Roland Garros June 2 2011 - Marion Bartoli

F. SCHIAVONE/M. Bartoli

           

6‑3, 6‑3

           

           

MARION BARTOLI

 

            Q.  There was quite a bit of pressure on you being French and semifinals of the French Open.  You seemed to handle it very, very well.  Can you interpret what happened for us and what you think the big difference was?

            MARION BARTOLI:  Yeah, exactly.  I think I handled the pressure well, but I think Francesca played extremely well today with the conditions.  It was extremely windy, and I think she used those conditions extremely well.

            So she really played smart tennis, and at the end she was a bit too tough.  But I really believe if I had this 4‑all game ‑‑ I was down 4‑3, 40‑15 on my serve, and if I was able to hold my serve at this time I think the match could still turn around.

            But when she was leading 5‑3 she really start to play a lot better, and from this point it was tough.  I think I didn't play a bad match, but she played a bit too good today.

            THE MODERATOR:  French questions, please.

            Q.  We had the feeling that the changes between her slice and her lift and the wind completely disturbed your game.

            MARION BARTOLI:  Yes, it was very windy.  I don't know if you felt it outside of the court, but on the court it was extremely difficult because the clay was being blown away.  So her spin became more effective and her slice bounced even lower.

            I really tried to hit the ball early as much as I could, but in spite of that, I really needed to adjust a lot to these balls.  I couldn't stay in the middle of the court.  I had to move a lot, and physically it became difficult because I had to make much more effort than in my former matches.

            On my serve, when I was serving against the wind, I was able to be up in the score.  But when she was serving with the wind behind her, she had an advantage.

            So as I said, if I had been able to win that game and be 4‑All I think it would be different.  I think she played extremely well, and I believe her game is less affected by the wind than mine.

            Q.  Did you manage the approach to that match differently from other matches?  Were you more nervous, more tense?

            MARION BARTOLI:  I don't believe I didn't manage the situation well.  On the contrary.  And I don't think I lost that match because of that.  Up to 3‑All, the game was very tight.  I was playing well.  Normally when you are very tense and under pressure, you start your match very poorly.

            But this was not the case today.  Until 3‑All there were very good rallies and I was playing well.

            But as I said, I used a lot more energy to produce my game, and also, she was playing extremely well.  She really deserves her victory.  If I lost today it's because she played extremely well.  You have to give her credit for that.

            Q.  You started off very well.  You only lost two points on your serve.  But after, when it was 40‑15, you made a double fault.  She made a forehand winner.

            MARION BARTOLI:  Yes, I'm talking about that game.  I was up 40‑15 on my serve.  I was on the bad side because the wind was against me.  Even if I was hitting hard, my serve was slowed down by the wind.  She was able to turn around her backhand and hit her forehand, and I believe this was a key game.

            Without the wind, I might have been able to win that game.  But again, she played extremely well today.  And even if I had made that game and been 4‑All, I would have lost the match all the same.

            Q.  But you had another chance in the beginning of the second set 2‑Love.

            MARION BARTOLI:  Yes, I had my chance today.  But I think what happened also is I felt tired.  I was spending too much energy to produce my game, so that explains that sometimes when I was up in the score it cost me a few key points.  That explains that I lost.

            Q.  I understand that the final is not as interesting for you now, but about Schiavone, what do you think will be the effect of the wind on Schiavone's game against Na Li?  There's a contrast between those games.

            MARION BARTOLI:  Francesca feels really good here.  She's very comfortable on that type of clay.  That clay really makes her spin very disturbing, so her game can really bother Li Na because she likes when the opponent plays fat.

            And also, Francesca won here once, where Na Li didn't win here yet, and she has less experience.  So that might give an advantage to Francesca.  I'm sure the match will be tight, but I think maybe Francesca is a favorite.

            Q.  You played your best tennis of your whole career during this tournament.  How can you explain those improvements in your game?  Is it technical improvements or physical fitness that improved, or what?

