US OPEN

August 28, 1997

Mary Joe Fernandez

Q. That was a pretty solid third set you played out there, Mary Joe.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Yes. Both second and third sets I felt pretty comfortable. First set she took me a little bit by surprise, served big serves. I wasn't really sure what to expect. I'd never played her before. Actually I haven't really seen her play too many matches. That's a little bit difficult sometimes. I had opportunities, I wasn't able to convert. Fortunately the second set I got the momentum going. Once I got ahead, I felt confident.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Who?

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: The person I played?

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: That's a good question. I've never played her before. I know she has a very good game, hits the ball very hard and flat off both sides. Like Arantxa said earlier, the game is changing; the youngsters are hitting the ball harder and going for more. She's definitely one of them. She's up-and-coming. I think she needs a little bit more experience, like you said, maybe more big matches to break through. From what I've seen her play, I think I played her in doubles once, she hits the ball solidly.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Everyone has their age. It's a little bit fascinating when you're young, very exciting. I remember coming here my first time when I turned 14. US Open is a big deal, especially for an American. You know, you see it on TV every year. It's a place to do well. It's exciting. It's exciting to be around the other players. I'm sure that's what she feels. She's been around for a couple years. I think she's maybe more used to it than somebody else. It's just a thrill to be around all the top players.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Well, I think it's a good contrast. I think when you see a hard hitter, play someone who doesn't hit the ball quite so hard, but moves well, is able to change the direction of the ball well, it makes for interesting matches. The trend nowadays is to hit it a little bit harder and go for more shots and more winners. You know, it's very rare to see someone like a Hingis beat them all the time. She's exceptional. She's very fast, anticipates very well, hits the ball extremely early. So she compensates her speed with the power of her opponent. But, you know, I think that solid game will never be gone. I think you'll always have someone who is not a power hitter and can still do well, still move the ball around, kiind of outsmart the opponents It's getting tougher and tougher as time goes on.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: I think it's getting better. I think the players are getting smarter out there, everyone, the hard hitters. But sometimes you don't have to be too smart; they take two whacks at the ball and the point is over. It's just a different game style. It's not one where you have to do too much constructing. You kind of try to go for your big shot and get the opening and, boom, you hit the winner.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: No.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: At the end of last year, I was having a lot of wrist problems, I've been having them for a year. It was just getting a little bit frustrating. A lot of rumors were going around about me not playing anymore. But, no. No retirement plans as of now. This year has been good for me. I've been healthy. I've been playing well. I think that's the most important thing for me, if I can stay fit, then it makes the game that much more enjoyable for me. There's no start and stop, start again.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: No.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Nothing. That's how rumors get started. One person talks.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: No. Bobby Bank, he was just working with Justin Gimelstob up until now. It was good timing for me because I was working with Sven through Wimbledon. He started working with the Swiss Federation. Bobby just ended with Justin. He's from Florida, so it makes it easier.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Florida.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: I still go there on my weeks off of training, do fitness stuff. I like it there a lot.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: It actually flared up in Wimbledon. Took some time off, got a little irritated in Canada because I hadn't played too much. Played a lot of matches in one week. It's doing pretty well now.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Yes.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Well, I think every youngster dreams of winning a Grand Slam or being No. 1 in the world. You know, those dreams are still there until you fulfill them. I still feel I have a good chance. I think a lot of things can happen in two weeks. I've had one realistic opportunity to win, that was '93 at the French Open. You know, I wasn't able to. But, like I said, I feel that if I'm playing well and I'm healthy that anything is possible. You know, this year at the French and Wimbledon, I lost two 7-5 in the third matches against Seles and Novotna that could have gone either way, you never know. It's a matter of persevering, you know, just keep on trying. Whether it happens or not, we'll see.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Sure. I think winning and moving up and always improving is something that motivates me. You know, winning tournaments, and obviously Grand Slams are the ones that you strive to peak at, so those are the ones in the back of your mind you really want to do well in. Winning is the ultimate goal.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Way back when (laughter).

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Well, I feel that it's so much easier from the outside looking in than when you're out there, whether it be strategy or technique. When you're playing, it's hard for one to realize what's going on all the time. When you step away from it, it's a lot easier. So a coach helps you to look at what you're doing, what you're not, what your patterns are, scouting your opponents. It's just a lot easier with somebody there helping you out than doing it on your own.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: No. But I watch the ones that are on TV. My sister tapes them for me.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Sure. I like watching a lot of matches. I've watched all of my own matches, especially the ones that I lose, to find out what went wrong. I pick up a lot of things.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Sure. Whenever you lose a set, you know you're in trouble.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: I just knew the first set there were a couple points that made the difference. I needed to win those in the second set. You know, I hang in there. I really wait for my opportunities. Finally I got the break, got up 3-1, a felt a lot more confident. So it's just a matter of sometimes weathering the storm and just, you know, mentally staying tough.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: It's the same for everybody. It was the same for everybody. You can't say --

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: No, I don't think so.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Delays are always a bit of a pain. We got here early this morning, 9:30. Had to wait around. Didn't really get a chance to practice because it never really stopped. It's frustrating because you just don't know when you're going to get on. They actually moved my match. I ended up being fortunate that they moved the men's match out of the stadium and put us on. If not, I could still be waiting to go on.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Yes.