Australian Open

MARTINA HINGIS: No, I didn't. Thanks to Mahesh. Like I said on court, he had the courage to play with me. Thanks to other partners he had in the past, they didn't want to play. I'm like, "Yeah." I took the advantage.

It's just been a pleasure. You know, he's the man right now in mixed doubles and also in doubles, I think. Just next to him, it gives you so much satisfaction and security that, you know, you have to put the serve and returns in and he does the rest, so that's nice, you have someone to carry you all the way.

Q. Mahesh, why did you take the chance on picking a partner who hasn't played for years?

MAHESH BHUPATHI: Oh, I think that's a bit of, you know, understatement. I know she's been playing Team Tennis, she's been playing exhibitions. She played mixed semifinal first event. As soon as I saw she's playing, winning matches, I just kind of shot a quick e‑mail to her agent. Fortunately, I got the positive answer and I think the rest is history.

Q. Mahesh, this is your sixth mixed doubles championship but your first in Australia.

MAHESH BHUPATHI: Yeah, back of your mind you'd always like to have all four. Definitely one of my goals. So, you know, winning is pretty special today.

Q. Martina said some nice things about you. What's it like playing with Martina?

MAHESH BHUPATHI: It's, you know, as Daniel said, I think we were definitely at a different level today. That's because it's so easy to play with her. She's got so much time, she's got so much variation on her shots. I just had to take care of my side most of the time. I know if they attack her, she's always ready. That makes life a lot more easy on the mixed doubles court.

Q. Will you play more doubles and mixed doubles this year, Martina? What's the plan?

MARTINA HINGIS: Just depends on how I'm going to feel. I have a plane to catch right now, so definitely not playing doubles as much as I probably would like to because of, you know, how much tennis you have to play.

But I always enjoy the team events, you know, the doubles competition. Definitely mixed doubles with Mahesh would be ‑‑ that would be nice in the future. You know, having a partner like him is really satisfying. You know, the Grand Slam events, it will be great if we can continue. Except that I have to get a doubles ranking so we don't have to play like No. 1 or 2 seeds hopefully in the first rounds.

MAHESH BHUPATHI: Yeah, I don't do it because I want to, you know (smiling). You know, I kind of ‑‑ both my partners who I played with last year wanted to focus on singles. I knew she was coming back. I asked her already and I think she said yes so I think we'll stick together for a while.

Q. Martina, do you see playing doubles as helping your singles in your comeback?

MARTINA HINGIS: That's what he was saying after the match. He's like, "I think it helps you playing mixed doubles helps you in your singles as well." I'm like, "Hmm, yeah." Playing mixed doubles is totally different because you have much more aggressive attitude. Sometimes in doubles, you know, I had to always kind of carry and just also you had the defense.

But in mixed doubles it's definitely a different story. Playing with him, who's always attacking, you know, and playing a solid game, it's, yeah ‑‑ I mean, I really enjoy every moment to be out there today.

MARTINA HINGIS: Oh, yes, that you can play at the highest level. In the beginning, I definitely had some difficulties, but he carried me along. I think with each match I got a little better and more confidence. You know, the last two matches I think we just really got the teamwork together and I learned a lot of things from him, how things are done, and I had to take care of my side, you know. But it was really, yeah, stepping my game up, lifting it up.

Q. The success you've had in your first Grand Slam back, this may have exceeded your expectations. What does that mean for the rest of the season now that you've had such a good start?

MARTINA HINGIS: It's just I wouldn't think that I'm gonna get this far in. You know, and I got the e‑mail, I'm like right away it will be great because hopefully I ‑‑ I don't know how long I'm going to last in singles like this. The hopes are a lot bigger staying in the event. I knew with Mahesh, having a great partner, we had great chances. Having to go to Tokyo, you don't want to lose first round and sticking around for next two weeks doing nothing.

Yeah, just really my first mixed doubles title. It definitely exceeded my expectations, yeah.

Q. Do you have higher expectations now for your singles for the remainder of the year, given you've played so well both in singles and doubles here?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, of course. It would be an underestimation if I didn't. I mean, I played well first tournament to be back, and making the quarterfinals right away. Yeah, I mean, I know I can rely on what I can in my game.

