Venus Williams reflects on her win against Alize Cornet in the second round at the 2013 Australian Open.
Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Video: Venus Press Conference at Australian Open Day 3
Venus Williams reflects on her win against Alize Cornet in the second round at the 2013 Australian Open.
Video: Sharapova Australian Open Press Conference Day 3
Women's No.2 Maria Sharapova speaks following her smashing win against Japan's Misaki Doi in the second round.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Videos: Australian Open 2013 Press Conference Highlights
The best moments from the press conferences as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka open up.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Azarenka US Open final interview | September 9th 2012
Victoria Azarenka US Open final interview | September 9th 2012
Q. You played a great match out there today. I mean, at the end you really looked absolutely devastated. Did you feel like you just let this one get away? What are your thoughts?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yes, as you mentioned, you know, I think it was a great match. Being so close it hurts deeply to know you don't have it, you're close, you didn't get it. But at this moment, you know, I have no regrets. I felt like I gave it all there, you know. Could it have gone my way? Probably, yes. But it didn't. It really, really hurts. You know, those emotions come out and you feel sad, but it's time to really realize what happened today. You know, it was a great match. It was close but not for me.
Q. There are a lot of positives. Getting to a Grand Slam final in and of itself is such a remarkable accomplishment. You can look back on the summer as maybe a breakthrough summer for you.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Definitely. It's a great achievement, there is no doubt. It's kind of difficult to sink everything in at this particular moment, because right now I feel sad. I feel proud of myself in one way, but still sad. But in few days when I go home, you know, I'll be more than happy, you know, with the summer. I think I'm in pretty good shoes, you know, sitting here as a finalist of the US Open actually for my first time.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Video: Victoria Azarenka & LMFAO's Redfoo | 2012 US Open Press Conference
Video: Victoria Azarenka & LMFAO's Redfoo | 2012 US Open Press Conference
World No.1 Victoria Azarenka had a special guest at her post-match press conference following her fourth round win, LMFAO's Redfoo.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Video: Kim retires from Tennis after losing at US Open | Press Conference
Video: Kim retires from Tennis after losing at US Open | Press Conference
Three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters reflects on her career following her second round loss at the US Open.
Azarenka US Open Day 3 Interview | Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Victoria Azarenka US Open Day 3 Interview | Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Q. Another strong match. Talk about the match and how you feel you played.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think it was another good performance today. You know, it was a little bit difficult with the wind today, you know, to adjust. It was blowing a lot from one side. You kind of had to adjust every time you changed sides. When the wind is behind you had to be more patient, sometimes more aggressive, more spin. On the other one you had to kind of fight against. So I think I adjusted really well. You know, her game is also a little bit unpredictable. She likes to move the opponent around; she has different variety. It wasn't as easy maybe as the score was, but I think I played well. I moved well, which was important, you know, to execute in these conditions.
Q. Her weapon seemed to be the slice backhand. What did you do to counter that?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I practiced yesterday. (Laughter.) I practiced yesterday for that. She has a really, you know, deep slice and it's a little bit tricky. It took me first few shots to kind of adjust and feel her ball, but, you know, I had to stay aggressive and not to let her try to command me with that shot.
Q. Jie Zheng in the next round.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Okay. I didn't know that.
Li Na US Open Day 3 Interview | Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Li Na US Open Day 3 Interview | Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Q. You were saying the other day you're feeling more comfortable this year than you have in the past on American hard courts. Is that feeling continuing?
NA LI: I mean, like you say, today is another story. Yeah, I mean, I was feeling like first set was okay, like normal. But after first set, I was follow the rhythm of her. I was follow her, what she does on the court. Suddenly 4‑Love down, I was feeling, What happened? One second, 4‑Love down already. (Snapping fingers.) I was like, Okay, don't think about how is score. Just try to keep going. If I lose second set, it's still like one set all. I still have chance.
Q. You're happy with the way you were able to get out of trouble?
NA LI: I mean, I sure happy I still in the tournament. I didn't play best tennis today. At least I can stay in New York. I don't need fly back to China, yeah.
Petra Kvitova US Open Day 3 Interview | Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Petra Kvitova US Open Day 3 Interview | Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Q. You have been winning more and more in the U.S. now obviously. Is it something that's no longer a big deal to you and comfortable for you?
PETRA KVITOVA: It is nice to still winning in America. I hope be continue as long as be. But, yeah, I mean, I feel good. I have a lot of matches and a little bit confident for the matches, for sure. It is the best practice I can have for the Grand Slam, so that's nice.
Q. How do you feel coming in, especially coming off the win at New Haven? Do you feel you have tremendous momentum in this tournament?
PETRA KVITOVA: I think that it's good because I'm still feeling that the tournament is continue and it's not Grand Slam, so I think that it's good that I don't have a time to be nervous too much. (Smiling.)
