2010 French Open Tennis Interview Room Quotes - Week Two
Selected quotes from the players’ post-match press conferences at the 2010 French Open...
Responding to being told during the second week of the 2010 French Open that he’d won his 200th match on clay and had a 98% winning percentage on clay (even better than Bjorn Borg)…
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don't really think that much about it, but it's really good. What I'm thinking about is practicing tomorrow morning, and of course today's match and tomorrow's training and practicing, and then the following matches. All these statistical data, you know, as I've said before, as I'd like to repeat, are quite valid when you've finished your career, but not before. There's never one day when I think, Oh, okay that's my 200th victory or umpteenth victory. No, I don't think in these terms. We never know when these statistics are still valid or if they're going to continue to be as good.
Now, I can tell you that from the year 2005 onward my statistics have improved, but I never really think about this very much.
Commenting after losing to Samantha Stosur in the round of 16…
JUSTINE HENIN: Well, of course it is disappointing. I mean, never easy to lose, and especially in this kind of situation. I just wanted so much that the adventure could keep going. I haven't been of course, yeah, at my best today. Samantha was the best player on the court. She took her chances, the opportunities. Yeah, it's of course difficult, but it's part of the sport. And when you come back at this level, you know, after, I mean, two years off, you know it's not gonna be easy to deal with a lot of situations. That means I still have to work harder and see it as a big challenge. Like I said, I took this year as a year of transition, so of course it's hard. But in another way, it seems a bit normal. I'll just try to keep a lot of positive things and get focused on the future now.
Commenting on comparing herself to the “previous” Justine who played in her “first career”…
JUSTINE HENIN: Well, it's very tough question. I don't want to compare I mean, these two careers, because it's so different. I need some time now really to I mean, like I said, the player I was at that time, it took me so many years to be at that level, you know. And to come back physically and mentally and emotionally, you know, we can talk about nerves and having the nerves at the right moment when you have to be strong. But you don't used anymore to be in this kind of situation, so you have to start again. That takes some time, so it's very hard to compare. What's from the past is from the past. I have to move forward now.
Commenting on what she likes about her hitting partner, Sasha…
SERENA WILLIAMS: He's a great guy. He's extremely nice, and he has really thick skin. I think to be in our group you have to have super thick skin, so to say. What I like about him is he always makes me laugh, which is really nice. No matter how angry I get, he still finds a way to always look and be positive. He's just been doing a fabulous job for the past two years. I've been winning a lot, so it's really good.
Commenting on the end of his “Grand Slam semifinal streak”…
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, like you say, they all come to an end at some stage. You hope they don't happen, but they do. No, I mean, it was a great run. Now I've got the quarterfinal streak going, I guess. (laughter.) No, I mean, it's been an amazing run. I think it sort of started here when I lost to Kuerten back in '04, I guess it is. If then I could have signed for all those semis in a row, I would have done it right away. I've made, how you say, incredible progress in terms of my play at the highest of level to be able to always come back and play semis after semis after semis in Slams and give myself chances to win in Slams. I was able to win many of them. I was proud to have that streak, and it's probably one of the greatest ones I have in my, you know, history books, really, for me.
Commenting on her strategy in playing Serena Williams (Stosur won in three sets)…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Well, I mean, Serena and I have played each other for a few times. In the Australian Open she just went after the ball and played very aggressively and I didn't really get a chance to get into the match. I kind of thought, Okay, that's possible of happening again today. I didn't want to let her try and dictate the points early on, so I tried to do that straight back to her. That first set really was on top of things, and even through the second, and I knew that that was a way that I had to win. You can't, you know, give her much. You definitely have to go after it. I mean, it's the same against her and any girl who is probably in the top 5, top 10.
Explaining how her experience as a top doubles player has helped her singles play…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Well, I think the biggest thing that the doubles have helped me with was just playing in Grand Slam finals on the big center courts. You know, one of the most nervous matches I've ever played was the doubles final at the US Open. We got through that and we eventually won, but that was definitely a huge learning curve for me to realize just how those things can take over when you're playing. Having been in situations like that, I think that's probably helping me the most now as far as the doubles helping singles.