Q. Mahesh, did you watch your partner play singles, and what's your professional analysis?

MAHESH BHUPATHI: Wow, yeah, I did watch her, actually. You know, again, the ease in which she was, you know, winning her first few matches just shows how fast she's, you know, back.

You know, I told her also after the match I think it's just gonna take two or three months and then she's gonna be able to handle the top three, four. The pace is obviously different from three years ago. But once she starts playing a few matches at that level, I think she's going to be able to handle it. I'll be very surprised actually after Wimbledon if she's not in the top 5.

MARTINA HINGIS: It was nice to be hitting with him on the days off I had. He was a great hitting partner to have, you know, in between the times and to get ready for my singles matches and then we played doubles.

So it was just really nice to get used to the speed. So I'm like, "Hmm, keep it up." It would be nice to have a hitting partner like him.

MARTINA HINGIS: We were waiting for the mixed and practicing actually here yesterday. So, yes, I saw some of the finals.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I think Amélie deserved it, even though she made the opponent always ‑‑ she had the ability to finish off the matches. She didn't show any nerves. She end up winning.

Doesn't matter how, she's going to be the champion hanging on the poster next year.

Q. Obviously, Amélie had three people default, retire against her. There have been lots of injuries. I mean, you very nearly had your career finish by injury. Do you think that it's a major problem?

MARTINA HINGIS: I don't think it's part of, you know, what we are here for right now. So, I mean, we just won the mixed doubles title. I don't think it's necessary to really talk about that right now. You know, she won a Grand Slam, and that's great for her, no matter how.

Q. What are going to be your thoughts on the plane on the way back as you think over the past fortnight?

Just having the trophy sitting next to me on the plane, just go on to next week. We'll make up for it. We'll celebrate some other time.

Q. Where is the needle on your gas tank in terms of going on to play next week and stuff? What do you feel like?

MARTINA HINGIS: Oh, the needle on the gas tank. Well, it's a great event, Tokyo. I've always played that. Going back to Japan, I like playing in Tokyo. It's a fast surface. My mom's already waiting there, so I'm going to be happy to see her again.

Everyone's with me. Mario has taken off this morning. Radim yesterday back home. I'm like gonna be by myself flying, and looking forward to next week. It's really, I mean ‑‑ I enjoy being back. Just every tournament is a new one, and right now I just really am happy to be playing and at that level again.

MARTINA HINGIS: I don't know yet. I've been asked this question a million times. I don't really know. Just see what happens.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it definitely is more mentally draining at the end of every Grand Slam. You go through the finish. Today was final, you know. This is the last day of a Grand Slam. You want to give your best, be in the best position. And I think it's just great to have won today.

Tuesday, January 25, 2006

Q. What are your thoughts on that match?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, what do you think?

Well, you know, under all circumstances, I lost only 6‑4 in the third against the No. 1 player starting from Monday, so I don't think it's that bad after all. Just one step further I have to start believing against players like that to be able to make another step.

Q. Do you walk away from the tournament as a winner?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I do so. Although losing against Kim today, it just still gives me so much, you know, to look forward to because it was a tight match at the end after all. I mean, the beginning stages, I was like, "Okay, hopefully I gain one point after another, game after another," and I started, you know, taking charge in the second set. You know, some unfortunate things early in the third. But I still stick in there and fight through it.

But, you know, she has still the edge over me, and she had it today. You can't just ‑‑ three years pass by, you can't just think you're going to step out there and win everything. Considering I only wanted to play doubles at all these events, it didn't turn out that badly.

Q. How has your recovery been after each of the matches? It's been a long campaign for you, this one.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, it's been three and a half weeks ‑‑ no, four and a half weeks now. I'm also going to Tokyo, so it's a long trip. I've always done that in the past, and I was looking forward to it very much.

But I'm relieved, I'm happy. I'm looking forward to Tokyo. I'm just ‑‑ couple weeks I can train and gain some new energy and fill up the batteries.

Q. Did you feel at all during this week you don't want this to happen so fast?

MARTINA HINGIS: No, I would want it even more. I want to have it more faster. No, it's just I think I can be proud about myself, of myself, to be here and be playing and playing tennis as I showed today, that I can still mix up. It was great proof to myself. Now I just have to work harder and see what happens in the upcoming weeks.

