Press Conference
Sunday, September 13, 1998 - Day 14 - Hingis-Novotna / Davenport-Zvereva: 6-3, 6-3
Q. Martina, can you describe the play to come back and get some measure of revenge for yesterday?
MARTINA HINGIS: It's still nice to come back here and play the Grand Slam Finals in doubles. I was kind of making history today for myself. It's just nice. We were kind of sitting in the car, nobody was really happy. We're kind of so spoiled from our success we had earlier, or just me anyway with singles, you are a little disappointed. Still, when you win a Grand Slam in doubles, it is still nice, at least you have a nice trip back home.
Q. Jana, your reaction to the title.
JANA NOVOTNA: I am extremely happy because --
MARTINA HINGIS: You really look like it.
JANA NOVOTNA: I'm extremely happy simply because of the reason when I started to play with Martina this year I expected to have such a great year, and we really did. And we lost only one doubles so far together this year, so pretty much unbeaten at all. It just was great to come back especially we had a tough couple of days. Martina especially losing to Lindsay, it's never easy to come back and play doubles.
She was the more professional. It's pretty obvious that Lindsay was tired and she was satisfied with her singles victory. And Martina was very professional to come back and play like that. It's very hard.
Grand Slam Martina
by Mark Winters
Sunday, September 13, 1998
Historic!
The 1998 US Open came to a historic close for Martina Hingis Sunday, as she earned a place in the record book by winning the Women's Doubles championships with Jana Novotna. Seeded No. 1, Hingis and Novotna defeated No. 2 Lindsay Davenport and Natasha Zvereva 6-3, 6-3.
The victory gave Hingis a Grand Slam for 1998. She teamed with Mirjana Lucic to win the Australian Open women's doubles. With Novotna she earned the French Open and Wimbledon titles. In each of this year's Grand Slam finals, Davenport-Zverva finished on the short end of the score.
An interesting aside: Davenport-Novotna were the defending US Open Women's Doubles champions.
"I was really happy to come back and play today," Hingis said. "This means a lot to me. You are part of history and nobody can take it away from you."
Novotna praised her partner's professionalism.
"After losing the final yesterday, she came out smiling ready to play," said the Wimbledon singles winner. "She played a great match. Her approach was very professional."
Coming into the tournament, Martina Hingis had a goal, one that did not receive a great deal of attention. Besides defending her US Open singles title, the 17-year-old was intent on capturing the doubles championship and achieving a Grand Slam.
"The singles is always a bit more important, but I hope Lindsay is going to celebrate long and we have an easy one tomorrow," Hingis said after dropping the singles final 6-3, 7-5 to Davenport yesterday. "It still is a Grand Slam. It still is a big match for me, being in the finals of the four Grand Slams is big. I definitely will be ready."
Hingis-Novotna, who are now 33-1, have only lost to Barbara Schett-Patty Schnyder, whom they defeated in the US Open quarterfinals, in three sets in May.
Throughout the tournament, Hingis joked about having become "a doubles specialist".
"I am not unhappy with my singles. I defended my Australian Open championship and was a semifinalist at the French Open and Wimbledon," she said, reflecting on her play in 1998. "I am on my way to winning a Grand Slam and I am doing it in doubles. I am becoming a doubles specialist."
The last comment is typical of Hingis' don't take yourself too seriously attitude. At the same time, it should not diminish the fact she was intent on winning the US Open doubles title. Behind the scenes, people on the women's tour let it quietly be known that Hingis would be "very angry" if she was not successful.
She wanted to duplicate Maria Bueno's two partner 1960 Grand Slam. Bueno won the Australian Championships with Christine Truman. With Darlene Hard, she won the French, Wimbledon and US Championships. Martina Navratilova-Pam Shriver slammed in 1984.
Davenport also had a shot at history. She was looking to become the ninth women's competitor in the Open era to win both the US Open singles and doubles in the same year. Arantxa Sanchez Vicario was the last to sweep. She did it, in 1994, winning the doubles with Novotna. Navratilova cleaned up from 1983 - '87 taking the singles and teaming with Shriver for four straight doubles titles. Margaret Smith Court was the first woman to double. In 1970, she captured the singles and annexed the doubles with Judy Tegart Dalton. A year earlier, Court was the singles winner and lost the doubles final with Virginia Wade.
While Hingis is praised for topping the singles rankings, she receives little, if any, recognition for also being No. 1 in doubles. Sanchez Vicario is the last player to occupy the top ranking positions and she did it in 1995. Navratilova was a double No. 1 in 1987.
Even more noteworthy is the fact Hingis has won 18 career singles titles and, with today's title, 20 doubles championships. Her first major win was the Wimbledon doubles with Helena Sukova in 1996.
"People say I should look at my schedule and not play so much doubles," admitted Hingis during the US Open. "I do not agree. I like doubles. It helps my singles game a lot."
No. 1 in singles and doubles, Martina Hingis winning a Grand Slam helps tennis even more.
Press Conference
Saturday, September 12, 1998 - Day 13 - Hingis / L. DAVENPORT : 3-6 , 5-7
Q. How disappointing a loss is this?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it's a little bit disappointing because I didn't really know what to do out there. I didn't have like a big chance to come back. Well, you know, in the second, I was down 4-2, 5-4, serving, she put out a great game there.
I don't know. It was -- but I still had a great tournament, only to get into the finals. I was pretty happy about that. I had two great matches against Monica and Jana to come back.
It's nice I've been in the finals again.
Q. Did the Novotna match take that much out of you yesterday, having to go three sets?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it did pretty much. But I was still, you know, in pretty good shape this morning. And I felt not too sore. You know, I just had a great match against Monica.
I think after that, I was kind of, you know, satisfied with myself, that I was so happy, I realized I still can play tennis. So I was like, you know, I went to play the match against Jana, and I was quite confident.
But it was harder than I expected. It took a lot of energy out of me. Just today, Lindsay hits -- when you see the ball flying from her side, you feel like, "Hey, this is not so fast." But it's so deep, with such a good length. So you can't really do that much about it.
Q. When you were in the third set, you broke her, did you get the feeling that you might have that match?
MARTINA HINGIS: In the second.
Q. Did you get the feeling that maybe --
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, I broke her actually two times, I think, no?
Q. Right.
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, it felt pretty good. I felt like it's going the same way pretty much as against Novotna. I came back. I think if I would have won the second set, you know, who knows.
But I'd have definitely bigger chances to just go on in the third. But it was a big game there, 5-4. I lost that one.
After that, she was just, you know, served very well. I didn't make one point in the next game. So I was like kind of disappointed, you know. I had a chance, but I didn't take it.
She just -- in the last game again, I had some chances. I was like, you know, she was waiting for my mistakes, and I would do them.
But this is the Grand Slam final. So you definitely are always a little bit more nervous than normally.
Q. What sort of respect is there for Lindsay Davenport as a player, both as a person and as a player?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I used to say I'd never lose two times against the same player, but it happened two times. I lost against Monica and now against Lindsay in a row.
