While playing in Los Angeles about four weeks ago, a
really surprising thing happened to me -- I somehow
contracted a really bad case of walking pneumonia. After
I got it, I had to rest up a lot, so I couldn't play
tennis for three weeks.
As I began to feel better and regain strength, I started
training at home in Arizona to get ready for my first
tournament since San Diego, the Pilot Pen Tennis
tournament in New Haven, Conn.
I've been playing singles and doubles in New Haven and
feeling really good. Although I lost to Jelena Dokic
playing in my first singles match since the beginning of
August, my doubles partner Nadia Petrova and I have been
playing great and will now play in the semifinals on
Friday. If we win, we'll play in the Pilot Pen doubles
final on Saturday.
Then, Nadia and I will drive from New Haven to New York
to get ready for the 2004 US Open.
Doubles with Nadia this season has been awesome. We were
both at the point in our careers where we had bounced
around playing with different doubles partners and really
wanted to find a steady partner for a solid year; really
give it our best shot at winning.
Since we've always gotten along well and both have good
strokes, we've formed instant chemistry and were the
second seeds at the Pilot Pen, with eyes on the women's
draw at the US Open.
New York should be really fun for me. I'm staying in New
York City, and I'm excited that my father and best friend
are coming into town to watch me play in the US Open.
My dad's great -- he still calls me "Muggs," a
nickname he gave me when I was a little kid. It's so
embarrassing to tell you, but I got the name because he
said I had big cheeks as a baby.
We don't really have anything fun planned to do in New
York City, but I'm sure I'll be busy with all the tennis
I have scheduled.
I've had a pretty rough year with singles, trying to find
my rhythm all season, while dealing with injuries and
this recent bout with pneumonia. But I'm optimistic about
the US Open, considering I played so well there in 2003,
reaching the fourth round.
Last year, I was gaining more and more confidence after
each round, played a really super match against Vera
Zvonareva and gave it all in my last match against Kim
Clijsters in what was a great atmosphere.
I took a peek at my draw at the US Open -- I'll play
Marion Bartoli of France in the first round, a really
tough opponent who beat me, 7-5, in the third set at San
Diego, the only time we've played each other.
I've said it so many times, but it's true: every player
in a major is a worthy adversary, so I'll definitely have
my work cut out for me with her on Monday or Tuesday.
Jennifer Capriati could also be an early-round match for
me, but I refuse to look ahead. I need to take this one
match at a time.
Honestly, I'm coming off a long break from tennis because
of the pneumonia, so I'm just so happy to be playing
again.
This tournament will really make me walk a fine line. I
need to listen to my body. I want to win matches, for
sure, but more than anything, I've got to focus on myself
and my game.
