TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 31st of May 2014. S. Kuznetsova d. P. Kvitova 6-7, 6-1, 9-7. An interview with Svetlana Kuznetsova
Q. So what is it with you and these long three set matches at majors? You seem to get stuck in them all the time.
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I don’t know (smiling). Just matches, you know. I just it was unbelievable match. I didn’t enjoy it on myself out there.
I’m not sure, you know. Four hours 44 minutes, wish this one would be way shorter. But still, you know, I think I run twice more than Petra out there today.
Q. Did you feel going into today’s match that you were due for a big win? You have come so close the last few weeks of getting that big win over a big player, Radwanska or other players. Did you feel almost like you were due?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I knew I was going out there, and I was going to give everything I could and run every mile, every meter I could, and put as many balls back, be aggressive, try to be aggressive, I mean. Because if you watch the match, Petra was inside the court and I was next to the fans.
But I just tried, you know, my best. I didn’t think if I win or if I lose, you know, for me it was a matter to give my best. I think I have done.
I left out there everything I could. And, yeah, I mean, I come up with a win, you know, but I was very close to the loss, as well.
I was very strong mentally and really happy with that.
Q. Was it difficult to stay focused after the medical timeout? How did you handle that? Because it was quite long.
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I mean, yes, but this is part of the tennis. Player can take medical, player can take toilet break, whatever. It’s important not to let it go into your head and just keep stay focused and that’s it.
Q. What were you thinking on the first match point when Petra hit the line with that volley?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Oh, that volley was quite tricky one. I mean, she went for it, and it went her way.
I couldn’t have done anything, you know. It’s better that she went and she made line that I missed some sitter. I prefer that, you know, because you’re like, I should have won the match already.
But there I think that this ball meant to go out the way she hit it, but it catch the line. Second match point, she went for it, you know. I played a decent shot, and she just went and she won.
The match turned around many times, and I just hang in there and did my best. Today I went with the win.
Q. You have such a good record here. Every time you come to Paris, do you feel like you’re capable of winning the whole thing?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I never think about it, because it’s like well, actually, when I was like a little bit younger, I don’t think I’m like very old yet, but I was coming here and I was feeling, Oh, I’m such good shape, I have a plan, I have a chance. I would lose quarters in even earlier stage.
So I feel as the years go by just try to play good each match and I don’t have to start the tournament in the high note and to play well.
So for me it’s important just go match by match. You know, to think about how the tournament will go, it’s not worth it, because the worst thing what I have to do to make it work. That’s it.
I try not to think.
Q. I believe you get to play another lefty in your next match, Lucie Safarova. I guess at least you got a good practice against a lefty.
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah, it was quite a lot practice, quite physically winning that match and I have another lefty. It’s quite all right.
You know, I prefer to play one by one, lefties than to have righty, lefty, righty.
I’m really excited to play Lucie. Lucie had unbelievable matches this year against top players. She was very close with Na Li in Australia, some close matches with Maria on clay.
She plays unbelievable well and is going to be another tough one. And I try to be ready to run as much, and maybe even more, and to be a little bit more aggressive.
Q. It’s been five years since you won the French Open the last time. The player you played against on the final of a French Open is Dinara. Recently she retired. So of course she hasn’t been on the tour for a couple of years. But still, what are your thoughts on her retirement?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I mean, I never been close with Dinara. I mean, we have respect for each other, we are kind of friends, what you can call friendship between tennis players and rivals for whole life, we are kind of this.
I mean, I feel sorry because I think she could have played longer, but unfortunately her injuries didn’t let her do that.
I mean, I hope she can reach happiness outside of the court and just wish her all the best. I mean, I wish she could have played more so we can have more battles.
But sometimes life is like this, so that’s why you have to live every moment the best you can on the court or anywhere in your life. You never know what’s gonna happen tomorrow.
