Charleston: Errani Interview
An interview with Sara Errani after her quarterfinal win at the Volvo Car Open.
An interview with Sara Errani after her quarterfinal win at the Volvo Car Open.
Svetlana Kuznetsova ended 2016 at such a breakneck pace that it was hard for the Russian to slow down in the off-season.
“I just didn’t want to totally switch off, so that’s why I kept going, trying to do something,” she told WTA Insider before the Brisbane International. “Even in the Maldives, when I was with my parents, I still had some sessions, running or whatever it is.
“The body of an athlete has to be moving all the time. No stopping. One week, maybe a few days, you can let yourself go, but you feel better when you’re moving.”
The former World No.2 was almost unstoppable last fall, moving from a must-win week in Moscow to a long-awaited return to the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global in seven years. Kuznetsova kicked off the new season with a 600th match win, ranking her fifth among active players.
“It’s a great achievement, a lot of matches to count” ?
-@SvetlanaK27 on reaching 600 career wins pic.twitter.com/hhdl0dUwo6
— WTA (@WTA) January 2, 2017
“My physio told me it’s only a couple more until I get to 1000, and I was like ‘What?’ But I started to think about 600, and how sometimes you get confused in matches when you’re playing, thinking ‘How do I do this?’ But then I think, ‘In 600 matches, you haven’t learned how to win?'”
There’s clearly been a lot more winning of late, as the two-time Grand Slam champion returned to the Top 10 after being as low as No.85 four years ago.
“I would love to take some of the consistency into this season. In the last few years, I haven’t been so good; I was always there, but couldn’t quite flip the switch. I would love to stay with the switch on, because it’s the key for me.”
#WTA leading 22 three set match wins!
World No.9 @SvetlanaK27! pic.twitter.com/CNSLBGWua9
— WTA (@WTA) December 23, 2016
Part of the key to that consistency has been maintaining a simplistic approach to each match, focusing on one point at a time.
“The most difficult things in life are often the most simple ones. Even when you start to play tennis, what do they tell you? Look at the ball. It’s the main thing in the whole life of a player. Some players forget to look at the ball, and you don’t think about it. Any player, even the No.1 – I don’t know, maybe, I’ve never been there, but No.2 for sure.
“Sometimes when you keep losing, and you’re thinking, ‘Damn, it’s so hard; how do I get there? It’s impossible.’ Then something goes on and you start winning and you think how it’s so simple. It’s the theory of life, what happens to everyone; when you’re on top, it looks simple. It’s not really like that, but when you’re there, that’s how it looks. When you’re not, it seems so much more complicated.
“I feel that I’m playing as well as the best in the world, and I have a chance to beat them and be ranked among them everywhere I go. It’s a great feeling because I worked really hard to be there; it’s a pleasure.”
Sveta on the Stretch!@SvetlanaK27 takes @BrisbaneTennis Day 4 Shot of the Day with this brilliant volley! pic.twitter.com/6EgWW4egIB
— WTA (@WTA) January 4, 2017
With that pleasure comes increased expectation; Kuznetsova opens against Mariana Duque Mariño on Monday, and is seeded to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the 2014 French Open, but the more things change, the more they stay the same for the 31-year-old veteran.
“People see me differently now because I’m a Top 10 player again. They don’t see you like a Top 10 player when you don’t have that same confidence. Players will only see you by the ranking, and ranking reflects everything. You can’t cheat the ranking, that’s for sure!
“All players want to beat me and I definitely don’t have this easy life where I’ve never been at the top and top players don’t expect anything good. Of course, everyone expects good tennis from me and that can be hard to deal with. But I feel confident, I feel happy and healthy. Those are the main things and I love the game; I enjoy it.
“If I feel like this, I’m ready to go for it and one day I’ll make it.”
.@SvetlanaK27 taking an unusual approach to her warm up today ??? #SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/uMRSU4t4WW
— Apia Intl Sydney (@SydneyTennis) January 8, 2017
With no immediate goals, Kuznetsova does hope to one day surpass the quarterfinals, her best finish in Melbourne. She led by a set in two of those three prior appearances in the last eight, falling to Maria Sharapova in 2005 and Serena Williams in 2009.