Q. You think there's not much of a gap between where you are now and the No. 1 player?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, "gap." I mean, she showed some great abilities in the beginning. I was able to, you know, sustain them. That's the great thing that I have to start doing. You know, like not going on court and thinking, "Okay, hopefully I get a point and hopefully I make a game." But you can win the match. That's another, you know ‑‑ I always used to have this mental edge over other players, but that's, you know, three years don't just erase like that.

Q. Was match toughness a factor at this level?

MARTINA HINGIS: Oh, for sure. She's been out there playing. Also, you know, physically she didn't make any errors in the beginning. And that was like, you know, sometimes you get some free points. But that's the difference, top 5 players and the ones I've played so far. You can always hope for a mistake or, you know, a gift here and there, but not off Kim.

Q. Were you worried at 4‑Love down in the first set? Nothing was going right. Was it a discouraging time?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I was happy winning my first game there, yeah. It was kind of similar when I played Justine. You always feel like you're on court, you have 40‑Love at times or, you know, 30‑Love. You have advantage, deuce, but you know you don't have that extra point sometimes. You know you have to take a higher risk sometimes against other players I've played right now. You just have to do something special, you know, something to surprise them.

But that's, you know ‑‑ against the top players, no matter what, I know that's the difference. You have to be able to just not miss but still take a high risk. You can't just push the ball.

Q. Something special on the match point is to serve and volley, for instance, what you did tonight.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, sometimes, you know, serve and volley, that's in stages. You try to surprise players and, you know, see what happens, how they react to it. But was it serve ‑‑

Q. It was, it was. On the match point, 5‑3.

MARTINA HINGIS: I got lucky. It would have been over at 6‑3. It was a let. I mean, I saw the ball passing me by already, then I got lucky.

But, you know, she served it out well.

Q. Have you seen enough now that you believe you can compete in the top 10 ?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I think I made the last eight, and all the other players are either former No. 1s or top 8 players or top 10 players. I'm one of them who was in the draw. You know, if you make the final eight, you definitely have the belief. I think I can believe that.

Q. Does that mean we can say that you're back and you're aiming for the full campaign now?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, what do you think (smiling)?

Q. You were saying you were going to see what happens in the next few weeks.

MARTINA HINGIS: You think I'm just going to give up right now when I'm playing 6‑4 against Kim Clijsters, or what?

Q. You're doing the full tour, that's you back on the treadmill ?

MARTINA HINGIS: "Back on the treadmill," yeah. I might have a steam tonight instead, but...

No, yeah, I mean, we said like from the beginning that I see how things turn out with this trip to Australia and Tokyo. Now I definitely have something to aim for and some goals, see which tournaments I will play next.

Q. You played a very heavy striker of the ball. One of the issues that people were talking about when you come back is power, how you are going to deal with the power of women players. What did you feel and learn out there today in that regard ?

MARTINA HINGIS: Speed is important.

Q. You've gotten a lot of nice reactions since coming back from the crowds, is it important to you as crowds warm to you as more mature and a more captivating figure perhaps ?

MARTINA HINGIS: It's nice the welcome I've always had here in Australia because playing well here, yeah. Somehow they asked me the other night, you know, playing Sam, another Aussie, I don't feel any less Aussie than Kim right now.

Q. Have you won more matches here at the Australian Open than any other Grand Slam ?

MARTINA HINGIS: I would believe so, yes.

Q. It's been a great spring board for you for the rest of the year. What do you need to do from now on to step it up a little bit to get into Grand Slam finals?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, just continue the things I've been doing. Really, do you have any suggestions (laughing)?

Q. I'm just wondering whether you'll be working a bit more on the power side of the tennis.

MARTINA HINGIS: For sure. There's definitely some things in my game I have to work on. Now it's to maybe get some more free points or some advantages. But, you know, I only had a short period of time to get ready, so I try to spend a lot of time on the court. It will be definitely important also to do ‑‑ find a balance and do on and off court together.

But you can't ever train as hard as when you play a match sometimes. So there is not so much off time, but you have to try to squeeze in as much as you can, yep.

Q. Did you tire near the end?

MARTINA HINGIS: Of the match?

