US OPEN

August 27, 1997

Sandrine Testud

Q. Can you share with us some of your feelings after the victory?

SANDRINE TESTUD: Like I said before, I'm happy, you know, about this victory. I mean, I beat her last week in Atlanta, but it's always a different match, you know, in a Grand Slam event, playing on centre court. So I think I played pretty good the first set today, and I was a little bit tired at the beginning of the second set. It was kind of difficult to play good tennis today, because it was so windy, and I made many mistakes in the second set. I was a little bit slow, and she came back good. I mean, she had some -- she hit some good winners. And the beginning of the third set was very important. When I broke her at 2-1 and we had this unbelievable rally at 2-1 on my serve, I think it was important for me to win this game, because I didn't want her to come back, because it could be tough for me. And I made this game. I serve pretty good on this one. So it was 3-1, you know. It give me a little bit of air, you know. And then it was easier after.

SANDRINE TESTUD: I think you prove that life is also important, if you want to play good tennis, it's both important. But, you know, I've been working hard the last few months, and I think it's just a pay off. I have much more confidence on my game, on myself. I think it makes a difference, you know. I've been able to beat Top 10 players in the Grand Slam. You know, when I get on the court today, I really think I can win, you know, against everybody. So I think it makes a big difference, you know.

SANDRINE TESTUD: It has to do with the work I've done the last winter, you know, physically and also tennis. But for sure I think there is nothing better than to win matches, you know, and win matches against the best. It gives you a lot of confidence. It looks, I think, much more easier after.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Well, actually I'm not looking -- I'm looking round after round. I have no idea against who I'm playing next round. So everybody is tough to play, you know. Friday is going to be another day. You never know what's going to happen. But I'm going to come down on the court and be ready, you know, to win this match. Then we see what can happen, you know. Everything can happen.

SANDRINE TESTUD: No. I have problem. I have Achilles problem. It's been bothering me for many months now. I just have to take care. Nothing much I can do.

SANDRINE TESTUD: I have Achilles, sore Achilles.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Both. Make it easier.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Maybe, you know. Like I said, I don't know if it was this point especially, but this game was really important, you know. I was serving at 2-1. It was important to me to go 3-1 and not let her come back, you know. Maybe she lost this point, she was maybe, you know, maybe a little bit disappointed. And she gave me few points after that, well, that helped me a lot. But I repeat on this game, I really served good. I was concentrate. And, of course, to win this rally, I mean, was a good one. But mainly I think the game, the whole game, was really important.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Oh, I was so tired. I couldn't breathe anymore. I mean, it can happen, you know, sometimes. It's always good to win it, you know.

SANDRINE TESTUD: I think a couple of times in my career to have rallies like this. For sure it's always better to win these kind of rallies than lose it for your confidence.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Well, I don't know. For sure maybe when they know they going to play against me, you know, they're maybe more scared or maybe they're going to say, "Maybe I have a bad draw," whatever. You have to ask them, I don't know. But, no, people are nice to me. I mean, I don't think it change anything.