Indian Wells: Suárez Navarro Interview
An interview with Carla Suárez Navarro before the start of the BNP Paribas Open.
An interview with Carla Suárez Navarro before the start of the BNP Paribas Open.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Flashback five months ago. Casey Dellacqua and her doubles partner Yaroslava Shvedova had already qualified for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. They were the third team to do so, qualifying third behind Hingis/Mirza and Safarova/Mattek-Sands not long after reaching the US Open final. Then came the freak fall on court at the China Open that would sideline the affable Aussie with a concussion, forcing her out of the Australian summer swing.
Still ranked No.4 in doubles, Dellacqua was cleared to play at the end of January and she returns to the tour this week at the BNP Paribas Open, playing doubles with her good friend, Sam Stosur. The quality pair have a mighty task against Co-No.1s Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza on Friday.
WTA Insider sat down with Dellacqua before the start of her tournament to talk about the difficulty of the last five months and how she hopes to get back on track.
WTA Insider: Can you just walk us through what happened in Beijing?
Dellacqua: I fell on court in the semifinals. I hit the back of my head and I kind of gave myself whiplash on the way down, so I had a lot of really bad neck pain, a lot of symptoms from the concussion, as well. It was a bit of a freak accident, really, and a bit of an unfortunate accident, because Slava and I had to miss the WTA Finals and had to miss a lot. Obviously, health is always a priority, but I suffered quite a lot from it.
I had symptoms like really, really bad headaches all the time. Any time I tried to do a little bit of exercise, I’d feel really dizzy and faint. I just was in a cloud of drowsiness. I couldn’t remember things, and I thought I’d be fine in a couple of weeks, but it actually got worse as time went on.
Then I just decided that my health was my priority, so this is my first tour event back. I played Fed Cup and played a 25K with Ash Barty a few weeks back. But this is my first WTA event back. It’s good to be back, but it did take a bit longer than I expected. It was just important, especially anything to do with the brain, that I was ready and fine to play again.
WTA Insider: Usually when a player is off tour it’s because of an injury that can be treated with surgeries, tape jobs, or medication. Concussions are a different beast. How do you actually “rehab” for a concussion?
Dellacqua: It’s just time, and that was a real frustrating thing. I’d keep saying, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine,’ and I kept doing all these tests with my doctor back home, and she was just ruling me out. It was up to her, really, in the end because it’s a bit negligent if they send me out there when I haven’t passed all the tests that needed to be done.
It was a really frustrating injury because I’ve obvious had a couple of big injuries before but yeah, you do rehab. This was really frustrating because I didn’t have a timeframe, and it was just about making sure that you’re healthy, and it’s hard to know when that is. It was kind of frustrating in that sense, and there wasn’t much I could do, except rest.
They just said it’s kind of like spraining your ankle, only you’ve sprained your brain a bit, and you need to let it settle. I thought I was losing the plot there for a while, because the brain’s so important; it controls everything. So I did think for a bit I was losing the plot, but I’m good now and they kept reassuring me that I was going to be fine and it’s just time.
WTA Insider: Since you didn’t have a timeframe on when you might be cleared to play, was there ever a time you thought your career might be over?
Dellacqua: I guess that was really frustrating because I’d had a really good year, as well. I just wanted to get back out there but then you start to doubt yourself, like, ‘I’ve had a couple of big injuries, I’m 31 in February,’ and the longer I’m out, the harder it is to get back. You start stressing, and that’s not going to help. I was having trouble sleeping, and it was just a vicious cycle.
It was really important for me to kind of just step away and make sure I got better because I certainly had doubts of like, ‘When am I going to feel right to get back out there?’ That stress of knowing the longer you are out, the harder it is. These girls are getting better, they’re faster, they’re stronger and one month is big. That was frustrating, as well.
At the moment, I am just going to focus a bit more on doubles. I do still want to play singles, but I’m probably still not right just yet to play both and manage that. I’ll play a bit of doubles just to get me back going, and look to play a bit more singles, but I’m just glad to be healthy.
