Wimbledon June 18 2011 Caroline Wozniacki

An interview with:

           

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI

            Q.  You're seeded No. 1 obviously.  Is that a nice thing?  Says you must be pretty good.  Is that extra pressure?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  No, it's a nice thing.  I enjoy it.  I think all the girls would like to be in my position and be ranked No. 1 in the world.  I've had a good year and won five tournaments so far this year.

            I enjoy this position.  It's always nice to get to play on the big courts and in front of the big crowd, which is something that you always want to and something you aim for when you practice.

            Q.  You were a junior champion here.  What do you think about the main tournament?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, definitely it brings back good memories, winning the junior title in 2006.  I really enjoy playing on the grass, so I'm happy to be playing in the main one now.  You know, I'm going to do my best, and we have to see how far I can go.

            Q.  What was lost by not having Serena and Venus on the circuit for the last year?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, I don't know.  I think, first of all, Serena and Venus are great girls.  I have a good relationship with them.  You know, it's always good to have a good laugh in the locker room.  Of course you don't wish anyone to be injured or hurt, so obviously you want them back and healthy, which is the most important thing.

            And, you know, I think I read somewhere that in the last 11 years a Williams or the Williamses have won nine times.  It just says something about, you know, first of all how great champions they are, but also how well they're playing on grass.

            I'm happy to see them back, and first of all healthy again.

            Q.  If Serena or Venus were to do very well here after such a long layoff, what sort of statement do you think that would make about them and about the tour?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, I don't know.  First of all, we have to see how they do.  Second of all, grass is a little bit different surface than everything else.  Here it's important to serve and return well.  We all know that the game of the girls is perfectly suited for the grass, as well.

            Obviously no one wants to play them.  It's good that they got a higher seed, you know, than their rankings, because no one wants to play them in the early rounds because they obviously have the experience and play really well, especially on grass.

            Q.  You've come here very confident, but you haven't got too far in this championship so far.  Is that something that preys on you a bit, that this is the year where it's got to change?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  To be honest, no.  I just go in there and I play, and I don't have to see how everything goes.  I know I can play really well on grass.  I've won Eastbourne before; I won the junior title.  I know that I can play really good tennis.

            At the same time, on grass it can be small things that decide a match, and also the serve and the returns are key points at this point.

            So it's important just to focus and just enjoy it.

            Q.  What do you think Li Na's major championship and progress in general means to women's tennis around the world, and also to China, if you have a sense of that?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  I was real happy for Li Na that she won the title, the French Open title.  She's one of my good friends.  We always talk a lot, both on and off the court.  We practice together.  You know, if I couldn't win it, then, you know, she's one of the girls that I like to see do well.

            And, you know, I think it's great for women's tennis.  I think China's a huge market.  So many people there.  I think it was 60 million people watching in China.

            Q.  116.

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, close (laughter).

            I mean, it's a lot of people.  It's good for the tennis, and I'm sure that a lot of young girls and boys in China now also wants to play tennis because they want to play like Li Na.

            I think it's great for the tennis that we can have it even bigger as a sport than it is now.

            Q.  You mentioned your friendship with her.  How would you describe her for the people who are just getting to know her game and her personality?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, her personality is very funny.  She always comes up with small jokes and always makes you laugh.  She's a bit shy to people maybe she doesn't know, but once you get to know her, she's a great girl.

            Yeah, I like to spend time with her.  And on court, always working 100%.  If you practice with her, you know every time it will be a good practice because, you know, she gives 100%.

            Q.  Maybe hard to look beyond three or four men to win, but the women, pretty wide open?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  I think there's quite a few girls that can take the title.  Again, grass is a bit different surface, so it's all about who serves well and returns well at the key moments.

            Q.  What was your reaction when you heard that Isner and Mahut were rematched after last year's match?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, I started laughing a little bit, because I remember last year I was playing doubles here, and I remember I turned on the TV when it was 21‑21 in the fifth set.

            I go, Oh, okay, let's keep it here in the locker room and just have a look before my doubles.  When I went on to play, it was 28‑28.  Then I went to play, and when I came back they were still playing.  I was like, I just played two sets doubles and I came back and they're still playing.  It's ridiculous.

            You know, hopefully I hope for them that the match will be a little bit shorter this year.

            Q.  What do you think of the quality of the match we're going to see now, and what sort of pressure is there on them?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, to be honest, I don't think it will be such a long match as it was last year.  I think it will be a lot of serves.  And, well, they both serve really well, so probably it will be short points, but about who will break who first.

