TENNIS US OPEN 2014 – 27th of August 2014. C. Wozniacki d. A. Sasnovich 6-3, 6-4. An interview with Caroline Wozniacki.
Q. Just about the New York Marathon, any concern in the training that it could hurt your tennis training at all?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No. I only think it can help. So, you know, I’m really excited about it. It’s going to be a good and fun challenge. So, yeah, the training has been working really well for me. You know, it hasn’t hurt my tennis at all.
Q. Has it helped a little bit?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, it’s helped. Obviously you get into great shape. You know, mentally, as well. You have to push yourself every day and go out and, you know, work hard. So it’s only a positive when you go out on the tennis court. You know you can run out there all day if you want to, if you need to.
Q. How many miles a week are you running?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It really depends from week-to-week. This week I’ve cut it a little bit down because obviously I want to have all the energy I might need for these two weeks.
Q. What is your goal as far as a time in the marathon?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I have a time in mind but I don’t really want to say it out loud. Honestly, I just want to finish. Most importantly, you know, I do it for charity. I just want to be a good role model for the kids that I’m running for, because we’re raising money for kids that don’t really have access to sports. We’re starting running groups for them so that they can start to be active and get a healthier lifestyle.
Q. Can you describe what happened when your racquet and your hair met on a certain point.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, actually it used to happen when I didn’t braid my hair. That’s why I started braiding it. Once it gets to a certain length sometimes it can get stuck in the arm or the racquet. It’s a first, you know, when it’s braided that it’s been stuck that good in my racquet. You know, I still tried to hit the ball. Almost took my head off (smiling).
Q. How big was doing it in straight sets?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, it’s nice. Obviously we have a day off tomorrow. I think we can get some rest. But, you know, I’m happy to be through in straight sets. It’s nice to go through in two. She wasn’t an easy opponent. She’s young and hungry. She didn’t have anything to lose, so she was going for her shots. I’m just happy to be through.
Q. If you were in charge of the sport and could change any rule you like, add a new rule, delete some rules, what would you choose to change?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don’t know. I like the rules. I don’t think needs changed. I think it would be maybe fun if maybe when the serve, instead of calling let, maybe keep playing. I think that could maybe make it a little fun and entertaining. But, I mean, I think the rules of tennis have been there for so many years, and I think they’re good as they are.
Q. What element would that add if there were no lets?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think you would have to be ready on anything. Obviously it would speed sometimes the game up. When you have a let it takes a few seconds to get another ball and serve again. I’ve had matches where I’ve hit let three or four times in a row. That wouldn’t happen. You’d have to be on your toes. I think maybe the crowd would find it kind of funny to see those points afterwards.
Q. A 15-year-old player from the U.S. won yesterday.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I saw that.
Q. What are your thoughts on a victory by a 15-year-old and what advice might you share?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, it’s impressive. It’s not easy. Obviously she had her head cool and she believed in herself. That’s already a huge step. She’s young. She’s going to gain a lot of experience. You know, I think for her it’s just about enjoying it. It’s a great experience. She’ll need that in the future years, as well. You know, it’s going to go up and down in her career. But most of all I think she showed the love and the passion for the game yesterday, and she always should keep that.