“I love the event, the crowd, and Australia. The people are very nice; they love beer a lot! I tell my friends I’m in Australia and they tell me what a dream it is for them to travel here.
“I’m already living someone else’s dream, but I would still love to see more places in Australia.”
That dream already came true this year with a debut appearance in Brisbane; might the No.8 seed make another dream come true Down Under?
Svetlana Kuznetsova takes on Alizé Cornet in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.
Tennis apparel companies are ready for the 2017 Australian Open, and Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will show us the latest performance wear that will help WTA players bring their A-game to the sunny courts in Melbourne.
Angelique Kerber will defend her title in a stunning blue and orange outfit inspired by the tournament’s environment: the mystery blue reflects the Australian Open courts, the layers of the adidas Melbourne Tank symbolize depth of the ocean and sky combined with sun-washed graphic, while pops of bright orange represent the ever-present Australian heat.
The super-lightweight performance clothes combats the scorching heat with ClimaLite materials, which encourage quick evaporation of sweat, and Climacool technology, which enhances the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.
The adidas Melbourne Skirt, featuring printed compression shorts and wrap design, nicely matches the top’s spaghetti straps, as well as orange adidas adizero Ubersonic shoes that the world number one Kerber is set to launch at the first Grand Slam of 2017.
Garbine Muguruza will wear the new slim-fit adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Dress in hypergreen and white. The item combats extreme heat with Clima™ technologies and seamless structures with mesh cutout details. The reigning Roland Garros champion will complete the look with the flexible and supportive adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade footwear.
Switching from dresses to separates, Caroline Wozniacki will sport the form-fitting seamless adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Tank in vibrant hypergreen and bold blue alongside the matching skirt that features the designer’s signature laser-cut holes. The Dane’s adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Boost 2017 shoe is crafted from premium materials and features BOOST technology, about which the former world number one says: “BOOST is something you need to feel to believe; my game is more energised and I’m lighter and faster on my feet.”
After dominating last year’s Australian Open with her yellow crop top and pleated skirt, Serena Williams is ready to once again blow us off our feet with her Nike Spring Serena Premier Power Dress, whose outstanding features are the striking print that resembles piano keys at the extended bottom hem, stylish thin vertical slits at upper back and solid panels at the bust and upper back that contrast the slightly sheer body of the dress.
Eugenie Bouchard will also rock a black and white look, debuting the Nike Spring Premier Crop Top, featuring half-length raglan sleeves and rounded side vents, and the Nike Power Spin Premier Skirt, which stretches as you move, but then recovers its shape for supreme support.
Venus Williams will sport the Competitor Dress from the EleVen Thika collection.
The print’s hues resemble a tropical sunset, with the blurred crossing lines representing the last sunrays of the day.
Lotto’s Agnieszka Radwanska will showcase the Nixia III Dress, which we have already seen during the Pole’s first two tournaments of the season, the Shenzhen Open and the Apia International Sydney. Lotto Stratosphere II shoes will be Radwanska’s choice for the Australian Open, created for players who cover the entire court, therefore requiring a shoe that is stable while providing advanced mobility and reactivity during fast movements.
Fila’s athletes will present not one but two outstanding collections.
Karolina Pliskova and Jelena Jankovic are set to wear pieces from the new Heritage collection, which reflects the brand’s rich history in the game with its clean color palette and a variety of timeless designs. Paying homage to Fila’s original Italian aesthetic, the range offers three silhouettes of tops that can be paired with two skort styles, while the highlight piece is the Heritage Polo Dress.
The Sleek Streak collection, to be worn by Yaroslava Shvedova, Timea Babos and Irina-Camelia Begu, takes a bold approach to on-court styling, complete with vibrant hues, eye-catching graphic prints, and standout finishes.
New Balance’s Heather Watson will rock the printed Yarra Tank, an athletic racerback piece featuring stylish slit openings along armholes, and the Tournament Skort in color firefly, featuring an engineered elastic waistband with cutouts and printed built-in compression short. The shoes that complement this look are New Balance 996v3, equipped with ProBank technology that keeps your foot stable and in optimal position during fast lateral movements.
Nicole Gibbs is set to promote the same kit, only her ensemble is pink and white.
