Anna Kournikova defeated Sabine Appelmans, 6-2, 6-0 in USTA 1997 US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Monday, August 25, 1997.

Anna Kournikova Post-Match Interview.

Q. Can you just talk about your match today and how that sort of sets you on a good pace for this Open?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, yeah. I started off real well. It’s good for me to start well, that I kept going through the match the same way. I was very happy with the way I played for the first match, for the first round.

Q. How about playing in New York? Are you going to do anything while you’re here, see anything, go out?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I mean, you go out every day, you know, to eat, have dinners. But, you know, I don’t have much time while we’re playing. But after we’re finished playing, I will definitely go somewhere. I have great memories, you know, in New York from last year, like at home here.

Q. What kind of expectations do you have for the two weeks, Anna? Do you have any definite goals or do you just want to play well?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I just want to play well and be, you know, real consistent playing, just go out there and really focus on each match.

Q. How well do you think you can do?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Everybody, you know, can do well. So, I mean, it’s hard to say. But I’ll try to give it all I’ve got in every match.

Q. Anna, after your match, there’s like a hoard of people coming for your autographs and that kind of thing. How have you handled sort of this popularity that you have on The Tour? Is it distracting for you or is it sort of flattering for you?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I’m playing for the fans, so whenever they come and ask for autograph, I always try to give it to everybody because I’m out there for the people. I’m playing and I hope they enjoy it.

Q. How do you handle sort of the groupies that kind of follow you around?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Like?

Q. Like a lot of the young boys that sort of follow you around and yell out, “I love, Anna,” during the match.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think that happens to everybody.

Q. What did you do to get ready for the tournament? I know you didn’t play two weeks ago in Canada because you couldn’t get in there.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, I just practiced at home, really was just getting ready.

Q. How do you feel about the restrictions the WTA puts on you?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it’s a little bit hard for me, you know, like coming into this event with no matches before. Like last week I didn’t play anything. So it’s a little bit hard, but I’m trying to play just regular matches before each tournament to get ready.

Q. When do the rules loosen up? When can you start playing full-time?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Like next June.

Q. Next June?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah.

Q. Had you played in that stadium in this tournament before? I can’t remember.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, last year.

Q. Did it feel different this year?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it was probably circumstances were different. Last year I played there for the first time a night match against Paulus. That’s where I made my first biggest match ever. So this year I was already, you know, played on centre court at Wimbledon, and I’m used to that big kind of court. So I felt very comfortable.

Q. Did it feel like the centre court? Now we’ve got a bigger one and everything.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It’s huge still.

Q. People are talking but adding a certain appeal to tennis, women’s tennis. I don’t want to really call it sex appeal. How do you react to that? Do you like to hear that? Does it bother you?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think, that tennis is a lady’s sport, so we should look out there like ladies. I just try to look after myself and really play.

Q. Do you think people sort of concentrate more on your looks and everything like that instead of your tennis?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: They wouldn’t come here if I wouldn’t be playing.

Q. Anna, would you like to become an American citizen?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: That has never been an issue yet, but I never — I didn’t come to Canada because I was waiting for something like that, for citizenship or anything. I’m a Russian citizen, so I have to have more time for my Visas to travel. I need Visa for every country, France, England, everything, Canada, so I didn’t wait the time for the Visa. Didn’t get it.

Q. Do you feel more like an American now or do you feel more like a Russian?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Sure, I feel a little bit like American. I grew up here. Since I’ve been ten I’ve been here, but I’m still Russian.

Q. Who is your coach now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Nick Bollettieri.

Q. How many tournaments are you going to play after the US Open? How many can you play?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think like nine. I’m not sure. Nine or ten, nine.

Q. You’re at eight.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Until June, next June.

Q. You mean eight more?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Eight more or nine more, I’m not sure.

Q. Do you know what your schedule is going to be?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, no.

Q. But you’re playing world team tennis?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes.

Q. Why are you doing that, just to get more matches?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, it will be a very good experience for me I think to play a little bit more matches, maybe with some of the top players. It will be good for me.

Q. Are you surprised that Lucic was allowed in the tournament, even though she’s too young?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I was.

Q. What do you think about it?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It was very strange for me because last year I couldn’t play like French, I believe, or Wimbledon, something like that. And my ranking was high enough to get me into the Grand Slam, but I couldn’t because of the age restriction. And I think it’s unfair that they’re letting her play right now when I wasn’t able to play last year. So it’s very unfair, I think, to me and to all other players. Because if you make a rule, you have to, you know, stay to that same rule. You can’t make any exceptions if you already made the rule. So it’s pretty unfair to me, I think.

