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Memories of Indian Wells
Posted: Wednesday March 15, 2000 03:58 PM
Currently ranked No. 41 in the world, 19-year-old Alexandra Stevenson is a candidate for the Sanex WTA Newcomer of the Year award. Stevenson made history last June when she advanced to the semifinals of Wimbledon as a qualifier. Check out Stevenson's diary every week on CNNSI.com.
March 13, 2000 "That's my fans," said Serena Williams. She was marking her territory before my match with her on Stadium Court at the new Indian Wells Gardens. As we walked out on the court and the crowd saw me, they began cheering and calling my name. She didn't like it. As we made our way out of the elevator for the walk to the court, Williams made sure she had first position. I knew what she was doing. She was trying to pretend she was in control of this event. It was clear from the first ball struck that she wasn't in control. Williams won the match 7-5, 3-6, 6-2. I lost by 9 points. I had 13 aces to her two. My goal was to bring up my first service percentage and I did that -- I averaged 57 percent.
The match was so close in the outcome. Many times, press and fans just look at the score. This was a match that was all about statistics. My coach, Nick Bollettieri, said it's only a matter of time before the door opens and the wins come. Eliott Teltscher, my old friend and coach from Southern California told me that I will be No. 1 soon -- "You're there with the best first and second serve in women's tennis." True -- I hit my second serve at about 95-100 mph. That's pretty good. After the match, Serena and I hugged. She said, "You're there." This match was significant in my development because I played against the best player in the world. Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport have a lot to bring to the table -- but it is Serena right now who is the best athlete making a difference. Soon it will be me. A long time ago in the Southern California junior tournaments, my former coach Pete Fischer and Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena, said that the three of us were the future of women's tennis. All of us believed that. And that's why I smiled when Serena wanted to declare her supremacy to me before the match. We are good friends. On the road, we shop, talk about boys, and paint our nails. I have always been taught to put your blood on the court and walk off as friends. Sometimes that works and other times it doesn't. Venus called right after the match and told her father that Serena was "lucky" to win.
It's tough to be out on the first day in both singles and doubles. Mirjana Lucic and I lost to Lindsay Davenport and Corina Morariu. I am up for Newcomer of the Year with the WTA Sanex Tour. I have always been taught to believe that history makes our world. I made history at Wimbledon. I went from qualifying to the semifinals, something only one person has done before me -- and that was John McEnroe. No other girl has made history and I'm hoping the press understands the accomplishment since they are the ones who decide who wins [the award]. Indian Wells Gardens is a palace for players. Charlie Pasarell has done a super job in creating a perfect tennis world in the desert. I have been coming here with my mother since I was a little girl when the men were the only ones playing. I was 7 years old when I first met Andre Agassi here. He squeezed my cheeks and said, "You are so cute." My mom is a journalist. She's covered all the sports -- mostly professional and especially football. She gives me a lot of advice -- quotes and guidance from her days of watching the world's best. She likes to quote Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry -- a lot. I'll remember playing in Charlie's stadium for the first time. It's right up there with Centre Court at Wimbledon. Women's tennis is better than ever. A lot of people who matter saw our match. Zina Garrison said it was a match for a library tape. Fans thanked me for making it so exciting. Mothers thanked my mom for raising me so well. That's the best part about this job -- all of the people you meet. For now, I am taking Fed Cup captain Billie Jean King's advice. She saw my whole match with Serena. "At Wimbledon, it happened all at once and you kind of expect to be at the top," she said. "But, you have to earn it. Being a rookie is OK. You're knocking at the door." The next time Serena and I play, I will remind her of our first meeting. "Those are my fans," I will say, with a smile.
--Alexandra
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