US OPEN

August 25, 1997

Lisa Raymond

VERONIQUE MARCHAL: Questions for Lisa.

LISA RAYMOND: Well, I think on paper it's an upset. Whether in my mind it's an upset, that's something different. You know, it felt great. I think it was a tough match for the both of us. Her obviously being seeded, me being ranked, you know, in the high 20s. That's always a tough first round for a seeded player. For me, having gotten to the fourth round last year, I obviously had some pretty high expectations for myself this year. You know, it worked out well for me.

LISA RAYMOND: I was trying to get it all out then on the changeover. Obviously I had let a small -- it was a pretty big opportunity at the time, you know, slip by, being up 5-1, serving for the match. It's a lot different than being up 3-4. So I was a little angry at myself, but I think I regrouped very well, played a very good game at 3-4.

LISA RAYMOND: It's completely different. For me, though, today, being on grandstand, stadium three as they're calling it now, you know, it was like the old -- it was the same old US Open. That was great. I mean, I love that court, always loved playing out there. But being over on this side, practicing the past few days, it's just a whole different atmosphere, almost like a different tournament. It's great. I mean the stadium is absolutely beautiful, facilities are very nice, and the courts are great. Maybe my next match will be on this side.

LISA RAYMOND: I think that's what it's called.

LISA RAYMOND: Yeah, I had been informed of all the new names. To me it will always be grandstand.

LISA RAYMOND: I've played a bunch. It's funny, I was practicing out there with Mary Joe the other day. I was telling my coach kind of my record out there. My singles record isn't very good. But I probably played out there about six or seven times, singles and mixed. So one more in the win column today.

LISA RAYMOND: Yes, I beat Kim last year, Kim Po. That was my first and only until today.

LISA RAYMOND: I'm playing doubles with Rene Stubbs and mixed with Patrick Galbraith.

LISA RAYMOND: A little bit, yup. The hardcourt season hasn't been too great for me. I've had a couple tough draws, you know, playing Conchita first time in San Diego. But I think, you know, I've been doing a lot of off-court training recently, trying to get into better shape than I've been in the past. I think it's starting to pay off. You know, this is a Grand Slam. You know, nothing -- you don't really worry about what you've done up until this point. I mean, coming into the US Open is just such a different atmosphere. Whatever I did in the past couple of months is disregarded. I mean, I just worry about this match and tomorrow.

LISA RAYMOND: Well, I think in Martina's case, I mean, it would just be -- obviously for her to go to college would have been a very big waste of time. But I think she's special, just like I thought Jenniferr Capriati was a special case As far as Venus is concerned, you know, I think there's a lot of hoopla around here. She's had very mixed results. You know, who knows? I mean, I've always been a firm believer of school, just going even for a year, just to kind of get away and just grow up, not only help your tennis, but just grow as an individual. I think a lot of girls just don't see that. They just see the dollar signs. You know, probably a lot of it isn't even their fault, it was their parents'. They were kind of pushing them, seeing all these endorsements, all this money, go, go, go. Forget about education and school and being a normal kid, let's make money.

LISA RAYMOND: I'm sorry?

LISA RAYMOND: I'm not sure. I don't know Brie. Did Osterloh win the nationals? If you go to school and you dominate, then I think obviously the next level and the next thing to do is to turn pro. I think that's the right decision. But I think if you just go to college and just kind of aren't even dominating in college, you're certainly not going to dominate or do very well on the Pro Tour. The Pro Tour is a lot harder than college tennis. So I think that in Osterloh's case, if she did win at NCAAs, was No. 1, I think that's a good decision. I don't know about Brie. I don't know what she's done.

LISA RAYMOND: Really? Well, then, if she's gone a year and she feels she's ready, then that's the next choice, the next level. But I think to just go for a year, it can't hurt you. To turn pro at 18 is not too old, so.