Lloyd has news for challengers

Press, 7 February 1986, Page 32

Lloyd has news for challengers

NZPA-Reuter New York Chris Evert Lloyd, winner of six U.S. Opens, three Wimbledons and six French Open titles, has delivered some disconcerting news to young challengers envious of her lofty standing in women’s tennis. “I don’t feel yet that I’m the best I can get. I don’t feel that I’ve / reached my potential yet,” said Lloyd, who marked the start of her twelfth season on the professional tennis tour last week by storming to an easy tournament vfctory.

Lloyd, who was making a one-day stop in New York yesterday to promote the SUSSOO,OOO ($955,000) women’s championships next month at Madison Square Garden, said: "I definitely want to play this year. I still feel I can improve.” Lloyd lost just 10 games during five matches on the way to winning the Key Biscayne, Florida, tournament last week in her first appearance since losing to Martina Navratilova in the Australian Open final in December. “Last week was the best

tournament I have played in a long time, score-wise and concentration-wise,” said Lloyd, who turned 31 years of age during her six-week tennis break. “Last year I played better than I have in my life even though I didn’t dominate or end up No. 1,” said Lloyd, ranked No. 2 in the world behind Martina Navratilova. In the main championships last year, Lloyd won the French Open, lost in the Wimbledon final and in the U.S. Open semifinals. “a have faith that this

year I can play even better or else I wouldn’t play,” she said. “Basically I have been a one-style player,” the baseline specialist said. “I have room for improvement. I will improve. It’s like you want to milk it until you feel you’ve reached your limit,” said Lloyd, whose career winnings exceed SUS 6 million. Lloyd’s consistency has been the cornerstone of her remarkable career, but last year uncharacteristic losses to players such as fellow Americans, Zina Garrison and*Kathy

Jordan, blotted her record. “The big thing last year when I had a few losses was I was not able to maintain that concentration for every single match,” said Lloyd, who will be top seed in the absence of Navratilova for next week’s Boca Raton, Flordia, tournament. “Last week just made me realise how I can play if I concentrate. That’s what pleased me. When I am concentrating I still play really good tennis,” Lloyd said.