Judging by the Australian Open designs, we can look forward to another stylish year on the WTA circuit.
Daria Kasatkina takes on Carla Suárez Navarro in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.
An interview with Shelby Rogers after her first round upset victory over No.4 seed Simona Halep at the Australian Open.
An interview with Julia Goerges after her win in the quarterfinals of the Kremlin Cup.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova takes on Chuang Chia-Jung and Nicole Gibbs in the first round of the Australian Open.
Here’s what they’re all playing for: the Billie Jean King Trophy, awarded to the winner of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.
But before that, there were a few things to take care of, like the draw ceremony and the Iconic Photo! Agnieszka Radwanska and Karolina Pliskova got made up together…
… along with Finals debutante Madison Keys…
…and WTA World No.1 Angelique Kerber.
That’s why she’s the fan favorite! WTA Finals defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska always has time for a selfie with her fans.
The stars headed to Marina Bay Sands for the official draw ceremony, but not before they were presented with their WTA Year-End Awards. Angelique Kerber picked up 2016 WTA Player Of The Year…
…And Simona Halep was also among the winners, being awarded the 2016 Jerry Diamond ACES Award for helping promote tennis throughout the season.
The groups were decided with Radwanska leading the White Group, which includes Garbiñe Muguruza, Pliskova and the yet-to-be-determined eighth qualifier.
Madison Keys was drawn into the Red Group, along with Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova and Halep.
What do you think of the draw, Domi?
With the draw ceremony done and dusted, the players headed to Merlion Park on the Singapore waterfront to take part in the Iconic Photo, the official photo of the WTA Finals.
Johanna Konta was also in attendance as she awaits to hear the fate of the eighth qualification spot.
Of course, before the Iconic Photo comes the iconic selfie – the unofficial photo of the WTA Finals!
And here is the Iconic Photo, featuring the seven confirmed qualifiers for the WTA Finals! Who will emerge on top against the greatest eight in women’s tennis?
MELBOURNE, Australia – World No.2 Serena Williams kicked off her quest for a seventh Australian Open crown with a decisive 6-4, 6-3 victory over Belinda Bencic to ease into the second round.
“I think it was pretty good,” Serena said of the match in her post-match press conference. I mean, she’s a really good player. So I think I was able to start out well.”
Serena came to Melbourne with an outside shot of reclaiming the No.1 ranking from defending champion Angelique Kerber – the American must reach the final to remain in contention – but first had to take care of Bencic, a former World No.7 who had beaten her in their last encounter at the 2015 Rogers Cup.
“I feel like she definitely has a lot more power. Obviously she beat me in Canada the last time we played, but I really don’t remember much about that match.”
Bencic used that winning week in Canada as a springboard towards becoming the youngest Top 10 debutante since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009, but injuries almost immediately stunted her progress and caused her to be unseeded ahead of the Australian Open.
#Serena: “Right now I have nothing to lose. I get to travel the world and do what I do best.”
??❤️#ausopen pic.twitter.com/Sf0oOofSRe
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2017
Knowing this wasn’t a typical first round, Serena put on a solid display throughout the one hour, 21 minute match, though the affair was hardly without its hiccups. The 22-time Grand Slam champion drew first blood to earn a 3-1 lead, only to see Bencic fight back and hold onto level terms until the all-important tenth game, when Serena surged ahead to beak for the set.
The second appeared to be a foregone conclusion as the No.2 seed rode the wave of momentum out to 5-0, but Bencic had one last comeback in store, narrowing the lead to 5-3 before Serena sealed the deal on her second match point.
“I just wasn’t as aggressive as I was during those games. She started playing better. I made a few errors on some key points, but for the most part, I still was going for everything and I was able to close it out.”
Keeping her side of the stat sheet as clean as she could, the former World No.1 hit exactly 30 winners to 30 unforced errors; she looked especially strong on serve with eight aces to four double faults.
Up next for the six-time Australian Open champion is another former rival in Lucie Safarova, who saved a whopping nine match points to defeat Yanina Wickmayer, 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-1 to book a rematch of the 2015 French Open final.
“I knew I had to be really strong.” #Serena through to 2R #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Z70iPL2JpH
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2017
