ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO TALKS TO CRAIG GABRIEL

In her first major interview since winning her third French Open, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario talks of the title, her opposition and women's tennis.

What do you think of the health and popularity of women's tennis? There are a lot of up-and-coming players and the veterans are still holding their own out there. What is your opinion? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I think that the women's tennis has improved a lot and now it is very interesting to see different players and different styles of games. So it makes more interesting for the people to watch. And, it is a different generation, so I think that makes it even more exciting. I am very happy to be there for so long and be still in the top and, you know, playing well. So, I think it is a lot of popularity and it is better for the game.

Your court-side speech after the French Open final was so moving saying what you said to Monica. Was that spontaneous or had you thought about what you might say to her in the event that you did win? And, I was just wondering if you can talk about had you put yourself in her place and try to imagine losing a family member and going through the French Open like she did within a few week's time. SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I think that on those moments, you know, you are so excited and so nervous and so happy that you win, that it is always hard to take the microphone. But, everything what I say on the speech is because I feel it. And because I think that I mean to say that. So, probably people know me more as a tennis player and they can see also my human part and - but I really feel and say what I was thinking at that moment. It was not prepared at all because you can never prepare a speech, you know, even before you win or if you lose the final, that is very difficult. But, that is what I felt at that moment and I say it to her because she is also my friend.

You say you have been around for a long time and you have been, but you are still fairly young at 26. Is it more difficult to play these days? What is the toughest part about getting up after you have been on the Tour for such a long time? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I think that most important is that I still enjoy myself playing and I am really happy, you know, on the court. And I do what I like to do, that is playing tennis. But, obviously, you know, each time is more difficult because you probably prepare a little bit better, the calendar, you don't play as much as you used to do when you were so young. So you take it a little bit more time. But, obviously, it is harder and harder because you still have to travel so much. But at the same time, if you like it and you enjoy it, it makes the compensation. But, definitely, the same routine and keep going every year and many more years.

Is it more difficult to get up physically or mentally? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, probably you have to be physically, and - both, you know, the same time ready, because it will not be possible only with one because you will make it even harder. So, I think, both.

Preparing for Wimbledon, I was just curious, I guess Steffi - looks like she is going to play. If you could just comment on her playing and perhaps where you think she should be seeded and also how you will prepare for the grass because it is, I guess a lot different from the clay? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I think I am going to play in Eastbourne first, so that will be my preparation before Wimbledon as I did last year. I think it is great that Steffi is still playing again and she is coming back. And, I think that probably she should be seeded and we will see what the tournament in Wimbledon - they are the ones who makes the decision how she will be able to be seeded.

Steffi may be seeded top eight. Do you have any idea where you would actually seed her? Would you seed her, two or eight? SANCHEZ VICARIO - I don't have any idea. They don't go by the ranking probably, you know, sometimes - so we just have to wait and see how - the way we are able to do it. It is a surprise - you never know.

Could you explain what happened in the past two years before Sydney this year? I know there were injuries, but was there something else like mental fatigue? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Like I say before, I was - I play a lot the past year, so I couldn't have any much of rest. Probably I was a little bit fatigued and probably also when you are fatigued, then you lose some matches that you should not lose and you lose a little bit of your confidence so it makes it even harder for you to play. Plus I did have these two bad injuries this year because it caused me to be off for a long gear period. I think it has not been a very good two years for me. I had a hard time, but I always have - I always believed that if I do the right thing, sooner or later it will come and I will have my results coming. But, obviously, I think my brother, Emilio (Sanchez, her brother), has always been the person that has been there and helped me a lot. He has been the key for me to have the success that I have in the French Open.

Are you glad to learn that Steffi will play Wimbledon, have you missed having her as a competitor and do you think that the game of tennis overall has missed having her on the Tour? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I think that she is a great player and she is still going to play. Unfortunately, the injuries always is tough for any athlete, so it is nice that she is coming back. It would be nice to see her back again at Wimbledon. And, of course, I miss her because I played so many great matches and finals against her that it will be nice to play her again. So, I just think that it is great and she can be ready to play in Wimbledon. And I think it makes even better for the game also, you know, because she is also coming back and like this, I would not feel as much old as they say when she is also there.