Q. Are you able to appreciate the rule, though, why they made it? Or do you think it’s kind of silly?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I still think everybody’s different. Doesn’t mean what happened to some of the other girls, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen to me. Obviously, you know, I’m still here, and I am sure I’m going to be here, and nothing’s going to happen to me. So I think everybody’s different. They shouldn’t just make those kind of rules. I’ve been practicing all my life to play, and I’m just like, you know, waiting right now. For what, I don’t know.

Q. Do you remember which one it was that you weren’t allowed in last year?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, I don’t know for sure. I was a hundred something, like 110. I could get like into one of the Grand Slams.

Q. Either Wimbledon or the French?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, it was something like that because I played the US Open last year.

Q. What are your expectations here of yourself? How well do you think you can do here?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, like I said, I’m going to try to give all my best in every match and really concentrate on each match. So I’m going to take it step at a time.

Q. What is the one thing that you like best about being a tennis player?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, you know, I’m doing what I love to do, so I really enjoy playing tournaments, I really enjoy playing matches, being out there for the crowd. I think that, you know, helps me a lot when I do well and get my confidence up. I think when I win matches, you know, I enjoy it very much.

Q. What, if anything, do you miss out on having this life, having this tennis life? Do you miss out on what the other girls are doing?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I don’t think I’m missing anything. Maybe just being home a little bit more. But I think that, you know, I love to travel, it’s good for me. Because, you know, so I don’t get bored staying in one place for too long. Right now I couldn’t stay in one place for more than two months. I would probably want to go somewhere. I don’t think I’m missing anything.

Q. What do you like about the city? Are you staying in the city?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah. New York, you know, it’s a very fast city. So everything keeps going like energizer. I have great memories from here from last year. I really like the city.

Q. I don’t know if you talked about this at the beginning, but Sabine is a very good player. Are you surprised that you beat her so easily?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah. I was getting ready for a really tough match. She’s a great player, doesn’t give anything away. But I think that I started off real well. That’s why she, you know, didn’t get into the match. I was getting ready for a tougher match.

Q. Are you concerned about your next opponent, might be Spirlea, so it’s quite a difficult draw for you?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, when you’re not seeded, you always get seeds. Anyhow, I would get somebody who is a good player. So it is going to be a tough match also.

Q. What did you think about the attention you got at Wimbledon? They made a big fuss about you over there. Was it something you were able to look at and laugh at?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I didn’t make a point of it or something. But I think that all of the young players got a lot of attention over there, Martina, Williams, I think I was just one of them.

Anna Kournikova defeated Chanda Rubin, 6-1, 6-1 in 1997 The Championships at Wimbledon, England, on June 24, 1997.

Anna Kournikova’s Post-Match Interview.

Q: Were you surprised how easily you won?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it was very difficult match for me. I mean, I was getting ready for it as for a tough match and I think, you know, was ready for it and, it was not that - you know, surprised but I think that I played good at the points and she just, you know, did not get back in the match.

Q: Do you think it was because you played so well or she played badly, or both?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think that, you know, she was very nervous too at the beginning because we both played first time in the Centre Court, and I think that’s what happened.

Q: You were not nervous at all, were you?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, I was in the beginning, of course I was nervous as well, but after I got used to it, you know, and I felt very, very comfortable in that court. I mean, it’s really, you know, Centre Court of Wimbledon and it’s a big honour for me to play my first match on Wimbledon, and playing it on the Centre Court.

Q: Do you feel confident to maintain this form to ride the tournament?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I hope so, that I can continue in that way, and really, you know, try to do my best playing good matches.

Q: Do you regret your comments about Venus Williams’ play?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: What comments?

Q: Didn’t you say she wasn’t a very good player?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I never said that, no. I never say anything about players, you know, if they’re, you know, bad or anything, or good.

Q: Do you rate her though as a contemporary?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, she’s a player, she is, you know, very strong, she has good serve and she covers the court very well, so I mean, she is just like any other player.

Q: What is the best thing that can happen to you this week?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think, you know, something already happened, I played on the Centre Court, so my hope to continue, you know, just playing really my best tennis and try to really enjoy it. It’s Wimbledon and I have to enjoy it, it’s my first Wimbledon.

Q: Your next opponent is Barbara Rittner, have you ever played her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, I played her once in doubles only.

Q: Do you ever worry that obviously everybody is talking about how pretty you are, do you ever worry that is going to actually ever overshadow your game?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I don’t worry about anything like that, you know, I just think about tennis right now.

Q: Were you surprised how quickly it all went, it was a very quick game?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, you know, I was getting ready for that match and I just played I think very well and she did not get back in the match, so I guess that’s what happened.