Lindsay was just very solid, especially this summer, played so many tournaments, in California, had a hat trick there. She hits the ball very hard. She's got a solid serve. She improved her serve a lot. She has the feeling that she can't lose her serve if she's doing well.
That's probably the toughest about her. When you saw her before, she was kind of -- after you break her, just make a good point, she would let herself go down. She would show it.
But that's the difference about Lindsay now and before.
Q. Does today's loss make you want to get more vengeance tomorrow in the doubles?
MARTINA HINGIS: The singles is always a little bit more important. But, you know, I hope Lindsay is going to celebrate long, and we have an easy one tomorrow (laughter).
It still is a Grand Slam. It still is a big match for me, the finals of the four Grand Slams. I definitely will be ready again.
Q. Were you a little surprised that she didn't panic at the end?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, she would, but I was even more, so. She made two big mistakes there, you know, easy ones. But me, too. That backhand -- yeah, but it's over now.
Q. By most people's standards, Grand Slam season, one title, one final and two semis is terrific. By your standards of last year, it's a letdown. Do you think you played worse this season or everyone else has got better?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, both. I think I had an awesome year last year. It was just unbelievable. Nobody would expect me to do that well. I was just, you know, going for it. I had a great year.
But still, I mean, in the last two tournaments, in the Grand Slams, I made semis. Now it's a big improvement. I made it to the finals again. So I'm kind of happy about that, that I'm, you know, taking a good way again.
I hope, you know, there are some more years to come for me.
Q. In the first set, you were behind serving at 2-4. You appeared to have won a point when Lindsay's hat fell off as she was making an error on a volley. That point would have given you an ad in the game.
MARTINA HINGIS: I know.
Q. The chair umpire ruled that you should play two. Did that surprise you that she made that ruling?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I know the rules. I know the rules. It's true, you have to play a lot. Just go over again.
But I don't like this rule. It's not fair for the player, like me, you know (laughter). Because I had that point won. I mean, it's her mistake if the hat falls down, it's not my mistakes.
But it's just kind of a stupid rule. But it's there and you can't change it right now. I hope maybe one day they're going to change these decisions because, you know, I had the chance to make that point. Who knows, if I would be down 4-3, then I was playing with the (inaudible), but I was down 5-2 and I lost that set.
There are some other overrules or some -- I think not very good decisions. But, you know, that's tennis, you can't change anything about that.
Q. Did you let those calls get to you more than you normally would?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I don't know how that can happen. I felt like -- I played Lindsay in the US, this is the US Open, I was fine with that.
But I think it was pretty ridiculous that it was an American umpire, too. So if you have another like from Australia or from Europe, you know, some other country, you don't let it that close.
But she was from America, so I think this is like that shouldn't happen again in the US Open finals or just any finals, that it's the same countrywoman in the States. I think this is pretty, you know, strange to me.
Q. Did you go into the match thinking that?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I didn't know. Actually, I saw her around, but I didn't know where she was from.
You know, when we had the warm-up, all of a sudden, USA, Texas, I was like, "Huh, what's that?" It was like one step after the other.
You know, I don't want to take anything away from Lindsay. She had an awesome tournament. I mean, she didn't lose one set. You know, she deserves it.
Q. Can you describe the way she rebounded from your taking the lead 5-4 in the second set after that changeover?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, she had a great game there. I mean, I didn't serve that badly. Well, I just tried to put the serve in. But she kind of killed me that game. I think I didn't make one point in my service game.
Actually, I think I lost like eight straight points, I think, after that changeover. I was like, "Hey, what's going on?" I mean, I just won three games. I broke her twice. I don't make one point anymore.
Q. Is she the hardest hitter in the game? Is that indicative of what maybe the weight loss and maybe her being kind of underrated as an athlete, you can't run her around and tire her out anymore?
MARTINA HINGIS: I think she has a very good anticipation that she would, you know, sometimes just know where I was playing it. She was just always there. When I was having an easy shot, I would always play it to her racquet. I was like, "Great."
But that's what I think makes a great player. Especially when, you know, she lost weight, she's definitely moving around better. She's tall. She's got like all arms or legs.
Not like Venus, but she knows where -- that's about Lindsay, she knows more about the tennis game, because she's more experienced. She just, you know, feels better how to play or what to do at certain occasions.
Q. Is she the hardest hitter?
MARTINA HINGIS: It's different. Like when you play Pierce or like -- I think Pierce is the hardest hitter, but it's not as effective as Lindsay's because she's got very good length. It's harder.
I mean, it's like in baseball a little bit. Lindsay's ball flies to you, and all of a sudden it makes a curve, and you feel like, "Hey, where is the ball going at?"
You know, when you play like Pierce, the ball is just hitting so fast and so straight. Lindsay's is just very long, and you don't really know what to do about it.
Q. You said you were happy overall with your year this year. But if you could improve on something for next year, what would it be?
MARTINA HINGIS: Just keep going and, you know, maybe win some more Grand Slams.
Q. You always seem gracious and cheerful, even in defeat. Were you always like that? Most of the athletes I know in defeat are moody or glum. Is there a secret to keeping an upbeat attitude?
MARTINA HINGIS: Not really. I had still a great tournament. I improved my game a lot since I was here in the US six weeks. If I would play as I play the first week of the tour, I started here, so I wouldn't get very far.
Now, you know, I saw my improvement in the game during this tournament. So I'm pretty happy about that. I just try to keep going and beat Lindsay again. I don't want to lose my No. 1 spot.
Q. Looked like maybe in the first set especially you were starting to play a power game like Lindsay. Would you say you were doing that?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, I started seeing where she's playing to, especially that backhand cross-court, you know, was very tough. Even sometimes you're moving there, but you're kind of always a little bit late because it's pretty hard.
I think that I was just trying to go for it, and power it back. But at the end, it was a little bit too late actually. You know, there are always next tournaments to come. That's the nice thing about tennis.
Q. Pete Sampras has traditionally said what tennis is all about for him is Grand Slam titles, not necessarily being No. 1. Being No. 1 obviously is very important to you. Could you explain its importance?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it's both. I mean, you want -- Pete has been around for so long. I mean, he can put up a new record or gets even with Emerson. For him it's not only being No. 1, but if you win the Grand Slams, you will be No. 1. So there is the same thing.
Q. Would you consider your year disappointing because you have not won the same amount of Grand Slams?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I won the first one. You know, I made the finals now, semis at the other two. So I think I've still been pretty solid, even if my game wasn't at the top. It has improved again. You know, just try to keep that direction. Just who knows what's going to happen next year.
I just feel like I put too much pressure on myself sometimes at the other tournaments, after the Australian Open. I just wanted to win the French, but it was kind of different and difficult to me, too.
So, no, just kind of take it easy. I know my game is doing pretty well now. Just try to do better next year again.
Q. You've been on tour a short time, had a lot of success. Can you imagine what it would be like to wait six years as a professional to win a Grand Slam? Do you think you could be that patient if I took you that long to win again?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, Jana Novotna has been waiting either longer than Lindsay. Lindsay had a good year when she won the Olympics there.
