TMS - THE ERICSSON OPEN

March 26, 2000

Lindsay Davenport

WTA: Questions for Lindsay.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think so. I think I've known for like maybe over two years that I was definitely one of the best players. The last few months I've been playing like the best player. I've never felt it was something I needed to say out loud or needed to reiterate to the public or to the other players; it's just something that I need to know. I mean, I know with a great year like this, winning all those titles, you can't help but know you're the one to beat.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Five years from now? I don't think I'll be here (laughter). I don't know.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Exactly. I've already played for eight years. It's been a long time. I enjoy it now more than ever, which has helped a lot. Five years is a long time down the road. I'm not sure if I can go that far yet.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I think so. Even today, I don't think I played the best much ever, but I just seem to be concentrating so much harder, staying in games where I've been down game points, just find a way to win. Especially these days, I'm winning a lot of matches easily, which helps a lot towards the end of a tournament. I just think the consistency level, intensity is there now day in and day out, where before I would have some lapses in concentration, go in and out of matches.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I always have the mindset before a match - before every match I get nervous, think it's going to be tough. You can't underestimate anybody. I know in the back of my mind that she's probably more nervous than I am. The last two times I played her, it's been relatively easy. She's probably a little bit intimidated going out there. At the same time, the more you get to play top players, the more you might play better and better against them. I'm going to go out there the same way I've played her before: being aggressive, trying to pick on her backhand, being inside the court, all of that stuff. If it's not going so well after a few games, I'll see what happens.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Definitely not on court. Neither one of my parents ever did anything with me on the court. On the court, no. Off the court, I mean, I have a lot of fond memories. Everyone says I grew up in a normal family. I have two older sisters. We used to do everything with our parents on the weekend, go swimming, go to the grocery store, do all that kind of stuff.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I went to so many games, had to watch my dad referee in so many different games. Both of my sisters played. The youngest child is kind of the one that has to go everywhere. That was me.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I didn't know that much. I didn't know that much about the calls he was making, but I always felt bad when they'd yell at him.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Maybe. I don't know. I don't jump so well. Maybe if I had worked on some things. I definitely have the height. I'm glad I chose tennis.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I can't imagine it. Even if it wasn't a parent, I don't really like that type of personality anyway, somebody talking about me. I prefer to speak for myself and handle my battles on my own. I prefer to motivate myself, prefer to do all that stuff alone. I've always done it that way. It's hard to see the other side when you don't really understand it. I don't really know.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: No, with no one in my family.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Oh, no. This isn't one of my favorite states, let's say. I like it in California.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Of course. I have a tremendous club and a tremendous following. They put on an incredible Davis Cup about two years ago. Very excited for the Fed Cup. It's one of the few places you can play in the United States outdoors in November, and I can be home for Thanksgiving. Why wouldn't I?

LINDSAY DAVENPORT: I don't think she needs to ask me. She'll have to ask the other players. She knows my answer to that.

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