            Q.  Did your title in Copenhagen give you extra confidence?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, I have a lot of confidence for my game.  I know that I can play really well, that I'm a good player, especially playing on hard court.  You know, it was nice to be back and feel my feet on the ground.

            To play in front of the home crowd, so much attention just on me for that tournament, it was nice to play well there and win the tournament.

            Q.  Are we going to see the Gerrard shirt at Wimbledon?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  I'm not allowed to.  It's red.

            Q.  You can't anywhere?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, on Aorangi I would be able to, but, you know, I can't practice on‑site or play warmup in it.

            Q.  Did you ask the question?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Yeah, well, rules are rules.  At Wimbledon it's white, so...

            Q.  The new away kit is white for Liverpool.

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Yeah, but I haven't gotten that yet.

            Q.  That's your answer, isn't it?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  True.  Good point.

            Q.  You mentioned earlier you have a nice relationship with the Williams sisters.  What was it like this last year as Serena was not just injured but quite ill to keep up with what was going on with her?  How were you feeling about what she was going through?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, of course you don't feel great when you see someone is hurt or sick like she was.  You know, it's life, and I just wanted to wish her all the best.  I went to visit her when I was in L.A. just to see how she was doing.  But like Serena, always in a good mood, and always you never really feel on her that she's not feeling great.

            You know, so, I was just happy to see her.  I'm very happy that she's doing well again.  And, you know, I don't wish for anyone to be in that situation because, I mean, it's scary.  I'm just happy that, you know, she's past that and she can be back healthy and back on court.

            Q.  How bad were things for her?  What sense did you have of how bad things really good?

            CAROLINE WOZNIACKI:  Well, I think it's up to her to tell.  But I think that when I came and saw her she was fine.  You know, she was in good mood, singing karaoke, having a good time.

                       

Roland Garros. May 27 2011 - Caroline wozniacki

D. HANTUCHOVA/C. Wozniacki

6 1, 6 3

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI

Q. You've never looked really in control of the match. Can you explain what happened in your opinion?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: She played very well. She played very, very well today, you know, better than me, for sure. You know, she knew what she was going to go out there and do. She was just too good.
I just need to get back on the court and practice, and come back stronger.

Q. It was so difficult for you to play dominant on clay? Difficult for you?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, it's definitely not the surface that I like the most, but I, you know, was still hoping that it was going to be better than this.
But then again Daniela is a good opponent. She played very well today, and if she keeps playing like this, she's tough to beat.

Q. Difficult for you being No. 1 and everyone is waiting for you, the big win for you? Is it difficult? Do you feel the pressure?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I don't feel the pressure. The only one I feel pressure from is myself to go and give my all for every match and, you know, obviously I'm a competitor. I love winning. I don't like losing.
You know, sometimes it's like this in the game, and you cannot do anything. Right now, you know, I can't do anything about the loss other than just get back on the practice court and improve and be better for next time.

Q. Tough day. You're lucky to have a dad in your life who's former professional athlete who has been with you obviously throughout. You had a conversation with him afterwards. What did your dad say to you about this?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, he just said, you know, Daniela played better than you today. It's a tough loss, and I know that it's not fun for you right now, but it's the sport and we just you know, we know what we can improve, we know what we can do. I mean, the world still goes on and we still have the next tournament next week.
You know, there is nothing you can do about it now, so just yeah. Don't beat yourself up too much.

Q. 128 players, only 1 can win.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, exactly. I mean, there's only going to be one winner here. You know that from the beginning. So there's 127 others that are going to go away from here with a loss.
I'm one of them this year. You know, I'm definitely gonna try to do better in Wimbledon, and we just have to see.

Q. This is the first time since 1971 that the top two seeds in the women draw have gone out without reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros. Do you think that is demonstration of the fact that the women's game is in a good situation now because anyone can beat anyone, or is it lacking someone with a bit of gravitas like a Nadal or a Federer?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, you know, I get so many questions about the women's depth of the game, if you deserve it, all these kind of things.
You know, I know that everyone has to write a story, but, I mean, tennis is a sport where only one can win. There are no ties. You cannot go off the court and both of the players are happy.
So, you know, there's a lot of great players out there. I mean, Kim had a tough loss yesterday. I had a tough loss today. That's what happens.
You know, it's a game. When you go out there you have 50% chance of winning and you want to take the percentages to you.
You know, since we're No. 1 and 2, it means that we must be doing something right. You know, it's just unfortunate to lose in a Grand Slam, but that's what happens, and we just need to move forward.