Q: What do you wish to actually win this tournament? What do you wish to achieve in this tournament?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: You know, I don’t have really any goals set in front of me for this tournament, but I’m going to take it match at a time.

Q: How would you describe the experience of Centre Court?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it was very, very exciting for me, you know, it was like a dream come true. I watched many, many matches before on the Centre Court and on TV when I was growing up and it was really, really enjoyable for me to play there.

Q: Are there any particular players - any particular matches or players that you remember?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I watched a lot of matches, I watched Martina against Navratilova, the final, and I watched a lot of matches really on Centre Court and it was really interesting for me, it was really enjoyable.

Q: Are you still coached by Bollettieri?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah.

Q: Have you got a particular favourite player?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: In terms?

Q: Have you got a favourite player?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I like style of game of Pete Sampras and Boris Becker and I really like their style of game. They can do anything, you know, it’s really different, they can do anything they want.

Q: Women?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I like Steffi and Monica.

Q: Do you have many friends and family here to support you, to watch you?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, my parents are here.

Q: Is your boyfriend here or is he not coming?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I’m single.

Q: You’re not going out with him?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I’m single.

Q: Do you think you can win it this year?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Good question. Just take it match at a time and really I have to win matches first.

Q: What do you think you have to improve in your game, what is your weaknesses that you think you have to improve them?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think that right now I really just have to get, you know, experience and by playing more with the top players and really learning how to win and how to lose.

Anna Kournikova defeated Helena Sukova, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in 1997 The Championships at Wimbledon, England, on July 1, 1997

Anna Kournikova’s Post-Match Interview.

Q: What does it feel like to be in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I feel unbelievable right now. I feel very happy, and I’m very happy with the way I played today. I mean, it’s unbelievable. I’m very happy.

Q: Beating Helena, is that a sort of special thing?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, she’s a very experienced person. She’s played long on the tour and she has a great game for the grass. She comes to the net all the time, and she played very well today. But, at the end, you know, I returned some serves, starting to return. She served very well today, but it’s a good win for me.

Q: And you have Majoli in the next round?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: She won?

Q: She’s won, yes.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: We’ve never played before, no singles, no doubles, so that’s going to be a new match, an interesting match for me, a new match.

Q: It seems as if in every match it takes you a while to get used to your opponent here. Is that what’s happening out there?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, not really. It’s just that, you know, I waited today six hours before I got on the court. I was supposed to play second match at 11.00, and I’ve been waiting since 12.00 until - you know, we didn’t get another chance to practise. So I just got on the court, and I didn’t feel it really well. And I had a long match before me.

Q: Have you been nervous before the match because of the waiting?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, I wasn’t nervous because of the waiting, or nervous at all. I just didn’t get any feel of the court before, or, you know, didn’t get right there.

Q: Has this given you the confidence to maybe go all the way?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, you know, I’m happy to be through this round and I’m looking forward to the next one.

Q: Are you playing the best tennis you’ve ever played?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, maybe not the best tennis, but I’m playing good tennis. I’m happy how I’m playing right now.

Q: Why do you think both you and Martina Hingis have had a lot of success at early ages? Do you think there are any advantages that younger players have against older players in an arena like this?
A. That’s a hard question. I don’t really know that. But I don’t know, you know, maybe because we are, you know, fresh, we’ve come to the tour and, you know, have the desire maybe to play, you know.

Q: You’ve just played now an older player and a very young player. If you had to choose between going up against a very young player or a very old player, which would you choose?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, in both there are advantages. One has experience, which you can never get, you know, by being young, and the other one has probably freshness and the ability to, you know, not be scared, or anything, to just go out there and do your thing.

Anna Kournikova lost to Martina Hingis 3-6, 2-6 in 1997 The Championships at Wimbledon, England, on July 3, 1997. Anna Kournikova was ranked 42.

Anna Kournikova’s Post-Match Interview.

Q: Anna, did you have a problem with your leg or your hip during that match? You seemed to be feeling the injury a little bit.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, I was a little bit tired, you know, and I felt very sore in my left hip. But it had nothing to do with the way I played or anything.

Q: You only won one of your service games, what was the problem?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, Martina played, you know, very good the important points, so she returned well today, and I didn’t serve too well. I served a couple of double faults. That’s why.

Q: Is it too soon to say that this is a learning experience and what you might have learnt from it?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I’m sure I’ll learn something from this match. I mean, I’ve, you know, had a great tournament. I’m really happy the way I played, and I really enjoyed it so much. It’s unbelievable, I got to the semi-finals. I was dreaming about this. I’m definitely going to take a lot with me from this tournament, and from this experience.