But I don't know. I'm not in that situation, so. I mean, for her, it must be great to win this tournament now, having finally a Grand Slam victory, especially the US Open. She is an American. So it must feel great.
But, you know, I have my career still in front of me. I won this tournament already, so I just want to have that feeling again to be the best.
Q. You said you put a little more pressure on yourself this year. Is that because there are so many more younger players coming up, trying to get where you are?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I mean, as long as they keep losing against me, I'm fine (laughter). As long as they only talk and don't do anything.
It's like Lindsay said yesterday, I felt that that's great, that was a great answer, you know. Venus said again she's going to be No. 1. You know, she can talk, but I'm going to do it. You know, that's nice.
Q. You said that you hoped Lindsay would go out and celebrate long and hard. Do you have any suggestions for her?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I went to Nobo (phonetic) last year. I love Japanese food. I don't know. I drank saki. But that's like in ten minutes you're under the table when you come back.
Q. Was there any specific moment during the match today where you realized she was playing better than you had expected her to play?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I played her in LA, in that final. So I knew she's a tough opponent. She hasn't lost a set so far this tournament.
And I said yesterday I'd rather play Venus than actually Lindsay, because I think Lindsay's a smarter player, she's been out there before.
But, I don't know. She just -- it's hard to beat her right now. She's got so much confidence.
Q. Has this year taught you anything on the court?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, that I have my kind of willpower back. Especially in yesterday's match, that even I would be down 4-1, I didn't let it go, and I came back in that match.
When I played the other California tournaments, I was like, I didn't really believe in myself, that I still could win the -- win the matches against tough players. You know, after that win against Monica and Jana, I think I have the confidence back.
You know, like today, Lindsay was better than me. But I still kind of didn't let it go until the last game, and last point.
Q. Even though you know that Lindsay's a much more fit player now, is there a tendency, when you dropshot her on match point, this she's not going to get to that?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, maybe. But it would have to be a better dropshot than that what I did today (laughter). I did some dropshots against Monica, too, but they were much better.
But I'm happy about my game now. You just sometimes play dropshots because you don't know what else to do. You just kind of hope to make the point shorter and maybe you're the lucky one.
Q. Was it everything you envisioned?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah. It was amazing. You never know what your response or your reaction's going to be. You can't put into words how much it means, playing for so many years and being a pro for so many years, and this being the goal always.
It seriously was the greatest feeling you can experience being a professional athlete.
Q. What does it mean to you to be the first American-born player since Chris Evert, since '82, to win this tournament?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: It means a lot. I mean, a lot of people have said for a lot of years, "Oh, American tennis, especially women's tennis, there's no hope, there's no future."
Really, I think it's looking better than ever. It's a tremendous accomplishment for me to win here, and I think there's going to be many more American champions in the next year with the Williams, so many great players coming up. No one's done it in a long time and I'm proud be the first one.
Q. On TV you talked about how you woke up in the middle of the night. Can you talk a little more about that?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I woke up once in the middle of the night and it took me a while to fall back asleep.
I knew this was going to be my time if I could play well. And I knew I was playing well. I knew I needed to take advantage of this opportunity. You don't know how many you get to get back there.
I wanted to play well. I wanted to be able to thank everybody. You know, there's so many people that are important to you over your career.
But really I was just more excited than anything. I wanted to get out there and play. I'm so glad it was consecutive days, I didn't want a day off to think about everything. Really, just knowing that I played well, I could take it.
Q. You were up 4-2 in the second set. Martina put on an awesome rally, then you came back. Could you talk about that?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah. I was up 4-2, serving. I think I had a point maybe to go up 5-2. That's when she kind of stopped making her errors. She was running me around an awful lot then. She really kept back on her errors. I started to try and go for it more.
Definitely some nerves crept in. I got down 4-5, but I was able to break at Love, get my footing back in the match and just playing well.
I don't think I let anything bother me today. I was very focused. I was very calm. And, you know, the sight of the end of the tunnel of winning the Grand Slam was what kept me going, not getting upset. I was able to do it.
Q. What was working for you today, and when did you know she was in trouble?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I knew I had to attack her. I knew I had to keep the ball deep, really go for my shots, attack her second serve, stuff like that.
When I got up two breaks in the first set, I knew I was playing well. You always want to feel like you have all the shots and you're making them and you're playing well.
And I felt like that once the first set got going, I knew if I continued, I could still win.
Q. You were the Olympic champion in 1996. Do you think that accomplishment is overlooked? Does it bother you?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: It was maybe overlooked a lot. That's fine with me. I think I'm just maybe even more proud of that than I am winning here. It's a tremendous accomplishment. Unfortunately, people in tennis don't recognize it.
All the women played that year, with the exception of Graf. It was a great, great win. If I could only win two big ones, I'd pick the Olympics and the US Open over and over again.
You know, everything's just worked out perfectly.
Q. Robert said a year ago you might have gotten that dropshot, two years ago, you definitely would not have gotten that dropshot.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: What does he know (laughter)?
No, I mean, that's some of the reasons I've gotten better, moving better. Yeah, it shows up mostly on dropshots, that I can get to them now, also on other balls I used to not be able to get.
I'm getting in position better later in a match. Really, all the hard work has paid off, you know, getting to balls, winning points, still being able to serve well late in the match. All that kind of stuff made me win the match today.
Q. How does it feel to be in the same category as Wills Moody and Graf?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I didn't know that stat coming in. It's tremendous. I mean, both of these titles mean everything to me.
Like I said, I don't care if I don't win another one, I've got these two and I'll cherish them forever. Really, it's tremendous, a fabulous accomplishment. You couldn't ask for two greater champions to be. And hopefully I can win some more Grand Slams like they did. If I can't, you know, I've got it.
Q. Are you just scratching the surface of what you can do in this game?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I hope so. I mean, I think I still have a lot to improve on. People didn't give me a shot a couple years ago to win a Grand Slam. I think I've proved everybody wrong by improving a lot the last couple years. I don't think necessarily I'm done.
I think with more hard work, I can definitely get better at some aspects of my game. I think mentally I'm very much stronger now, and that's one of the big differences.
But I hope I can get better. It's been exciting to see myself improve over the last couple years and to be able to do different things. That's why you play, to see if you can get better. I'm going to keep trying to do that.
Q. Given how hard you've worked on your fitness, was that the perfect ending, that somebody tried a dropshot?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I guess (laughter). I mean, after a pretty long point, too. Also, you know, playing a good match point. That's so great. My first Grand Slam final, my first match point, and I think I played a great point. Getting the dropshot, hitting a winner, everything was just perfect.
But really, the two weeks have been great. I didn't lose a set. I played great tennis. I don't think I ever really got down on myself, which has been a big thing. I was able to really, in my eyes, act like a champion and really win the title.
Q. Earlier in the week we talked a lot about the McGwire situation, how he was able to hit his 61st home run on his dad's birthday. Tell us how great it is to win your first Grand Slam on your mom's birthday.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah, it's great. It's just a coincidence, obviously. But on Thursday is when I was talking, I was like, "Oh, my gosh, birthday is Saturday." I kind of forgot for a couple of days.