Q. Are you happy with your schedule or do you think you might make changes moving forward?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I'm happy about my schedule. I'm feeling fine. You know, I'm feeling confident. I'm playing well. Today Daniela was playing better, and that's it. You know, I'm young and I still you know, I get experience every time. You learn more from your losses than you do from your wins.
Definitely it's not fun to be here right now with a loss, but, you know, that's what happens. I'm gonna be back as a better player when you see me next time.

Q. You don't think having last week off would have made any difference? You're happy you played Brussels?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I don't think it would have made any difference.

Q. People talking about the No. 1 and not winning a slam. Does that mystify you? Does it irritate you? Or do you just shrug it off and say, I don't understand it? When you hear all that conversation, what's your feeling about it?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, to be honest, I don't read the newspapers, first of all. Second of all, you know, everyone always has an opinion.
It doesn't matter, you know. When I was younger, people told me, yeah, yeah, right, you'll never be a top player. You're from Denmark. We don't have the mentality. Blah, blah, blah.
And, you know, it really doesn't matter. For me I know what I'm capable of. I know I'm a great player. I'm doing well, and, you know, I had a loss today. That's what happens. You know, I'll be back even better.

Q. You mentioned Wimbledon. What do you think of your chances there compared with the three other Grand Slams?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I definitely enjoy playing on grass. I think it's a great surface.
You know, I've done well on it before, and, you know, I'm looking forward to go there. And I really enjoy the atmosphere and just the whole I don't know. There is something homey about Wimbledon and living in a house and having the whole family there. I'm really looking forward to that tournament. You know, I think I can do well.

Q. Do you feel just as comfortable on grass as on other surfaces?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, definitely hard courts is my favorite surface. Grass I feel very comfortable on. And clay is, you know, my least favorite surface, but I think I can play well on it, as well. I think I'm pretty much an all around player.

Q. When the match started and she was obviously playing at a high level, what were you trying to do? Because it seemed at times you seemed a little bit lost, and maybe you felt the same way.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I obviously tried to do a few things, but she every time I stepped it up a little bit, she stepped it up, as well, and, you know, she just didn't really give me a chance to come back in the match.
Okay. I went from 4 1 to 4 3, I think, but, you know, she played well. She played with good depth.
Yeah, she's playing well at the moment, and obviously I tried to do a few things, but it just didn't work out today.

Q. What were you trying to do strategically?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I tried to do more angles and then I tried to hit deeper, a little bit higher. But still, you know, it just didn't work out.

Q. You were planning on being here I guess eight more days. Now that you don't have those eight days, is there anything you're sort of looking forward to doing?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Now?

Q. Yeah. You have eight days that maybe you would have been committed to playing Roland Garros.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Obviously I would have loved to be here still. I'd be playing for the next eight days. No doubt about it.
But now, I don't know. I really don't like to be around a tournament when I'm not playing, because, I mean, it's just you know, you feel like you're supposed to be on the court and be playing.
So I don't think I'll stick around for too much longer, but still I have something on Tuesday that I would like to do here, so I don't know. We'll see.
I'm not sure. I might go home for a few days and come back for Tuesday or I don't know what I'll do.

Q. Is there any chance, any progress with you working with Martina?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Right now there's no progress on it.

Roland Garros. May 25 2011 - Caroline wozniacki

C. WOZNIACKI/A. Wozniak

6 3, 7 6

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI


Q. It was a tough battle for you today on the court. Happy to end it in two sets, I guess?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Definitely. It was a tough match. I started off really well, and everything was going the way I wanted it to. Second set she played better. I started to play a little bit worse.
Thankfully I finished it in two sets. It could easily have been three.

Q. Regarding your game and clay, do you think it's maybe the most challenging surface for you?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Definitely. I think, you know, I'm more comfortable on hard courts, but at the same time I think I play well on clay, and I've showed that with the results I've done on clay so far this season.

Q. You just said it's not your favorite surface, so you're still waiting for your first Grand Slam title. How do you rank your chances to achieve this in Paris?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I just take one match at a time. We have to see how it's gonna happen.
You know, I think I've done great results on clay so far this year. I'm feeling comfortable and confident on the clay. We will just see. Next match will be a tough one. Hopefully I can pull through.