Is it nice to have some other veterans around like that? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Of course. There is not many left, my generation, so when I start, so it is nice to see them. I think we are still in our best age at the moment, but, you know, I think it is great so, I am happy.

With the women's game just sort of exploding in popularity the last - especially the last couple of years, what have you noticed that has been different from the last few years as far as fans' reaction, media attention? Is there a different atmosphere on Tour than before when there were just maybe one or two of you kind of dominating? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I think it is good because it is different players, different styles of game and different players, so it makes more interesting for the crowd to see. I think the more the better because it is always tough matches and it always more names. So, I think that is why it makes it more interesting.

Do you notice more people asking for autographs and you getting more like promotional opportunities or anything like that? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I just think that results mean everything. If you are doing well, that is when it counts. So that is what I think.

In your match at the French Open against Serena Williams, after that match you talked about her lack of respect for you. Was it a sweeter victory to win the whole French Open because of that, this, you know, this perceived lack of respect of the younger players for some veterans like yourself? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I just think that it was good for the game because, you know, the match was very tough, but I was able to win and give me a lot of confidence to keep going to the tournaments. So, everybody knows what I say and I am not going to repeat it. But, I think that, you know, I just say that at the moment. I am not going to continue at this moment and say it again. Definitely, you know, it was good for me and for the game because, like I say, the result says everything.

Because the young ones have received so much attention, was it even more sweeter to win this French Open than the first two? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I just think that for me, you know, winning the third one, I mean, was excellent and was perfect. I could not be happier because I think probably I was not the favorite. I was not, you know - probably people weren't thinking that I can win. And, obviously, I was nothaving so much attention. So, like I said, result says everything. I am very happy and definitely, you know, with - didn't have so much pressure, so much tension and that helped me, you know, a lot to play even better. And, definitely it is as special as the other two because it is always hard to win a Grand Slam, but in another way, probably it is even better because the way I did it.

Were you surprised to see Seles beat Hingis so easily? Martina has had quite a few more losses this year than she did last year. What do you feel is the reason for that? Kind of lack of concentration, it seems, from her. SANCHEZ VICARIO - First of all, I didn't see the match because I was in my press conference when that happened and I just heard that Monica beat her so, I don't know how the match went. And, second, to beat Hingis, you have to play really well so, for sure, Monica played a great match and you know, that is why she beat her. I was not surprised. If you play well and you do the right things, you are able to win. That's probably what Monica did.

Do you feel that Martina is more vulnerable this year than she was last year and why? SANCHEZ VICARIO - When you are always number one you have even more pressure around you. You have to win everything almost that you play. So anyone that plays against her has nothing to lose and that can help the opponent. Obviously, when one beats her, like the first time, then the other players think they can beat her and that changes everything. But, you just have to play well and do the right thing to beat her.

Do you think women's tennis is better than men's tennis right now? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I think that you cannot compare. I mean, women's tennis at the moment now is very exciting and people like to watch tennis and the women's - and probably, you know, men's, it is a lot of serves and less rallies and women's, you can probably see more, the points and what is going on. So, I think it is a lot of entertainment also and probably people like it that more.

It seems like there is a lot more stars on the women's Tour, though. SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I just think that it is different personalities, different styles of game and different generations, so that is why it is probably even more interesting.

So much attention, with especially the younger players, the focus is on stuff other than their groundstrokes etc. It is more their lives off the court, the personality, the gamesmanship that they play, how do you see that? Is that good for the sport or do you worry? SANCHEZ VICARIO - Well, I just think, you know, the women's tennis at the moment, it is very interesting and the result says everything and probably, you know, like I said, it is different persons, different personality. I don't know, I don't think about that, I think you have to play and do the right thing and do your best. That is all.

Courtesy Cross Court Tennis - www.crosscourt.com.au