            MARION BARTOLI:  It's all that.  First I improved physically, and then I am a lot more confident, or I have been since I have been here, because before this tournament I had many doubts.  I was not sure I was able to play on clay.

            This year I worked a lot on that, and I was very happy to reach the final in Strasbourg on that surface.  It was very good for my confidence and it helped me in this particular tournament to go one step further.

            As, you know, you get used to the surface point after point.  So even if I have tough matches, I played a lot on clay.  I still believe clay is not my best surface, far from that.

            Of course, being in the semis I can't say I'm not able to play on clay, but I need to make more efforts on this surface than other surfaces.

            So mentally I had to work a lot ‑ and physically I had to work a lot ‑ too to be able to do well here.  Because psychologically I was a bit blocked.  So mentally I was not able to be confident, and also I had physical problems.

            So being able to do well here feels very good.

            Q.  Are you happy with this tournament?  What lessons do you draw from this tournament?

            MARION BARTOLI:  Well, what stay with me is that I'm very happy to have reached the semifinal, and also I had many emotions on the court with my family.

            Those emotions, I shared them with my father, but also with my brother, my mother.  To bring them that kind of happiness is a great satisfaction for me.

            And also the fact that I'm able to play well in France and that I can have the public supporting me, it's enormous satisfaction.  I think that is what I will remember from this tournament.

            Q.  Do you believe this will be a turning point in your career?

            MARION BARTOLI:  It's a bit too early to say whether it will be or not.  I think I need to use that loss to draw the lessons and improve even more.  I have to work on parts of my game that can be improved.

            So what I need now is to have a plan to improve my game.  I can't just be satisfied with this.  I think the fact that I went one step further here will help me.  Maybe not this year, but I hope next year.

            Q.  Since the beginning of your career, you never were so much in the press.  We saw you on TV with your family.  We even saw your grandfather on TV today; whereas most of the time you seem to prefer a secret life.  So are you going to accept this, being in the media all the time?  You will be respected and loved by everyone in France, or do you feel maybe some people are more reluctant?

            MARION BARTOLI:  I don't believe love or affection comes from the fact that I expose my private life to the public.  I think it's just because they appreciate my attitude on the court.  I don't believe they need to know what I had for breakfast.

            Now, if I have very good results, it's normal that the media get interested.  But this is not why I'm playing tennis.  It is pleasant to be supported by the public.  This is what I remember more than any articles in the newspapers.

            So what I want to see is the positive aspect, so there's no distrust.  During the whole year, I mean, we are exposed to the media, so when the year is finished and I'm home, I prefer to protect my privacy.  I don't like to be spied upon.

            Q.  Do you believe what happened here is the best preparation for Wimbledon?

            MARION BARTOLI:  Well, the first thing I have to do is to recuperate properly.  As you imagine, after a Grand Slam tournament ‑ and in France on top of it ‑ you waste your energy and you have to recharge the batteries.  Wimbledon is very close, only two weeks, and I have to change surfaces now.  It's a lot of adjustments to make.

            But I remember that when I started having good results on grass it was after having good results here, and I hope it's going to continue that way.  But I will need to do a lot of practice and be very modest.

            I can't think that because I played well here I am automatically going to play well in Wimbledon.

            Q.  Maybe the next step would be to have a better relationship with the French Tennis Federation and maybe be able to play the Olympics next year?

            MARION BARTOLI:  We have excellent relationship.  There is no animosity or no open conflict or war.  Each understands the position of the other.  On my part, I was very consistent.  I always have the same attitude.

            I said I had nothing against the Fed Cup.  Jean was here today, Jean Gachassin, and he supported me from the first point to the last.  Unfortunately, in the French team there are some rules you have to comply with that are not good for me.

            For the time being I know I can't change.  No, I don't change my mind every second.

                  

Roland Garros June 2 2011 - Francesca Schiavone

F. SCHIAVONE/M. Bartoli

           

6‑3, 6‑3

           

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE

           

            Q.  The question is, didn't she bother you with all these movements between points, all the movements she was doing from the start of the match until...

