Chatting With the Stars at the Stuttgart All-Access Media Hour
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Sep 30, 2008 | Print |
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s All-Access Media Hour gives local journalists a candid opportunity to sit down with the biggest names in professional tennis.
Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, and Elena Dementieva were among the top players who spoke to the press at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Monday in Stuttgart.
Serena Williams about the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s main prize, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet:
“I’ve been trying to get a Porsche for a long time now. It’s about time to win the 911.”
About her project to build a school in Africa:
“When I went out to Africa I fell in love with the place. And after all, my roots are from Africa. Building a school there is obviously very important to me. I’ve already been out to Senegal to see where we want to build the school and the country’s president is involved. I’ve no idea how many pupils the school will fit but it’s an exciting project.”
About her handbag collection:
“Like all women, I love bags and shoes and we can never have enough of them. I don’t buy so many now as it’s now cheaper to buy them in the US than in Paris or Rome. I don’t actually do anything with them, I just sort of collect them. Perhaps when I was remodelling my house I should have built a room to exhibit them like in a museum.”
Dinara Safina on her winning streak:
“I can’t complain about being the hottest player at the moment. I was in a deep hole and didn’t know how to get out. I wasn’t enjoying my tennis. It wasn’t that I’d lost my love for the game but I was thinking, ‘why do I have to suffer so much’. Everything was a disaster. Something changed in Berlin. I’m not quite sure what but I somehow had a different mentality. Before I wanted something so badly but then just started letting myself play and I surprised myself. I listened to my coach and finally tried to do what he told me. It’s important to control one’s emotions and not get upset. I’m patient now and it has all started to pay off. In crucial moments I now know I can get through them because I’ve experienced the worst moments and have survived.”
About what she will do with the Porsche if she wins the tournament:
“I once said to my coach, I would give him a sports car if I won a Grand Slam. If I win here, I promise to give him the Porsche. He’s always believed in me even in the difficult times.”
Elena Dementieva on her future career goals:
“The next item on my list is to become the world No. 1. And there’s also still lots of great tournaments I’d like to win. The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is definitely one of them.”
About qualifying for the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships:
“It’s a great feeling to have qualified for the Championships. A fantastic recognition of my performances in 2008. It’s obviously my aim every year to play the Championships. Unfortunately it didn’t happen last year, so I’m all the more excited to be playing in Doha.”
For more information about the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, please visit www.porsche-tennis.de.
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tr | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
SERENNA USUALLY HAVE HER ANKLES TAPED. I THINK SHE NEED TO WEAR ANKLE SUPPORTS IN ADDITION TO THE ANKLE TAPING. ZHANG ZIE WEARS AN ANKLE SUPPORT AFTER SHE BROKE HER ANKLE. SERENA SHOULD DO THE SAME ON BOTH ANKLES.