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Chat Reel: Alexandra Stevenson

WTA player says dominating hitters are future of the tour

Posted: Monday May 01, 2000 04:06 PM

Alexandra Stevenson hopes to represent the U.S. in Sydney. Matthew Stockman/Allsport

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's tennis chat with Alexandra Stevenson. Hi Alexandra. Thanks for joining us.
Alexandra Stevenson: Thanks.

From Lee in Boston: I read on the question form that you are in Tennessee for some big tennis event. What kind of stuff are you doing?
Alexandra Stevenson: We are doing a whole big Tennessee day. The governor renamed the state Tennis-E. Danny Glover and Patrick McEnroe are here and She-daisy did a concert. This afternoon we'll do a whole carnival of tennis activities. It's to promote May at tennis month.

From Anika in New York: I know you played in the Pan Am games last year, is playing in the Olympics or Fed Cup this year a goal for you?
Alexandra Stevenson: Yes, definitely. I'm trying to play for both of those.

From Andrew in Columbus, Ohio: Alexandra -- I noticed you haven't been playing too well this year. Is there something keeping you down? Or are you just not getting the wins? Good luck the rest of the season.
Alexandra Stevenson: Thanks. I've played a lot of tough players and I'm learning every time. Hopefully, I'll play much better this summer, starting tomorrow when I leave for Europe.

From Guest: Quick question, who do you see dominating the WTA Tour in the next 3 years?
Alexandra Stevenson: Me! *Laughs* But seriously, the power hitters. Which I hope includes me. In tennis you never know who can emerge, but I hope I'm up there.

From Anika in New York: You have a very unique service motion, similar to Pete Sampras', which seems to generate a lot of power from your back, and shoulders. Do you experience any back discomfort from this stroke?
Alexandra Stevenson: No, because the serve is all from the hips. Both Pete and I were taught to serve from the hips.

From Jeffrey in Kew Gardens, N.Y.: Hi Alexandra. You signed a tennis ball for me at the US Open last year, I caught you at the practice courts. I thought it was cool that you had a sharpie in your gym bag. Question: What strategy are you working on for this year? Will you be charging the net more?
Alexandra Stevenson: Yes, I'm working on trying to play the net more. You'll have to come to me at the Open so I can sign another ball for you.

From Maarten in Sydney: I believe you are a better grass player and you may become one of the last remaining grass specialists. What's your opinion on this?
Alexandra Stevenson: I hope so! I love grass and it's very fun to play on. I wish there were more grass tournaments.

From Fred in Brussels: Which players are your role models: Congratulations for your big performance and I wish you to win Wimbledon this year.
Alexandra Stevenson: My role model Margaret Court because she played a lot like me in the 70's and the 80's - a lot of serve and volley. I met her in Australia. She's a great woman and a great role model.

From Bill in Indianapolis: I just wanted to hear your feelings for NOT pulling out of the tournament in South Carolina as some other black players did?
Alexandra Stevenson: Being multicultural and representing both sides, I felt it was important for me to play in South Carolina because my opinions help a lot for my generation because it's more of a melting pot than the other generations. I felt it was important for me to go and speak with the governor.

From Guest: Which is more important to you, ranking or tournament wins?
Alexandra Stevenson: Grand slams are more important to me.

From Luiz in Brazil: I saw you in training sessions at Bolletieri last Wednesday. You are a great player with great strokes. In your opinion, what stroke do you need to work on the most?
Alexandra Stevenson: My backhand volley. By the way, I love Brazil and would love to go visit there. Thanks for watching me last week.

From Jap: Hi Alex! I saw a TV special on you a couple years ago where you demonstrated a leaping, flying forehand a la Pete Sampras, which you dubbed the 'Air Alexandra.' When will we see the 'Air Alex' at the pro level?
Alexandra Stevenson: *laughs* That's cool that you remember the "Air Alex." Hopefully I'll be pulling it out in the next couple of tournaments.

From Roman in the Philippines: How long do you plan on playing professionally?
Alexandra Stevenson: Considering that I just started, I think about 10 years.

From Jonathan in Newcastle, England: Alexandra, out of all the other players on the tour, who do you feel are your best friends?
Alexandra Stevenson: I really don't have any best friends on the tour because it's hard to become friends with people you play all the time. But I'd say Venus because I grew up playing with her in the juniors.

From Guest: Did you start playing w/a one-handed backhand or did you start with a two-hander and if so, when were you weaned off the two-hander?
Alexandra Stevenson: I started with a two-hander, but my coach, who was also Pete Sampras' coach, took away my other hand when I was 11. He said that if I was going to win Wimbledon I had to have a one-handed backhanded. And if I was going to be a serve and volley player.

From Brian in Cranbury, N.J.: How do we get more kids playing tennis in US?
Alexandra Stevenson: Well, today I'm doing the Tennessee day and hopefully I can get more by doing more clinics. But kids should play because it's fun and you can play until you're 90. Women's tennis is growing and hopefully more kids will want to start.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Alexandra, thanks for joining us. And good luck the rest of the season.
Alexandra Stevenson: Thank you. Talk to you later.

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