Commenting after losing a two sets to love lead and going out in five sets to Jurgen Meltzer in the quarters…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I want to congratulate him first. I think he played really well in the last three sets. But I made a big mistake, you know, there. I made him come back into the match with my unforced errors, and then he caught the momentum and he was playing really well, especially on his service games. Yeah, I'm very disappointed, obviously, to lose the match that I was in control of totally a set and a break. This is tennis, you know. This is Grand Slams. You always have to play up to the end, because these things happen, especially at this stage of tournament.
Commenting on why Soderling has improved in the past year…
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think that he's more solid from a mental perspective. He's won many matches, so he's capitalized with regards to confidence. He had a very good game level, but he lacked confidence. Now he has that confidence. And that was strange his ranking was not that good when you consider his level. And in Spain, Fernando Verdasco, that's a similar case. We know he has huge potential, but at one stage well, you know he plays exceptional tennis, but it's a bit late now. He's 26. Whereas Soderling, well, he started slightly earlier, and he is a great player.
Commenting on the thoughts that went through her mind during her loss to Samantha Stosur…
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I never think I lost until I'm shaking hands. Sometimes I don't believe it after that, either. But, yeah, I think that, you know, I'll always try to stay super positive on the court. Actually, that's not true. I sometimes get negative. But in my mind I try and stay positive, and always just think, you know, just to keep going.
Describing how to control the emotions on court during a match…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, I think I mean, every match can have lots of emotions. And then after the match against Justine, I really, I think, showed myself something there. And then yesterday's match, even more again. So today I just tried to do exactly that: make it about the tennis and playing the points. I think if I can do that, then it becomes a bit easier out there and you don't get wound up in any situation.
But it's not easy to do that all the time, and you can go in and out of it. But today it was just next point, give me the balls, and we'll go again. So, I mean, that's the goal every time, but it doesn't always happen.
Explaining why she wears sunglasses when she plays…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I started wearing them when I was 13 or 14, and I just I actually don't know why I started. I just wanted a pair, and begged mom and dad to go get me some. I've worn them ever since from, yeah, when I was 14. So it's just become a bit of a habit, and now I can't really go on court without them. If it's sunny outside, I can't see. I think my eyes have become a bit sensitive from wearing them all the time on court. Off court it's just one of those things… If it's glary or even if the sun isn't fully out sometimes, you still want to wear sunglasses. But if it's a night match I don't wear them. It's not all the time. But if it calls for it, then I do? I don't know if it brings luck. It's just probably more like it's part of my equipment. I bring them on the court just like I bring my racquet. It's just one of those things.
Describing her first experience on clay courts…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I was 15 in a junior 18 and under Australian trip, and we came to Europe for the first time. I played five weeks on clay and lost every single match in the first round. Yeah, so that was my first experience. It wasn't a good one.
Commenting on why she’s having the best results of her career a few weeks before her 30th birthday…
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Why late? I think everybody are different. Could be late for you, could be good for you. I think it's my time now. Maybe before I wasn't ready.
Maybe before I had the chance I didn't catch, so I think now I have just to live and to keep going to work like I did for many years.
Explaining why he prefers to play in sunny conditions…
RAFAEL NADAL: First thing because sun is energy (Laughter.) Second thing, because everything is nicer with the sun than with the rain, wind, these kind of things. Third point, because with the sun my ball is getting more topspin than with rain and with the other conditions. So three points that I think.
Commenting after losing in the French Open final to Francesca Schiavone…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Well, I still don't think I played that bad. She just had her day. She went for it and everything came off. You know, it takes guts to do that, and she did it. I mean, I don't think I can really say I did anything wrong. It was just well done to her.
Commenting about how upset she was after losing the final…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I mean, yeah. I am disappointed. No, I don't think it's obviously it's because I lost, but it's just been a big journey and a great two weeks.
And to I guess you wanted the full fairy tale, but it didn't quite happen.
