FED CUP 2002

   Magüi's interview before the semifinals of the Fed Cup 2002 are played.

  (Translation from Diario La Provincia Digital (29/10/2002))

Magüi Serna: "The tie against Austria will be difficult, Barbara Schett is tough"

   Magüi Serna Barrera, the Canarian player of the Spanish team, was running alone yesterday morning near the hotel H 10 Meloneras, headquarter of the Spanish team.

   Still sweaty due to the heat- 33 degrees- Magüi answered nicely our questions.

Question: The captain Margets hasn't decided the team yet, and wants to see how the players are.

Answer: Yes, it's logical, because we are at the end of the season. I'm going to train as hard as I can and I'm going to give everything to try to play here.

Q: A long time has gone by waiting to play a relevant competition in the presence of your countrypeople.

A: Yes, I know that the people are looking forward to seeing me playing here, and I'll try to convince the captain that I deserve playing. It's the end of the season, and everyone is a bit tired now, but I'm looking forward to playing. The fact that the competition is played in my island is another incentive for me. Playing at home, with your people, it's what you like the most. I left with 13 years, and I'm already 23 years old.

Q: What's your current ranking?.

A: It's 50 something, I think. It hasn't been a good year, but in a personal level, it has been one of the best ones, because having come here to train with Fernando García Lleó has inluenced me a lot for the best.

Q: The good performances of Marta Marrero and you in the team will have had an influence for the event to take part in Gran Canaria, won't they?.

A: I was surprised that Gran Canaria asked for the final because it has to be played indoors, and it's not normal to play indoors in this island, with the good weather we have. It was also difficult that both Marta and I were in the team, so the most logical thing would have been to ask for the competition in one or two years, because we'll surely be together. But well, I'm pleased that is played here, and if I play, I'll try to do my best.

Q: How do you see the tie against Austria?.

A: It's very difficult. Their number one, Barbara Schett, is tough.

Q: Could playing in the presence of your crowd be even more pressure for Magüi?.

A: No, I don't see it as pressure; I just think that I'm going to try to play my best game, so that the people enjoy it. I would ask the people to come here, because I think there are going to be some good matches.

Q: Against which team would you prefer to play the final?.

A: Where do I have to sign to play the final?- she laughs. I think that Slovakia will reach the final, because they have a tougher team than Italy.

Q: What do you think of the court?.

A: It's a little bit slow, and that, under the circumstances, benefits us.