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  No, no, no, she does everything ‑‑ all the time she makes some movement.

            No, no, I make mine; she makes hers.

            Q.  Because the players want to be focused, and this is something...

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  Oh, no, no.  She took maybe too much time, but then the umpire give her the time violation.

            But, no, no, everybody are different.  No, is not a problem.

            Q.  You clearly have proven again that you're a different player at Roland Garros than anywhere else, including the clay court tournaments this year.  What is your explanation for why you have been able to do it this year again?

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  No, I think because is inspiration.  When I was young I always dreamed this tournament, so maybe is coming from a long, long time ago.

            When I come here, I feel something special.  That's all.

            Q.  What is it about your game that you feel makes you so effective on this surface?

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  Because the ball is bounce a lot; when there is sun is better for me because I can play deep and heavy.

            I think is great court.  There is no bounce different.  Of course is French Open, so is good for me.  I don't know what to say.  Is good for me for spin, for different kind of balls.  I like to play high and then stop short.

            Everything mix.  I love it.

            Q.  It sounded as if 50 Italians made more sound than the whole stadium.  How did you feel about that?

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  No, was not like this.  The crowd today I think was fantastic with Marion.  They support her from the first point until the end.  But I can understand.  When I play Roma is the same.  So is great to have 15,000 person with you.

            But I have to say thanks to my 50 or 100, I don't know, fans that they came today.  For me is always a pleasure to play in front of all this crowd and all these fans.

            Q.  This time you're not going to be an outsider in the final but a defending champion.  How is that going to make you feel when you're going to go on court as a finalist?  Is it going to make any change or not?

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  Of course is a final.  I can't see this final like the first round.  It's impossible.  It's just final, but you are at the end of a fantastic project and great wishes, dream.

            So I think Saturday I will go on the court enjoying, breathing, say thanks for everything, because for me to arrive in final is fantastic, is big emotions.

            And then play tennis.  Sometimes we forget to play tennis, and we go inside us and we break everything and we are upset.  But is just tennis.

            It's fantastic.  And I have the chance to play good, because I play against a really tough opponent.  I think she's playing one of the best tennis in her career from Australia.  She's pushing strong physically, mentally.  She has not anymore so much down, but she keep going at high level.

            So I have to play I think 80%, 90%, 100% to win and to play good.

            Q.  You are going to play Na Li in the final, and it's going to be the oldest like final in terms of combined age.  Do you have any comments on that?  What kind of a match do you think it's going to be?

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  I didn't understand the first part.  (Through translation.)

            Ah, okay.  I didn't know.  (Smiling.)

            Yeah, is mean that we are ‑‑ the years can help a lot.  The experience maybe are changing a little bit the age, because some years ago the champion were always young players:  Martina Hingis, the Williamses.  Now are changing.

            Like I said some days ago, is like the wine.  Stay in the bottle more is much, much better.  So is good to be there.  Li Na is, I just say before that she has a great performance with Sharapova today, and some days ago against Azarenka.  So I have to play really good and be strong here and physically.

            We are not similar like playing, but we are strong person, strong personality.  I play kicker, slice, and topspin.  She play much more with power.

            But the key can be the consistent and maybe attack or play deep.  Many small things can make the difference.

            Q.  You said earlier that Roland Garros was important to you when you were young.  Could you be more specific?  Do you remember your first Roland Garros, players that you saw or particular memories when you were young?

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  When I came here the first year was in junior, and I played qualification in another club and then I came here.

            I played first round, second round, and then I lost in the quarterfinal, junior.

            During that week there was big match, Graf, Steffi Graf, against Monica Seles.  I remember that I went there with the camera with picture, to take a picture.  Every year before come here, I go to watch that picture.  And is one.  Is one picture.

            So I think in that moment I was in Suzanne Lenglen like a normal person, like in the public, in the crowd.  I remember that moment, and I say, I want to play in this court.  I want to be like them.  Maybe this one can make the difference.  I don't know.