Q. Yes.

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I was kind of steady, I mean, the whole match. I didn't feel like I had many ups and downs. It's just she started off very well. I tried ‑‑ I changed the momentum. In the end, it was just like unlucky, you know. Somehow I wish I had a lead in the beginning of the third set. Somehow it just kind of slipped away. Twice I had it in my hands, and instead of being up 2‑0, I was down 2‑0 again and limping behind. That would have been nice if I had a lead.

But, you know, 3‑All I had another chance, 30‑All, things like that. Just like that's the difference, what it takes to win these matches.

Q. Which is the biggest difference you find out coming back after three years, I mean in the tour or the game or whatever? Something change?

MARTINA HINGIS: I don't know. Still the same people in this room (laughing). It was good to see familiar faces, you know.

Q. You've had a quite four weeks. Are there any negatives at all?

MARTINA HINGIS: Sometimes I miss home. That's the only thing which in the past I always look forward to leaving for tournaments. And sometimes now, I don't know, even speaking to my mom just now quickly, she's like, "Hmm, you were (indiscernible) you head and you were sometimes somewhere else."

It's like, yeah, because home is so nice now for me. Yeah, I know I have to go to Tokyo and all that, but sometimes I wish I could just quick just relax. There was never really a relaxing time because either I play singles or I play mixed, you have to do this and that and practice. Last three years I didn't have this routine anymore. So now in a way it's relieving that you get a few days off until next tournament, just, you know, get ready for the next one, just really keep your head up at the moment.

But I miss not being on the tour, so I really enjoyed this trip. I've been having the greatest time, you know. Just making the quarterfinals. I really didn't know where I'm at and how far am I gonna go. This is what I wanted.

Q. In terms of pure enjoyment, being able to enjoy playing, just the actual process of it, how does it compare to before?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, before was different kind of stress. You had to prove yourself to, you know, become where I've gotten, then you try to just maintain the level you are at.

Now this approach, I think I have just a different one because I don't have to prove anything anymore. Yeah, just to myself. There were expectations. But, I mean, I'm not doing it for money. I'm not doing it for anything else. Just because I love the game. It's not no one's pushing me. It's just like I have the support system behind me, but it's me who wants it and no one else, you know. Before, you could always say, "Well, your mom," and this and that, but now it's me who's in charge.

Q. What was your immediate emotion as you shook hands and left the court? Were you disappointed, or were you just caught up in the moment saying, "This was great"?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, yes and no. I mean, I was happy to make it three sets and a good fight. Definitely I was disappointed. I mean, who wouldn't be if you have the chances and you smell it.

But I knew she wasn't a hundred percent physically as well, but who is? Making quarterfinals, no one's gonna be like hundred percent physically still, hundred percent shape. But it's, yeah, I mean, I just go on now. You beat me, now just win the whole thing now.

Q. Everyone seems to be happy for your comeback. At the same time, they say, "Well, if someone after just five weeks of practicing can go back almost where she was, what that means?" The quality of the women tennis has not improved a lot? Is some kind of concern, this?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, you're the writers. It's you the ones who have been watching the whole time. I mean, I'm just a player. I feel it maybe playing, but I don't know. I mean, it's too short a time to tell really.

But like I've been saying that the whole time. It's getting more relentless, physical. But the rest of the game, I don't know if really ‑‑ you know, you've been watching. What do you think? I still play the same? Am I better? I want to hear from you. What do you think?

Q. We think you're more aggressive than you used to be.

MARTINA HINGIS: You think so? Yeah. Well, thanks (smiling).

Q. Looks a little bit more power.

MARTINA HINGIS: More power?

Q. Is that true or not?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, maybe the technology of the racquets. I always tell Yonex, "Come on, I need more power."

Q. Who do you think will win the women's cup now? Who do you think will win the whole thing now?

MARTINA HINGIS: It's hard. Oh, you always wish the player who beat you is gonna win the whole thing. Makes just yourself feel better.

But there is, you know, Amelie had a good win, good match. She's still got to be fit for tomorrow. Probably, you know, that's gonna be a tough one.

Justine had a good win against Lindsay, steamrolling. Since she's come back, she hasn't lost a match.

But just all four girls, you know, they're the top four in the world, so.

