1999 Australian Open – QF Interview

Melbourne, Australia


January 28, 1999


M. Hingis defeats M. Seles 6-2,6-4


INTERVIEWER: Martina was too strong today?

MONICA SELES: I think Martina just started off so well. I was really flat, I think, and she was just too good. I was just too slow to a lot of balls, and I really felt it was just one of those days when you feel flat, and that’s how I felt today.

INTERVIEWER: Was that a let-down after yesterday, do you think?

MONICA SELES: I think I had two tough matches. I knew I had to play well against Steffi yesterday. But Martina played a different game. I mean, she played better. She only gave away a few points. I started to miss some shots that I have not missed this week; but that’s how it goes.

INTERVIEWER: Do you feel sad that your winning streak here is now over?

MONICA SELES: Oh, obviously it’s a tough one. I mean, you hate that to happen after so many years, but I tried my best, but it’s sad it’s really ended, but I’ll start a new one

INTERVIEWER: Monica, do you think the hardest thing about coming back is backing up one big match against another, to win a Grand Slam?

MONICA SELES: I mean, it’s tough to say, I mean Martina played well today. And definitely, I mean you have to play every day well. Physically, you have to be able to take it better, and I felt I was a little bit slower today than I had to be. Against Martina, that’s not going to pass. So no question, yeah.

INTERVIEWER: Monica, did you expect Mauresmo beating Davenport?

MONICA SELES: Well, I think she played well in Berlin last year. I have never played her, so when you don’t play somebody I really don’t know what to expect. But, obviously, just from looking at the results of this week, no.