STATE FARM EVERT CUP

March 11, 1996

Julie Halard-Decugis

Q. Did you feel like you lost track a little bit in the first set when you got broken, when your serve got broken? You lost track of the match. You were sort of playing her pretty even and then you got broken in that 6th game. Was that a bit of a setback for you?

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: I think I had some opportunities at the first set to make the difference a little bit. I have some breakpoints, even in the first game; in the 7th game I was 40-Love. And I didn't get the chance to lead in the first set and then she -- she is a tough player and she puts a lot of intensity when she is playing and that is maybe the difference. At some important points I didn't make the point or she make some good winners and even the second set I was leading 4-1 and I think when I served for five -- at 4-2, she makes unbelievable backhand down the line when I was going serve and volley and she -- even at 5-4, I have a chance on her serve for 30-40, but I missed a volley. I didn't finish with my smash and then I missed the volley, so it just a few points, but it is still there. But I think I was pretty happy by the way I played and it was -- two sets were tight, I figured if I continue to play like this, maybe one day I will get the opportunity.

Q. What is your explanation for you playing that much more consistent than the years before?

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Well, two years ago I played pretty good year and then it was only last year I didn't play that good, but I think we have a good break at the end of 1994 and then we tried to play a little bit differently and to be more aggressive and play more for my game and well, I have some good weeks this year and I am more confident and I am happy with playing tennis, just good tennis and I want to continue playing like this and I feel my attitude is a bit better than last year.

Q. Before the match did you really -- okay, you walk on court trying to win, but was there more belief than ever to have a good chance?

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Yes, and I feel more my concentration through the match is better than before and even my intensity of play because maybe before in the few games I didn't play a few games or some points and now I am more into the match and I have to continue in this way because when you play No. 1 player, you have to play your game more and every point and you can't let your chance for her to come back like in the second set or even the second set, so just a few points that make the difference now.

Q. Especially the first set, there were some close decisions by the lineman that were not in your favor. Was that a factor? Did you get upset?

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Every match you have a few mistakes on both sides, so you have to play with the umpires. But you are disappointed if it is not for you, but it is in every match you have a few mistakes. It is like this and it is difficult with the umpire every time with the close lines. So it is tennis.

Q. It seems like there was a point in the first set -- 'til this point you were playing very well; then you got a little upset and you lost yourself.

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Yes, but Steffi is a good player, so it is difficult if you are losing one or two points or making one or two mistakes, it is difficult then because she is right there and she makes a lot of pressure when she is playing, so it is difficult to stay at this level during all the match, but I think I was pretty happy today, but I would like to have played a third set, but--

Q. Did you get a little nervous serving at 4-2 in the second because you hit two doublefaults in that game and got broken. That was your first doublefaults of the match.

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Yeah, I made two doublefaults.

Q. Was it nerves or did you just lose rhythm a little bit or what --

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Yeah, it was -- I was thinking more about receipt; than my serve. That is, in a way, what I have to improve too, be more confident about my serving and about me and to think about what is going to do, the other ones. But otherwise, during the play, I was playing good and trying to play my game and I think it was good play.

Q. How would you assess Steffi's play after her three month break?

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Yeah, but I think last year too she was not playing a lot and I think she win a lot of tournaments and she win three Grand Slams, so I think it doesn't make a big difference with her when she is not playing a lot and she is playing very good and I think she wants to play and she is happy to be on the court, so sometimes it is better not to play too much tennis, so... I think today she was playing a good match because on the important points she was here and she made some good winners, so, I was impressed by the points she makes like 4-2 with her backhand and she was very -- she was confident today too.

Q. Julie, you seem to be becoming a really top player at the age of 25. How do you account for that? That is unusual.

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: It depends on the player, I think, you know, that some players that get very good early and some better, later, and I feel even in the men you have some players like Thomas, he won Roland Garros. Even with the women, even it is a little bit earlier, but I think you be good later, even at 25.

Q. You seem like you play a lot like Agassi. You camp right on the baseline; you are standing right on top of the baseline. Did you study him in any way?

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Yes -- well, sometimes I am looking for -- I am looking at the men playing. I think you can learn a lot too, but, well, first of all, it was my game, but maybe it looked like a little bit the same, but he was No. 1. I was not.

Q. What do you think is the main difference between a player at Steffi's level and a player at your level; you are playing very well, but is there something beside the game, maybe something psychological that is the difference?

JULIE HALARD-DECUGIS: Between Steffi and me? It is more, maybe, the intensity of the match, the consistency in the match. I think it is not really with the shots that is the big difference, it is more with the concentration and the confidence she has got. But she is a tough player because she is always -- everyday she is playing like this and -- well, it is not easy.

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