Rubin not satisfied with tennis win

By MARIBEL VILLALVA

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece -- U.S Olympic tennis player Chanda Rubin doesn't take winning for granted.

Even after defeating Australia's Samantha Stosur on the first day of women's singles tennis at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Athens, she is still looking to playing better, harder and smarter.

``It feels good to win my first match,'' said the 28-year-old Rubin. ``But I know I still have to improve my game, such as my forehand and my net game.''

After splitting the first two sets, Rubin settled matters decisively by blanking the 20-year-old Stosur 6-0 in the third set. Rubin had taken the first set 6-2, but Stosur extended the match by taking the second 7-6.

Monday (Aug. 16), Rubin will pair up with Venus Williams for their first round of women's doubles. She replaced Serena Williams as Venus' partner after Serena withdrew from the Olympics because of a knee injury.

Rubin, who resides in Lafayette, La,, said she's looking forward to playing alongside Williams, even though she wasn't initially prepared to play doubles in Athens.

``I'm going to go out there and enjoy the moment. I think we make a good partnership,'' she said.

Rubin's next single's match will be Tuesday.

Rubin said her game Sunday was affected by strong winds, which came after days of practicing in calm, beautiful conditions.

This is her first Olympics, though she was selected for the 1996 Games in Atlanta, only to withdraw because of a wrist injury.

Rubin was honored by her hometown of Lafayette in 1995 for her athletic accomplishments and work in the community, declaring ``Chanda Rubin Day'' on Sept. 12. She is involved with a variety of charities, including the Chanda Rubin Foundation that gets youth involved in tennis and raises money for scholarships.

``I had the opportunity to make an impact off the court, so I decided I needed to help out,'' she said. ``Giving something back is what it's all about.''