TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 3rd of June. E. Bouchard d. C. Suarez Navarro 7-6, 2-6, 7-5. An interview with Eugenie Bouchard
Q. 5 2 down in the first set, 4 1 down in the third set. Aside from the victory itself, what must be really pleasing is the way you managed to fight back in this match twice.
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: Yeah. That’s what I try to do on the court. At the end of the day, whether I win or lose, I want to at least leave it all there and try and at least battle.
I’m proud of the way I did that in both the first and third.
She’s a good a great player and a really good clay courter, as well. I knew it was a tough battle, and that’s exactly what it was today.
I’m just proud of the way I stayed in there.
Q. Did you surprise even yourself with the comeback in the third? And do you think the fact that the crowd cheered for you a lot, did it help?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: I wouldn’t say I surprised myself, no. I have come back in matches before. You know, it works both ways. You know, tennis can be like that, a bit up and down.
I just really tried to forget about, you know, what the score was or anything and just tried to play the right way, you know.
Once I started going for my shots a little bit more it started working better. I mean, the crowd was really good, though. They definitely I definitely felt their support. The third set it was just a really cool atmosphere I think for both of us to be playing like that.
The quarters of a slam, that’s a great moment and a great moment to feel that crowd presence, as well.
Q. A lot of people this year have referred to you as the next Maria Sharapova. What are the positives and negatives for you of that title?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: It’s exactly that. I think a bit of positives and negatives. Of course she’s a great champion, so to be seen as the next of someone who has won four slams and has been No. 1 in the world, it’s a compliment.
But at the same time, of course I’m my own person and I just want to be myself on the court, and you know, try and achieve what I want to achieve and just be seen as that.
Q. You looked quite emotional when you won the match. Maybe more emotional than when you made the semis in Australia. Is that because the match was that close, or is any other explanation?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: Yeah, for me it was such a physical and emotional battle. You know, I was down. I was always coming back and fighting and trying and really kind of a grind on clay.
I was just so proud of myself that I fought through it and managed to play well in the third and pull out the win.
You know, it was really, really tough. You know, after over two hours of battling out there, I was just so proud of myself and just excited, yeah.
Q. Your mental strength is clearly one of your big assets. Same for Maria. I just wonder when you watched her, was that one of the things you took from the way that she played?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: Well, I mean, first I noticed like her cute dresses and things like that when I was young (smiling.)
But of course, you know, achieving what she has she of course is very strong mentally. It is one of her strengths, I think. I’m going to be ready for another battle in two days. You know, the semis of a Grand Slam, that’s what you have to expect.
I’m just looking forward to the challenge.
Q. You seem to take Suarez Navarro’s serve very, very early. You were hitting the ball extremely early at some points. I was wondering if that was a strategy to unsettle her. And were you surprised by Fabrice Santoro’s selfie request?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: I think in the first set I wasn’t stepping in on the return, and I kind of realized that in the middle of the match maybe I should try to be a bit more aggressive on it, like I was in my previous match, actually.
I kind of adjusted mid match, I think. I think it helped me in that way. You know, I didn’t feel like I was serving great, so I wanted to put more pressure on the return.
And, well, I was surprised by the request, yes. I guess he’s on social media and stuff, too. I didn’t know I was like a famous for my selfies, but that was really cool. So different, you know. I love those things.