Explaining how she will look back on the two weeks of the 2010 French Open during which she beat Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic in succession en route to the final…
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I can only look at it as a great two weeks. To make my first final was fantastic, and to beat the players that I did to get to that point and everything, it's missing that one thing, and that's winning at the end. You know, I'm proud of this moment, and I want to look at it as a really positive time in my career, my life, and I want to enjoy it as much as I can.
Responding whether she had ever dreamed about winning Roland Garros…
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I always dream, yes. I always believe in myself. Not about the trophy or tournament, but just on myself I think was the key for everything. I'm so happy. I'm really so happy.
Commenting on the significance of her winning the title…
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: This is mean that everybody have the chance to be who really you want to be, and to do everything in your life. This is what's happen to me.
Commenting on what she expects the reaction to be in Italy and how she wants to celebrate…
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: … I want to go home to mommy and daddy. This is my goal for the moment, because usually we do good dinner or good lunch, ten people, usually. Now I think I have to buy a new house, bigger, for 50 people. No, I don't know really because now I am here and I can't feel what's happen in Italy. But for sure, for me is an honor to be champion and to be a person that maybe someone can take like example.
Commenting, after losing to Rafael Nadal in the final, about this match compared to when he beat him a year ago…
ROBIN SODERLING: Every match is different. The margins are very small. Of course I didn't play as good this year as I did against him last year. I didn't serve as well. I wasn't hitting the ball as clean. It was tough today. I didn't really get into the match.
Commenting on his special feelings winning the French Open title again…
RAFAEL NADAL: …Very important victory for me. I think one of the most important victories in my career, I think. Yeah, I told you 100 times, but was a difficult year for me the last year. So after this tournament last year was a difficult year, and I worked a lot to be here. I was very nervous during all the tournament, because I know before that that I was ready to try to win another time, and I saw the chances there. But the very positive thing is today I was ready to play. I was ready to play with calm and to try my best and to enjoy the match. I did, and was a very special day.
Explaining whether he cared more about winning the French Open title again or becoming Number One again…
RAFAEL NADAL: For me, I told you too, no, yesterday and a lot of times, I think that for me it's Roland Garros. This is the most important thing for me, no? (Pointing to trophy.) After the No. 1 is there, yes. But I was No. 1, and believe me, I am very happy. When I was crying after the match, the last thing I was thinking was on the No. 1.
The first thing is the title and all the hours I worked a lot to be here another time.
Explaining why this was a very important victory for him…
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn't say it was the most important. I say it is one of the most important. Is important because is one of the most important because I had difficult year, and for some moments was difficult to accept the injuries and everything. You know, for moments you don't know if you are ready another time to compete, you are 100%. At the same time, sometimes is a big frustration when you are in US Open and you broke your an abdominal one week before and you are in Australia and have to retire during the quarterfinals match. So all these moments are difficult to accept. I was there all the time, and for that reason, today is a very, very special day for me.
Commenting about speaking French to the crowd at Roland Garros…
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I'm not very smart with languages, but I have no shame talking in a language which is not mine. I was very shy, but I'm recovering from that. I have no problem with that. At the beginning I spoke very bad English. I could not understand anything, but I have improved. As for French, I understand French pretty well. I can understand almost everything when they speak slowly, because it sounds like the Spanish and the language we speak in Mallorca, so I can try and speak it even if I speak it badly.
Responding whether he considers himself a great player…
RAFAEL NADAL: No, that's exactly the kind of question I don't like, because then people say I'm arrogant, that I'm fat headed. What do you mean, being a great player?
As I said, I try to play my best tennis, to play my best game, to do everything I can. If figures and statistics say I've been a good player over the last years, well, I'll continue and play as best as I can to maintain those figures as long as I can. As I said, it's a huge pleasure for me to be here in Paris. I am in Paris. I won in Paris. I'm very lucky, and I was very fortunate in life to have had the opportunity of experiencing all this at the age of 24. Never in my wildest dream would I have dreamt of such beautiful presents. Life was very kind to me.
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