US OPEN

August 27, 2001

Laura Granville

LAURA GRANVILLE: I mean, it was great. It was I think a very difficult experience because I haven't played on anything even close to the size of that stadium. But I think I just have to chalk it up to experience. I think it was just a great experience to be able to play on that court. You know, hopefully in the future I'll be more comfortable on it.

LAURA GRANVILLE: I think it's not even close. Taube Stadium I mean, they're just so different. I really couldn't think of anything that was similar.

LAURA GRANVILLE: No, it wasn't hard at all. Well, I always wanted to go to college. So two years ago I knew I was going to go to college. It wasn't even a decision. Last year, I thought about it a little. But I really wanted to stay and have another year. I was really enjoying it. So I think going into college, I always thought I would either stay two or four years. It really wasn't that difficult a decision.

LAURA GRANVILLE: I turned pro a couple months ago.

LAURA GRANVILLE: No, I don't.

LAURA GRANVILLE: I have two more years.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Actually, I didn't declare a major because I want to declare it when I go back. Leave it open.

LAURA GRANVILLE: No. I mean, I think it's not easy for anyone to start out. I've enjoyed the summer. You know, I've played a lot of challengers. I mean, there are no regrets. I think in two years, if I'm not enjoying it, there might be regrets. But right now, not at all.

LAURA GRANVILLE: I was in New Haven practicing.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Ashley Harkleroad actually did. She saw it first.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Actually, I didn't want to see the draw at first. I was just asking her who some of the players played. She kind of gave it away, so...

LAURA GRANVILLE: No. I really can't explain it. For some reason, I just wasn't comfortable out there. I just couldn't get any of my shots -- I couldn't get really a rhythm. I mean, there was no reason why. I mean, Martina played well. I just wasn't able to see the ball and get into a rhythm.

LAURA GRANVILLE: I thought I might just because I won the NCAAs, but I wasn't sure.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Actually, I think I heard about it maybe like when it came out, I think it was a week before the tournament. I really don't remember where I was.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Well, I mean, I know she hasn't played as many tournaments this summer. You know, it might not be. It's hard to say.

LAURA GRANVILLE: I mean, it's just luck of the draw. Stanford players didn't get very lucky this year. You know, hopefully next year we'll get better draws.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Well, I think actually I just had a hard time getting to sleep. Otherwise, I think I'm just generally kind of tired from the whole summer. You know, I've been on the road for most of it. I don't think it was just last night's sleep.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Well, I think college tennis -- you know, I think it's good. Well, let me start over. I think college tennis is really good for someone as a person. I think I matured a lot over the two years. I really can't imagine playing the tour without it. But as to the tennis game, you know, I think it's probably better to go out there and play against the best players in the world. You know, college tennis is good for developing your game, but you're not playing against the best players. I would say it's probably better if -- it's a good decision if you want that time to mature as a person, and you just don't feel ready to go on the tour and make tennis your job.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Not that much, just because I've been playing a lot of tournaments and haven't had that much time to really train. But, you know, in college tennis, you do still play a lot of tennis. You play, you know, two hours a day, then you do fitness. I would say that I probably am playing a little bit more. You know, then again, it's hard to play and train really hard when you're playing tournaments. I mean, I think this fall, you know, I'll probably play more and train harder just because I have no other distractions.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Now?

LAURA GRANVILLE: Probably not. I'll probably go back whenever I decide to stop playing tennis.

LAURA GRANVILLE: I don't think it was that disappointing just because it's kind of overwhelming as it is. I mean, there was a decent amount of fans. But it's the first day. You know, it's early. It's like 11:00. I wasn't expecting that many anyway.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Well, I'm setting high goals for myself just as far as developing my game in the next year. I really don't want to put any goals on results or rankings. I think just getting myself better in every way, ready to compete against the best and the better players on the tour. So I think I'm just going to focus on my game more.

LAURA GRANVILLE: Well, I mean, I think that just because she's not winning every Grand Slam, I just don't really buy it that much. I mean, she's still doing well. She's still ranked No. 1 in the world. You know, it's not all bad. She's still doing really, really well. You know, the Williams have come on the scene. Capriati has come back. There's tough competition for her. I mean, she can't win them all.