US OPEN

September 1, 1997

Lindsay Davenport

Q. Lindsay, did you prepare for this event differently than you have for past Slams?

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: It turned out to be very differently. You know, I played almost every week this summer, playing tournaments. I played Stanford, Los Angeles, Canada, Atlanta coming in here. You know, normally I don't play that many tournaments. I did not play doubles in most of those events. You know, I just played a lot of matches coming in here. I think the only way to really build your confidence is to play matches and to win them. That's fortunately what I was able to do this summer. I think it's paid off here.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I guess. I think every time I've been in the quarterfinals before, you know, I've never really been in the match. Graf killed me once. Conchita beat me at Wimbledon actually 6-3 in the third. I was never up. I was down 5-2 and lost. Conchita killed me at the French. I've never really been in the match. I think this time with Novotna I'm going in with a bit of confidence, beaten her twice, haven't lost to her. I'm playing well. You know, hopefully it's a good match-up for me.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: No, I don't think so. I mean, I haven't been there in two years now. So before it was, you know, a lot different. I think I was younger. I don't think so. Not in the past matches, not yet.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think maybe coming into the net a little bit more, taking a few balls and hitting them and coming in, making the girl pass me, being able to go for my shots at certain times during a match. You know, serving, couple times serving and volleying and serving well, really forcing the issue.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I'm sorry?

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, I think I was extremely aggressive from the beginning. I was able to win the first set very quickly, very well. You know, I felt good out there. It was very humid, no wind. I felt very loose, very warm. I was able to take her balls on the rise and really hit the ball well today. It's one of those feelings you get sometimes. You know, I definitely played some really good tennis today. This is my best match I've played here so far.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Definitely. My coach slices a lot of backhands. I've definitely learned how to cope with a slice backhand. You don't really get a lot in Juniors. When I first came on the Pro Tour, it was very hard to adjust to that kind of spin and speed. I've gotten used to that. You know, that's what I'm going to have to do. I'm going to have to attack her backhand, attack her, make her pass me so I'm not passing her all day.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: It's kind of weird. You have to kind of -- for me, because I don't slice, I have to change the direction of the ball and the spin. The ball is coming this way, I need to take it and go this way with it (indicating). It's a little bit timing and it's aim. I've learned you have to aim higher over the net with a lot more spin. You can't hit those balls hard and flat. You just get it in until she hits one shorter or a little higher.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think it's different from in the past with Mary Joe. I mean, we were best friends off the court. So it was always tough to play her. Jana and I get on well on the court, good friends, but there's no personal relationship off the court. I don't think it's difficult in that way at all.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I said I felt in the past.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: In the past couple years, you know, you always hear, "Well, are you ready to win a Grand Slam? When is the next American-born player going to win?" A lot of it, you know, I let maybe the talk get to me a little bit. Last year, you know, coming off the gold medal, I definitely felt like I should do well here and I could do well. You know, this year, I've come in this Open with a lot less fanfare, even though I'm playing my best tennis. I've had a great summer, just been kind of playing. I haven't been bothered with a lot of attention, I should say. I've been able to go out and play.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Just being aggressive with her. I don't think she really likes it when she's not in control of the point. You know, she can be -- she makes some shots out there, you're just, "Wow." When she's not controlling the point, I don't think she likes that as much. I was just trying from the start to attack her. We've had tough matches in the past. Six times three and three in all three sets. I have some confidence playing her.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, it just hasn't come up, I guess, this year. Everyone is saying, "Martina and Monica." Even Novotna, I don't think, has received a lot of attention. I think it's just been a quiet year.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think she's got the best hands in women's tennis right now for sure, I don't know, ever. You know, I noticed a couple times I hit balls extremely hard this far from the baseline (indicating), she just kind of half volleys them; the ball goes back for an offensive shot almost. Not many girls can do that and handle the power. You have to get her running. If she's playing her best, it's going to be tough for anyone to beat her. You really have to not let her take control, and overpower her, I think.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Since January.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, since February.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: She's definitely going to get stronger. That's what's a little bit scary. She has all these shots now. But the older she gets, she'll get more power. This summer, I hadn't played her in about seven months, her serve was much stronger than seven months before. So I definitely think she's gotten stronger.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think this is the first time that I've never really thought about it. In my mind, I know I'm playing my best tennis. I think I'm a lot more of a different player than before. But I just haven't been worried about it as much, I guess. "Oh, I've got to do well here." I haven't worried about it. Just concentrated on who I'm playing. Definitely, I think I'm in good shape to win it, you know, as I have been in the past.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I hope it helps. I definitely learned a lot playing with her. I know what she likes, what maybe her tendencies are. But singles is a little different than doubles. Singles you have such a bigger area to hit the court, you don't have two people covering it. We both know each other's game from watching each other play on TV, play other matches, playing doubles. It's going to come down to who ever is playing better and more aggressive.