It Was Three Weeks of Smashes and Unforced Errors

Whew!

Three consecutive weeks of tennis in Southern California brought with it saturation and some maturation--tournaments here got better and fans got a look at a sport that seldom visits.

Some random thoughts on the successive tournaments at the L.A. Tennis Center, the La Costa Resort, and the Manhattan Beach Country Club.

Prettiest tournament site: La Costa.

Best fans: Manhattan Beach.

Most power-suited cigar smokers: L.A. Tennis Center.

Best backpedal: Amy Frazier extols the “incredible depth” in women’s tennis. “Everybody’s tough, anyone can win.” She is then asked, “If there so much depth, how come no one can beat Martina Hingis?

“I can’t answer that,” Frazier said.

Most fan-friendly idea: Players answering questions from the crowd after the match.

Least fan-friendly idea: Starting night matches at 7:30. At the Infiniti, this meant that matches began around 8 p.m. and the second match might not start until after 10 p.m. These hours, on weekdays no less, do little to encourage families to enjoy a night at the local tennis tournament.

Scariest moment: Venus Williams, 17, behind the wheel of a huge tournament courtesy car, sister Serena sitting beside her, bearing down on a pedestrian in a hotel driveway.

Best match: Richard Krajicek barely surviving a three-setter against Glenn Weiner. Weiner, a qualifier from Long Beach, had four match points in nearly defeating the former Wimbledon champion.

Best non-match: Goran Ivanisevic in the semifinal against Jim Courier. Ivanisevic can be the most entertaining non-player when he gets in one of his stormy moods and can’t be bothered to care. Opponents in these matches are grateful--Ivanisevic makes them look masterful.

Most cryptic non-answer: Venus Williams, responding to questions as to whether she’ll enter the U.S. Open, “It will come to you in a dream. The writing is on the wall.”

Most questionable fashion choices:

* Any scanty item worn by Anna Kournikova.

* Martina Hingis’ foray into Venus territory with her “I went to Venice Beach and all I got was this tacky beaded strand braided into my hair” tourist look.

Most revealing quote:

From Hingis, who admitted that when she’s winning a match easily, she often tries low-percentage shots to amuse herself.

“When you feel safe and confident out there, you’ve got to try some shots. That’s my personality. If I win, I can always go back to my normal game. Sometimes you just want to make a little show out there.”

Most honest quote:

Exasperated with frequent comparisons to golfer Tiger Woods, Hingis felt the urge to set the record straight: “Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods. . . . I am better than he is. I’ve been on top longer. I’m younger. I’m better.”

DAVIS CUP REDUX

It’s the same old story with the impending Davis Cup semifinals next month pitting the United States against Australia.

Same old strong Australian team with its eager players. Same old U.S. team. . . .

Who does captain Tom Gullikson have to choose from? Pete Sampras hasn’t played yet this year, but he has pledged to play the next round. Michael Chang hasn’t played at all, but he surprised some with his recent announcement that he’s available.

Meanwhile, Davis Cup veteran Andre Agassi is back, but is he wanted? Injured are Todd Martin and MaliVai Washington, who have come when called.

Ready and willing is Courier, who didn’t require much prompting to tee off on his non-patriotic compatriots.

“We wouldn’t be playing in the semis if I wouldn’t have played so much,” Courier said. “Nobody else really stepped up to the plate. Yeah, I deserve a place on the team--there’s no question about that. No. 1 and No. 2 haven’t graced us with their presence and we’ve done pretty well.

“Tom has a responsibility to field the best team he can, I understand that, but I also understand that there are a few guys who turned down the opportunity to play for various reasons, which I think at this point in their careers, are a little questionable, to say the least. Everyone has his own decisions to make, but I think it’s bull. . . .

“I think you should show some more interest, let’s put it that way. Certain things are more important to me than chasing dollars. And Davis Cup is one of those things. We’ve been blessed beyond belief, and I think it’s an honor to play for your country. It shouldn’t be looked at as a pain.”

Gullikson chuckled at Courier’s passion.

“Yeah, I know how he feels,” Gullikson said last week. “But he’s right, we’ll put the best team out there. If I can get it.”