WTA Insider: When did you get the all-clear?
Dellacqua: I went down to Melbourne for the Australian Open, and I was doing a little bit of a hit with Alicia Molik, the Fed Cup captain. I said, ‘Look, the doctor said that I was fine,’ and I’d done a little bit of physical activity and felt that I recovered ok.
Alicia was kind of like, ‘Do you think you’ll be ready for Fed Cup?’ and I was like, ‘Well, you tell me; I’ll practice and I’ll give you what I’ve got. If you think that’s good enough, then yes, I’m ready.’ I did some work down there, and did some doubles stuff with Cara Black, which was great, and went to Fed Cup. Just before Fed Cup, they kind of said that I was good.
WTA Insider: Were you able to do any training while you were still suffering from the concussion symptoms?
Dellacqua: The first couple of months, I was actually just resting a lot at home. Any time I’d even try to do grocery shopping, for example, or do things with [my son] Blake, I’d just get really headachy. For the first few months, I really didn’t do much, I was just at home recovering. I couldn’t even watch movies, so I was at home and it was frustrating. Any time I’d watch TV for 10 minutes, I’d get a headache.
I knew when I came back that I was going to have to work hard again. That’s why I’m just training, playing some doubles, and then increasing my load. I can’t go from doing that to doing a lot, because I’ll get injured again. I’m just trying to find a good balance of increasing my load, slowly, and making sure that I’m healthy along the way.
WTA Insider: Were you surprised you were able to win your first match back at Fed Cup and then make an ITF final with Ashleigh Barty?
Dellacqua: The Fed Cup was really crucial in the end, because we had to play a live rubber, and I hadn’t played a match since October, so I was like, ‘Way to throw me in the deep end!’
I was just really stoked because Sam was playing well; she’d won both her singles and I felt comfortable walking out there with here. We’ve known each other for a long time, so it was comforting to know that I could talk to her and just say like, ‘You’ve got to help me out; I haven’t played a match for a while.’ That was great; the Fed Cup gave me a lot of confidence to know that, ‘Ok, I haven’t played for four months, but I’m still ok.’ We played, and we won, and it was a pretty crucial match.
Then going to the ITF was great; we made the final. I didn’t know really what to expect. Ash hasn’t played for 18 months, I haven’t played for a bit. I just wanted to get consecutive matches. We made the final. I felt better then, coming here, knowing that I’ve played a few matches, as well. I think so far so good, and see how the year unfolds. So far, I’m good.
So proud of each member of this team ?? so happy to be able do my part in the doubs with my fellow old gal Sam ????? pic.twitter.com/lRQCvHvqYq
— caseydellacqua (@caseydellacqua) February 8, 2016
WTA Insider: Are these weeks in Indian Wells just an experiment to see where you’re at and then you’ll re-assess? Or do you have a schedule mapped out?
Dellacqua: I’m definitely going to play The Miami Open and Volvo Cars Open in Charleston, for sure. Then we’ve got another Fed Cup tie in Australia against America.
I’m pretty much ready to go. I’m just not sure when my singles will kick back in. I really want to try and really be ready for the grass circuit. When I can play singles – because my ranking’s at No.150 – when I can get in, I want to play now, but it’s going to be tough that my doubles ranking is higher. I’m just going to try to work it out and see where it goes.
WTA Insider: Usually players keep their off-day training light during tournaments. Are you continuing to train while you’re playing?
Dellacqua: If I was in tournament mode, I’d probably do a bit less than I have been doing. I’ve even been playing some singles points, in preparation for singles. I’ve just got a little bit more stuff to do in the gym, because I am just playing doubles and at these tournaments, you have a fair bit of time, sometimes, to have practice days.
It’s kind of a little bit like my pre-season as such, because I didn’t really do one. That and getting back into some point play. Anyone I practice with, I’m doing a lot more singles, actually. I’ve played a bit of practice doubles, but I’ve been doing more singles [practice].