Q. Do you think there's such a thing as a special gift for tennis rather than just being a good athlete, training hard, getting some breaks? Is there a special kind of psychological entity you could see as a tennis player as opposed to any other kind of an athlete?

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, because it's ongoing. Tennis is not ‑‑ there is no really off‑season where you can really say, "Okay, I'm going to lean back, have like four weeks off, then I can start on my physical preparation." You don't ever have that. It's like ice hockey, you know, basketball, baseball is maybe also pretty tough. But it's physically and mentally very demanding because you're also so much away from home, always on the road.

So that's like when you watch American sports, football, they travel, they go back home. They have always their comfort zone. Tournaments, you always have to find for that week the comfort zone in the hotel room and at the courts. It's different environment. But, I mean, you know what to expect, so you know what you're doing and how to make it so you feel home.

But I don't know. Just physically it's probably ‑‑ I don't know. It's always moving on. I mean, sport in general is always getting tougher and tougher.

Q. I know a champion always expects to win a tournament. But quarterfinals, did that exceed what inwardly you thought you would do?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, looking at the draw in the beginning, I knew really like Vera is gonna be a tough one, but not impossible. And then I, you know, saw Mary there. She had a great last season. So with one eye I was looking at a possible match against Mary, and then I wasn't quite sure how that would turn out. But since she lost, I felt like, "Okay, this is my chance. Now I can take it to the quarterfinals. Then whoever's going to wait me there, will be another test."

But quarterfinals, I didn't think it was impossible, but long way to go.

Q. You proved that a comeback is possible, and there are some notable other people that are talking about comebacks: Monica, there's speculation about Anna always, Jennifer. What signals do you think you have sent to them, and do you think it might make them more optimistic of doing it?

MARTINA HINGIS: I think the best quote I ever got was from Bud playing, you know, those exhibitions and playing Team Tennis, I asked him, "So what do you think?" He told me, "If you really want it, you go ahead."

So that's probably one thing I've realized. It's not only telling you, "Oh, you're great. You're perfect. You're playing so well." I played Martina there. If they want it, they can go a long way.

Q. Glad you want it.

MARTINA HINGIS: Thanks (smiling).

MARTINA HINGIS: It did. I played really well the first I would say one and a half sets. Oh, I just ‑‑ boy, 5‑3, 30‑Love, I'm like, "Please, two more points." And it took me a while till we finished that match.

She's a great fighter. She started attacking more. Also partly because I was getting tired or just loosened up a little. But I think it was just toward the end, it was all nerves. And being down 5‑2 in the tiebreaker, I was just all happy to, you know, finish it off in straight sets.

Q. Do you think you have the fitness and the match endurance to be able to last out the second week if needed?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, the other match is on Wednesday, right? I don't know. It's just really can't ‑‑ like I said in the beginning, can't ever prepare physically for matches like this because, you know, I don't know. It's all concentration which takes me where I am. Sometimes finishing those matches at, you know, 4‑2, 5‑3, when I had the opportunity, that's definitely the key which I have to be working on in the future.

Q. Is it good for you to be pressed like that more than your other matches and come through it?

MARTINA HINGIS: You know, the victory counts at the end of the day and that's all that matters. Easy or tough, I take it any way. One or the other, doesn't matter to me right now.

Q. When it got very tight late in the second set, did you take your mind back to the final against Jennifer and what happened then?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it wasn't really tight. I wouldn't call it "tight." Just getting a little tired. That's probably a different word.

I just got late to a few shots. She was definitely going for my forehand, which was smart. I mean, all the players know it. I know it. Just in the beginning I was coping with it very well, getting me around it.

You know, I just start being short and she could attack. That's something I, you know, was struggling with five years ago. I was struggling ten years ago. Now I know that, I mean, I came through it today. I know I have to play better against Kim and the next one. But right now all that counts, I made the last eight.

Q. Is it much more fun to be in the quarters now than it was four years ago, five years ago, six years ago? Is that a comparison possible?

MARTINA HINGIS: I don't know. Just different. I'm 25 now. It all seems like it's so long ago. I don't know. It just really feels when I was 17 playing here, so much time passed since winning here. Right now I just, I don't know, I just enjoy the moment. After I won the match point, I was just like, "Okay, I'm through another round."

