TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – 30th of June. E. Bouchard d. A. Cornet 7-6, 7-5. An interview with Eugenie Bouchard
Q. You were always behind a bit in the first set, but there was always the feeling you definitely weren’t going away. Did you sense she felt that, too?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: Well, she served first. I don’t think there was a break of serve in the first set. It was really just kind of a holding serve the whole first set.
I guess that’s why I was behind all the time. So for me it was important to not think I was behind. I was just focused on my serve, you know, trying to get some good returns in.
You know, we had a tough tiebreak at the end of the set. I’m proud that, you know, I kind of stayed in and, yeah, even though I was kind of playing catch-up, I always felt right there, you know, trying to put pressure all the time.
Q. Down 4-2 in the second set, then 5-3, can you give us a little bit of an idea as to the process you went through to gather yourself to come back?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: I’ve been in situations like that before, so I had full belief and confidence in myself that, you know, I wasn’t out. The second set wasn’t over yet.
I just tried to focus on my serve at 5-3. I played some good points at 5-4.
I think basically, you know, I was able to step up on the important moments.
Q. What was your level of play today? Do you feel it’s the best match you played since the start of Roland Garros?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: I think we played some good tennis today. You know, we had some tough points. She has good wheels. So I had to really try and finish off the point.
You know, I think it made for some really tough, physical points. So that’s definitely the most physical match I’ve played I think this tournament.
But I’m proud that I really, really fought till the end. She’s a good fighter, too. We were really just battling.
Q. Do you consider yourself someone who can compartmentalize pretty well? We see you focus in point to point on the court, and then you come in here wearing a kimono.
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: Yeah, I think, you know, my mental side of tennis has improved over the last few years. I think tennis is very mental, so that’s an important part of it.
Yeah, on the court I really try to have like blinders on and really focus throughout the whole match.
But off the court, of course, it’s fun. That was not planned. I just received it from the Japanese TV crew. They were very nice.
But, you know, life is short, so have fun.
Q. We know about your family’s interest in the Royal family. The Countess of Wessex and a number of other Royals were in the box. Have you played for Royals before? How does it feel?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: First off, I should say parental interest, probably mostly mother. She named us, so I wasn’t really aware of what was going on at that time (smiling).
I did not know who was in the box. I will get that information later for sure.
But I played on Centre Court last year. I was lucky enough to do that. Kate Middleton’s parents were watching us then. That was really exciting.
I think when I went in the Royal Box when I won the juniors, I think the Duke of Kent presented me the trophy. Yes, that’s correct. So I’ve had a few amazing moments like that.
Of course, to play on Centre Court at Wimbledon, it’s the temple of tennis. So a very special moment walking on the court.
Q. You mentioned you improved your mental strength over the last year or two. Have you done anything specific for that? Do you have a mental coach?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: I’m not going to give away my secrets.
The biggest thing I thought when I played my first full year on the tour last year was, you know, it was the first year I didn’t play juniors. I really felt a difference in the level of, you know, how tough it was with my opponents.
So week in, week out, I was playing girls top 100, top 50, sometimes really good ones. I just saw, you know, how tough it was to do that all year long. I played a lot of tournaments last year.
I think just having that experience, just playing week in, week out against, you know, a different level than what I was used to, really just opened my eyes to, Okay, this is what it’s like. I think just by playing so many matches, big matches for me at the time, helped me.
Q. You don’t have a mental coach or do that kind of thing?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: Well, my tennis coach, Nick, you know, helps me with all aspects of the game. We kind of go over every part of it. He helps me with all areas.
Q. The Big Bang Theory is such a wonderful show. What do you love about it?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: It’s my favorite show. It’s a comedy, you know. For me, so many unexpected things, you just burst out laughing. It’s a nice way to relax and have a good time.
It’s less stressful to watch than, say, like a movie on a war or something. It’s pretty relaxing, which I love. Jim Parsons’ character Sheldon is my favorite character. He’s so nerdy. I love the character. He’s so smart and set in his ways. I think the writing of the show is pretty spectacular.
Q. Do you have a little bit a nerd in you?
EUGENIE BOUCHARD: I do have a little bit of that in me. When I was in school, I really enjoyed school. My favorite class was math class. I was very determined to try to get 100% on all my math tests. I think that kind of self-discipline translates to tennis.
But, you know, I would have loved to go to school and go to university and things like that. Maybe I’ll do that when I’m 30 and just chill with the 20-year-olds.