Pretty pumped to be out hitting a few balls again! Can't wait to kickstart in Perth over the next fortnight☺️☺️#2.0 pic.twitter.com/94weIwYErG
— Ash Barty (@ashbar96) February 8, 2016
WTA Insider: Is your family able to travel with you?
Dellacqua: [My partner] Amanda’s pregnant again, so she’s 30 weeks. She’s too far along to travel, so she’s due in early May. Unfortunately, Blake couldn’t come. When I get home from Fed Cup – it’ll only be a few weeks – and then the next baby will be here. It’s going to be busy, but that’s why they couldn’t travel this time around.
Life’s about to get a bit more crazy, but that was a positive [from the concussion]. Obviously being out, I got to spend a lot of time at home with Blake, and help Amanda out, being pregnant, so that was great that I could give her a helping hand as well.
WTA Insider: So how does it feel to be back on tour?
Dellacqua: It’s pretty much same old, same old. It’s just the crazy tennis world. Nothing’s really changed too much; there’s a few new faces, actually, some girls that may have done well through the end of last year that I maybe haven’t seen, or maybe over the Australian Open. But there’s always girls coming up the ranks, playing better.
There’s still all of the other girls still playing, so not too much has changed. Because the only stuff I’ve missed was the Aussie Open and the pre-season, everything else was pretty much wrapped up, so I haven’t felt like I missed out on a big chunk of tournaments. I’ve only really missed the Aussie summer. In that sense, I think that’s good too.
All photos courtesy of Getty Images.
An interview with Garbiñe Muguruza before the start of the BNP Paribas Open.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Former World No.5 Eugenie Bouchard became the last woman to enter the second round of the BNP Paribas Open with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Risa Ozaki.
“My opponent played really well,” Bouchard said during her on-court interview, adding, “She was getting a lot of balls back, and she really made me work for it. It was a tough first round here, but I’m glad to be through to the second round.”
Ozaki has been in good form of late, pushing Elina Svitolina to three sets last week at the BMW Malaysia Open, where Bouchard reached the final – also falling to Svitolina in three sets.
Bouchard was five points from defeat in the second set; despite leading by a break multiple times, Ozaki kept it close and had chances to force the former Wimbledon finalist to serve to stay in it.
“Thank you for your belief,” Bouchard said, joking with interviewer Andrew Krasny, who commented on the closeness of the match.
Despite hitting 47 errors in the match, the Canadian managed 31 winners – 21 more than Ozaki, and showed improved initiative to finish points off at the net, venturing forward 20 times.
“I just kept fighting; I definitely felt a bit off. The conditions are different from where I’ve been. I traveled recently and just kind of adjusting to everything is definitely a bit tough. But I tried to put that aside and tried to play tennis, and somehow it worked out.”
Up next for Bouchard is No.21 seed Sloane Stephens, who is looking for her first major result in 2016 after winning two International titles in Auckland and Acapulco. Stephens leads their overall head-to-head 2-1 – winning their most recent match at the 2013 China Open, and both have worked with coach Nick Saviano. Though Bouchard will be playing in front of Stephens’ home crowd, the Canadian fan support has helped her feel like Indian Wells is further up north than any map would indicate.
“I feel like I’m home in Canada. I think 95% of you come up to me and say, ‘I’m from Canada too!’ I love that; thank you guys. I love all the flags!”
Earlier in the day, Russia’s Daria Kasatkina closed Thursday’s day session with an emphatic 6-2, 6-4 win over wildcard and two-time BNP Paribas Open champion Daniela Hantuchova.
The Slovak burst onto the WTA scene back in 2002, when she upset Martina Hingis for the biggest title of her career; repeating the feat in 2007, Hantuchova has been ranked as high as No.5, but had few answers for the new teen in town. Kasatkina was all business on her Stadium Court debut, matching Hantuchova’s 21 winners and hitting 17 errors to her veteran opponent’s 33.