Q. Did you see your pictures in the Hall of Fame and the dresses you wear in '97, '98?

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah. Well, you see them all the time. It just makes me proud to be hanging on one of the posters or the pictures when you walk on court. Yeah, it's great just to be back and playing again, yeah.

Q. How do you think the fans are reacting to you now that you've come back? Do you feel like there's a different reaction that fans are giving you?

MARTINA HINGIS: They just really appreciate that I'm back. I'm just very happy that I'm able to play some good tennis and still hang on with these girls and winning some matches. Just I think the tennis I've shown in the first set today was almost perfect. I mean, at least what I can, you know, from my perspective, what I can play and reach that potential. It will be just nice if I could play two like that.

Q. When you go out on off days here in Melbourne, do you find the reaction is ‑‑ do you still get people coming up to you asking for autographs and pictures, things like that?

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, sure. I mean, it's very flattering. It's like you walk around and there's people from all around the world. And just I've had so much publicity now here as well. So, yeah, it's really nice, flattering.

But sometimes when you practice, you just really want to have the time for yourself. And there is a lot ‑‑ I mean, I just mainly stay at the hotel on my days off. It's nice. It always gives you a little something to work on. I wouldn't necessary say it to show off, but it's just really you want to, you know, they're watching, they're fans and supporters. I've missed that for three years. I didn't have it. So sometimes in Switzerland there is some cows watching, so that's not the same (smiling).

Q. In terms of your level, how much better do you think you are now than you were when you played Justine in Sydney?

MARTINA HINGIS: I think since then I am definitely, you know ‑‑ that showed me what I have to get better at and try to follow that path. Really, I was very happy about the first set, how I played. I mean, this is probably going to be a different story playing Kim on Wednesday. But I think we do play on Wednesday. You know, she's definitely more, you know, powerful player.

But I think Sam, she's got great potential, and she's very fast ball, lot of topspin, heavy topspin. Yeah, I just hope to have a good match against her again. But since Justine, you know, just I knew with every round I've come so far, I got better.

Q. How much do you think you're improving with each match? 10%, 5%? Can you put a figure on it?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, you see the matches. You're the professional writer, so...

Q. What do you see and what do you know about Kim's game that's on your mind for Wednesday?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, from what I saw today in the past matches, I knew that she had, well, some problems physically. But she's been overcoming that. Definitely she tries to keep the points as short as possible, and I just have to try to outlast her at this point. You know, just the first couple, three shots, are going to be key. Just try to stand against it.

Q. She's someone that you have played against a number of times in the past.

MARTINA HINGIS: I think times have changed since, you know. Like that's too long ago. She's gone on with her game. I'm trying to get back on track. So it will be a new story this time around.

Well, probably the thing is, which has changed, she's the favorite one and I'm just the underdog right now.

Q. Kim said you looked more relaxed when she talks to you or laughs with you. Would you say your approach to tennis is maybe different than few years ago?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it was just always very stressful because you always had to defend yourself, your No. 1 status. Just every match you went out there, in a way you could win and also so much to lose. Right now I don't really have anything to lose. I enjoy going out there and playing those matches.

Yeah, there is still definitely a lot on the spot for me. But I probably take it, yeah, different approach this time around for sure. I have nothing to prove anymore, you know.

Q. Have you felt like an underdog? You've had to come out to prove yourself to people over the last few weeks.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, but I also wanted to prove to myself that I could still challenge the girls. And, yeah, like I said, I knew that I put a lot on the spot, but that kept me going, and that made me probably more hungry and more willing to or wanting to succeed.

Q. It was obvious that Sam was going to have a lot of support out there with the crowd tonight. How do you use that in a positive way for you?

Well, definitely, I mean, I was ready for that. I mean, she has a fan club out there and the supporters. She's definitely had the momentum against me for today's night match. But I just really tried to use that in a positive way that, like I said, well, I try not to let them get too loud, too noisy.

Q. I know you normally don't waste a lot of time serving, but did you even hasten your pace a little bit tonight because of that?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, maybe toward the end of the match because those points started to be really long and just really using the time. I think we both were using the time for us and so we could really be hundred percent for the next point.

But not because, I mean ‑‑ it was just also I think for the fans, for the crowd. It was just really tight toward the end. Well, I got more lucky at the end.