Q. So that's what's going through your head right now, is that you're trying to ignore that it's a Grand Slam?
PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, because when I play final Saturday, it's still like I had a day off as normal tournament and I start on Monday. So I was glad that I played on Monday, actually. Yeah, it's nice.
Caroline Wozniacki US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Caroline Wozniacki US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Q. Obviously your knee was bothering you for a while. How much did that affect you in this match?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: You know, you always want to go in and do your best no matter what's happening out there. I tried. I didn't succeed to play well. I didn't play particularly well, made too many errors. You know, it's unfortunate because it's a huge tournament, a tournament you want to play well in.
Q. Have you had the knee examined at all, MRI? Do you know what's going on with it?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah. I have had it examined. You know, I've had treatment on it. Yeah, I've had work done on it.
Q. Do you feel like it's not something serious, more a temporary issue?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, you know, I think it's a temporary issue. Hopefully it will get better quickly. It's frustrating to have some injuries, but it happens to everyone. It's just about moving on.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Agnieszka Radwanska 1st Round US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 201
Agnieszka Radwanska 1st Round US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 201
Q. Obviously it went well today for first round.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes, actually I'm just very happy that I could give it my best in the first match. It's always difficult for the first match. Every week it's different surface, different balls. I was very happy I could play my first match on stadium.
Q. Were you afraid to see if the shoulder was going to be okay?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, you know, it's sometimes worse, but it feels better right now. That's about it.
Q. How difficult were the conditions today? It's very humid.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes, actually conditions this year are very tough, especially last few days was very humid. Yesterday was raining, and today humid again and windy. It wasn't that easy, but I think I'm kind of used to it. Especially on center we always struggling with the wind. I think I was prepared for that.
Ana Ivanovic 1st Round US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 201
Ana Ivanovic 1st Round US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 201
Q. If you could, just describe your first match.
ANA IVANOVIC: I'm actually very happy the way I played, considering it's the first match and especially I only had one match on the hard court which wasn't very representative. Yeah, it was actually tough going on court because I didn't know much about the opponent today. She obviously had few matches behind her, so I expected, you know, tough match and I tried to focus on my game. I did really well today, so I'm very pleased.
Q. Having just that one match before on a hard court, what do you have to work on going forward?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, unfortunately I had to take some time off obviously with my foot. Last week when I was training I really tried, you know, on movement and on my serve and trying to be more consistent. You know, to have a match like today that I actually played quite well, it's a good start for me. Obviously I want to build on this and take it one match at a time.
Q. What were your expectations coming into this tournament?
Venus Williams 1st Round US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Venus Williams 1st Round US Open Interview | Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Q. The crowd was definitely feeling you with lots of love, you played well, looked good. I think what's amazing about your game is your fearless attack to the net. Do you think that is because of your doubles game that you play with your sister all the time or are you playing fearless, period?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think my game is just an attacking game. I like being at the net, so I don't mind coming in. I feel good up there. I think the doubles actually helps when you get up there to be able to volley a little bit. More than anything, I just feel good.
Q. Can you remember the last time you played a tennis tournament in which you weren't coping with some health issue?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No (laughter). But everybody has their lot in life, and I've had mine. I've had an unbelievable lot. I'm living my dream every day for the last 15 years, so I can't complain.
Q. Did you learn how to cope with things, learn that you have to play with pain, learn that you should not play a certain week, rather than try to force the issue? Is this something that comes with maturity?
VENUS WILLIAMS: For a player like me, I play through everything. So I think for maturity, there comes a point when you have to start realizing you can't play through everything. For me that's been just about a year, year and a half that I've finally gotten smart. For me it's about living life with no regrets. If I have any small chance to hit the ball, I'm going to go for it.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Maria Sharapova US Open Day 1 Interview | Monday, August 27, 2012
Q. How pleased are you with the result out there today?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I was just happy to be back playing a competitive match. It's been a few weeks. It was a nice break in a way, but after so many weeks of practicing, you're just eager to get back on the court.
The tournament almost seems a little bit easier because the practice is a little bit shorter getting ready to play matches. It's so much better than having practice weeks, to be honest.
But I was happy with the way I came out. Never played my opponent before. A lefty. Conditions weren't exactly perfect. Overall I played steady, but there's room for improvement, that's for sure.
Q. What were the last few weeks like for you?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I went to Montréal and I was supposed to practice there, supposed to play the next day, but I woke up and I had a stomach bug for a few days and wasn't feeling really good.
Yeah, I had some tests done, some blood work, some ultrasound stuff. They said I should just probably rest. I just went home and took Cincinnati off as well. I think it was just a sign that I needed a few weeks off.
Q. Feel better?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, yeah. I'm fine.
Q. Why all those tests for just a stomach bug? Did you think it was bigger?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.