It's just a great story. She's the one that used to drive me hours and hours and hours to go practice, since I was six, you know, when I started playing tennis.
It's great. It's great to have them all here. If I had been in any other Grand Slam final, my family wouldn't have been able to come. Tonight we can go out, celebrate my mom's birthday, obviously my win, and just all be together.
Q. Speaking of celebrations, Hingis said she wanted you to celebrate long and hard, and in particular she suggested maybe having some saki so you'd be in bad shape tomorrow.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I probably won't be a hundred percent tomorrow, I'll tell you that now (laughter). Natasha is going to have to hold me up a bit.
No, I mean, I think I'll be able to just relax tomorrow and have a great time, enjoy the doubles final. You know, who knows what happens. This only happens maybe, you don't know how many times in your career. I plan to enjoy the next couple days a lot.
Q. How much do you appreciate now the fact that your mom made sure that you went to your high school prom, your high school graduation, did a lot of things other players at your age didn't do? How important now, looking back, were those things to you?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah, I mean, both my parents were instrumental in just being normal. I think also having two older sisters helps a lot where, you know, both were out of college or going to college, and telling me, you know, "You can't leave school, that's ridiculous," stuff like that.
I never wanted to. I loved school, I loved all my friends, I loved being able to go home and having something to do, and seeing different friends, all of that stuff.
It's just a tribute to the whole family. Really, they've been great. They've made me keep the person I am, be humble. I don't come home and they go, "You're so great, you won a tournament." They don't tell me, "You're going to be 1." We're a normal family, we like to have normal dinners. That's what I love.
Q. Is there a difference in Martina's game from last year?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, I think last year she was almost unbeatable. I think maybe confidence carries you a long way, as I've learned this summer, with myself.
But I think, you know, you have to be aggressive to beat Martina. You can overpower her. I think that's really the only way she loses.
I don't think she likes to play hard hitters. I think -- I don't think she was thrilled to play me in the finals. I think that we've played so many times, I've beaten her a number of times. I knew if I went after it, I could maybe win.
Q. Was there a moment in that match when you thought, "This is destiny. I will win this"?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah, and then I got broken and it was 4-All (laughter). That went out the window pretty fast.
You know, I thought so. I thought, "My gosh, I might win this." Then you go off track so quickly. Luckily I was able to get it back together. You know, after I won yesterday, last night, I knew if I played well, you know, when you get on a streak and you're confident that you can win. I thought that today could be my day.
You don't get -- you might not ever get an opportunity to be back here. I remember Billie Jean telling me that before the Olympic final. I talked to Mary Joe this morning. I think she was great. She told me, "I always thought I'd be back there a million times, and I never did. You've got to take advantage of this one and win it."
It was great advice, and I wanted to do that when I got out there.
Q. Can you talk about what went through your mind, if anything, at the changeover at 5-4? Were you talking to yourself a lot?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I wasn't, and that's one of the reasons I was able to get back into it. Stay calm. I've broken her before in the match, I could break her again. Keep going for my shots.
I think I have got a little bit bad shot selection choice, I was getting a little bit tired. As soon as I got down, I don't know how to describe it, I wasn't tired anymore. Maybe it was nerves that make you get tired.
As soon as -- I played a good first two points, then I went on to break her. You know, I thought then, "I better wrap it up in two sets."
Q. If she is lacking a little bit in confidence, how does that show in Hingis' game out there?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, I think -- I don't think she's as aggressive as she was last year. I think last year she used to maybe step into a few more balls. It's hard to compare a little bit. But I felt like I had a lot of time today to set up and go for my shots. A lot of times before, you don't have that opportunity against Martina.
But she's always tough. It's amazing. For her, she isn't playing great, she still gets to the final. She's always going to be a tough opponent. But I feel like if I go after my game, then I have a good shot.
Q. Where did this confidence cloud that you're riding begin this summer?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think it's just a great summer.
Q. Must have started somewhere.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah. I think, you know, getting even to the semifinals of the French, and everyone criticized me for playing a bad match in the semis. I looked at it as such a positive. I did so well at the French. I don't like red clay. You know, I thought I was hitting the ball well.
Again at Wimbledon, I thought I was doing well. Once Wimbledon ended, I just couldn't wait for the hard court season to begin.
Spent a couple of weeks practicing. Winning three tournaments in a row and just being mentally tough and winning close matches and staying positive, just kind of carried its way all the way through the summer.
Q. You said your elbow had been bothering you. What did it feel like today? How did that go into your shots? Did you just use the motivation to hit it as hard as possible?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: The first week it was really bad. I was a little bit worried, you know. It was great. I mean, I served well, and I got first serves in.
Yesterday, like I said, was the first day that I felt like it was 90, 95 percent and I wasn't scared. Today, it was almost a hundred percent, which is so great. I mean, it really -- it was really kind of scary the first week. I was able to come through it. It got better as the week went on.
And today it felt great. I was able to go for my serves, which I needed to do. I was able to -- I never thought about it. So I think it's healed.
Q. Would you say this is the hardest that you hit today?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: The hardest what?
Q. The hardest you were able to hit the ball, most pace.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I don't know. That was also a mind set that I wanted to be that kind of player today. I wanted to lose, you know, making 60 unforced errors, but going for it, or I wanted to win by playing well and hitting great shots. That's what I did.
I didn't want to be out there and just getting the ball back in. That's the mind set I took. So I think I was just probably mentally more aggressive than in maybe other matches.
Q. Were you aware of that rule that if one of the player's hats fall off, you play two?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah. That's been a rule for years. And it's happened -- I mean, it doesn't happen a lot, but it is a rule.
Q. Do you think it's just?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, I mean, it's not like I went like this and threw it off to lose the point. If it happens again, I lose the point. I think one warning is probably fair.
I mean, people have balls fall out of their pockets, you know, I think one warning is fair, and then it happens. People have done it against me before, and it's just the way it is forever.
Q. Do you feel like a complete person now that you've won a Slam?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Not really. I mean, to me, it's been a great accomplishment. But I always said that if I never won one, I'd still be a great person and I'd still like myself and I'd still, you know, keep on playing tennis.
For my career, I feel like it's a great, great script. And I think, you know, not a lot of people ever picked me to win a Grand Slam. I feel like I've worked so hard to get where I'm at. And I feel like I'm such a better player than I was two years ago, and it's so exciting to see in my game, and just to see the results.
I think I'm more of a complete player. But I think I've always been a pretty complete person.
Q. What is your next big goal? Is it to be No. 1? Is it to win one of the other particular Slams?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Gosh, I mean, I haven't thought about that one bit. Just to win a Grand Slam has always been a goal of mine. I've never thought about the rankings at all, because it's just such a complex system, almost 52 weeks, who knows what happens with players from last year.
But, you know, I've got some more tournaments coming up this fall. I'm going to try and keep it going, take some time off now. Then really, I have no idea what my goals are right now.