Q. It's your toughest game in the Open. At the end of tonight's game, is it more a sense of relief or is it just like, "One down, another one to go"?

MARTINA HINGIS: No, this is definitely one of the more relieving matches I've had. Now I already stand in the quarterfinals, you know. Making the last eight coming into this event, I would have never thought I got that far. Now here I am. Really no one can take that away from me anymore. Just really happy right now. I don't know.

Q. The heat obviously was a bit of a factor today. Have you done anything deliberately in your time off to change your body shape and really get yourself ready for that super level of fitness that you now seem to have?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it's not the easiest when you train in Switzerland necessary. Minus 20 degrees.

But, no, I mean, just I came early to Australia. Played Gold Coast. I arrived there probably almost a week before. I think that was the best preparation I could get. Also playing some matches in the humidity.

I didn't mind today. I mean, it was also eleven, so it wasn't as cruel, brutal as probably at the moment. But towards the end of the second set you could feel the heat, but thank God she felt it more than I did.

Q. What about the difference between when you were playing four, five, six years ago and you playing now? What is the difference in your body? Are you feeling more leaner?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I mean, is probably the difference ‑‑ like having a child's body and, you know, growing into a woman (smiling). I don't know. I think you just always struggle with that sometimes in between.

With the way that's always been something I had to fight with, now I just have to see how important it is for you, yourself, to play tennis and try to do best possible so you get to the fittest as you can, you know. I know I still have ways to go. But, you know, I did the best possible as I can see right now to get myself where I'm at.

MARTINA HINGIS: I think it's just really underestimated because I was down 3‑1 today, down a break. Thankfully, I broke right back. You know, kind of wore her out. I mean, that felt really good. I don't think I played my best tennis today. But, you know, as long as you win, it's always good, you know. Always room to improve for the next match.

Q. Getting the time right to retire is often an athlete's problem. Getting the timing right to make your comeback here, can you tell us a little how long you actually prepared before you made the decision, "Yes, I think I'm fit enough to play again."

MARTINA HINGIS: Like five weeks. But to make this decision, I mean, it was kind of in my head probably since I played Team Tennis and those exhibitions, you know, thinking about it. But the decision, yeah, came kind of late November.

Q. Was there one or two sessions where it clicked and you said to yourself, "This is the right time to do it"?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, playing the Team Tennis, it gave me confidence because I was winning against girls who were 70, 80 in the world. So that gave me some kind of confidence, you know. 5‑1, 5‑2, I was winning. Those were girls around hundred.

It's not ‑‑ I mean, probably for that, I trained for two weeks, you know. So I thought, "Well, if I can cope with that, maybe if I really train harder and if my body allows me to, I can go further."

Q. It's still early days, I know, but do you see any big differences between the tour you left and the tour you're coming back to?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I kind of had this question over and over for the last three weeks. The difference is, as I've been saying, it's more relentless. It's just all these girls. You see Benesova beating Mary, you know. You sometimes had that in the past but not necessarily at Grand Slams. Now you have to be ready every round.

Just really everyone is in much better shape as when I left the game. I mean, you could already tell the difference that it was coming, but it has arrived now.

Q. Having had the game taken away from you through injury, there seems an awful amount of pleasure in your life to be back on the tennis court, to be competing.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yes, because right now I'd say it's really important to me in my life. I mean, it's really the priority. I try to do anything I can to survive that.

You know, sometimes when you're probably 17, 18, and winning, I mean, you see that there is other things outside the tennis world. You know, then you probably ‑‑ then some of the injuries come and appear and you think, "Okay, I just want to go and do something else," I mean, because everything is not going your way.

With the injury, I had time off, try to come back and, you know, experience the outside of the world. You know, just really nothing satisfied me as much as being back on court.

Q. How was watching other top names lose here, the Williamses and Mary, has that affected your preparation or your strategy at all when you go into your matches?

MARTINA HINGIS: I'm watching, yeah, because it's now ‑‑ it's like I'm eager to see anything I can, you know. I miss it for three years. But maybe in the past I was like, "Okay, another game, another match, another tournament." But right now I'm like kind of sucking it up, you know. So I'm like watching, you know, every bit of it when I get back to my room. Turn on the TV, watching tennis.

