TENNIS 2014 ROLAN D GARROS – 30th of May 2014. A. Tomljanovic d. A. Radwanska 6-4, 6-4. An interview with Ajla Tomljanovic
Q. Can you summarize your feelings about that one?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Well, yeah, not much did go wrong today. Fourth round next. Obviously very happy. I don’t want to get too happy about it, either.
Q. The fact that Serena and Li Na are gone already, was there a feeling in the locker room did you pick up that there is a chance here to knock these top girls off?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Yeah, for sure. After seeing, you know, the two first seeds go out, you kind of feel like I can do this, too. I grew up with these girls that are beating them.
You go out I went on the stadium for the first time, and she kind of feels like home there, because she’s been there a lot more than I did. I went out there, and I really, inside really thought I could win.
I think that showed and it is why I won.
Q. For those of us who don’t know too much about you, how do you come to speak English so well?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Well, I actually have family that lives in the States. Now they moved. When I was little, I would always go and spend my summers there.
When I was 13, I moved to Florida to live, to train at the Evert Academy, Chrissie and John’s place. It always kind of came natural, the English and the accent.
Q. Where was your family in the U.S.?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: In Boca Raton, Florida. Yeah.
Q. You seem to be a little bit nervous during this press conference. Is it your first press conference in such a big main room?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: I believe so, yeah. I have never had lights in front of me (laughter).
So, yeah, it is.
Q. This tournament seems like Cinderella story for you.
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: If you want to call it that (smiling). I have heard that a lot of times. Don’t you call that when it’s quarters, not fourth round? Hopefully it keeps going, and you guys don’t jinx me.
Q. She’s one of the most clever and crafty players out there. How did you deal with that and what was your thinking going in? How did it roll out according to your expectations?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: I was definitely ready for probably the toughest match of my career.
She did everything I expected. You know, I respect her a ton, and she’s been around forever. She’s a top player, but maybe it wasn’t her best day, you know, but I definitely think I took advantage and dictated today.
So, I don’t know, I think it came pretty well nicely together.
Q. I don’t know much about you. How did you get the opportunity to come to Florida and train in Chrissie Evert Academy?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Yeah, well, I’m originally from Croatia, and I have lived there for my first 13 years. I would always kind of go to the States for like a few weeks and train somewhere, Bradenton, and then I tried Chris Evert. I felt very at home there. I started getting along with Chrissie and John very well. They welcomed me.
It all was a little better for me to train there and live there if I was going to pursue my tennis career.
So when I decided to move, that seemed like the perfect place.
Q. So last year, you shot up the rankings. You’re on the rise. What do you think is really working for you as you’re moving up?
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Yeah, I mean, last year was my comeback year from mono, and I think I got myself to 70 to finish the year, and I thought that was a good effort.
Then I started working in December with my new coach, Dave Taylor, and I really think that helped a lot, because he really implemented some things in my game that I really needed. I really owe him this win today, for sure.