“It’s my first time here and I’m really happy to be here. It’s a nice tournament,” Kasatkina said, before commenting on the unfamiliar echo, “It’s so difficult when you can hear you voice!”
The 18-year-old, one of three in the Top 50 – the biggest contingent since April 2009 – quickly regained her composure, finishing the interview by wishing her mother a happy birthday.
“It’s always difficult to play your first match of the tournament, especially against such a good player like Daniela, and it’s my first match on such a big court!”
Kasatkina will look to earn another big scalp when she faces No.6 seed Carla Suárez Navarro.
“I didn’t know I’m playing her because I didn’t see the draw. But she’s playing very well; she won her last tournament, so I have to play my best tennis to beat her.”
Fellow Russian Margarita Gasparyan also made a splash in the California desert on Thursday, dispatching Belarus’ Olga Govortsova, 6-1, 6-3; she will play No.9 seed Roberta Vinci for a spot in the third round. Annika Beck silenced the home crowd when she defeated American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 6-2, 6-2, while Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig laid down a stunning display to defeat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, 6-1, 6-2. Americans Shelby Rogers and Madison Brengle survived tricky encounters against Mariana Duque-Mariño, respectively, while Australian Open quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai set up a second round with former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki after edging past Pauline Parmentier in a first set tie-break, leading the French veteran to retire due to an upper respiratory illness.
The Abierto Monterrey Afirme team give an insight into what it takes to become a champion.
INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA – Christina McHale caused a minor shock in the bottom half of the draw at the BNP Paribas Open, knocking out Caroline Garcia in straight sets.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Indian Wells right here on wtatennis.com!
In Thursday’s second match on Stadium 1, McHale produced an impressive display to defeat the higher-ranked Garcia, 6-4, 6-4.
McHale made the perfect start, securing a break to love in the first game when she skipped around to punch a forehand winner. However, the cornerstone of her victory was the serve, which bailed her out of trouble at several crucial junctures.
Serving for the opening set, the American sent a stinging serve out wide to erase the second of two break points, before a couple more well-placed deliveries got her safely to the changeover.
“I knew I had to serve well because Caroline is so aggressive and I knew I had to get a lot of first serves in today, and it worked today so I’m excited,” McHale said.
Although there were a few empty seats in the stands, those present certainly made their presence felt, helping McHale withstand a late Garcia rally.
“You guys helped me pull through that match. I love the atmosphere and I love being at Indian Wells!”
Her reward is a meeting with No.4 seed Garbiñe Muguruza, a player whom she has enjoyed mixed fortunes against: “I actually lost to her the last time we played and she’s obviously playing really, really well. I’ll try to play my best tennis and I’m looking forward to that match.”
Other early winners in their section included Yanina Wickmayer, Magdalena Rybarikova and Lauren Davis.
Rybarikova ended Laura Robson’s return to top tier tennis with a 7-6(3), 6-2 win, while Davis defeated Nao Hibino, 6-2, 6-4. Wickmayer’s path into the second round was less straightforward, hauling herself back after a nightmare start to defeat Polona Hercog, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Three-time Abierto Monterrey Afirme champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova discusses her unlikely journey from bashing balls on the banks of the Volga to the top of the women’s game.
Serena Williams
On how living with Venus led her to attempt a raw vegan diet…
My sister went through a lot of illnesses, and in living with her – I finally moved, but across the street! Got my freedom across the street – but she was really able to introduce me to a really kind of vegan and raw and really vegetable-heavy diet. It was just kind of a whole raw world that I really enjoyed. I was able to see a lot of benefits in my game and my body in general from that.
Watch live action from Indian Wells this week on WTA Live powered by TennisTV!
On playing a tournament with a raw vegan diet…
I did it when I was at the French Open 2013. I wasn’t tired, it was good, really good. I don’t know why I don’t do that more often. Maybe this year, I need to get back on that!