Q: Is there anything that you look back on now, even an hour later, and say, “I wish I had done that on the court”, or, “If I thought about that”, or strategy or technique?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: You know, I think I did my best today. I tried very hard, but, you know, I’ve played a lot of matches in the last week. So I was a little bit tired, but it’s okay, you know. I feel fine.

Q: Were you at all nervous today?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No.

Q: Have you ever been nervous in your life for any matches?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes.

Q: Like what?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: The first round was very nervous. You know, I was surprised, you know, and very - with the way, you know, I played my first round. I played very well, but today, no, I wasn’t nervous.

Q: At the French Open, you played very conservatively, very defensively. Did you tell yourself you were going to play much more aggressively today against her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No. I didn’t even think about that match, you know. I just went out there and, you know, tried to show my play and play my best tennis. Now I see that, you know, I didn’t play too well at the French Open, but, you know, I’m happy with the way I played. I mean, it’s probably some of my best tennis.

Q: Do you think Martina will win the tournament now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, she has definitely a good chance, but in the other semi-final they’re also very experienced players, and Arantxa has been in the finals for the past two years. So she has a very good chance, and Jana is unbelievable on grass. So it’s going to be tough, but she definitely has a chance.

Q: Do you think you have the capability one day to beat Martina in a major tournament?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I’m definitely, you know, going to try to.

Q: Do you think you can?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, anybody can, you know.

Q: You broke her in the first game. At that point did you believe you might win the match?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, I started good. I got a good start today, finally. So, you know, I felt comfortable out there.

Q: When you came here, did you think you were ready to make a run like you did here, or did you surprise yourself?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I was nervous, like I said, about the first round match. It was, you know, an amazing experience, first time on the Centre Court, playing against Chanda, a person who has been around in the top ten. But, after I got, you know, through, I got more and more confidence in each match, and I felt comfortable.

Q: When you were on the court, how much does it help you to know that your mother is up in the stands watching your match and she is on your side?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it would be funny if she wouldn’t be on my side.

Q: In the sense that she is there, she is for you, she’s in your corner right there, you can look up and see her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I wouldn’t travel, I don’t think, without her. It’d definitely be very hard to be by yourself on the tour and it’s really nice that somebody helps you, and especially if it’s your mother.

Q: Where do you need to grow more, in your game, or in your mind?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I just - you know, I think both. You know, I have to get experience. I have to play more against top players. I have to, you know, really learn how to win the important points, and really, you know, concentrate.

Q: What do you find most difficult in Martina’s game?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, she sees, you know, the game very well. She sees the court very well. She opens it up well, and it’s hard if you give her one short ball, she, you know, does with it whatever she wants. So she feels the ball very well.

Q: You went for a lot today, on most of your shots. Do you think you could have a few times not gone for so much so early in the point, tried to stay in the point a little bit longer and wait a little bit?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I wasn’t scared. I didn’t want to be scared. I wanted to go for my shots. If I would keep the ball in play longer, that means, you know, I wouldn’t get anything out of that.

Q: How much better do you think you played against Majoli than Hingis? The level of your tennis was very good yesterday.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think I played equally, but it’s just, you know, I didn’t play too well the important points today, and she obviously played very well the important points.

Q: Do you think that the press coverage is appropriate and fair for a 16 year old, and if you think there are some things that are unfair about the coverage that you get, can you put your finger on it?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, like I said before, every new person who comes to the tour, young, you know, like young Martina, Venus or me, they get, I think, you know, attention. So it doesn’t really bother me, or - I don’t know.

Q: Could you comment a little bit more on the chances of Martina to win the tournament according to what you have seen playing against her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, she has a very good chance, like I said, but in the other semi-final they are experienced players, Arantxa and Jana, so it’s going to be tough for her, but she has a chance.

Anna Kournikova lost to Martina Hingis 1-3, 3-6 in 1997 French Open at Roland Garros, Paris, France, on Saturday, May 31, 1997
[ Anna Kournikova was ranked 47]

Anna Kournikova’s Post-Match Interview.

Q: Anna, Martina seemed to mix it up a lot today with slower balls, dropshots. Do you find it hard to get a rhythm?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, you know, it was very windy out there, so it was a little bit hard to get a rhythm. It was okay.

Q: Anna, what did you learn in this match today?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think that, you know, in this match I learned that I need to play more and that basically she has much more experience than I do. She’s been on the Tour for three years. There’s a reason why she’s No. 1. I think I just have to play more, just play matches.

Q: You say “play more.” I know there’s a problem that you’d like to play more tournaments and you’re not allowed. Where is that now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, that was a perfect example of this match is that I’m not allowed to play more, that I have much more pressure on me because I cannot, you know, play as much as I want, learn, get experience the way Martina can. It’s a little bit hard for me, you know, to kind of compete or play or whatever. That’s why.

