八強賽後訪問 - 網球

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Q. Serena said she felt she played so poorly that all you had to do was show
up. Do you think it was as easy as that?

JUSTINE HENIN: Well, it's her opinion. I thought I just did a good job. And I
just see it from my point of view, and I did everything I could to control
the match, and that was a good job.

So I'm very happy of the fact that from the first point until the end, I had
been very focused. I didn't let her come back in the match except for two
games in the beginning of the second set. And I just kept my serve, and I've
been very, very concentrated and pretty aggressive when I had to.

So I thought it was a good match on my side, you know. How she played,
really, I don't mind too much now.

Q. Did you feel, though, that there was more passivity maybe than usual on
her side?

JUSTINE HENIN: Well, yeah, she didn't look very aggressive. She tried, I
thought, in the first set a little bit. But yeah, I just thought when I could
control the rallies, when I could have good returns and everything, I was
really in the point. And when I could make her run a little bit, it was
easier for me.

So I just understood, if I was mentally and emotionally under control today,
I was going to win this match.

Q. Did you have a big comfort zone coming into this because of the
conditions, you know, being here on clay? Did that contribute to having just
a sharp sense of focus? You seemed to be very serene and focused out there.

JUSTINE HENIN: Well, it's -- it's been I won all my matches in two sets, but
I wasn't feeling so confident in my first matches. And it was already better
in my last match. And I like -- when I come in the quarters and the semi, I
like this kind of situation.

And I was really into my match. Because I know against these kind of players,
as soon as you lose your intensity, you can lose a few games. And sometimes
it's pretty hard at the end with the results. So I knew I just had to be in
the match from the first point until the end. And the conditions were pretty
good for me. It was a little bit windy, also, but I was very, very calm. And
I did a very good job.

Q. Time and again, when in each of the Grand Slams you play in, you get deep
into the tournament, usually at least to the finals. Is that something that
gives you particular pride, the consistency of your performance in big
tournament after another?

JUSTINE HENIN: Well, it's my first Grand Slam of the year. And I didn't know,
really, what to expect. And my tournament is not over yet, and I just want to
keep going.

But I was a little bit nervous coming here in Paris, because I wasn't in
Australia. And the pressure is just different in Grand Slams. So I've been
pretty solid and consistent in the last few years in this events. But I like
when there is pressure, and I like this kind of situations. I think it's more
interesting, more exciting, and that's why I play tennis.

Q. At what point did you feel like Serena was not as intense as she usually
is? Was it in that first game?

JUSTINE HENIN: I hadn't been really focused on Serena's game. I just have
been focused on my game and what I had to do and what we talked about with my
coach before the match, and I did my job perfectly. So what happens on the
other side of the net, really, I don't care that much. I just have to be
focused on my game and my goals. And I just, already before the match, I
thought if I was going to be 100% mentally and not giving any points, easy
points, that I could win the match.

But it's never easy. You have to work hard, and that's what I did, and it
really paid off. So, no, until the last point, it's not over, you have to
work pretty hard, yeah.

Q. So there was never a point where you thought, Well, she's not playing very
well, I think this is getting easier for me as the match goes on?

JUSTINE HENIN: Playing well or good doesn't -- or bad, doesn't mean a lot of
things. You just have to fight on every point and do what you have to do.
It's not only a question about the level of the game. I knew that my tennis
was probably better today. But I also knew that mentally she's a -- she's a
real fighter, and she can come back in the match any time. And I didn't want
this today, because I did my mistake three months ago in Miami.

Q. Do you have the mindset that in the women's game, you are the most
competent and the best player on clay, and that each match is yours to have?

JUSTINE HENIN: I just have a lot of success on clay in the past, and that's
probably my best surface. Doesn't mean that I will have to win my next match,
you know. Everyone now in the semis is playing very good tennis, and the best
will go to the end.

But I did -- I don't have anything to prove to anyone on this surface. I did
it in the past. I just want to do it for myself.

Q. You looked very free, very strong out there today. Are you a different
player, different person than the person who was playing in Miami or in the
US Open, last Grand Slam?

JUSTINE HENIN: Yeah, maybe from the US Open, yes. From Miami, not that much.
In Miami, I had to win that match, and I lost it, because I didn't think I
could win it, probably, before work walking on court.

And today was different, because I really believed I could win the match, and
I did trust myself a little bit more. Probably, even if you have doubts,
because you are a little bit nervous before walking on the court and you
don't know what's going to happen. But I really thought I could win this
match. And that wasn't the case in Miami.

And when I had these match points, I couldn't finish it, because I wasn't
ready mentally. Different person from last year, probably, and much better.