Q. Why?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Just because of the pain I was having. It was really weird. They told me I was fine, not pregnant. I'm like, Can I get my money back (laughter)?
Q. So the night before the Olympic final, how bad was the pain?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It was okay (smiling).
Q. That didn't pass the smell test. What was it like? Was it a serious pain? Did it impact your play?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It was worse when I got to Montréal. At the end of the day, I think it was some stomach bug. But I thought it was getting better. Then I started eating like the normal Maria and it wasn't better.
Q. After all the development, the planning, the trips to Spain, it's finally going to come out, if I understand correctly, but there's a little bit of a problem. There's a guy named Roger Federer who has Lindor truffles. As a marketing person now, how would you tell America to try Sugarpova and not Roger's?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well that's chocolate. Mine are gummies and gumballs. It's like, What's your preference? That's made in Switzerland; this is made in Spain. No, a lot of differences.
I mean, those are quite different. I'm just happy that it's finally over with. I worked on it for a long time. There's not much to be done from my end in a way except promote it and letting the world know about it.
Q. Ultimately can a gumball stand up to a truffle?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It depends what your preference is. I mean, mid afternoon I'm not a big truffle person; I'm more of a gum girl. But it depends what everybody likes.
Q. It sounds like you were hurting at the Olympics. When you get into a thing where you lose like that, is it one of those things that you just hit the delete button the second you walk off the court or is it something that sticks with you until you get back on the court again?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it doesn't stick with you. I mean, personally I've been part of many different types of matches in my career. Looking back at that week, it was really special. It was so hectic. It was the busiest week out of the year for me in terms of playing back to back, the emotions of the opening ceremony, putting everything together, going out and trying to compete.
It was an incredible experience. Although I would have loved to have been the champion there, for me to be a first time Olympian, to leave with a silver medal, carry the flag for my country of course I would have loved to win gold but those things happen. You move on and go to the next tournament.
Q. Were you actually able to get to sleep at night after you carried the flag?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I don't know about anybody else, but after a two kilometer walk to the stadium and back, I had no problems sleeping.
Q. That must have been an incredible experience for you.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It was.
Q. What went through your mind as you were carrying the flag around the track?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I actually had hoped it was a little bit more windy so it would've kind of blown on its own. I was walking and it really wasn't, so I felt like I had to actually hold it, make sure it was waving around and wasn't getting caught on the pole.
But it wasn't as heavy as I expected and the walk was a lot faster than I had thought it would be. But it was a great experience. I went to the Village like four hours before just to walk around. I've never been part of that. So I really wanted to get to see everything, take pictures.
I spent like a few hours in the dormitories, and then we were getting ready in advance and then walking. It was like a whole half day, maybe seven, eight hours.
But I look back and it's like, Where did the time go? It was so quick.
Q. Since the comeback you've reached the final of the other three slams but not here. What would it mean to make a run into the second week?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Exactly. I haven't been far here, past the first week, in a long time. I would love to get that back. You know, I haven't played at a level that I wanted to play here. There shouldn't be any reason why I can't, having the success that I had for a few years, winning it in '06. That's certainly something that I'm looking to get back.
Q. Obviously the tests went well in Montréal. It turned out it was a stomach bug of some sort. What was going through your mind when you were feeling pain like that? Must have been pretty serious to need all that, or at least felt like it was.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think we should make this much more dramatic than it was. I mean, at the time I was being drama, but I'm fine. I was fine.
Q. In your years here you worked with a lot of individuals. How would you compare the culture of sports in America, training, and in Russia?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Just the training in general?
Q. Well, just the culture of sports. Here it's so dynamic, so individualistic. There's an economic engine to it. Can you compare the cultures?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, obviously a lot has changed since I was starting to play tennis there. I mean, tennis has grown a lot, and other sports have. Economically there's a lot more support.
But in terms of athletes, how they're brought up, I mean, I think there's certainly much less choices in Russia. I think there are a lot more opportunities in this country, which makes it incredible on one side.
But then once you get to a point where you have to decide. Kind of the people around you because you're at a young age and you can't make those big decisions, but you really have to decide what you're going to dedicate your life to, whether it's sport, whether it's something else, and whether it's something that the kid actually loves doing or whether it's something that the parents love taking the kids to do.
I think it's great that it makes for a social and healthy lifestyle having a kid playing soccer, baseball, football. I have a family friend, and I can't keep up with their schedule. The kid is all over the place. She's driving here and there. It's insanity. But you get to a certain point where you really have to commit to that one sport if you're really serious about it.
In Russia, I don't think financially we have those opportunities to have so many options. But also the parents were working 24/7. I don't think we could afford a nanny to drive them back and forth. It was really committing themselves to that one particular sport or area.