Q: Were there any nerves out there, because the first set was over in about 15 minutes?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, of course, I was nervous. She was No. 1. I’m playing first time in French Open, centre court. It’s my first French Open, of course.

Q: I just wondered why Nick [Bollettieri] wasn’t here. You still working with him?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes. He’s coming Monday (laughter).

Q: Specifically, what do you have to improve to catch up with her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I just have to get experience.

Q: But are there specific strokes?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, no.

Q: You seem to have played better at the end. Does it mean that you got used to the play of Martina?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I just got used to the atmosphere. Like I said, it was centre court, my first time here. It was a big thing, my first big match this year. I was playing for the second time a player ranked No. 1 after Steffi. I got used to it then.

Q: You lost 6-Love, 6-Love to her as a junior in the US. How did that match compare to this one?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: That was Juniors, you know. It was a long time ago.

Q: Not too long ago.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It was three years ago.

Anna Kournikova ranked 47 defeated Sandra Cecchini, 6-2, 6-2 in 1997 French Open at Roland Garros, Paris, France, on Thursday, May 29, 1997.

Anna Kournikova’s Post-Match Interview.

Q: How do you think you’re playing so far?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, so far I think I played very well. I feel comfortable out there. I didn’t have any problems. I won two rounds, four sets, so I played pretty well.

Q: Bearing in mind the opposition next time out, do you think that will be different?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I’m just going to take it as a normal match. I mean, it’s nothing unusual about that. It’s just a normal match. I’m going to do, you know, my best, and play as I played.

Q:Anna, big sort of tournament for you, obviously. I’m just wondering, how do you feel now on the circuit with all the girls? You’re not full-time almost on the circuit.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, you know, it’s a little bit hard being full-time on the Tour. I’m trying to adjust to it. I wish, I hope I could be better there, on the Tour, get more experience. I guess, you know, I just can’t do it. Just try to take it tournament by tournament.

Q: Sort of the reaction of your fellow players to you now being on the circuit the whole time? I think in the past there have been one or two things said that weren’t complimentary about each other. I think Venus said only her sister will be challenging her, things like that.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I never said anything like that, that I’m going to be the greatest. I never said that. I don’t look forward — I don’t look — I look forward, but I don’t want to say all that stuff. We’ll see what happens. You have to try your best, you know.

Q: On your next opponent, Martina Hingis, you met her many times as a junior. Is there anything special now meeting her in a real tournament?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I didn’t meet her many times, I just play her twice. You know, of course, it’s different now. She’s No. 1. It’s not juniors anymore. Obviously, we are both playing different tennis now. It’s just going to be a normal match.

Q: Just being No. 1, she’s No. 1, so is that special?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA:Well, I mean, I think for everybody it’s special being No. 1.

Q: But with you playing her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I already played No. 1, I played Steffi.

Q: Do you feel that she’s vulnerable right now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Excuse me, she’s what?

Q: Vulnerable, that she’s beatable right now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it’s hard to say. She obviously had not too good injury. She had operation, you know. She played three sets today. I don’t know, we’ll see. It’s hard to say right now. We’ll just have to wait until the match. You can never say what’s going to happen.

Q: Did you see her first match?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Her first match?

Q: You couldn’t see her second.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I saw the second one, too, the beginning. She played, you know, normal, as usual.

Q: The first one?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: And the first match, yeah.

Q: But the second one, when you saw the first set of the second match, that was completely different. You must have seen something.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, you know, she was just not prepared, I think. She was not thinking about the other opponent. After she was herself again.

Q: And didn’t you lose Love-Love to her at Wimbledon, juniors?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Not at Wimbledon.

Q: Did you lose to her one time?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, US Open.

Q: That’s no fun to lose with that kind of score. Is that the kind of thing that motivates you a little bit? When you lose a match like that, you say, “One day I’ll turn it around “?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: The score doesn’t say anything about that match. It was actually a good match, whoever saw that match. It just happened that she was also No. 1 in the Juniors. She was also first seeded. I played her in the second round. It was, I think, very good match. I played very well. I can’t say anything. She won all the important points.

Q: Would you say you’re playing the best tennis you ever have right now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I mean, you know, I’m — I don’t think — I don’t know. I haven’t played that long to say what’s my best tennis, was or is. I mean, I had obviously a good tournament in Berlin where I beat Sanchez. I had a good tournament at the US Open. Indian Wells. Now, it’s just another tournament.

Q: You’ve played Steffi and now you play Hingis. Do you need something more to play a No. 1 player?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Do I what, excuse me?

