got a day to recover tomorrow. Then the next opponent, it's not like somebody who's going to shoot me off the court. Hopefully if I get through the next two, three rounds, whatever, it's going to help me to just get physically where I want to be, and just see. One match after another.

MARTINA HINGIS: You know, it's like I feel like I'm improving every day. Even like my doctors here, we were doing strengthening exercises and things for rehab and everything. Right now I know that two weeks ago I wasn't as good as I am today. That's probably why I won today's match at the end. Right now, I'm still only going to be 22 (laughter). It's not like my body is shattered for my life. Hopefully not.

MARTINA HINGIS: When I played Montreal, I didn't know at all. Now I know I'm there; it's just a matter of playing the matches and really feeling comfortable and confident out there, too, to win them as well. You know, this kind of streak of tournaments, it's just like I have one month to get better, in shape and everything for the indoor season, as well. That's why I'm not worried about how I'm going to finish up. That's a different way of thinking.

MARTINA HINGIS: You know, you've got time. It's like life is ahead of me. When I was 15, 16, I thought, "Everything is going to happen tomorrow, the next day." Right now I know nothing's going to run away from me. I still have plenty of time to do a lot of things.

MARTINA HINGIS: Ask my doctor (laughter).