Q. Have you had a chance to buy your mom a gift?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Not yet, no. I don't think she'll be mad if she doesn't get one tonight. She'll get one the next few days.
Q. One of the biggest souvenirs has been the WTA calendar, glamour shots. Kournikova, the poster girl. Is this marketing, are you comfortable with it, do you think it's necessary?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think it's great. I think the interest now is back in women's tennis. For so many years when I played, it was like -- we always -- women's tennis was no good, there's no players. I think it's so great. Women's tennis is so exciting now with all the young players, with all the older players doing well.
It's great to see it grow. I mean, I hope that my generation of players now -- I don't think we can ever do as much as Billie Jean and the older players did before. But I hope we grow it even more so in 20 years it's just as big or bigger.
Q. I'm saying the aspect of promoting the glamour?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: That's fine.
Q. Did you talk to Billie Jean at all?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah, I've talked to her over the last few days. She's been great. I mean, she gave me a long speech before the Olympics, the finals. And today she just kind of winked, she goes, "You know what to do. I don't need to talk to you anymore." That meant just as much to me. She just knew I could do it and believed in me.
Q. You said yesterday that nobody ever called you a prodigy or expected greatness from your game. How much sweeter does that make this, if at all?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: You know, I think it makes it sweeter for me because I think I've had like three or four people in my career that have stuck with me the whole time and believed in me since day one.
You know, a lot of people don't believe in you. I think I did this with the help of a couple of people, with hard work, and just believing in myself, not listening to what others said.
Q. Did you drive yourself here today?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: That's such a like topic of conversation. But, no, I did not. I rested, I drank water because my it would be hot. Saturday's no traffic, so my coach can drive then (laughter).
Q. In this documentary about you before the semifinals, I saw it on the television, in which you spoke about the fact that having a balanced life is very important to you, that kids who want to make it only tennis, want to be No. 1 at all costs, they should look for other role models. How important is this issue of attitude?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, I think there can be a number of different types of role models. And definitely some players are role models that their goal is to be No. 1 and to win Grand Slams.
For me, it's important to enjoy everything, to do the best you can, and to try and win tournaments. But if you don't, it's fine. You know, my life's not going to end.
But I think kids need a number of different people to look up to. Different kids have different personalities. Sure, some kids look up to me. Sure, some kids look up to Venus, some kids look up to Martina. There's all different types of attitudes that are out there. That's what I think is great.
Q. When did you first sense in years past that you would have a chance to win a Grand Slam?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Well, you know, last year when I got to the semis was a huge breakthrough. Even though I lost in the semis, I kind of got off the hump of the quarterfinals and the Round of 16.
I knew then, you know, I'd gotten more confidence in Grand Slams, that I could do it, whether it be the next one or whenever.
Especially after this summer, I knew that this could be my tournament. I tried not to think about it. I tried to be very relaxed and just play tennis. It happened to be it. You never know when you get on these kind of rolls and have so much confidence.
But really, starting to do well in Grand Slams, even the semis of the French, semis of the Australian, all of that kind of plays in your mind, and it gives you -- opportunity I got to get back to the semifinals. I played a great match yesterday. I think that was because of losing before.
Q. Could you give us some idea of the hard work you put in on and off the court?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Probably not (laughter).
Just -- I mean, all of this also, you know, with my coach Robert who has been there with me every step of the way since I've even been a professional. He spent hours with me running sprints. In the beginning I used to complain a lot, "Oh, I don't want to do it." Now it's really funny, because now I love to do it. Now I love to go out there and run on a Saturday, go do different stuff. It's kind of just the change of attitude that's developed in the last couple years.
But just spending -- I'm not a big believer in hitting six hours a day, four hours a day, whatever. I mean, I hit about three hours a day, but really then try and run a lot, just try and stay in good shape and really try and work on the off-court stuff as much as I can.
Q. What sort of stuff do you do off the court?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Just a lot of sprints on the court, going to the weight room like three or four times a week, doing like quick running drills.
I mean, most of the attention has been focused on sprints, nothing like long distance running, just stuff to try and get me faster and playing a lot.
Q. You probably used to read, you'd get to a quarterfinal, they would say, "Lindsay has the shot, the power, but she may lack mobility." Obviously you don't lack mobility anymore.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah, I've worked hard to not do that. I think it was important for myself to really want to do it for myself. When I was 18, if someone had said, "You should go run two hours a day. " I would have been like, "Yeah, right."
When I got older, I was -- I wanted to do it. That was the difference. I think for me that's the way it worked. I don't think I could have handled someone else telling me I needed to do it.
Robert has been very patient all the years, making sure that it was the right balance. Just running a lot of sprints. I'm going to always have to do that to be fast. If I stopped today, I'd be slow in two weeks. I always have to work on that even when I'm not playing tennis. If I take days off this week, I guarantee you Wednesday or Thursday I'll be out running.
Q. You said yesterday that when somebody asked you about coming to the net, you're like, "Maybe after a year." It seemed that when you came to the net, you got a lot (inaudible) overnight.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Overnight, yeah.
Well, it's tough. I mean, I don't feel that comfortable up there in covering the net. But one of my game strategies was to hit the ball hard and try and come in and take balls early. If she passes you every time, that's great.
So I tried to do that, and really I just tried to be aggressive, close the net, just go for it. I don't volley like a Martina Navratilova or anything like that, but I was just trying to get in there, close the net and put shots away. I don't want to get into long, long rallies with her.
I did, I volleyed great. I think I was more confident up there today because I knew that's what I had to do, just try to take advantage of some short balls that I got.
Q. You had talked Wednesday about having watched McGwires's home run, kind of getting emotional in your hotel room. When you saw him and his son, did it make you pause, consider your own relationship with your mother, maybe in that kind of situation how you two might react together?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I mean, not really. He was there on the field as soon as it happened when he hit home base. I had the same reaction. If I see something great, I'd probably cry. To me, this was the greatest thing. I cried a lot on the court. People have different ways of showing emotion.
But really, by the time I saw my whole family in the locker room, it was more happiness again. It wasn't so much tears. Just really enjoying everything together.
Just having everybody here is great, knowing that they were with me from day one, supported me always. I don't know. It's hard to describe.
Q. Was Harry Marmion crying?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Harry is so great. He was the first one that came up to me, and he was crying. The USTA has been so great. They get criticized a lot. For me, they've been there since I've been ten years old, giving me a lot of support with the national team, taking me away to the junior tournaments.
I met Lynne Rolley through them, who has been an unbelievable part of my life for seven years. Maybe even longer. Eight or nine. You know, Harry, I love Harry, he's great. He just came up to me, he was crying. He goes, "I've never been so proud." Then he made me cry.
USTA, I think they're great. I think Harry's great, I think Judy, the next president, is great, the first female. It's going to be a great year next year.
Q. Lynne, what role did she play?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: She's played a lot of different roles in my life, the first one being of a strict coach, helping me, traveling. And over the years has developed into almost like -- you know, a best friend, a second mother. I mean, anything you can imagine. I call her more now about other stuff than tennis stuff. She's always been there. She's come up to me and goes like, "God, what are you doing on your serve? Just throw it in front." That's all she'll say, something like that. She'll tell me anything straight, you know, "You look terrible." "You look great." The kind of honesty I like from the people that work with me.
