U.S. OPEN

September 5, 1992

Chanda Rubin

Q. Chanda, how disappointing was that call? The "out" call on the deep shot she hit that would have been double breakpoint for you?

CHANDA RUBIN: It was very disappointing because I really wanted to go up 5-2, but you know, it can go either way. It could have been good. It could have hit the line. I had to just go back and you know, keep concentrating. I made an error the next point. I was probably still thinking about it. I should have just forgotten about it, and --

Q. Chanda, is this the biggest victory of your career?

CHANDA RUBIN: Definitely.

Q. Chanda, would you share your thoughts with us on having beaten a seeded player?

CHANDA RUBIN: Well, when I went out, I didn't -- I don't think I really thought about her being seeded. I just went out. I had a game plan in mind. I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to keep the ball crosscourt, stay in the points, then go for my shot. I mean, I didn't really think about beating a seeded player. After I won, I kind of think about it. It feels pretty good.

Q. Who were the best players you have beaten?

CHANDA RUBIN: Good question.

Q. Any match that you remember--

CHANDA RUBIN: No.

Q. -- that meant so much to you?

CHANDA RUBIN: No.

Q. Do you think that winning Wimbledon Juniors helps you know that you could win?

CHANDA RUBIN: Oh, it was a great boost, I think. I mean, I went there, you know, -- I won the tournament. It is always a boost of confidence to win the tournament, whatever it is. And winning Wimbledon, it was great. It is sort of-- I don't know, it is sort of, you know, like an obstacle, and you know, that was just great. I think that helped a lot with my concentration and my confidence, and you know, just going out, each match, playing each match, and you know, having a bit of fun, too, so --

Q. Have you ever played any of the Maleevas before?

CHANDA RUBIN: No.

Q. Because you are about to play three in a row, if they keep winning and you keep winning.

CHANDA RUBIN: I never played any of them.

Q. Why didn't you use any drop shots today when she kept staying back. Usually-- that is not usually your game. Today you didn't use any?

CHANDA RUBIN: Well, usually, I don't know, when I drop shot, it is not very good. You know, and she keeps the ball pretty deep, and we were both hitting the ball. I mean, if I can do that the whole match, I will do it. That is fine with me. If she had given me, you know, a ball that, you know, I could have -- she is pretty close to the baseline too, so I didn't really see that it would work. I think I tried it once, but you probably could tell, because it was so bad.

Q. Chanda, what do you consider the strong points of your game and what do you think you have to work on?

CHANDA RUBIN: Definitely the baseline is the strong point. I have been working on coming in a lot more and I have been doing that, you know, in the past matches, but you know, I like to be able to do a little more, with a little bit more confidence. You know, more first serves, and concentration can always be improved.

Q. When you were up 5-4 in the third set, how nervous were you? Were you feeling confident or were you feeling that you were going to finish it off?

CHANDA RUBIN: I was a little bit relieved, because I won the last game at 4-All and I was down that game. When I got up 5-4, you know, then it was kind of like, you know, I can do this. The match is right here. Just play every point. Don't think about match point. Just think about one point at a time, and try to get four straight. That is what I was thinking about. 40-30, I got a little nervous, but I am glad I was able to hit the ball.

Q. Talk about the crowd a little bit; how that might have helped you or -- they seemed to have been pretty much on your side.

CHANDA RUBIN: Definitely, it helps. It is nice to have the crowd on your side. It is better than going for another person all the time. It is nice. I am here in the U.S., and you know, that is a plus.

Q. You are playing with the big girls now. Is the difference between what you do in the juniors like the difference between Triple A baseball and the Major Leagues? It is a big jump?

CHANDA RUBIN: It is a pretty big jump. You know, I have been playing for a year now, and I think, you know, the last few tournaments I have really gotten better at staying in the match and staying-- you know, tough throughout the whole match, which is what you have to do in the pros. The juniors, you could have a little lapse and still win and stay in. In the pros, that wouldn't work. I definitely think I'm better at that. But it is a pretty big difference.