Q. Just a little bit freer, that feeling?

JUSTINE HENIN: I don't have to compare it to where I was last year. I just
feel different, and I just feel I'm moving forward and that's it.


Q. It looked like you guys had a conversation, I don't know, more than the
usual just congratulations. Can you tell us what she said to you at the net
there?

JUSTINE HENIN: Yeah, she just wished me the best and to go to the end of the
tournament. And, you know, in Miami, it's been a lot of respect between the
two of us, and it's been a very correct match today. So I think we were both
happy about that.

Q. You say you don't have anything to prove on the surface, and I don't think
a lot of people would argue with that. What do you have to prove or what do
you want to prove still in this game overall?

JUSTINE HENIN: I love playing tennis because of the emotions that it gives me
on the tennis court. And like I said many times, I don't want to be part of
the history. I just want to do it because I love it so much, and because I
love to fight, and I love to win. I'm a real competitor. And I just want to
push my limits and that's it.

But I do it for myself and for the people I love, and to share this moment
with my fans, also. But, you know, if I play well or bad, it doesn't mean
anything. I just have to fight a lot and try to give my best on the court
every time I play. So that's my goal for the end of the tournament.

Q. You've had some very tough matches with Jelena. Do you think it's
something in your game that sort of makes it difficult for her? Or is it
something in your mind that makes it difficult for her? Maybe something in
her mind?

JUSTINE HENIN: I think it's difficult for both of us. Even if I won all my
matches against her, it's been in three sets. And last time, I've been a
little bit too far, I was falling off in the third set. So I was very close
to losing that match.

But I don't know. She improved so much. She's a great player. She can play
very well on the clay also. And, yeah, I don't know why I won all my matches
in three sets. It's been a long fight every time. Is it going to be different
on Thursday? No answer. But now, we'll see.

Q. Are you surprised at all to see Maria in the semifinals?

JUSTINE HENIN: No. She proved it for already last year that she was getting
better. She's No. 1 in the race. But like I say many times, she's playing a
lot of tournaments also, and a lot of matches. And, no, she's one of the best
players of the world now, and she proved it many times.

Q. No, Maria?

JUSTINE HENIN: I'm sorry? Maria. I don't know about that match about Maria. I
didn't see her play. And she's been injured for a long time. And it's great
to see her back at this level.

She had a really tough fight against Schnyder, and I think that gives her a
lot of confidence. And it's going to be a tough one, also,
Ivanovic/Sharapova, I think. And I think it's going to be, I hope, a good
semifinals.

Q. You just mentioned that you love the big-match situation, the big moments.
Is it the intensity? Is it the risk? Is it just the excitement of
competition? Can you put into words what your love is for the big match?

JUSTINE HENIN: I don't know. Maybe it's less pressure also, because, you
know, it's almost the end of the tournament. But, no, that's why I play
tennis, to be in this kind of situation. And I love these matches. It doesn't
mean that I will not be nervous or that I will win. It doesn't mean anything
like that. But it's just that I like it, and it's good to be nervous. And you
just have to try to take it the positive way. That's how I did today. I
cannot do it every day, but I just do my best.

Q. It's easy to say, but it's the easiest win against her, am I wrong?

JUSTINE HENIN: Yes, you're right. I mean, in the previous matches, I mean,
there were a lot of developments. And in her previous matches were very hard.
But today I believed in myself. I prepared my match very well. It was a kind
of new tournament starting for me. I wanted to be good today, and I hope that
I will be good on Thursday. And I knew that if I were able to handle my game
and my emotions, I would have won the match. But easier said than done.

It is true that she is, from time to time, intimidating, as it was the case
in Miami. And I should have won the match in Miami. And today, everything was
moved. In fact, I mean, I've worked very well over the past few months, and
I'm very happy with the end result.

Q. With this type of win, I mean, do you feel more relaxed?

JUSTINE HENIN: I mean, whether I play well or not, it doesn't matter. What is
important for me is to win. Of course, I need to go further. I was really
motivated, and I will be quite motivated on Thursday. I love this type of
match. It was a difficult draw, but I can tell that all of the players are
quite good. And these are finals, so with Jankovic, it will be a tough match,
certainly tougher than today. So I would say that I have to be ready. I have
to be prepared as best as I can. And, of course, I'm full of confidence now.
But we'll see what's going to happen next Thursday.

Q. At the start of the second set, the situation was a little bit tricky, I
mean, because you broke her, then you lost your serve, and you were down
Love-30, so what can you tell us about that? Was it the turning point?