Q. Can you talk about, is the leg wrap preventive or did you really hurt it last weekend?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It's preventative. I felt it a little bit last week and I didn't want to make it worse, so I just do it for protection, because, I mean, there is no reason to make it worse.
I mean, it's not bothering me while I'm playing or anything, so it's okay.

Q. Did you talk about the tiebreaker when you were arguing the call? You did?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: If I...

Q. Just before I got in here, did you
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Oh, no, I did not talk about it. No, no, I didn't.

Q. Well, you argued it a long time. Did you clearly see the ball going back there, or was Aleksandra's back to you so you weren't really sure where it landed, your lob?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Obviously it's tough when I'm standing on the other side to see exactly where it was, but I just thought it was you know, the ball was not fast. It was very slow. So if both the linesman and the main umpire didn't see it when it was going like this, then I was just wondering if it was, you know, that mark I wanted just the linesman just to confirm there was that mark that was shown.
But she didn't want to go down.

Q. So you think the umpires in that kind of situation really should have the linesperson show where the mark is? Or do you think it should be at the umpire's discretion to say, Okay, Caroline, I really saw where the ball was; I don't have to check it again?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I just think if the linesman just could show where the mark I don't think it's such a big problem if he just says, Okay, it's that mark. Fine, fair enough.
But, I mean, maybe he saw another mark. I don't know. I just think it would be nice to have him check, like the Hawk Eye, you know. It's the same thing.

Q. I heard that you are a Liverpool supporter. Which team do you think is going to win the UEFA Champions League final Saturday?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think it's a tough one to call. It's two great teams, but at the same time I like Barcelona. So, yeah, I hope a little bit that they will win.

Q. Again today you showed incredible defensive skills. Could you talk about defense and tennis? Is anticipation the key? Is it just determination, never giving up? What is the key to great defensive play?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, first of all, you need to be able to play aggressively, as well. You need to be able to do both.
Defense, it's about being able to see where the opponent wants to hit the next shot. If you hit it somewhere, you know, you know what you can expect from the opponent.
At the same time, you wait for the right chance to go for your shots, and go for the winner, as well, because, I mean, we're playing at such a high level at the moment, so if you were not able to transform and do both, then you're not gonna win matches.

Q. And that anticipation, is that something that you just have inside yourself, or you can really work on that and improve that?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It's both. Can you improve obviously everything. You can improve the way to play aggressive. You can improve the way to be able to get out of trouble when you're in trouble, and you're in defense you work on getting back into the offensive position.
But at the same time, you know, I think some players are just able to they're faster, and some players are stronger. Some players are it depends on the player. It's individual from player to player, how they play.

Q. You've had a long year, and you played a lot on the clay this season and you haven't had a week off. I know you've discussed it physically. I know you like to practice. You feel like your body is strong. Talk a little bit about how you keep yourself mentally fresh going week to week to week and not just saying, Oh, I'm just so sick of playing tennis. I'm practicing, I'm working out, I'm playing matches.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I had a week off after Charleston and after Stuttgart, as well. So those were two weeks. Stuttgart I used more for practice, as well, which was I was doing a lot of things off the court.
For me, I like the competition, I like to be in there. I don't get tired of that.
You know, when you're practicing and you have a long period of practice, I feel like, Okay, I'm working on something, working on something, but I want to use it, as well. And in that situation for me it's harder mentally to go out there and play four hours of tennis and two hours of fitness in a training period. I think that's more mentally tiring, and also physically tiring, than playing just one match and then warmup before the match.

Q. You were doing two to three hours of fitness in the mornings, what, Stuttgart and Madrid? Also Rome?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, no, I was doing the week before Stuttgart and Stuttgart and the week after Stuttgart I was the half of the week after Stuttgart I was doing, yeah, pretty much one hour, 15 minutes running in the morning. Then I was doing a bit of strengthening. Then I did some tennis, my match. Then I went back to the gym after. So it was quite a bit.
But at the same time, I have my priorities where I wanted to play really well and I wanted to do well in obviously Madrid and Rome and here.
So it's important to know where you can take that training period and really feel like you can work on some things.

Q. So here things have changed? You're not doing...
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Here it's different. Here it's important for me to be fresh for my matches and be able to give 100%.
I'm a competitor, so no matter if I'm doing a hard practice period and playing a tournament, I still want to win when I'm on court. No doubt about it.
Here it's important for me that I'm fresh, I'm feeling good, and that every time I go on the court that, you know, I feel like I can give 100%, that I don't have heavy legs, you know, I don't have any problems. That's the most important thing.