Q. What impact has the USTA's National Program had on your career?

CHANDA RUBIN: A lot. A whole lot. I have been, you know, part of the development program for-- you know, for a year. Then I was on the National Team for two years, and you know, I had national coaches with me at every tournament. I have one here with me now.

Q. Who?

CHANDA RUBIN: Lynn Rolley. They have been a tremendous help.

Q. Do you think this is the sort of match they have been waiting for, this could have been a real breakthrough for you?

CHANDA RUBIN: Yes. -- Can you say that again.

Q. Do you think this is sort of the match that the USTA was waiting for you, sort of the performance that they wanted from you, that it was a real breakthrough for you to win a match like that today?

CHANDA RUBIN: It was a match I was waiting for. I hope the USTA was waiting for it. I think they were. But I am trying to do my best, I am grateful for all the help they have given me. I am trying to do my best for me, for me, for them, for everybody. This was a really big breakthrough,.

Q. Could you talk about how you got started playing tennis?

CHANDA RUBIN: I was about six and my parents played and I would play with them. Try to hit on the fence, or try to hit with them. So they got me into it.

Q. How old were you when you started beating them?

CHANDA RUBIN: I never really played them. They hit with me all the time. They were kind of a coach, but not really. When I was that young I just kind of did it for fun, I guess, because I looked it. It was kind of a challenge. They set me up in a program when I was old enough, but I never really played against them.

Q. Are you going back to school full-time this fall? Are you going to be playing tournaments?

CHANDA RUBIN: Yes, I am at school right now.

Q. Are you missing classes because of the Open?

CHANDA RUBIN: Yes.

Q. Tell us where that is and what grade you are in?

CHANDA RUBIN: Episcopal school of Acadiama, in Cade, Louisiana, in 12th.

Q. I realize you are 16. What are the pitfalls for a 16 year old playing big time tennis? I mean that personally, as well as playing the game?

CHANDA RUBIN: I think getting a little tired sometimes. You kind of have to take breaks every now and then and; not play too much for long periods of time. But I am real good at that and I am still enjoying it. Whenever I get a little tired, I take some days off, take a week off. Basically, I think you know, I think that is it. I mean, that is all that could go wrong, you know, if you really enjoy playing.

Q. The player development program of the USTA at times it has been criticized for all of money that goes into it. Could you speak about where you would be now if there were no player development program and specifically how does it help you, stroke direction or just support in general, can you talk about that?

CHANDA RUBIN: I am not really sure where I would be now. I guess specifically they have helped me with coaching, and you know, I mean, there is really good coaching with the USTA. , Lynn has traveled with me a lot and she really knows me as a player and gotten to know her. I guess we kind of have a real good relationship and that has helped me a lot. And a lot of the tournaments that I have been traveling to, and you know, I am just starting out, so she is kind of teaching me the ropes and stuff, so that is nice, and you know, they have helped me financially, because tennis is very expensive, and you know, it would be hard -- it is hard now for a junior to travel, you know, without getting help from someone, and you know, trying to go overseas, and play all those tournaments, so I mean, that has also been a big help.

Q. Did you set a specific goal when you came into this tournament? What were your expectations?

CHANDA RUBIN: Well, I wanted to get to the third round; that was -- because I got to the second round last year, so I think that was the farthest I thought before the tournament, but you know, gradually I have just been you know, saying, okay, one match at a time. I want to get to the quarters now. So-- I said that yesterday, actually, so that was kind -- I was kind of ahead, but I am really thinking about my next match and I want to go out and play well, play my game, and hopefully win that.

Q. Have you ever felt any pressure given the pace that Jennifer -- the level that she reached at a young age, 14, 15, have you ever felt that pressure, that people are measuring success by what she is doing?

CHANDA RUBIN: Definitely not. I mean, I have always thought that she was -- she got really good at a young age. I mean, that is her, I guess. I don't know how often she played. I guess she was real dedicated to it, so you know, that is her, but I am a totally different person, and I am moving at my own pace. I am happy with my game. I am improving. I still want to improve. I am just kind of thinking about me. I don't try to compare myself to anybody else.

Q. Before you go, would you give us the pronunciation of your first name, is it "Sh" or "Ch?".

A. "CH" Chanda.

Q. Thank you.

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