Swisscom Challenge 2001
1st Round
Anna Kournikova beaten by Amanda Coetzer
0:6, 6:4, 3:6
October 16, 2001
1st Round
Anna Kournikova beaten by Amanda Coetzer
0:6, 6:4, 3:6
October 16, 2001
Interview with Anna Kournikova:
Q: Did you expect it to be such a struggle to come back after your injury?
Anna: Well I didn't really think about how I'd come back, all I was thinking about was to get healthy and start playing again. So I'm really happy about that, that I can at least move, and walk, like I said before. I'm just really happy to be healthy. I know there's a long way after 8 months, getting back in shape and I've been working really hard the last month, every day, working really hard. All the matches I lost were in three sets and it wasn't like I'm not in good physical condition, it has more to do with my mental state of mind. I have get back to keeping the concentration for the whole match instead of just not playing one set and then playing one set and then resting again! So right now it's probably more just the concentration and training my body so it doesn't get tired.
Q: On the concentration front, would you consider dropping down a level or two maybe just to get to a standard you can control, to build the confidence and concentration, especially bearing in mind ranking for next year with the long break you had.
Anna: What do you mean dropping down a level? I didn't understand.
Q: You know, going down to smaller tournament, winning more matches, get more points, get more confidence, and to work on the concentration, so if your concentration drops a little, maybe it doesn't hurt so much.
Anna: Well, the thing is, if I go to a $75,000 or a $50,000 and I beat some player that is ranked 150, I don't think it's going to be a lot of confidence for my game. I'm used to playing on a high level, and if I beat a good player, that gives me confidence. But if I beat somebody who is really low ranked, of course they're playing well and everything, I don't think it's going to give me a lot of confidence. Because I know where my game should be, I know where my game was in February before my injury, and that's the level where I normally play, and I'm going to get back to it.
Q: The match seemed to turn around halfway through. Was there something that made you gain a little bit more confidence?
Anna: Well, Amanda is always a very tough player to play, she brings the ball back all the time and she's never going to give up, so basically today I was just trying to play my game, being aggressive, not start to hit the balls back and forth with her because that's her game, and in the second set, they just started to go in.
Q: After the season is over, will you work with Melanie Molitor again?
Anna: Again?
Q: Like you did in Switzerland three weeks ago?
Anna: Well yesterday I heard the reports that she is my coach, which is not necessarily true. We did work together with Martina with her when we were getting ready for one week in Switzerland, that's all, and when we practice together for doubles and everything, but there is no official anything.
Q: Is there any truth to the rumour that you're going to be the next Bond girl?
Anna: That I found out also yesterday! (Laugh) From the internet I found out. It was really interesting. You know, I know as much. I probably know as little as anybody about that. You guys seem to know more about that.
Q: Would you like to be the Bond girl?
Anna: Well right now I am happy that I am healthy, and Bond girl, I think you have to do lots of things in there, and I don't think I'm physically ready for that.
Q: Where do you play next?
Anna: Luxembourg.
Q: And then the season is over for you?
Anna: Well, yeah. It never really started." (Laughs)
Q: Did you expect it to be such a struggle to come back after your injury?
Anna: Well I didn't really think about how I'd come back, all I was thinking about was to get healthy and start playing again. So I'm really happy about that, that I can at least move, and walk, like I said before. I'm just really happy to be healthy. I know there's a long way after 8 months, getting back in shape and I've been working really hard the last month, every day, working really hard. All the matches I lost were in three sets and it wasn't like I'm not in good physical condition, it has more to do with my mental state of mind. I have get back to keeping the concentration for the whole match instead of just not playing one set and then playing one set and then resting again! So right now it's probably more just the concentration and training my body so it doesn't get tired.
Q: On the concentration front, would you consider dropping down a level or two maybe just to get to a standard you can control, to build the confidence and concentration, especially bearing in mind ranking for next year with the long break you had.
Anna: What do you mean dropping down a level? I didn't understand.
Q: You know, going down to smaller tournament, winning more matches, get more points, get more confidence, and to work on the concentration, so if your concentration drops a little, maybe it doesn't hurt so much.
Anna: Well, the thing is, if I go to a $75,000 or a $50,000 and I beat some player that is ranked 150, I don't think it's going to be a lot of confidence for my game. I'm used to playing on a high level, and if I beat a good player, that gives me confidence. But if I beat somebody who is really low ranked, of course they're playing well and everything, I don't think it's going to give me a lot of confidence. Because I know where my game should be, I know where my game was in February before my injury, and that's the level where I normally play, and I'm going to get back to it.
Q: The match seemed to turn around halfway through. Was there something that made you gain a little bit more confidence?
Anna: Well, Amanda is always a very tough player to play, she brings the ball back all the time and she's never going to give up, so basically today I was just trying to play my game, being aggressive, not start to hit the balls back and forth with her because that's her game, and in the second set, they just started to go in.
Q: After the season is over, will you work with Melanie Molitor again?
Anna: Again?
Q: Like you did in Switzerland three weeks ago?
Anna: Well yesterday I heard the reports that she is my coach, which is not necessarily true. We did work together with Martina with her when we were getting ready for one week in Switzerland, that's all, and when we practice together for doubles and everything, but there is no official anything.
Q: Is there any truth to the rumour that you're going to be the next Bond girl?
Anna: That I found out also yesterday! (Laugh) From the internet I found out. It was really interesting. You know, I know as much. I probably know as little as anybody about that. You guys seem to know more about that.
Q: Would you like to be the Bond girl?
Anna: Well right now I am happy that I am healthy, and Bond girl, I think you have to do lots of things in there, and I don't think I'm physically ready for that.
Q: Where do you play next?
Anna: Luxembourg.
Q: And then the season is over for you?
Anna: Well, yeah. It never really started." (Laughs)
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