PILOT PEN TENNIS

August 25, 2000

Amanda Coetzer

Q. (Inaudible)?

AMANDA COETZER: As to what, difference between winning and losing? I think obviously the main thing is the serve. I felt pretty competitive off the ground today. It's just, you know, the first couple shots of each rally she's so good at. She serves a great serve, and she sets herself up for the next shot. She normally gets an easy return, if it's not a winner. Yeah, I think that was the main thing. I felt pretty good on my service games this evening, I didn't feel like I got hurt that much. I would say just the difference is 115 mile-an-hour first serve and about a 78 mile-an-hour first serve.

AMANDA COETZER: I felt pretty competitive. I felt it was -- you know, I felt I had a few opportunities, definitely a little easier than when I played in San Diego. She gave me a few more opportunities this evening.

AMANDA COETZER: Yeah, I mean, she hits the ball so close to the lines, but then, on the other hand, you know, if you just drop the ball a little bit short, point's basically over. You know, if you just give a little bit of an opportunity, there's not a lot you can do about it.

AMANDA COETZER: I think that's just a couple shots, especially in the first set. I felt like I made a few errors. I think I probably had more opportunities first set than I did in the second. It was 6-3 in the first, just because I felt like I changed my game little bit. I was overreacting a little bit instead of trying to stay in the point. I tried to go for a shot really early on, because she rushes you.

AMANDA COETZER: I think Monica can put more pressure on her with her serve, and also Monica has a great return. And you know, I think Monica has the ability to put pressure on her opponent right off the first shot, which is not really my game, and I think that's what hurt me tonight. My game is more to work my way into the point. I think that will help Monica, if she can really put Venus under pressure early on in the rally.

AMANDA COETZER: The fact is that was a first match after a long lay off, also on clay. So you have a little more time. I just remember, you know, I was able to stay in the point a little longer with her. Even tonight I felt whenever I was in the point, if I can get past those first three shots, you know, I felt competitive. So that's the difference.