Q: Do you need something more to play No. 1 player, a new game?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I mean, everybody can play against a No. 1 player.

Q: What about to beat her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: To meet her?

Q: To beat her.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA:You just have to concentrate, don’t think about, I guess, you know, who she is, just try to do your best. You know, it’s just a game. It’s a game. Anybody can win.

Q: Anna, how much are you looking forward to playing at Wimbledon, and do you think you’ll be overawed or intimidated, with a special atmosphere at Wimbledon?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I like grass, I like Wimbledon, very, very much. I was there. I lost once in quarters and once in semis. It’s obviously very special tournament. I’m looking forward to it. I like grass very much, like I said. It suits my game very well. We’ll see what’s happening.

Q: Do you envy Martina Hingis, being the world No. 1 so young?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Do I what?

Q: Do you envy her?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No. I mean, all the time new players come, it’s a matter of time. Monica came, she was young, like 16 also. Steffi came young, you know. Every time is just somebody comes. That’s the way it is.

Q: You seem to have a sort of single-minded, focused approach.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Single-minded?

Q: You sort of look at yourself, you concentrate on your own game rather than worrying, perhaps, what other people are doing.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes.

Q: Is that something you set out to do?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: If I would be worrying about other people’s game, what to worry for? I cannot do anything with other people’s game. The only thing I can do is, you know, do something about myself.

Anna Kournikova lost to Jana Novotna, 6-3, 6-4 in 1997 Lipton Championships at Key Biscayne, Florida, on Monday, March 24, 1997.

Anna Kournikova’s Post-Match Interview with VERONIQUE MARCHAL.

Interviewer: Questions for Anna Kournikova.

Q. What’s happened today?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: What happened?

Q. Yes.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I played a match.

Q. What do you think about Novotna now, today?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: What do you mean today? Before the match, after the match?

Q. Today. How to play against Novotna, it’s hard?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It’s hard to play against anybody who is in Top 10. Basically she played really well. I think I could have done better, but I was a little bit tired, made quite a few mistakes.

Q. Was it your game plan to mix it as much as possible, to not get her into a rhythm?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, yeah, probably.

Q. I would like to hear in your opinion once more, because I wasn’t in the first press conference, about you being limited to ten tournaments a year, this year.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, it’s a little bit hard for me because I can only play ten tournaments, so it means I only have ten chances a year. I have a lot of more pressure on me with that rule because I have to win every match. If I don’t, I don’t have any other opportunity to play. Also if I get a seed, it’s hard to play against a seed, I lose, I have to wait for another tournament another two months. I don’t think I’m getting enough experience. I think I can be able to get more experience and learn how to win and lose if I could be playing more.

Q. At the age of 13, if you said, “I want to be professional,” you wouldn’t be limited by now, like Hingis did. What sense makes this rule?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I wasn’t in a hurry to turn pro.

Q. You think it’s unfair that others in your same age are not limited by now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Not the same age.

Q. Martina Hingis is one year older.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I don’t know. What’s the question?

Q. Whether you see that there is a sense in having you limited down to ten tournaments.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, it’s unfair.

VERONIQUE MARCHAL: Thank you.

Anna Kournikova defeated Katarina Studenikova, 1-6, 6-4, 6-0 in 1997 Lipton Championships at Key Biscayne, Florida, on Sunday, March 23, 1997.

Anna Kournikova’s Post-Match Interview.

Q. Talk about what turned it around. You lost the first set pretty handily, came back. Can you talk about it?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think it took me a little while to get used to her game, because yesterday I played Amanda, a totally different game. She was playing really, really well in the first set. She was just hitting all lines. I think she made like five unforced errors. Then I just started to play the point, you know, make her play a little bit, not try to go for winners. I think it made her move a little bit.

Q. Did you also get more confident mentally?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Sure, you know. After you win like second set, you feel comfortable, just keep going on, trying to do what you did in the second set.

Q. Are you surprised you’re doing this well, happy? How do you feel?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I’m happy. I’m not surprised. I worked for it, you know. ?

1997 Lipton Championships at Key Biscayne, Florida, on Saturday, March 22, 1997
Anna Kournikova defeated Amanda Coetzer, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3

Anna Kournikova’s Post-match Interview.

Q. Anna, what was the turning point of the match? It was very close in the middle there?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, yeah, I think I played the first set really well, then the second set — the first set she wasn’t ready probably for that kind of game. After the second set, I started to make a little bit mistakes and she got right back in the match. I think I still kept — I didn’t think that I can lose, I just kept on going.

Q. You looked to step up your aggressiveness a little more. You were volleying and taking short balls. Was that a big factor?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think I’ve always played like that. I always mixed it up. I think that’s why I won today, because I did a lot of different things.