Q. What do you think Lindsay Davenport would be doing if Lansdorp hadn't taken you back in?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: He's been great, too. He was so sweet. He took the red-eye last night to watch me in the final. Robert was my coach for five years when I first started playing tennis. I asked him to give me lessons. He said no. I cried. "I'll teach you." I was only eight. I wouldn't be here out without him. Lynne, both Roberts, they've been the reason I'm here. Robert Lansdorp was the first one to teach me the groundstrokes, and to hit the ball hard always.
Q. You and your mom live together. How did that come about?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I mean, I moved out of the house right when I graduated from high school, and lived on my own for about two and a half years in Newport Beach in an apartment. I love Newport Beach. When my parents got divorced, I decided to buy a house.
You know, it's great to live with my mom. We have two dogs that she takes care of when we're gone, they're being taken care of obviously by someone else now.
But it's been great. I mean, there's so much freedom. We have a friendship relationship. I mean, I've never told her what time I'll be home at night or anything like that. It's great to have company, it's great to be able to come back to a house that you love. You know, have your family around, because you're gone so much.
Q. How gracious was Martina to you about losing?
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: She's always been fantastic. I mean, obviously it's a tough loss, but she's always been one player that to me has always been very nice, very funny, very gracious. She shook my hand today, "Too good."
I think she's great. She's always been so nice to me, so outgoing. You know, I've always been happy for her when she's won. I mean, I'm sure she's disappointed, but I'm sure she's somewhat happy for me.
Copyright 1996-1998 United States Tennis Association. All rights reserved.
Press Conference
Friday, September 11, 1998 - Day 12 - Hingis / J. Novotna : 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
Q. What turned this match around at 4-1 in the third set?
MARTINA HINGIS: I was just, you know, still hoping to get back. I was playing with the wind. I kind of always was a little bit close, but I just couldn't make it last two points in the game. I was like, okay, she got to miss one day, one thing.
I was going to play with the wind. I at least hope I'm going to make the next two games, then we'll see what's going to happen.
But, you know, I'm very happy it came out this way. I didn't really believe it, but I also didn't give up. So that was kind of the best thing about today's match.
Q. What did you think of the officiating?
MARTINA HINGIS: What?
Q. What did you think of the officiating in this match?
MARTINA HINGIS: What's officiating?
Q. Officials, lines calls.
MARTINA HINGIS: Oh, I guess we both weren't too happy about that lady on the baseline with the sunglasses, little one (indicating).
You know, this is tennis. You have to count on that, even if it's like very close. Well, it was like 30-All; I didn't feel that great about being down 4-1, 30-All. That was a very critical point. I mean, she had me actually there.
I just kind of passed her. But she could have finished it up, especially that one volley.
I was like, "Okay, she gives me one more chance. You got to take it now or never."
Q. After Wimbledon, you made the comment that you had only reached the semis of two Slams. You used the word "only" they being French and Wimbledon. Were you thinking of that at 4-1 down, thinking, "I don't want this to be another semi-?
A. Yes, I was thinking that. Actually I was down 3-1, I was 4-1 sitting in my chair, "No way I'm going to lose again in semifinals," even though I had a good win against Monica. I was like, you know, "At least you've got to make the finals or just change something." Because I -- you know, everybody expected me to do better.
But I lost two times in the semis, you know. If nothing worse happens than that, I'm in the finals again.
Q. Do you think you'll have trouble tomorrow if you play like this?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I mean, if you play Jana, I mean, she's one of the few players, especially at the top, who comes in and can also stay in the back and has this terrible slice backhand where you have to bend on your knees. Kind of my butt hurted after the first set already (laughter).
No, but, I mean, she doesn't give you any shots. I mean, you just kind of always have to wait and be very patient. It was much easier to play against Monica. I mean, she hits the ball hard, so kind of just hit it hard back, see what happens.
But against Jana, you always have to play out the point and be very patient. And that was very difficult for me to do in the first set. Especially, I was just too much in a hurry, made too many just easy mistakes.
Q. What about tomorrow?
MARTINA HINGIS: Tomorrow, yeah. You know, I play Lindsay or Venus. It's the same like Monica. So, I mean, I'll have -- I'm definitely not as strong as them. But, I mean, I can keep the ball in the game, use their power hopefully.
Q. Once you did get those two games, back to 4-3 in the third, seems like your body language changed. Do you feel totally different?
MARTINA HINGIS: It got colder and windier, too. So that helped me. After the first set, I don't know why, but I felt like tired.
She wasn't like in best shape either. But I was like, I didn't know how to finish off the points. So that's why I try to come in. I was pretty successful on the net today.
So that gave me a lot of confidence, and tried to do it more. But I didn't do it as much in the third, because you get tender and you just kind of try or hope she's going to miss something.
But what was the question (laughter)?
Q. After you got back to 4-3.
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, it was like getting cooler. I'm from Switzerland. Once it gets cooler, I feel better.
Q. Did today's increase in heat have an effect on your game?
MARTINA HINGIS: Increase in my heat?
Q. The hotter temperatures, did that have an effect?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, because it's been so cold. In the last three, four days, very windy. I like to play in the wind, especially like a player like Monica which hit the ball hard. You know you're going to be at least stronger from one side, and you can move them around.
But against Jana, it's not very easy. You just -- especially when she comes in, you have to be very, you know, patient, and just look for it where you're going to go. It's very hard to play close to the lines.
But still it helped me. I like these conditions.
Q. The other day, you said that Jana is much tougher at the end of matches than she used to be, she doesn't choke anymore or anything like that. Did anything change mentally with her that you could tell in the way she played from when she was up 4-1 in the third?
MARTINA HINGIS: I was just, you know, trying to keep -- to do the same thing as I did from the beginning of the second and third set. I was just -- I was lucky that one shot, the first point of that game. I think at 4-2, she gave me a dropshot, I hit the net, she missed that volley. I was like, "Thank God."
But today, I think she didn't choke too much. I mean, I had to win that match. I had to make it myself. I mean, she would wait sometimes for me to do the errors, and I was trying, you know, to be more patient than her.
Because this is my game usually. I was just trying to, you know, stay in the match and win it if possible.
Q. Jana was asked why she thought she lost. She said, "I think Martina was just a little luckier today." Then went on to explain especially on big points.
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I think she was pretty lucky, the slicing down the line sometimes. I thought I had her, I had her. Then she just chip charged like down the middle of the court. I just missed that stupid forehand all the time. I was like, "No way." She was like all the way out there. She still kind of put the ball in. It was like, "This is not possible what she did out there."
Maybe at the end, I had some close calls. But I don't think I was luckier today. I don't think that at all.
