US OPEN

September 4, 2001

Daja Bedanova

DAJA BEDANOVA: Monica was a really good match. Today Martina played really good, solid tennis. Wasn't on my best day. I didn't play as I wish I would. I wasn't on court with my mind. I wanted too much from myself, I guess.

DAJA BEDANOVA: When I first came on court, yeah, a little bit.

DAJA BEDANOVA: I mean, she was playing well. She played solid tennis, long tennis. She didn't miss too much. Well, it helped a little bit maybe.

DAJA BEDANOVA: I mean, yeah, maybe a little. I mean, I played really great matches in the last week. I played some good tennis. As I step on the court today, I didn't feel as well as I did in the past few days. Let's try the next one again.

DAJA BEDANOVA: Yeah, I practiced few times with her at her home in Trubbach. I was kind of 10 or 11 when I first met her.

DAJA BEDANOVA: My mom and my dad knew her mom. We were at her house practicing. We're friends, so it's nice.

DAJA BEDANOVA: If you practice with such a good player like Martina is and was, then of course you pick up some great things which you can use and learn when you practice at home then.

DAJA BEDANOVA: What do you mean?

DAJA BEDANOVA: Well, maybe was Martina. The whole presence, I didn't feel so comfortable as I did the past few matches. Nothing to say.

DAJA BEDANOVA: I mean, yeah, for sure was good experience to play Martina, No. 1 player, in a Grand Slam, in a quarterfinal. I mean, I for sure learned something for my next matches with her, with the top players in big tournaments. Yeah, I have to take it like I learn something.

DAJA BEDANOVA: Well, the line judges decide that, the way they saw the ball. I didn't think they did it on purpose. Maybe I saw a few times different way than like they decided it. Well, that's the game.

DAJA BEDANOVA: I mean, yeah, I had a great tournament. I played pretty good four matches. Against Monica, I played really good tennis. I served really well. I mean, coming to this match, I just lost (two/too?) my serve. I served pretty well. I mean, was a great experience. I take it as a good tournament although.

DAJA BEDANOVA: Yeah, that too (smiling).

DAJA BEDANOVA: I guess my whole game let a little bit down today. I wasn't serving that well. My arm was a little bit slow. Well, I had not a good day. But Martina played well. She didn't give me anything, so...

DAJA BEDANOVA: A little bit rest maybe. Going home. Then the whole tournaments indoor, European tournaments, starting with Leipzig.

DAJA BEDANOVA: My dad was training there, so we moved because of his job to Germany.

DAJA BEDANOVA: Tennis trainer.

DAJA BEDANOVA: Yeah.

DAJA BEDANOVA: What I prefer, hard or clay?

DAJA BEDANOVA: Yeah, it's I think hard. I like to play on hard courts. It's faster. Can play better tennis, I think. It's better for me. I like it more.