Q. Anna, you were down in the beginning of the third set. Did you think something is going to go wrong?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, I didn’t start pretty well. I was down 2-Love. I just started to play a little bit more safer. She got nervous. She thought she could win. That’s why probably she started making a little bit more mistakes.

Q. A player like that with her pace, is that the kind of game you like to play? Obviously you relish hitting the ball, kind of plays right into your strengths.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I don’t see any difference really. I mean, there is difference, but it doesn’t really matter because she plays, she doesn’t hit every ball. You have to keep a lot of balls inside with her, you have to run a lot, have your patience. She doesn’t miss a lot, so it’s really hard to play against her. You have to always concentrate on every ball because she’s running everything down.

Q. Which is the next tournament you intend to play?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Excuse me?

Q. Which is the next tournament you intend to play?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I’m either going to play Rome and Hamburg, then French Open.

Q. Are you allowed to play Wimbledon on the next go around?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, my next year starts June, so from June I’ll be able to play 13 tournaments.

Q. Does that mean you will be playing Wimbledon?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah. I mean, yeah, if I choose to.

Q. You haven’t decided yet?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, I’m sure I’m going to play.

1997 Lipton Championships at Key Biscayne, Florida, on Thursday, March 20, 1997
Anna Kournikova defeated Nana Miyagi, 6-2, 6-0

Anna Kournikova was interviewed by VERONIQUE MARCHAL.

V M. How many tournaments can you play this year?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Ten this year. Next June, until this June, I’m going to — I can only play three more tournaments.

V M. Do you know which ones they are?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Depends on where I get in. Probably the French, Rome and Hamburg.

V M. Are you okay with that?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I think if I had the chance, I could play a little bit more to get some more experience. I think it’s a little bit strange because next year I can only play 13 tournaments, so that doesn’t help me a lot. It’s just plus three tournaments. I have to defend my points. That’s hard to do when every other girl is playing almost every other week, every two weeks. I can only play ten tournaments during a year. That’s half of a tournament each month.

V M. Do you feel like the development of your game has been slowed because of that?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, yeah, I think so. I don’t think I’m going to get worse from that, but I don’t think I’m going to get better from that.

V M. Sort of standing still?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes.

V M. When the rule first came out, how did you understand it and what did you think the effect was going to be?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I was fine with it last year because we had divisor, old ranking system. From this January, there’s no divisor, so it’s plus, plus, plus points. The other girls are playing, for example, 30 weeks a year, like 30 tournaments. Of course, they will get better than me, even if I win all my ten.

V M. How many would you like to play ideally?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I can’t say really. It’s not about how many I want. It’s when I feel like it, I play. When I don’t feel like, I don’t play, so.

V M. Venus is coming along, Martina made a big breakthrough. Do you have any feeling you’d like to be out there more often to play against them more often and to have a more real picture of how all of you do on a level playing field?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Venus is just coming out. Martina is there. If I could have a little more chance to play, maybe I could be there also. I mean, I have no chance to play. I have to get experience, I have to learn how to win, how to lose, so.

V M. Do you feel, considering the number of times you’ve played, that your progress matches up?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It’s hard because I go out there, I win the first round. Even in the first round, I play a seed. I went to Australia, I made Amanda in the first round. Indian Wells I played third seed in the second round. Even then, you can’t play enough in ten tournaments getting every tournament the seed.

V M. Is there any talk about challenging the system? Do you make your feelings — do your representatives make your feelings known?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah, we’re working on it.

V M. Do you think that the rule, when it first came out, was fair?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, yeah. I was caught in the middle. Either they had to let me go or they don’t let me play at all. They just froze me there in the middle, and now I’m like stuck. The rule, in general, I think for the people who are coming. Still, it’s hard to tell because you have to play more, you have to get experience. How are you going to learn to play if you are not playing, if you are just practicing? I mean, there is no way. You have to get match experience. I can’t go play on juniors forever, for five years.

V M. You seem very frustrated by the whole situation. Is that fair?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, I’m not frustrated. I say what I think about it. That’s the way it is.

V M. How come you didn’t decide to do the grandfathering thing? What was the reason for that? To turn pro?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: To turn pro?

v You know how Martina got in on the grandfather clause.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I didn’t want to play then pros. I was, what, 13 years old. I could before the age. I didn’t know the rule is coming and I thought I had plenty of time to turn pro, so.

V M. Is there anything good about the rule?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Well, for me it’s hard to say, because for me it’s not that good. I don’t know how the other people feel. I’m sure it will be good in the future, but I don’t know.