It doesn't have to be a sport. It can be an educational part. But I think they focused extra on that.
Q. If you become a mom, would you bring your kid to an academy? Do you like the academy environment?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: That's a tough question. Obviously if my kid wants to play sport and I feel like that would be beneficial to the kid, then yes. But I hope not (laughter).
Q. To keep playing tennis day after day, it's something that helps you not to think too much about your upcoming marriage or not? Normally for a woman it's a big moment. You don't have almost the time to think about what's going on.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I don't, because I don't have a wedding coming up in November. That's not true.
Q. It's not?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. I'm definitely not getting married in Istanbul in November.
Q. Not in this year anyway?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, no, no (laughter). I'm so surprised everyone believed that.
Photo by Getty Images
Kim Clijsters US Open Day 1 Interview | Monday, August 27, 2012
Q. What was it like walking back onto Arthur Ashe? Not that you were feeling scared, but it could be your last time.
KIM CLIJSTERS: I didn't really think about that. I was just excited to be out there and to have, you know, the opportunity to play in this kind of condition, prime time.
You know, a night match, it's always a very special occasion. The energy, when you step out on court also after the opening show, the stadium was almost full. So it was a lot of fun to go out there.
But, you know, still a bit nervous, too.
Q. Could you imagine as a 16 year old girl playing your first circuit match out opening night on Arthur Ashe against someone who has won four slams?
KIM CLIJSTERS: I can imagine, but it's been a very long time. I obviously wasn't in that position where I played my first ever match on tour on such a big stadium. I had moments when I was younger when I played Steffi at Wimbledon and she was my big idol.
So, yeah, it kind of takes you back through a lot of emotions and memories. I was talking to her before the match. It was nice in a way to kind of, yeah, get a feeling of the atmosphere from her side. I just told her, you know, that we've all been there and it's great to have these opportunities.
I think she trains in Florida at the USTA Tennis Center. I think it's great. I think she'll learn a lot from these kind of opportunities. I look forward to kind of keeping an eye on her in the future.
Li Na US Open Day 1 Interview | Monday, August 27, 2012
Q. You've got a nice little winning streak going now. How are you feeling on court?
NA LI: I mean, I really have to say I really happy I can win first match of these few years. Last few years always lose first round. So, yeah, I see the schedule, I say, Okay, you have to do for yourself. You really have to win the first match, otherwise same like last year and now I have to pack, I have to go back to airport to fly back home.
Q. What do you think it was about the last two years here that made it tough for you?
NA LI: I don't know. I would like to say maybe this year I just I was in the final Montreal, I win in Cincy, so I feeling I got a lot more confident. Also I got new coach. My physio always doing good job taking care my body so I can stay healthy on the court. And new coach, yeah, I was happy I can working with him, because he's like ‑‑ I was feeling more comfortable to working with him because he never give the pressure, you know. So, yeah, I think my team doing great job.
Q. Watson, it was back and forth a little bit. You pulled away. What were you trying to do going into this match trying to beat her?
Sam Stosur US Open Day 1 Interview | Monday, August 27, 2012
Q. Did you realize how close you were to having a golden set?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, I knew at 4‑Love, 40‑Love that I hadn't missed a point and the match had been going pretty quick and obviously in my favor. It did pop into my head for a split second. Then I hit the double fault and it was erased and I was quickly on with the next point.
Q. The last year you have had to deal with increased expectations from the public. I guess just talk about the pressure of defending a Grand Slam. I mean, do you feel like this is more or less pressure than let's say the Australian Open this year, or is it the same amount and you've just learned how to deal with it better over the last seven months?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, to be honest, I don't know if there is necessarily more pressure to go out and have to defend. It's a new year, a new tournament. Of course you want to, but at the end of the day you can't think that, you know, that's the goal. But of course you want to win, but again, playing here compared to Australia, it's just different. I love playing at home, but there is that increased, I guess, expectation. You know, you're in the spotlight a bit more back home and you see yourself on TV and the newspapers even if you're not looking for it. It's unavoidable; whereas here there are other players that are in that spot instead. It's just a different thing, and I think, yeah, the more you go through that, hopefully the better you handle it and the more you get used to and then it doesn't affect you as much.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Video: Vika 2012 Pre US Open Interview
Video: Vika 2012 Pre US Open Interview
World No.1 Victoria Azarenka discusses her thoughts heading into the 2012 US Open.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Video: Serena 2012 US Open Press Conferences | August 25th
Video: Serena 2012 US Open Press Conferences | August 25th
Check out what Serena Williams said during her press conference before the start of the 2012 US Open...
Video: Vika 2012 US Open Press Conferences | August 25th
Video: Vika 2012 US Open Press Conferences | August 25th
Check out what Victoria Azarenka said during her press conference before the start of the 2012 US Open...
