US OPEN

August 27, 1997

Mary Pierce

Q. I wanted to just ask you a general question if I might, Mary. I wanted to ask you what aspect of the game that you get the most pleasure from? What part of it that you appreciate the most?

MARY PIERCE: That is a good question. The competition, I guess. Just when you are having a great match; when it is a close match; when you feel like you are producing your best tennis, and your opponent is as well, I think that is when it is the most fun. That is when it is the most challenging. I guess when there is a challenge.

MARY PIERCE: I have had a lot of great matches, great challenges. Maybe my first Grand Slam final was a big challenge, but it was also a weird match because it was played over two days. I think maybe the Australia Finals. Maybe that whole tournament. Especially this year's Australian Open was a challenge for me, because I didn't play any tournaments for three months, or play tennis for three months. So I was really excited to get back out there and see how I was going to do, where I was at.

MARY PIERCE: I see Jennifer all the time. I mean, we are on the Tour together and she is one of my friends. I have known her for probably twelve years. We played juniors together in Florida, so, yeah, I see her often.

MARY PIERCE: I didn't see Jennifer after her match yesterday. But, you know, when we are together, I don't think we really talk that much about tennis. We talk about other things. We deal enough with tennis so when we are together amongst other players and friends, we just want to relax.

MARY PIERCE: I think that is very important to be mentally fit as well as physically. I mean, with tennis, it is a lot of things: Physical condition, your mental condition, and emotional all play a big role. And your health as well. And, I think all of those things are equally important to play tennis.

MARY PIERCE: Yeah, it is something much, much more difficult to do because it is something that you are going to have to do yourself. But, you are able to work on it and improve it.

MARY PIERCE: No, it is kind of -- I meet with the designers a few times during the year. I talk to them about different colors and different styles and materials and, you know, everything from buttons to zippers and just things that I like and don't like. Then they come to me with things and then, you know, I try them on see how they fit and go from there.

MARY PIERCE: Well, black and white, I think, is just very basic colors, classic colors and white is my favorite color and black is a nice contrast. And, I think orange or red, whatever you want to call it here, I think it kind of just goes with New York. It is bright and it is loud. And, it is summertime and the sun is out. So, I mean, you know --