TENNIS WTA Stuttgart – M. Sharapova d A. Ivanovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. An interview with Ana Ivanovic.
Not the best end but still a great week?
Yes, I mean it was a very good week. You know in the first set I really felt it was really good tennis. She just got the momentum at the end of the second set and I felt like she kept it throughout the third set. So, it’s quite disappointing the way it ended but still it was a very good week for me.
Going to Madrid now, you’re going to be playing altitude, outside, a whole different ball game. So, how are you going to get yourself prepared now?
Well, actually Madrid starts on Saturday which is not the best for players. So, I only have a few days now to rest and train and them I’m already going to Madrid and try to adjust to the circumstances. As you said, it’s going to be a lot different.
In the third set, if you hadn’t gotten that initial break do you think you would have been able to stay with her a little bit?
Yes, definitely it was a good start for her and it can give her confidence as well because if you keep your service games it turns out into a different match a little bit. So, I think definitely that was an important game. And also in the second set I felt the momentum shift a little. You know, it was a little bit disappointing that break that early in the third set but then I managed myself well at 2-0 and I still felt I was in the match. But then she started to serve a lot better.
Was your game plan to be so far in the base line, certainly on her second serve. It’s the first time that I’ve seen you with such aggressive stands?
Yes, I was really trying to get in the court and sort of try to get the first hit on the ball. But I felt her serve improved throughout the match and that’s something that did not happen with mine. I think that made a little bit of a difference, too.
The applause at the end, the ovation?
It was amazing, I mean it was very touching. I definitely look forward to coming back.
Do you have something like a strategy to cope with defeats like that. Or is it very special each time?
Every time it’s really different and this was a little bit emotional because I really felt that I played a really good first and second set. You know in the third set it went away a little bit. So, it’s a little bit disappointing but I’m going to fly home now. I’m going to maybe just … I don’t know what actually.
Were you surprised about the standing ovations?
Yes, I was actually really speechless. It was really nice to see how much the public was involved and how much they enjoyed and supported me. So, it was very special.
