Back to Articles

Winter Break Phone Kim Interview December 19, 2001 De Standaard Q.: How is it going in Adelaide? Kim: "Good, yes, very nice. We are having good fun, and preparing well." Q.: The vacation period ended in fact, what things have you been doing? Kim: "Lots of condition training, yesterday we went to watch cricket, have done various things." Q.: Travelled around a bit? Kim: "Not much. Although I have been to Sydney and Melbourne before I came to Adelaide but for the rest we haven't been to the north or so, no." Q.: You are now fully working on the preparation for the new season, is that going smoothly? Kim: "Yes, certainly. Feel fit, am working hard and so, no injuries, not tired or anything, really, feel pretty good. " Q.: It was clear that you have enjoyed the Brilliant Game last month. How important is it to you and Justine that such a top tournament comes to Antwerp? Kim: "For sure important to the ITF, also to the Belgian public to see us playing in Belgium. Think though that there will be a nice atmosphere, have heard that many top players will join." Q.: Were you surprised that there was so much interest [for the Brilliant Game]? Kim: Yes, for sure, not expected at all, certainly because there was an important soccer match that night. Yes, certainly not expected that it would be sold out. There was such a nice atmosphere and it was a nice honour to be able to end the year like that." Q.: Yes but now it will be for the real thing. Now it is about the money and the points, no? Kim: Yes, but that doesn't matter to us in fact, I mean we don't play, at least not for me, I don't play for the money. I play tennis because I really like to play tennis and because I like to compete and so. I look forward to being there again next year." Q.: You are now in Australia. How can you prepare yourself for such an indoor tournament like Antwerp? Kim: "I do have 2 or 3 weeks after the Australian Open to prepare myself specifically, enough time though. I play here on Rebound Ace, so that's quite similar, normally no problem. The preparation will not take that long, it is really feasible, but normally no problem." Q.: You travel a lot, many tournaments, to what do organisers have to pay attention, and what do players need, what do they want? Kim: " That depends on the players. I like that the hotel is close to the club, that the changing rooms are well-done and stuff like that. The people who were at the Brilliant Game know that it was 100% OK so that will be the same again for sure." Q.: When do we see you again in Belgium? Kim: " Hope that I can stay until the end of the Australian Open, early February I think."