Annie Miller Interview (8/15/2000)
by Christopher Gerby
After jumping through the series of hoops which make up the WTA Tour's
interview request process, I met Annie Miller for a Q & A about her
showing here in Montreal and her return to the WTA Tour. Considering
she'd just been demolished 6-0, 6-1, the University of Michigan
student seemed to be in a great mood. Minus a few pleasantries at
the start and end of our chat, here's a complete transcript...
On The Line: So is there anything positive for you to take away from
today's match?
Annie Miller: Uh...I had fun.
OTL: Well, that's something.
AM: Yeah. It wasn't as painful as the score would suggest. It was
hard because I couldn't get any rhythm. Basically, I thought I
played the first point well and after that...I don't know. Just with
Conchita, the way she plays, it was hard for me to get in a groove.
Plus my game is pretty rusty still, now that I haven't been playing
matches. I just felt a little helpless out there. I was playing so
far behind the baseline and she hits so heavy and deep. I was just
kinda lost out there, but it was fun.
OTL: How relieved were you to get that first win out of the way
yesterday?
AM: Oh my God, totally relieved, because I lost three first rounds
in a row out in California. It's pretty easy to forget how to win,
forget the feeling of winning. It was a relief, a really nice -- I
don't know if I want to say surprise -- but a nice feeling to finally
win a match again.
OTL: Have you made any decision yet about returning to the Tour
full-time?
AM: Not quite yet. I'll see how next week goes. I have a ranking
back, although it's not a great one. At least it's a ranking, which
can get me going again. You know, I'll kind of see. It's been a
lot of fun coming back after a while in school. It's given me a
little more perspective. You wouldn't have seen me smiling out there
at all a couple years ago. I probably would have been moaning and
crying. So at least that's a big change for me. But it's tough
after two years, with the tour being so strong. You've gotta make
realistic decisions, so...we'll see.
OTL: Is any particular part of your game coming back more
slowly than the rest?
AM: Uh...well, my groundstrokes are fine. I couldn't get a groove
today, but, again, that was my whole game prior to not playing for a
while. I mean, I could work on everything besides that and
that. Footwork, volleys, serve -- everything. So much to improve.
OTL: Are you playing the U.S. Open?
AM: Not as of right now. I asked for a wild card, so we'll see. I
don't know what the USTA thinks about givin' me a wild card. I don't
know if I'd be up on the list.
OTL: Did the injury ranking expire before that?
AM: Yeah.
OTL: Are you still enrolled at Michigan?
AM: Yes, I am enrolled.
OTL: OK, and the semester starts...
AM: September 6th.
OTL: Lastly, where does the Annie vs. Anne thing stand now? What
should we be calling you?
AM: Oh gosh. That's up to everyone. I mean, most of the people
that know me call me Annie and feel uncomfortable calling me Anne.
But then there are other people, with the whole -ie thing on the
end of the name, they think... If I say "Hi, I'm Annie," I don't know
if it sounds childish to them, but they're not comfortable calling me
Annie. So anyone can call me whatever. Just nothing mean, please.
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https://tennis-ontheline.com/00/00cgmonam.htm © 125
Last updated 26 September 2015
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