(Courtesy of Hopman Cup 2012)
Can you talk us through the last kind of few days – getting in late and how tired you are?
Yeah I mean it’s been pretty tough; getting in and to play straight away, but to be honest in the first match I felt it a lot in the first set, but then once I got going and it was much better. Then in the mixed doubles I felt great, and yesterday was a very tired day. I really felt it. I had a light practice going in there and today I was fine.
In the singles today, to commit that many unforced errors but still come away with a win – is that a sign?
You know the most important thing is to win and it doesn’t matter how. It’s tough to play a girl like her because you don’t really get the rhythm, and its goes soft and then she just hammers the ball. You don’t know what to expect. It was pretty difficult, but I’m happy that I got the win. I’ve had quite a few tough matches against her in the past so it’s a good one to get under my belt.
What was that caution there for coaching from the box or whatever happened there? What was all that about?
I don’t know maybe you should ask the umpire?
But there was nothing from your point of view? Obviously there was nothing happening there?
Well I just go in and play the point, and you know it’s fair enough I guess. The rules are like they are, and you know, it just doesn’t matter really.
When you get a match like today – I mean you can’t enjoy it when she’s picked up a game like that, do you just try and get through it?
Yeah it’s just to get through it and just try to feel the court a little bit and just try to figure out where you are and your preparations and everything really. The Australian Open is only one and a half weeks away so that’s where you want to try and peak.
And looking ahead to your match against Petra, I mean all the fans are excited to see it, how about you as a player to match yourself against a challenger that’s so close to your ranking?
Yeah I mean Petra is a good player and she hits the ball hard. I’ve been playing against, or I will be playing against three different opponents. Bethanie – who mixes the point up, serves volley, goes in, attacks, tries to take all the opportunities she has. Today – Pironkova, who plays a very different kind of game as well. Then I play Petra who just hits the ball very hard. So it’s good to get these three different types of matches.
Caroline can I ask you about Rory and your different schedules – how do you plan to see each other over the year?
I don’t know. Just taking one day at a time. So far it’s been working out pretty well so we’ll see.
Do you talk about when you might meet?
Yeah I mean probably after Australia at some point.
But you don’t know when?
No probably after Australia, yeah.
What is it about golfers that you tennis players like? There seems to be a relationship between golfers and tennis players.
I don’t know. I just think it’s very similar in many ways. He’s doing well at a young age as well. He knows how to be at the top of the game and all the expectations and being in the media. I think we have many things in common.
Have you worked on anything specific in your game during the off season to take it to the next level?
Yeah I always try to work on a few things and always try to improve on everything. I’m a perfectionist and the annoying thing about tennis is that you’re never perfect, so you can always go back on the practice court and do better.
In light of that, how do you feel you’re prepared for this Australian Open and the whole season, perhaps to where you were 12 months ago?
I always think I’m improving, but the first couple of matches for the season are always a bit tough and you need to find your feet out there. Hopefully as I keep playing a few more matches I’ll improve and then start playing better.
(Courtesy of Hopman Cup 2012)