JUSTINE HENIN: It is true that the first game of the second set was quite
good, because I broke her, and then I was a little bit cramped and I was
nervous, I would say. That's what I felt. Then as she won her serve. Then I
was down Love-30 on my serve, and I felt that I had to rectify the situation,
and that I had to hang on in order to level the game. And that's what I did.

And then I didn't feel in jeopardy, I would say. And I applied my tactics,
and I wanted to fire some shots down the line. And I took my
responsibilities.

Q. Do you think that this match could be an encounter that could trigger more
positive things?

JUSTINE HENIN: It's difficult to say. Each match is different, as you know.
You have to start from scratch, I mean, each match. It is true that I've won
in straight sets. In the first week, had no problems because I won in
straight sets. But we have to qualify, because now I am among the best
players.

So I'm still looking for some balance. I mean, it's not obvious. I'm working
hard on that. Over the past few months I have been doing well, and I'm quite
happy with it, because I have a lot of things to handle and to manage. And
I'm back to a Grand Slam tournament, and I can handle the event that I want
to continue my path.

Because on Thursday, I will have to overcome an obstacle, and I will give my
best in order to be good.

Q. So we've talked about the roar of the crowd when you last played against
Serena Williams. Did you feel that you were supported?

JUSTINE HENIN: Of course I felt at home here, because the crowd supported me
and there are many Belgian citizens who are out there. And I felt it at the
very beginning when I stepped on the court, but also at the end of the match.
I mean, I can tell you that the crowd is with me. And between Roland Garros
and myself, it's a nice story, and I hope this story will continue.

Q. Can you describe Jankovic and her game, and the problems that she might
pose to you?

JUSTINE HENIN: She doesn't make a lot of errors. I mean, she has a lot of
pace, and she fights quite a lot. She doesn't have mental reservations. I
mean, she's always happy. She doesn't feel pressure. And she's quite
consistent. And I would say that if I'm able to set my game together, in all
likelihood, I might win.

But it will be a tricky match. And I know that there are developments and ups
and downs in the match. I mean, most of the time these matches are
hard-fought matches. So I will have to be consistent if I want to win the
match. And the player who will be the most consistent will win the match.

Q. You've just said I don't want to be part of history. If you don't say
that, who is going to tell it?

JUSTINE HENIN: I don't bother by that. I'm playing tennis not for figures. I
don't want to be in the record books. I mean, I like tennis because I want to
push at my limits for myself, for people who are around me, for people who
support me. That's all.

And it's important to try and win the title. But I would say that I'm
motivated because of the emotions and the feelings of tennis. There is
something between the public and the crowd and myself. There is a kind of
emotional bond. And, in fact, you can share with the crowd.

But figures? I mean, I don't pay attention to figures. I mean, this is not my
objective. When I pack up my shoes, basically, figures won't make me happy.

Q. Any dissatisfaction today with your game?

JUSTINE HENIN: With tennis, it's a kind of permanent failure, especially when
you make some mistakes, when you make some errors. So, in tennis, there's
always something which is positive and something which is negative. And I can
tell you that I've handled the match very well. There is some room for
improvement. I will have to step up my level against an opponent who will be
more difficult to play and tougher to play. And it is true that I tend to
make double faults, and I'm not rigorous enough. And I can take some risks.
So I need to be more rigorous, I would say.

But in terms of my attitude, it was quite okay today, and I hope that I will
continue along this path.

Q. You've said that Jankovic plays very well. She's quite open-minded and she
is very bold. But in Grand Slam tournaments, I mean, has she buckled under
pressure?

JUSTINE HENIN: I will focus on my objectives and whether or not she buckled
under pressure, I mean, it doesn't matter. You might think that it's an asset
for me, the fact that she's psychologically weak, but I don't pay attention
to that. I will have to be quite cautious, in fact.

And it is true that in Berlin I was able to win against her. Here, conditions
are different. I have to prepare my match as best as I can, and I should keep
this attitude, that is to continue winning.

Q. In Grand Slam tournaments, what are you going to do? I mean, will you stay
focused on that?

JUSTINE HENIN: It is true that in some tournaments in Grand Slam tournaments,
I mean, from time to time, I didn't behave well, but I lost some matches, but
I was also able to extricate myself from difficult situations, and I want to
remain focused on what I have to do. And I don't want to focus on my
misgivings and concerns.

Q. Before, you were living in a bubble, now there are plenty of time,
everybody is perky. Does it have an influence on the way you play, on your
concentration?

JUSTINE HENIN: It is true that now there are many more people around me, but
on the whole, there are people who are with me, who stand by me, and, in
fact, I'm very happy because I can invite a lot of people, and I can share my
success.

But I would say that around me, there aren't too many people, because I need
rest, I need to be calm, and this is my way of behaving myself.

Thank you.

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