Anna Kournikova 1999 Italian Open 3rd-Round Interview ( Sports - Women's Tennis )

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1999 Italian Open at Rome, Italy, on May 6, 1999
Venus Williams defeated Anna Kournikova (ranked 13th, seeded 9th), 6-2, 6-2

An Interview With Anna Kournikova

Q. In the second set you seemed out of desire to react.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No. She was hitting the ball very hard, it was difficult to come back. And I also didn't play as I should; I had to play deeper, keep the balls in the air as long as possible.

Q. Was it her game which put you in trouble or just you who couldn't make it?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: A little of both. I haven't played my best game and she was pushing me back always. It was hard for me to stay in the court. She also served very well, better than usually.

Q.Did you feel things had really changed from the last time you played?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Not really. Last time it was an exhibition in Hong Kong, we played three sets.

Q. Was you surprised by the performances of the Williams?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA:Not really, they are big, athletic; it's normal! I hope they won't grow any more!

Q. I thought you didn't make any mistakes; it seemed a matter of body weight.

ANNA KOURNIKOVA:I didn't make mistakes but I let her play her game; I was making mistakes tactically. Today I didn't do as the other times when I met her, I didn't do what you have to do when you play against beat players like Lindsay too.

Q. Which one hits harder between Williams and Davenport?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: It depends, it's difficult to say. Probably Venus. Some others hit as hard as that but not as consistently.

Q.What about these courts?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: The European clay is good, nothing new for me.

Q. Are you confident on the future?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Yes, I feel fine. Keep working!

Q. Where do you think you have to improve?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: I have to play my game; do the things I have set myself to do. Not worry about the other's play. Then, all around be more consistent.

Q. Was Venus mentally stronger than before?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: No, it's not much about mentality; it's about power! She was always a step faster. All legs and arms. I felt a little person on the court.

Q. How do you keep the ball around when somebody hits as hard as that?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA: Practice! It has been done before; Martina has done it all the time! When I played three sets or even at Lipton last year against her, I was playing deep and everything. I was just tired over there; I have played so many matches! Anna Kournikova pages at quickfound.net:
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