Q. Is a match like this going to help you regain the momentum, regain your fire, regain the things you thought maybe you need to get --
MARTINA HINGIS: Oh, yeah. It gives me a lot of confidence, especially to win after I was down 4-1 in the third. I mean, I know I'm in good shape now again, that mentally I got stronger again. Because sometimes I would let down, especially in matches like this, when I was down 3-1, 4-1 in the third. Which I just keep on losing, especially against like Lindsay or Monica, in the last three, four tournaments. I would always lose 6-1 in the third. I was like, "No, no, this can't happen again." It's nice to have a win like this.
Q. Your No. 1 ranking was on the line today. Were you aware of that?
MARTINA HINGIS: I knew it. I knew it (laughter). That's why I was kind of fighting.
Well, I was always taught to, you know, or raised that way, that I always have pressure on myself. The harder the better. That helps me.
Q. After that bad line call, at 30-30, you went on some long tear, like 15 out of 17 points or something. Clearly you were peeved at that call. Were you aware of getting stoked up a little more than you had been before after that call?
MARTINA HINGIS: I was up 30-Love in that game. Then I would make just -- I lost the next point. Then I could have been up 40-15. Instead it was 30-All, 4-1 down. She was serving, so I was like, "Okay, great."
That's where she gave me another chance to come back into the match, because the next point was very important. She could have finished it up, and she didn't. I would pass her with my forehand. It's like everybody knows, my forehand is not the strongest shot when somebody comes to the net. I would put it in, so I was happy.
Q. Was it difficult on you emotionally playing against your doubles partner and friend?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I played her so many times. I was having a winning record against her before I went on the court. I was up 6-3. I know I lost the last one. But I usually never lose two times against the same player, so I try to keep that record, too.
Only Monica beat me like twice in a row. I hope that wasn't going to happen today.
Q. Can you describe the styles of play of Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport, what the specific challenges are with each player?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I mean about Lindsay, everybody knows, she's No. 2 in the world. She won the last three tournaments in California. That says about everything about Lindsay. She's a very solid player on hard court, in the US. She has a big chance to win the whole thing. It depends on what she's doing right now out there against Venus.
But it will be nice playing Venus again in the finals, you know. I'm sure she wants to have a revenge for last year.
Q. You've played a pretty aggressive last five games of this match. Do you think a couple months ago, when you weren't winning three-set matches, it might have been your lack of aggressiveness that was causing you to lose?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah. Also because sometimes I didn't really believe in it anymore. So that's why the match against Monica helped me, that I was like, "Hey, girl, you can play tennis again." I was so happy.
Yeah, especially like today, I was -- that was just mentally, I didn't give up until the last point was played. In tennis, everybody knows, until the match point is done for you, you never have won. That gave me the only, you know, shot, just go for it still.
Q. What has being No. 1 taught you about yourself? What has that taught you about yourself, what it takes?
MARTINA HINGIS: Just everybody wants to get there. That was the same for me. When I was the hunter, I just want to beat who was in front of me. At that time, it was Steffi. But she was out for a long time. So you just want to get up.
I kind of -- I went very quickly for me, I improved, improved. I never got stuck at a spot in the Top 10. I kind of just went through. That was nice.
Since then, I'm up there. That's a very nice feeling, you know, come to the tournament where you won before, you're the defending champion, you see your picture's out there. It's nice.
Copyright 1996-1998 United States Tennis Association. All rights reserved.
Press Conference
Tuesday, September 8, 1998 - Day 9 - Hingis / M. Seles : 6-4, 6-4
Q. You reacted after this win tonight like it was a huge, huge victory.
MARTINA HINGIS: Like it was the finals already?
Q. Exactly. Why?
MARTINA HINGIS: I lost against her the last two times we've played. Definitely it was a bit disappointing to lose against her at the French Open. Reach the semifinals, everyone was expecting me to win that tournament. I wouldn't because she just kind of killed me in that match.
I just kind of felt very happy out there today because I knew I didn't play my best tennis during this tournament so far, and I'm happy I still can play tennis out there.
Q. And at the level you're playing?
MARTINA HINGIS: Definitely. I was a little bit worried about my game, especially the last two matches weren't that great, the players were like Mauresmo 30. I don't even know what Dechy is ranked.
I was probably -- with my thinking, I was already like playing against Monica. These are sometimes matches you know you're going to win, but it's going to be like you're already somewhere else thinking about other stuff.
You know, I just played very focused today because I knew it's going to be a tough match. The wind probably might have helped me today, because she's a very tough player. You know, she's got these huge groundstrokes. I was playing rhythm and it gave me a little bit more time to get back into the game and do something.
Q. So what did you do different from the two prior times that she beat you?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I think I served very well. Even in like Montreal, I won the first set, and I still didn't kind of believe in myself that -- it was like a set and 3-All, I had chances to break her, but I wouldn't.
Tonight I just always had -- you know, I thought I might break her if I need it. That's what I didn't feel like when we played two, three weeks ago. It was just the difference. I just felt very good out there tonight.
Q. When was the last time you felt this good after a match, about the way you played, the result? In Australia?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I had some good matches when I won like in Rome. I had a great match against Lucic. I beat Kournikova, and Williams in the finals.
I don't think it was like the best match I've played, but it was just great having that victory. Against Iva also like the week after. I lost in the quarters, but still I had some good matches.
I just made very few mistakes tonight and I served very well. You need to have that against Monica. Just kind of have to hang in there and see what's going to happen.
Q. You spoke earlier in the tournament about having lost some confidence. Did the confidence return before the match tonight or during the match?
MARTINA HINGIS: Before the match actually, I knew I'm in good shape, physically well, I moved very well today. I just kind of knew where she's going to play the balls. I just got to a lot of balls.
Even she made the points at the end. Somehow when I really need it, when it's a critical point, I hang in there, just try not to make the mistakes and let her play as much as I can.
It was just a turnaround in the whole match. You know, tough game. But, yeah, I felt like before the match, I like playing night matches, especially when it's a little windy, I know I have better chances because I know I don't have like the powerful groundstrokes as they do, but the wind helps me.
Q. Do you know that she really hates playing in the wind?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I mean, she plays so exact. She has like, you know, when there is no wind out there, she just kind of hits the balls very fast. I mean, she lets you run around. I love the wind, so it's good.
Q. I'm wondering if that gave you some confidence, if you knew that she absolutely despises it.
MARTINA HINGIS: I didn't know she hates the wind. I didn't know. You've just got to go out there and play. It doesn't matter what the conditions are in this tournament anyway. It was so tough for everybody. I feel like whoever makes less errors is the winner instead of who makes the more points.
Q. What sort of a feeling did tonight's match give you for your next match and the rest of the tournament?
MARTINA HINGIS: You know, I have the feeling I'm getting better again, so that gives me a lot of confidence. I beat Monica Seles in the quarters. I knew I lost the last two of them, but now playing Jana, played her in the semis at Wimbledon, it's a different surface, you know. But I think I'm also a different player again.
Q. How so? How are you different than at Wimbledon?
MARTINA HINGIS: I guess I was just thinking again on the court. So that was a big difference. Some matches before, I just would somehow hit the ball, but I just didn't know what I'm doing out there. Tonight was a big difference again.
