Interview with Dinara SAFINA (RUS)

1:40pm Thu, Sep 23, 2010

Q1. Your last match against Kirilenko was your defeat. What strategy did you have for this game?

A1. Well, last time we played together was not so a long time ago. It was in New Haven just before US Open. Kirilenko then played better than me. The good thing in tennis is that every week there is a tournament. So I realized what I did wrong that day and I just tried to do this time better. And it did work for me today.

Q1-1. Is your condition better than yesterday?

A1-1 .I mean first match is never easy to play. The girl from yesterday (Halep), she’s coming from qualies. She already played a few matches here and, for me, it was the first time. She’s a good player and was one of the best juniors. She had nothing to lose and I think she played really good match yesterday. She’ll be very soon on the top.

Q2. Are you fully recovered from your injury? It seems that your upper body posture is a bit higher than before. Is there any reason?

A2. It is better. For me, it was a big test in the Us Open series because I played all the tournaments. And it was fine. It’s better. Sometimes it a little bit more stiff, sometimes a little bit better. Overall I can do everything. Thank God it’s a good sign. As to the posture, It can be your opinion, but I don’t feel any difference.

Q3. For quite a while game results haven’t been impressive due to injury. This tournament can be a turning point for you to return to your normal condition and get into the top ranking. Wouldn’t you want to eventually aim for winning the tournament?

A3. Obviously this year is almost finished. For me, like I said yesterday, it’s tournaments where I want to play best and get my shape and tennis back. I want to feel better that I can start the next year hopefully healthy and play the whole year. Hope to finish the year at least with a good feeling that I had a chance to compete. 

Q4. It seems your mood isn’t as good as yesterday. Is there any problem or are you tired?

A4. Yeah, I just finished the match, came here straight away. No. I’m happy!

Q5. You did a nice play today. In each game you succeeded ace serves. Your condition must be very god.

A5. Well, today I think I served better than yesterday. Day by day, one day something is working better, and the next day… Every day is different. I’m trying to get out the best I can in a day. Today my serves worked well. That’s the advantage. Maybe next day it’s not going to work. I have to find other keys to win the match. This is the game. You always have to find something that works better today.

Q6. What would be your goal in this Hansol Tournament?

A6. Well, definitely to play my best, to give my hundred percent day by day and to play better every day. That’s it. This is the only key to success, I guess.

Q7. There are a lot of fans of Safin in Korea. How is Safin doing nowadays?

A7. He’s doing good. He’s in Moscow. Until yesterday, he’s been working with me for a week. So it was really nice for me because he’s never been a coach. He’s pretty tough. I really enjoyed so much and he really put so much desire and heart. From my side I was little bit surprised but he really enjoyed.

Q8. We had good weather and good number of spectators today. How do you think about this tournament in general?

A8. It’s always nice when you come to the tournament and you have maybe a group of fans supporting you. At the end of the day we’re playing for them. We want that they together enjoy with us. We win, we say thanks to them. Sometimes you can be losing the match but if you feel somebody’s supporting you, it doesn’t let you down. Because of those supporters you try to find solutions. “OK, I’ll try to play for them.” You always try to give your 100% from your side. Without them, we don’t exist.

Q9. Would you revisit this tournament again next year, whether or not you win the tournament?

A9. You know, I’m really enjoying. Always depends on my schedule. I’m really having a good time. So if it does fit my schedule, I’ll always have this tournament in my mind to come here and play. Of course, I’d like to thank Mr. Lee. He gave me this year a chance to compete. He understood that I would want to play some tournaments. He gave me an opportunity to come here, first time to come to Korea and received warm welcome.

Q10. What do you usually do during off season?

A10. It’s a base. It’s where you kind of “close your mouth and work hard.” The year starts and you’re a little bit tired and you say I’m a bit tired so maybe we do it a bit easy. There’s no time like that. It’s the only chance to make a big base. Our year is very long, starts in January ends up in November. So this is the time. We have to put our tracksuit, no comments, and keep on working.