TENNIS MASTERS SERIES - ROMA

May 16, 2002

Mary Pierce

THE MODERATOR: First question for Mary, please.

MARY PIERCE: I think the main thing tonight is I put too much pressure on myself and thought that I had to play too good. And instead of just having fun and just playing my game, you know, I think I took it a little bit too serious. And that was the main thing.

MARY PIERCE: Oh, no. No. I mean, you know, it's a part of my life, it's not the end of the world. You know, of course I don't like to lose. I don't think anybody does. But, you know, obviously tonight was definitely not my night. Made a lot of unforced errors. You know, of course, Jennifer played a good match. But, you know, nothing that I'm impressed with. I didn't feel overpowered. I didn't feel under pressure. I felt like I was more dominating and in control, I just made mistakes - shots, to be back in the top, not to miss those shots.

MARY PIERCE: I'm not sure. I don't think so. I don't know. I don't know. You'd have to check history stats or whatever.

MARY PIERCE: I don't know.

MARY PIERCE: I don't remember. You'd have to check it.

MARY PIERCE: No. Not really. I mean, it's just a sport. It's points that you win, you know. If someone just looks at the score, they go, "Wow!" you know? Even for me, it's kind of ridiculous. And, you know, there were a few games I had game points. There were a few games I was up 30-love. There were many games 30-all. There were close games, but not a close score at the end of the day.

MARY PIERCE: That's the magic question, isn't it (laughing)?

MARY PIERCE: Of course. If I'm not, if I wasn't optimistic, I wouldn't be alive, I wouldn't be playing the game, you know? I really don't have -- I don't have an answer for that question. I just take every day and do the best that I can. Obviously, the sooner, the better. But, you know, it's just ...all I can do is just the best every day.

MARY PIERCE: I don't see why not (laughing).

MARY PIERCE: I don't see why not. It's just a tennis match, you know...

MARY PIERCE: No, not at all. Actually, it will probably surprise you what I'm going to say, but it does give me a lot of confidence. Because I did feel in control of a lot of the match and points and rallies, and I didn't feel under pressure. And I was able to really come forward and be aggressive and hit the ball. Just made a lot of unforced errors. So it showed me, you know, Jennifer is a fantastic player. She's been playing awesome the last few years, she's won many tournaments, has been No. 1. Just shows me that I have the game like all the players on top.