TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 28th of May 2014. T. Townsend d. A. Cornet 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. An interview with Taylor Townsend
Q. If someone had said to you a week or so ago that in your first slam you’re going to last longer than No. 1 Serena or Venus, what would you say?
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: I would say, That’s interesting (smiling). But, you know what? It’s good, but I have been preparing for these moments. These are the kinds of things that I have been working for every day, you know; putting in hours on the court, putting in hours in the gym, putting in hours off the court.
So I’m really happy, but these are the things, these are the moments, these are the things that any young professional athlete is working for. I’m really fortunate that I took advantage of it today.
Q. Really challenging atmosphere out there on the court. You said you did a lot of visualizing. Could you talk about that?
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Yeah, I mean, I just tried I knew the crowd was going to be against me going into the match, and I didn’t know to what degree because I have never played on a stadium like that in the girl’s home country. But I knew for the most part that they were going to be against me.
So I really just tried to focus on myself, focus on what I should be doing, trying not to really think about, you know, that every single person in that stadium basically is going against you and wants you to lose (smiling).
I just really tried to focus in on what I was doing and tried to take it one ball at a time.
Q. Can you tell us about your notebook? You did a lot of reading today. What’s in it and how does it help you?
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Everyone keeps asking me for secrets. I can’t give you my secrets (smiling).
Q. A generalization.
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: I mean, basically they’re just notes from practice that I really just try to use I use them like in every match, I use them in practice, as well.
They just kind of get me back into a state of mind where keeping it, keeping things simple, you know, and that’s really why I read them. That’s what they are.
I mean, I have been doing it for so long it’s kind of a habit now so if I don’t read it it’s weird. It’s more of a habit. But it also helps me, especially in situations like today.
Q. What does this win means to you? You know, you were No. 1 in the world junior, lots of expectations. Is it a relief that, Okay, I can put it out, I’m proving I can do it?
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: I wouldn’t say a relief. I knew that I could do it. You know, I turned pro because I felt like, you know, I had a shot, and I could.
Being No. 1, any No. 1, was validation that, you know, I was ready to move on to the next level, but, I mean, I knew that I could do it. This has been my dream, this has been my goal, so honestly, like, you know, I’m really shocked, but at the same time I’m not.
These are the moments and these are the times I dream about. As a professional athlete and a young athlete, these are the times that, you know, I have been wishing that would come, and I’m just really happy I took advantage of my opportunity today.
Q. There were a lot of nervous moments, at least on the scoreboard. Up 4 1, losing five straight games, and up 5 1 and pushing all the way to 5 4, before closing it out. How did you keep sort of relatively calm enough to hang on as it was slipping away at the end there?
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Well, it happened once before, so I was just like, Okay, obviously this is not new. This has happened once already.
I knew that she was gonna, like she did in the first set, use the crowd, she started playing better, she started going for her shots more. So I knew that that was going to happen.
Also, I knew that I had been in that situation. So what could I have done differently to kind of not do the same thing that I did in the second set and lose?
So, I mean, I just tried to really stay calm, just breathe, and take my time, especially serving it out like, you know, it’s on your racquet, so you have to take your time because you control it.
I just was trying to move pretty slow, even though I got warned about the time.
Yeah, and just breathe and relax.
Q. Andy Murray tweeted out today asking how good is Taylor Townsend. Could you answer that question for Andy, please?
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: What’s up, Andy? I love your mom (laughter).
But I honestly haven’t even looked at my Twitter. My phone is still off.
That’s pretty cool. Maybe I’ll tweet him back. Maybe I will get a whole bunch of followers.
Q. As someone once said, Could you answer the question?
TAYLOR TOWNSEND: How good am I? Well, I don’t want to sound conceited and everything.
But, I mean, I’m pretty darn good, I guess (laughter).
I’m doing well. I’m just really happy that all my hard work is paying off, you know.