            Q.  Which one did you root for, Monica or Steffi?

            FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE:  Ah.  For me?  I remember that I have in my room two posters ‑‑ more than two, but in those poster, there were both.  So Steffi and Monica, big example.  Steffi for mix it up everything and mentally strong, and Monica for an amazing talent and great moving and good, really tough mind.

            I think both of them are fantastic, were being fantastic.

                  

Roland Garros June 2 2011 - Li Na

N. LI/M. Sharapova

           

6‑4, 7‑5

           

NA LI

 

            Q.  How was the game?  Easier than expected, or not?

            NA LI:  No, I don't think it was easy, because, I mean, always tough against with Maria.  She always fighting every point.  So even I have match point, I don't know I can win the match or not, because she never give up.  Always tough.

            Q.  What's your feeling now?

            NA LI:  Excited.  (Smiling.)  Yeah, of course.

            Q.  Do you prefer one opponent or the other for the final game?

            NA LI:  No, I mean, I just finish a match and now they still fighting on the court.  I mean, doesn't matter.  I ready for Saturday.

            Q.  What represents playing the final here in Roland Garros?

            NA LI:  Another good experience for my whole career.  I think prove a little bit for China tennis, because, I mean, I'm sure they showed the match same time in China, so many ‑‑ maybe children, they saw the match, and they think that maybe one day they can do the same or even better.

            Q.  Could you explain us what kind of work you made before this season, something special maybe to improve?

            NA LI:  I really didn't know.  Just after change the team, and then we going well.  So, yeah, maybe the team gave me a lot of confidence, positive thing.  Yeah.

            Q.  What is your feeling compared to Melbourne Australia when you made the final?  Is that more happier?

            NA LI:  Of course Melbourne was more exciting because it's first time to the final.  Here was ‑‑ because I have one time in the final already, so this time not so exciting.

            And also, you know, you still have one more step to the going, so you couldn't stopping here.  Yeah.

            Q.  What has Michael Mortensen done with your play the last month?  Will he continue with as your coach after French Open?

            NA LI:  Yeah, I think we will talk about after French Open if we continue or not.  Because he has a family, so I would like to ask him how many weeks he can traveling with me.

            Because I couldn't say, Come on, let's go.  Which tournaments?  So I still happy with what he do.  He's working so hard with me, and for my team, also.  So we will talk about this after the French Open.

            Q.  What has he done with your play?

            NA LI:  I mean, yeah, he's trust me a lot.  He give me a lot of confidence.  Also, he say, You know, every person have the mistake, so I should give the chance to have the mistake.  Yeah.

            Q.  What is it you've done that's helped you play better on clay?

            NA LI:  Ah, I mean, yeah, before I try to do the exercise on the court but never win the point.  But this time, yeah, I make the point, so change a little bit.

            Q.  You have been saying that you prefer to play against a big hitter like Sharapova than the Spanish‑style of players.  What happens if you play against Schiavone?  Because she plays a very Spanish style.

            NA LI:  What happen?  Just play.

            I mean, right now I couldn't ‑‑ how do you say?  I couldn't do anything, because now I was sitting press conference.  And even in the match always like against opponent, so we will see who can control on the court.

            Yeah.

            Q.  Everybody say you make a story here at Roland Garros.  What do you think?

            NA LI:  Is true.  (Laughter.)

            I mean, what I can say?  First time to the final.  Yeah.  So I just need one more step and then my dream is come true.  Yep.

            Q.  So you reached the Australian Open final and you didn't have success.  How will you approach this final differently than Australia mentally or emotionally?

            NA LI:  You know, because Melbourne is first time to the final, you didn't have any experience before.  So you didn't know what happened, what I should do on the final.

            But this time, I mean, is second time to the final.  Of course, you know what you should do.  I know it's different surface, but you play six matches already.

            So, yeah, this time I know what I should do in the final.

