It was dramatic, and finished badly, but it will surely be better – it’s just a usual comment after Marta Domachowska’s match. Good game was not enough to beat ex-WTA number 11 – Meghan Shaughnessy from USA. It was close - 7:5, 6:7 (3), 5:7, but with seven double faults it’s hard to change the things for good. What Marta has to say about crisis of her form?
You finally have a coach. This time it’s for good?
I currently train with Sven Groeneveld. I have to find someone, who could be with me In the most of the tournaments. Sven was hired by Adidas, my sponsor, and he helps players who are contracted with this German brand. He also helps Ana Ivanović, and Maria Kirilenko. I have my own fitness coach though – Mariusz Dermond.
You decided to play In the lower ranked tournament for the first time. Is it because of the advice from German coach?
No, it’s my decision. I thought that it would be better to get used to New York earlier. And I would have to play qualifications in New Haven, and I was still playing in Montreal on Wednesday. It was the first tournament of my season I went alone to – without mother, sister or coach, so I did not want to rush.
So are you going to travel alone?
It’s hard to answer, this change was really needed for me, but on the other hand it’s nice to feel someone’s support from the stands. During US Open my mother will come to New York. It’s good that she is not so nervous, as my mister, who doesn’t stand the tension during TV broadcasts. I heard that when I played Molik in Montral, Magda [Marta’s sister] went to the bathroom during tie-breaks and asked to shout about how it goes.
Some time ago you were the only Polish player, who was well known. Now we have Radwańska sisters. Is it some ind of additional stress?
I have to admit that Polish Tennis goes up really fast – we have good doubles team [Matkowski, Fyrstenberg – ATP], more and more great juniors. Radwańska sisters motivate me a lot, and stress – it is much lower – finally everyone doesn’t write only about me, I don’t feel so much pressure. I can concentrate on my game, not on that „I Am the best player In Poland and I have to win”.
It was a critical season for you – you fell into 70th place In WTA ranking, and you did not play well In Grand Slams. How do you deal with being criticized?
Firstly, I try not to read newspapers. Sometimes Marcin (Matkowski) laughs that we were criticized again, but we really play cool with it. I know that this season is not the best in my career. It is because of lots of things around me, especially coach changes. It’s not easy to play good without the feeling of stability. After te loss there is no person, who you can ask what was wrong.
Worse serve is also connected with having no coach?
No, serve depends on mentality. It’s quite embarrassing, but I started playing something like Dementieva – during trainings everything is ok, but at the match time I make lots of double faults. Fortunately, I slowly come back to my level.
During the match vs. Shaughnessy you had 4 match points. No tactics?
It’s hard to comment such things. I made an error on one ball, and Meghann take a risk on all the others. It happens, I have something to learn for the future, I should have change something, or vary my game. I did not play a lot on the net, maybe that was a good moment? I have to think about that and next time play better. This match is over - I won’t win it now.
Not this one, but what about US Open first round?
It’s hard to say. I feel well prepared, but noone knows what will happen. I will wait for the draw and I will do my best. This year I feel very good on hard surfaces, I play aggressive, which I like a lot. A bit of patience from me and well – nothing to lose, I’ll just play.
WRITTEN BY: Justyna Kostyra
TRANSLATED BY: Adam N |
