Pierce, 15, Faces a Different Kind of Pressure

Born in Canada, reared in Florida and living in France, 15-year-old Mary Pierce holds three passports, a No. 136 ranking and a great deal of promise.

It isn’t easy for someone so young to become part of the news, except for those who make a big splash in tournaments, as did 14-year-old Jennifer Capriati and 16-year-old Monica Seles.

So far, Pierce is best known for what she has left: the U.S. Tennis Assn., Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy, Harry Hopman’s camp, Florida, America and the lasting impression that her father, who is also her coach, might be the most overbearing tennis parent of all.

Jim Pierce, 54, picked up and moved his family to his wife’s native France after a row with the USTA over financial and coaching support for his daughter. In a recent Sports Illustrated article, the elder Pierce acknowledged, among other things, to once yelling during a match, “Mary, kill the bitch.”

Mary Pierce, who said she has not read the story, is loyal to her father.

“He doesn’t do anything to hurt me or anything like that,” Pierce said. “He’s on the court trying to get the best out of me. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Asked what her father does, Pierce said: “Nothing, he watches me.”

The elder Pierce travels with his daughter as she struggles to break in on the pro tour. Coming into next week’s Virginia Slims of Los Angeles at Manhattan Country Club, Pierce has won $23,920 this year and $31,958 overall.

Unlike Capriati, who signed endorsements worth $5 million, Pierce has no endorsement deals.

Pierce is still highly regarded as a potential star. At 5-feet-10 and 120 pounds, she plays an aggressive baseline game designed to put pressure on her opponent.

Until recently, it was difficult to know for sure who Pierce’s opponent might be. Before the French Open, Pierce announced that she wanted to represent France, rejecting the USTA. She played in the Federation Cup for France two weeks ago in Atlanta.

Pierce’s task will be to try to be equal to her buildup while riding out a semi-controversial start. She said she can do it.

“To me, I don’t feel any pressure,” Pierce said. “When I go on the court, I’m having fun. So I don’t worry about it.”