But it's just my preparation, I have to focus on myself and the next opponent. That's all I can do.

Q. At your real peak you used to come in this room and tell us about how you went rollerblading and how you're going horse riding and other things you'd be doing off the court.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, I still do that. Probably not as much as I used to, not as often. When I'm home, yeah, I have my two horses which I ride.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, well, it's a long trip to come with the rollerblades again down here. But I'll probably take them to some other events, yeah. I mean, in Florida I always did that, you know. It's like certain tournaments you can do that better than others.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, the first week is almost over now, so right now I just really feel like relaxing. Maybe, you know, go downtown a little bit, have a massage for sure, and just enjoy the rest of the day. Relax.

Q. What would your reaction have been if someone a week ago said you'd still be in the tournament and Mary Pierce, Venus and Serena would not be?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, it always depends on the preparation pretty much. I mean, really I didn't expect anything. I don't know. Just tried to get as much out of it as I could. I mean, I knew that maybe I could have played Mary in today's match. But, I mean, Williams sisters, they were far away from my side so I, you know ‑‑ you just watch it but you don't really think about it.

Q. Today, just now, the little girl Krajicek had to retire with heat exhaustion. A lot of us recall that final with Jennifer a few years ago which is probably one of the most brutal conditions.

MARTINA HINGIS: I just saw it just like because it already finished. What was the score?

MARTINA HINGIS: 6‑2. She also had a shoulder problem. I saw her with heat exhaustion. I don't know.

Q. They said heat exhaustion. You lived to tell the tale of one of the most brutal conditions ever played in. How dangerous is it for players here, do you think, in these conditions?

MARTINA HINGIS: I think it's just really important to be in good shape. I think that's all that counts. Because under these circumstances, to play with this heat, only the fit survive really because you see so many ankle rollovers and like those things, only when the players get tired, like Sromova against Justine, last night Serena. I think it's always when you're really at the edge of your game and your physical preparation.

Q. You discussed it, you decided to come back, but when did you know that you were physically able to come back?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, that was the big doubts I had about my game. I wasn't sure if it was enough. But I'm feeling better with every match going out there. I didn't feel that great, to be honest, after Gold Coast. But took me like three days to recover. And now I'm feeling a lot better. I feel like my recovery is improving, and just going on with ‑‑ I mean, my body is fine.

Q. Many years ago Andre Agassi almost decided to retire. He went out of the top hundred, he was 140. When he came back he had a lot of enthusiasm, like you have now. He's still playing at 35 years old. Do you see yourself playing until 35 years old?

MARTINA HINGIS: Not quite sure about that, but I have really great respect for Andre. I mean, it's really amazing what he has accomplished. Just great survivor and champion.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, I said I don't ‑‑ at this moment I'm not thinking this far ahead.

Q. In that period when you were first out, when the injury was so bad, did you switch off from tennis completely? Did you just block the game out and didn't follow it and didn't have any concern for what was happening?

MARTINA HINGIS: Probably the first couple, three months, yeah, I started studying. I kept busy with my horses. Just kind of was doing other things. But never really completely. I love the game too much to just kind of cut off completely. I'll never do that.

I always hit a little bit with my mom's tennis school. I hit with the kids. Now I don't understand how sometimes players just don't touch their racquets at all anymore. I've never done that. Just really enjoy the time out there.

Q. How has your success here changed your expectations for this tournament and maybe for the season?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, coming into this tournament, I was like, "Okay, tough first round, you know, see if I survive that one first." But one by one.

I'm just really happy and pleased being in the fourth round and having another opportunity at an event like this, a great tournament. Expectations just definitely grow. I mean, with every match I'm getting more confidence.

Q. Do you think we might have seen the end of the Williams sisters? You see how tennis is consuming you again.

MARTINA HINGIS: Oh, both girls, I mean, they're such survivors. I'm sure, you know, no one would have thought that Venus gonna win another Grand Slam last year, and she came out there and won Wimbledon. The same, Serena last year winning here. I'm sure they're gonna bounce back. You know, it depends on them, how much they really want it. I don't think they're just gonna walk away like that, no.

Q. Does anybody want to be successful again more than you right now, do you think?