That's what I was doing last year, and I lost that since. I would make semifinals or win some tournaments at the beginning of the year, but I just somehow was always like too confident. I went out there and was just going into the match not really thinking about what I'm doing out there.
Tonight was just different because, you know, I needed it.
Q. When you broke her to go up 4-3 in the second set, you won it on a net cord, were you thinking, "Maybe this is my night when something like that happens"?
MARTINA HINGIS: Yes. Everything was kind of on my side. Like I had two, three net rolls over in the match -- in the game. I was a little bit lucky also with that shot. But I was already up 40-15, so who knows if I would lose that point, what happen the next one.
I knew I made that game. I was going to play with the wind, so I was very confident, yeah.
Q. Do you think over the last three months before this tournament and after the French Open that you got a little bit tired of tennis?
MARTINA HINGIS: I was just very happy those two Grand Slams were over, like in Europe, French and Wimbledon.
Just kind of found new motivation again to go in there, just fight again, keep my head up. Sometimes even you lose, but you just want to go out there and be the best again.
Q. So you're saying after Wimbledon, you had lost your motivation until you got here a little bit?
MARTINA HINGIS: No. I was happy after those tournaments, but I would like take a week off, do almost nothing. You know, I knew I didn't win like the California tournaments or in Montreal, but my game has gotten better, like tournament by tournament. I just feel good again. I just feel like I control the game a little bit better again.
Q. Is this the best you've felt since Australia or even since last year?
MARTINA HINGIS: I felt very good in Indian Wells. I felt, you know, I beat Venus and Lindsay at that tournament. I felt great. Also earlier, when I came to Key Biscayne, the couple first round matches, they were just great. I almost didn't miss anything. I had great wins, too.
Q. So this year it's sort of come in and out? You've gotten your confidence, it's gone away, come back?
MARTINA HINGIS: It's not over yet. There's still like two matches to go.
Q. What was the key to beat Novotna?
MARTINA HINGIS: As I said, if I'm going to play against Monica, just have to be faster than her, just kind of let her make some mistakes.
You know, she's so aggressive, if you serve like second serve, that's why I was trying just to put the first serve in. She has so much pace on the shots, just kind of kills you. You don't do that too often. Just let her run, let her move.
With Jana, it's kind of the same thing. You just try not to let her come in too much, just play a very consistent game.
Q. So you're hoping for another windy day?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, Jana has nothing against the wind either. I mean, she had good matches. She beat Testud, earlier she beat Patty very surprisingly high. I think the wind doesn't bother her at all. It doesn't me.
Q. Are you somewhat disappointed you're not playing Patty?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, disappointed? You know, Jana is a very experienced player, especially at a Grand Slam. She never chokes (laughter). Well, she always gets there, but she has to go. She never really loses like first, second round, as some other players would. She did against Steffi, okay. She always gets where she needs to go, especially in the last two, since she won Wimbledon.
Q. We hear you.
MARTINA HINGIS: Whatever. They don't believe me anyway.
Q. She said after Wimbledon, she felt that some players regarded her differently, maybe even feared her now, Jana did. Do you sense that? Does winning a Grand Slam change the players' opinion of you?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, she hasn't lost that many matches since before and after. She won like three straight tournaments. She made the finals in Montreal -- no, semis, and she lost against Arantxa.
Yeah, I mean, she won Wimbledon, so she's a champ there. It definitely gives you more confidence, even if sometimes you don't play well. You know the other girls think -- they have respect. If you win a big one, they have respect, definitely.
Q. Do you still feel like the best player in the world?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, now I feel good, so don't take that away from me.
Q. After your match, did you watch the baseball?
MARTINA HINGIS: McGwire scored 62nd. I just heard it, yeah.
Q. Does that mean anything to you, that McGwire accomplishment?
MARTINA HINGIS: I think it's great. There are still like 25 more games to go, 24 now. Everybody was watching actually that game when him and Sosa was playing. He scored his 61st. Everybody was like, "Don't change the channel." Nobody wanted to watch tennis.
I think if you see some other athletes doing well, it's just very motivating. That somebody else is also doing great, I mean, it's a great record. There's still so many games to go. So he can even put the record higher. Nobody can set it again, only him, next year.
Q. Will it be very disappointing for you not to win The Open?
MARTINA HINGIS: Now, yes, because I think my game, especially tonight, has improved a lot. If I really want, I can do well again. Against Jana, I feel pretty good. I want that revenge back.
Copyright 1996-1998 United States Tennis Association. All rights reserved.
Press Conference
Sunday, September 6, 1998 - Day 7 - Hingis / N. Dechy : 6-4, 6-4
Q. Feel lucky to have escaped?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I haven't escaped. I'm just kind of escaping every day, kind of.
No, but I started off very well this tournament. I was motivated when I came here to do well again. Kind of instead of getting better, I'm getting worse is what I have the feeling right now.
It's not very easy. When I play like Mauresmo or Dechy, they both are from France, but they're not like top players. You have to go play against them. It's like you think it's going to be easy, but all of a sudden you're out there on the court, everything is fine, but you just kind of can't hit the ball in the court. So that's a problem.
It was kind of very windy. I had so much trouble, I just couldn't hit one serve in. Probably like 20 double-faults. Can somebody tell me how many I made?
Q. Nine.
MARTINA HINGIS: Nine?
Q. Seven in the first.
MARTINA HINGIS: Only nine? Wow! (laughter). I was like four in one game or so.
Q. Is it because of the competition that you feel you're not playing as well as you could be, getting to the point where you need to be this time next week?
MARTINA HINGIS: I expected playing like Sugiyama maybe in the fourth round, someone who's tougher. You go out there, think everything is fine. You're very confident, but it's windy, you just kind of looking for everything. Just kind of can't find out the reason. It's complicated, all this. I don't know.
Q. How much do you have to raise your game for the next match? If you can, describe what you've seen in the way Monica Seles is playing right now?
MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I was like ready when she was up -- the first set was 6-1, 4-1 up. I was like, you know, I had my skirt on, my head band, everything was set. Then all of a sudden it was like 6-4 Po. You still saw that she has to go through three sets. You just kind of wait there, hang around. I guess she didn't have the best day either today.
Q. How much does that wind affect you? Monica talked about how it swirls, you think you're hitting it here, it goes two meters.
MARTINA HINGIS: I had trouble, too. Just my serves, return, the ball comes right at you, all of a sudden it's like two meters next to you. You kind of want to hit the ball already, and it's going away and away. You feel like, Hey, what's the matter?
You just kind of have to be very focused and concentrate on each point. Sometimes it just comes directly to you. You think it's going to be an easy shot. Boom, you hit it in the net or something goes wrong.
Q. Is that worse than it's been today?
MARTINA HINGIS: Oh, the wind was terrible today. It was spinning around. You always thought, you know, from this side you're going to have the better side. The sun is not against you. You have wind in your back. You're going to make the shots. You just kind of control the game.
All of a sudden, everything turns around against you. It wasn't very easy. I'm in the quarters again, top eight.