So you've been enjoying the doggie park, I imagine. Yes?
Well, I enjoy the company of Tina. She's always, you know, my friend, and it's nice, you know. Here you have the park where she can play with the other dogs as well, and you know, when I was playing and now she gets to enjoy my company.
Talk about the heat up there. Was it a factor?
No, not really. But it's a very nice day to play. I love to play in the heat, and it's very, very humid. I mean that's what it is. You know, you're sweating a lot, and you know, sometimes to hold the racket a little bit it's hard, you know, but I don't think it was effect at all. And definitely it's nice weather conditions.
So if it was up to you, it would just get hotter and hotter this week?
Well, I'm used to it. I came from a very warm country, so I'm feeling, you know, very familiar with the weather, and for me it's not a problem, but definitely, you know, it's much ?? you know, we've been coming from a season that has been really hot. So we're kind of used to it. Yeah.
You've won so many victories. What keeps you going?
Well, I still enjoy playing. You know, I still love to compete, and I'm still having fun. I think that's what keeps me going, and I'm still playing good tennis and definitely, you know, being in the top. So that's the most difficult after so many years, be so consistent, and I'm just, you know, playing, trying to have fun in every tournament I go.
What do you look for in that first?round match, kind of get yourself into the week a little bit?
Yeah. Definitely it's better to play a match than having to have a bye and wait, because that gives you confidence to play the next match and it's not easy ?? you don't have easy first round anymore. You just have to play, and it's a very good win today, and I look forward for my next match.
This is one of the first tournaments where you can bring your companions with you.
ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Her?
Yeah. Do you feel comfortable now bringing your dog, and what did you do with the dogs in the past, with your dog in the past?
No, no, no. In the past it was not a problem either. I mean I have other two dogs, Roland and Garros, and they're 13, so they are home right now, but it was not a problem. They just started putting that rule a year ago or something like that. So but here it is so nice to have the puppy park so they can play and they can be all together. They know each other already for the tournaments, and it's nice that you get the company, but for me it was not a problem in the past because I already did it with the other two.
That one day you started having the problems and Martina had her problem with her dogs, were you surprised, because you've been bringing Roland for like 13 years?
I was really surprised, yes, because I mean if you just have to go, you know, educated and just how, you know, on the back when you play and don't bother and bring it some places, then it's okay, but I mean maybe people don't like dogs and that's why they put the rules. But I mean they're good fellows and they just make very good company.
Is there any dog that the two dogs don't get along, like, you know, you say don't play with this dog?
No, no. I mean Tina plays with all the dogs, small or big one, doesn't matter. She's just very friendly and just having fun, you know, running on the grass. That's no problem with any dog.
Do you know who had a problem with the dog?
No. I don't know.
What does your fan support mean to you when you're playing?
Well, it means a lot. I mean I think that people appreciate what you do and they really enjoy watching you play. They still support you. Wherever I go I still have a lot of support, so that's so nice and to feel very comfortable, very good welcome and to just try to keep giving them good tennis to watch and having fun, and they mean a lot to me and I try to give back as much as I can.
You were in Hawaii when 9/11 happened.
Yeah.
The year mark is coming up, evidently ?? well, obviously, and for our September issue for Tennis Magazine we're wondering, we're going to ask several players, how has it changed your life?
Well, I think it changed for everyone. I mean definitely we were very, very shocked with it all happening, and it's really surprising how what's happening around the world. And you just keep following, and definitely you just try to live day by day, and that's all, and enjoy life.
Has travel been more difficult in some countries than others?
No. I think ??
Have you seen it relax since the ensuing months?
No. I mean do not relax at all because you just have to take planes wherever you go, and the only thing, you need much more time now than before when you're traveling. You need a couple more hours to get ready in the airport and check in and everything. It's changed, I think, for everyone, and I mean definitely you are still a little bit nervous before and you're still nervous now. I mean...
Can you talk about what the benefits of playing doubles is this late in your career?
I think doubles you enjoy, you know, maybe more because it's not only depending on you, you have your partner and it's depending on two people. Singles is yourself in place, but for me it's always been helping me to play a lot of doubles because things I do in doubles I can definitely put it again in my singles, and if you have the confidence to do there, then you have more confidence to do it in your singles. And for me priority is singles, but doubles helps me a lot, and to win a tournament it's always important.
How can you help Daniela (Hantuchova) in her own game by doubles?
I think we are a very good combination because we communicate really well, and she's a very young one of the young coming up, you know, who's playing really well at the moment. And she has been, you know, hitting the ball really well. I can just anticipate on the volley and we make a very good combination. And this is what doubles is about. I try to help her as much, give her my experience, and you know, she definitely asks me what she has to do on the court, and we try to just to be a team and it's working so well right now.
This is a pretty long week, and with the heat and everything, I guess I'm just curious, talk about, if you could, the importance of training and fitness and that kind of stuff in a long week.
Well, as you said, it's a long week. I mean I'm in singles and doubles, so I'm going to have to play a lot of matches, but as I say, it's very nice weather conditions to play, and you just have to drink a lot and just get ready to play, you know, fitness, singles and doubles. And as the week goes on, you get more confidence and you're just looking forward to have a great tournament.
Do you find the surface here to be identical with Amelia Island?
Yeah. I mean green clay it's ?? I mean this week is the same as last week, I mean this clay is a little bit different than the red clay, but I mean you have much more time to prepare the point and you're going to have longer rallies.