            Q.  At 29, why are you having such success at this age?

            NA LI:  Age didn't mean anything.  Age just paper.  It's just plus one.  Doesn't mean anything for the age.

            Yeah, I know maybe for the Asia player they growing up for a little bit late for European player, but I'm think 29 is too late, too old.  I'm still feel I am young, so...  (Smiling.)

            Q.  Last Christmas, if someone came up to you and said, Guess what, you'll reach the Grand Slam finals in the next two Grand Slams, what would you have said to them?

            NA LI:  Thanks.  (Laughter.)

            I mean, what I should say?  I don't know what I should say.  I just ‑‑ yeah, I only can say thanks and then try working hard.  Yeah, that's all.

            Q.  So this is your second Grand Slam final.  What does that mean for tennis in China?  And also, what does this mean to you personally as a player and as a person?

            NA LI:  I mean, I know it's not so many player can be same year two times in the final.  I make it; I do it.

            Of course, if I make it to the final, I come more confident on the court.  And also you have to believe in yourself you can do it.

            I don't know how much I can prove for China tennis, but I know if someone doing the final, if the children, they saw, Oh, it's not so bad; maybe some day they can doing better.

            So they have the goal what they have to do.  So I don't know how much I can prove, but I wish like tennis in China get bigger and bigger.

            Q.  It's your second slam final of the season.  Do you feel more of a star on the circuit now?

            NA LI:  No.  I just think it's just tournament.

            Q.  Just the tournament, surely.

            NA LI:  Yeah, just the tournament, just the match.  I mean, just keep going.  Yeah.

            Q.  Have you some interest in other sports, especially for China's athletes around the world in track and field, in basketball, I don't know?

            NA LI:  What?

            Q.  Your interest, your personal interest for other sport and other China athletes?

            NA LI:  Out of tennis, I don't like any sport.  (Laughter.)

            I mean, before I play badminton, and after I change.  So I think tennis was amazing sport.  You can challenge for yourself.  That's why I change.

            Q.  How long does it take you to prepare for the match mentally?  Because maybe half an hour before the match I saw the players and it was really relaxed.  Maybe is your preparation because of where you started at that time, so what should we do to prepare mentally, and how long does it take to you?

            THE MODERATOR:  Maybe a bit slower.

            NA LI:  Maybe a little bit slower, please.

            Q.  How long does it take you to prepare for the match mentally?  But not just training.  Can you explain the way you are preparing mentally?

            NA LI:  For us, we are professional players, so we have to prepare for every second. Of course, after the match like today, I'm not think about tennis anymore.

            But if like I have match like tomorrow, after I wake up I will think about, Okay, what I should do against the opponent or something.  You have to warmup, you have to talk to the coach, talk to the team what you should do, and warmup.

            And then just like automatic, the mental is really.  You don't have to think, Okay, start now.  I should start to thinking.  Yeah.

Roland Garros June 2 2011 - Maria Sharapova

N. LI/M. Sharapova

           

6‑4, 7‑5

MARIA SHARAPOVA

            Q.  After you have been probably at your best during the tournament, today something seemed to go wrong, like especially maybe too many double faults or some type of unforced mistakes.  Maybe was it her hard game that led you to try to hit harder and make mistakes.  How did it go today?  What made that?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah, she played a very good match.  She certainly played a lot better than I did and a lot more solid, and, you know, she played the crucial points better.

            There were some ‑‑ I had some chances in the first set on her serve, a couple of games that went deuce and had a couple of break points.  I felt like I had a short ball and just didn't step in and then just made an unforced error.

            Then you kind of give your opponent confidence, and then, yeah, just ‑‑ and then at times I didn't serve well, and, you know, was rushing more than maybe I had to, and maybe went for ‑ considering the conditions ‑ maybe I was just trying to go for, you know, too big of second serves, especially.

            Yeah, little things like that.

            Q.  How much was the wind a factor in your tossing of the ball?  It was looking like you were finding the rhythm.

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah, you know, it's tough for me; it's tough for her; it's tough for both of us.

