Значи за първи път откривам толкова отворено интервю за Винъс. Наистина беше доста отслабнала през 2012, но явно нещата са се променили. Също така работила доста над сервиса си и поради травмата на кръста търси повече позициониране на топката отколкото сила. Също така май е привлякла нов треньор към екипа си - Лари Стефанки, който и помогнал с демоните в главата... Целите и са да взезе в топ 10 и да спечели АО и РГ!
Част от интервюто:
Has Larry rejuvenated your love for tennis and training Venus?Venus- Tennis is my life Neil, that love and drive for winning never left me, the last two years have been really unfortunate. As in 2010 I was beginning to dominate again, that year I wanted to win the French Open so badly, I was doing well in the clay events, I won Acapulco, Final Of Madrid and Quarters of Stuttgart. Then I got to the 4th Round and lost to Nadia Petrova, I was shattered, I felt really low, so I would say Larry is helping me overcome these mental demons, the love for tennis was always there, maybe sometimes you can want something to much. In terms of training, he is probably making it more fun and yet more challenging at the same time. Im 32, my body is obviously more fragile, and it is important that I am at my complete physical peak when competing, to help reduce the chance of injury. In that area he has really helped me.
So what key aspects have you been working on during the off season?Venus:-I can truly say all aspects have been worked on, I have tried to give focus to all areas, especially ensuring my movement is very good. These girls are getting stronger and faster, it is vital that you keep improving to keep up with them. However I have been really trying to improve my second serve this year, with my back injury I learned that placement is so important, power maybe isn’t always best. Off course my serve is always going to be powerful, it is my money shot, however diversity is vital. I want to play more doubles as well, I feel it helped me improve so much since my time away. It helped my net play, I love at the net, I will be trying to get there as much as I can, its where I feel most comfortable.
You mentioned that Larry helped you with your mental game, in what way?Venus:-My father always talked to me about mental lapses which I took on court, I sometimes can begin to back off, and lose the winning position which I had. I have analysed a lot of matches which I have lost, right back from 2000, it was important to see what I was doing wrong, and I noticed that actually I was doing similar things in these matches. In order for me to win more grand slams I need to off course me in top physical shape but I have to stay in these matches mentally, I have to do that for 7 matches, over a best of 3 set scenario. My team and I are really trying to work on that, I have done it 7 times before I want to do it again so badly, the drive and enthusiasm is possibly even stronger than it has ever been.
Is the Slam’s your main focus this year then Venus ?Venus:-My main focus this year is to be prepared both physically and mentally for each tournament I enter. In tennis you never know which year is going to be your last, and since being diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, I have learned to be blessed with the gift I have been given and the job I have. My main focus is to enjoy every match, and feel that I gave 100%, and have no regrets. However my real goal is to win both The Australian and French Open, however im not picky I will take any slam, it would be nice to complete the career slam though. Serena always said she wanted everything I had, maybe it’s time for the Big Sis to snatch a few of Serena’s awards (laughs).
Are you looking forward to the 2013 season and what is your main goal ?Venus:-I look forward to every season, as they all bring different challenges and new endeavours. This season will be different as there has been some changes, however I looked forward to what it will bring. My immediate goal is to get inside the world’s top 20, I’m at 24 and have no points to defend in Australia. I think that could be achievable, and I would love to get back into the top 10 this year, however I have to start winning more titles, and having deep runs in the slams, I am focused and ready to do what is necessary. If it means staying out for 4 hours on court fighting to win a match, it has to be done. Each year is a new chapter in your life and it gives you another chance to rewrite some history books. Let’s see what 2013 will bring (massive smile)
Thank you Venus, it has been a pleasure. Good luck for the new season, all the tennis fans are rooting for you.Venus:- Thanks for the support, I look forward to talking to you soon, and have a Merry Christmas, and a prosperous new year.