On whether she’s kept up with veganism…
Unfortunately no. I really want to get there, I really do. For a minute I was, but I couldn’t quite give up the chicken and the tacos! It kind of crept back into my life. But there’s a lot of things, like I don’t eat red meat, and I don’t eat a lot of other stuff. I was educating myself through Venus on a lot of things to remain healthy. It’s very interesting.
Simona Halep
On a hypothetical match-up between Serena and Steffi Graf in their prime…
It would be interesting. They are very different in my opinion. Serena is very strong, a lot of power in her serve. Steffi has a good, flat forehand and a very good slice. I never saw this on the women’s tour. Serena has her game, a strong game with lots of power. I don’t want to say who would win, but it’d be very interesting and very nice to watch. I would go to watch if they played!
On whether practicing with Graf has inspired her to incorporate more slice…
I didn’t play much slices when I was younger, when I was a kid, and now to put it in the matches is tough. You have no confidence and it’s like you don’t remember that you have to play slice. It’s tough to put them in practical during the matches. I will try; I do more in the practices than before. I hope to improve this way of playing as well.
On meeting Ilie Nastase…
I met him. We didn’t speak on many thing about tennis, but I liked him a lot, how he was on court. I watched some videos on Youtube. I can say I admired him a lot, but it’s a bit too much for me to do some crazy things on court, but I can appreciate him a lot for what he did on court and he remains the best player in Romania.
Garbiñe Muguruza
On locker room dynamic and her earlier comments about friendships on tour…
I heard a lot of things about that comment, which I think were a little bit wrong. I didn’t mean it in a bad way. This is a sport, and at the end of the day, we’re playing the same girls the whole year, which is difficult sometimes. A lot of people misunderstood my saying that we kind of hate each other, and that’s not true because I also have friends on tour and I get along good with people. It’s just this competitive environment, and when you’re young sometimes it’s difficult because you’re playing against older people, but with time you kind of know where you have to be.
Angelique Kerber
On adjusting to becoming the hunted instead of the hunter…
It’s a new situation for me and I know every player who will play against me will give everything to beat me. But this is also the situation you’re dreaming for, you’re working your whole life to be like, for me, No.2 at the moment. This is something you’re working for.
Agniezka Radwanska
On changes she’s made over the course of her career…
I think of anything I can think of, it’s the schedule, not playing every week. When I was 18, I could do that and it was no problem: singles, doubles, every week, no problem. I was ok, but not any more! Time changes, but 10 years makes a huge difference on the tour. You really have to think a lot about the schedule to be on the same shape in February as in Asia at the end of the year. Sometimes even when you feel good, and you want to play more and more, it’s not going to be good later, in a couple of months. Then you’ll feel you did too much at the beginning of the year.
Belinda Bencic
On the secret to Swiss success…
Chocolate, maybe, in the water! I don’t know what it is; we’re doing well.
All photos courtesy of Getty Images.
Johanna Konta and Francesca Schiavone put on a show for fans in downtown Monterrey, bringing their best trick shots to the Palacio Municipal.
Defending champion Simona Halep was among the first to meet the press at the BNP Paribas Open All-Access Hour, attended by the tournament’s top seeds.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova spoke to the media as she aims to pass the quarterfinals of Indian Wells for the first time in her career.
At her first BNP Paribas Open All-Access Hour, Garbiñe Muguruza answered the questions posed with her signature dry wit.
Muguruza brought her brightest smile to complement the scenic Indian Wells backdrop.
Teen sensation Belinda Bencic made her Indian Wells All-Access Hour debut, too, citing “chocolate in the water” as the secret to Swiss success.
Kvitova flashed her pearly whites for an Indian Wells photo op.
Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber grabbed the mic for a video interview…
…but the German appeared far more comfortable with a tennis ball in hand.
The WTA stars handled some whacky props throughout the day, including cardboard cut-outs of their faces.
“I’ve heard of success giving you a big head, but this is ridiculous!”