            Q.  Is there a point during the match you told yourself, Okay, this is not working; I'm switching to plan B?  And if yes, what was plan B?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  I mean, you obviously try to adjust, especially after you lose the first set.  I still feel like I had my share of chances in the first set, and I just didn't take them.

            You know, I tried to move in a little bit more and be a little bit more aggressive, you know, but she was hitting the ball really deep and hard, and sometimes I was a little late, as well.

            Q.  Before and during the game, did you feel very different than yesterday?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  No.

            Q.  During the opportunity, how big is your disappointment?  What state of mind are you going to get going for Wimbledon and the next?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  This was a great result for me here.  You know, it's been a good season on clay.  I had a great tournament in Rome, and I got to the semifinals here after not being in this stage of a Grand Slam for a long time.

            So, you know, I'm quite proud of what I've achieved here, but I still feel like I have a lot of work to do.  You know, I don't have any doubt in the fact that I'll be going out and working on some things and trying to improve, as always.

            Yeah, it's good.  Obviously it's disappointing.  As an athlete you want to win.  There's no doubt.  But, you know, good retail therapy and I'll be fine.  (Smiling.)

Q.        In any case, you are moving better on clay.  I mean, I remember Ferrero, it took him semis, final, and in the end he won.  Will you try to come back and win here in the clay?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah, of course I'm going to come back and try to win.  I'm not retiring or something just because I got to the semifinals.

            Q.  I mean, two semis, quarters, it's a good curriculum here.

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Thank you.

            Q.  What is the final step, in your opinion, that you have to make to be back on the highest stage?  Because you've always been a great fighter; that's not a problem.  Is it being maybe a bit more consistent on this high level, or not?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Well, I know you don't get from the first step to the 30th step in one jump.  I have always said it's a long journey, and there's going to be ‑‑ there's been tough moments.

            There's going to be good moments.  There's going to be good ones ahead, and there's going to be plenty of good ones that I'm going to cherish.  I really have no doubt in that.  That's why I go out and I keep working.

            As disappointing as it is to lose, I believe in my game a lot.  I know I can improve and improve and get better with every year.  I feel like especially on clay I'm getting better.

            Q.  Considering that you already won all the other Grand Slam tournaments, achieving a career Grand Slam would be obviously the biggest achievement you can still achieve.  Is it the main objective in the coming years, to win here now in Roland Garros?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Um, it's not ‑‑ I will always say maybe it's a coincidence that, you know, the three Grand Slams I won were different.  I would have been just as happy if I won two of one and one of the other.

            Obviously it's great that I have an opportunity, you know, to win all four.  It didn't happen this year, but it's not ‑‑ you know, for me, if I won another Grand Slam, whether it's not here, I think it will mean just as much and even more to me in my career than having it to be all four on all different ones.

            Q.  We have this unfortunate situation where you get off court, and immediately have to look to the future.  I would specifically like you to address Wimbledon where you've obviously had great success.  It's a surface you like.

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Uh‑huh.

            Q.  Just talk about coming off this run on clay and then going there, please.

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah, I enjoy going to out to the grass from clay.  You know, the whole summer swing of things, you know, the warmup tournament and Wimbledon and then the summer swing in the U.S., you know, it's probably my favorite part of the season.

            I feel like I have a lot to look forward to.  Yeah, you just go on from here, you know.  The beauty of tennis is that there is a lot of tournaments during the year.

            Q.  Could you assess this whole Roland Garros from just an emotional standpoint, given how the last few months and year have been for you and what this whole run to the semis means to you?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  Yeah, it means that I'm improving, that I'm stepping up, and I'm adjusting within the matches.  You know, I was down in some matches; I came back.  You know, I changed things around; I'm moving better.

            Yeah, I feel like it's been good progress, but it's not where I just want to end.

            Q.  If there were a final game between Marion Bartoli and Li Na, what would be your favorite in type of game?

            MARIA SHARAPOVA:  The tournament is over for me, so, yeah.