How big is the disappointment, you were relatively close?
I think it was a good match, I had many chances in the second set. With an opponent like Venus it’s better to win those chances. It was a bit of a pity in the third set, I made many mistakes and at 3:1 she played really well. But I fought a lot and played well and maybe I could have won the second set.
Was your tactic to let her run when you saw she got her ankle treated?
I know that Venus has problems with short balls and changes. I played well but maybe I lost the best balls. I lost the second set and the third as well. That is a bit of a pity, because I think I played better, but then she was serving well. But tactically I played well.
When you got the bunch of flowers it looked a bit like a farewell. Can you tell us already if you will be back next year or not?
Yes, I play my best tennis this year and I hope to be back next year.
So it wasn’t a definite farewell from Hamburg?
No, definitely not. In the last five or six years many people said that I would stop, but I won’t do it now. I’m old , but not old.
You are around for so long, how is it to play against the young new players like Venus? Do you notice a tougher competition?
That’s normal, I’ve been on the Tour for so long and I’m 9 to 10 years older than the other players. But, I’m playing my best year and that’s good for me. There are many good players. I would like to play more against Venus and Hingis, those are the best matches.
Did you have a special strategy against Venus?
No, my game starts with the first ball and ends with the last, and everything is possible. I had my chances, but didn’t win everything and lost in three sets. If you play well, everything is possible, and when you play against the No. 1 player, you have nothing to loose. I think it was a good match today.
Did your mascot help you today?
This is my third dog, Roland Garros is at home, but he’s 13, she’s 7 months old and is called Tina. She’s always with me.