V M. With all the spare time that you seemingly have, since you’re not playing a full schedule, what else do you do?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I have to keep on still practicing, playing matches, just to try to stay in shape. If I go for my next tournament, I don’t — you know, just normal stuff, same things.

V M. How do you feel you’re playing right now?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I feel very, very comfortable here in Miami because I have a lot of good memories. I’ve been in Florida for six years, so it’s like my home. I feel playing very comfortable here.

V M. The restrictions that you’re under, do they affect what your expectations are of yourself?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: What do you mean “expectations”?

V M. Do you think since you’re not playing the full schedule, it’s more okay to only go to the second round, still okay to lose to top seeds?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Of course. If you get a seed, what can you do? I can beat them. I’ve been playing three sets. I beat a couple of seeds. In Top 10, they have much more experience there. They know how to win the important points. I don’t get that experience by not playing.

V M. One of the reasons why they came up with the rule seems to be since you’re a teenager, they want to let you be a teenager.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I don’t know what better teenage life you could get by traveling the world, looking around, meeting different people, doing what I love to do. I’ve been playing tennis almost my whole life, so that’s what’s it about. You can’t say, “You can’t do this.” For example, you go to school, you practice mathematics. If you go to college, they say, “You have to wait now until you are 21.” Then you cannot do anything.

V M. I want to make sure I understand. After you play ten, will you be able to play –

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: After June I can play 13.

V M. So you will be able to play the US Open?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, yes.

V M. You can play three more?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes. This is the fourth.

V M. Then three more after this?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes.

V M. So you could play 16 tournaments this year, if that’s what you decide to do?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, no. I cannot play more than ten tournaments in one year.

V M. He’s talking calendar year.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: From June to June, I cannot play more than ten tournaments, from my birthday.

V M. Then June to June you’ll play 13?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes.

V M. Do you think you have any more free time? Say you could play all the tournaments you want, are you getting any more free time, relaxing time?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I mean, it’s not that I want to play 50 weeks a year, it’s not about that. It’s just, I go to France to play French Open, and I need to have a preparation tournament on red clay, right? When I go to Wimbledon, I need to have a preparation tournament for Wimbledon on grass. That’s already four tournaments. Then I go to Australia, I need preparation for Australia. I go to Hilton Head, I need preparation in Amelia Island or whatever. That’s already like 14, 15 tournaments. How can I get ready for the tournament if I’m not playing warm-up on the same surface, time difference, all that. You have to play at least two tournaments in a row.

V M. Is there any certain match or tournament that you were playing where you suddenly realized, “I’m not learning as much as I should,” or something you learned over time?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: In Australia it just happened. I flew down, 30 hours. I go there, I play a seed first round. The heat and everything. I didn’t play the tournament in Sidney before because I couldn’t, otherwise I would come earlier, practice, get ready. It’s really hard. After Australia, I realized that’s what happens. I have even more pressure on me, they try to take away pressure.

V M. The theory was –

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: — to take away pressure, right.

V M. And you’d have more time.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Exactly.

V M. The question is, when have you all this time off, when you can’t play because you know you have to space your tournaments, do you ever get bored?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I do get bored from not playing.

V M. And you’re saying because every match is against a seed –

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Ten chances a year, I go there, I get a seed, I lose. The theory is that I have to win every match, because I have only ten chances. Other girls, they just lose in the first round, go to a next tournament, play it again, whatever.

V M. Do you feel added pressure because of that?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I feel that I have to win every match.

V M. After June 1998, then what is your limitation?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I am not sure. I didn’t look that far yet. We’ll have to check. I don’t know.

V M. Will you be limited, though, do you know?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I think so.

VERONIQUE MARCHAL: Play a full circuit when you’re 18.

V M. You’re not free until you’re 18?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Right.

V M. I want to understand this. You’re saying actually you are considering challenging this some way or you’re going to abide by the rules?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I sent a letter to saying exactly what I said here. They said they would look at it.

V M. Did they say by when?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, unfortunately.

V M. Who did you actually send it to?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I send it to Kathleen, the trainer. She’s in charge of it and Georgina.

V M. You came from Russia, the Soviet Union of course is famous because of its big bureaucracy, controlling people’s lives. Is it funny to you that here you are in America and you’re dealing with this?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Everything happened in like ‘91, everything finished, the Soviet Union and everything. I left like February ‘92 from Russia to Florida. This February, it turns six years I’m here.

V M. How soon after the Australian did you send that letter? Was it right away?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, not really. It was a couple of weeks after Australia.

V M. Did you actually write the letter and send it?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yeah. I wrote everything I said here. I don’t have anything against it or anything, I just, you know.

VERONIQUE MARCHAL: Thank you.