The Other Belgian

Coverage

2010

BNP Paribas Open

The Other Belgian

Saturday, 13 March 2010 18:14

The Other Belgian

Written by Danielle Lescure

Photos: Kirk Stenvall, Danielle Lescure

Yanina Wickmayer in a post-match interview With both Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin coming out of retirement recently, it might be easy to overlook Belgium’s rising star, Yanina Wickmayer. But to see Wickmayer play in person is to watch a fearless competitor because each shot feels like “it’s all or nothing.” This aggressive style has served her well as it took her to the semifinals of the 2009 US Open (raising her ranking into the Top 20 in the process) and proved to be quite a handful for Justine Henin six weeks ago in Melbourne. But such high percentage play comes with equally high risk. Today, in Germany’s Julia Goerges, Wickmayer faced a player who also likes to go for broke. Though Goerges needed a few games to find her footing in the match, she soon let loose a string of winners off both sides, her backhand down-the-line being particularly fierce.

After losing the first set, the German confidently raced to a 4-1 lead in the second thanks to numerous errors from her opponent. “She was really making a lot of winners and really putting a lot of pressure on me,” Wickmayer remarked. That pressure exhibited itself in double faults and going for too much on her shots which continually cost her points.

Yet it was in that moment that the Belgian displayed another strength: her determination. “I just stayed tough and tried to make her work for the points and make her run a little bit more,” she said. She tightened up her serve and return and, as a result, Goerges didn’t win another game.

Julia Goerges lost five straight games after leading 4-1 in the second set

After the match, Wickmayer credited her experience at the Slams over the last year for building that toughness and helping her win in straight sets today. “I’ve played a lot of great matches, a lot of tough matches… that really helped me stay mentally tough. Today, also, I think, those experiences really helped me staying calm, hanging in there, staying focused.”

Wickmayer going for one of her backhands

The Belgian also stated that she simply loves the sport. “Every time I am on court, I’m happy and trying to do the best I can. That’s what I like to do.” That positive attitude and focus has helped her manage her recent difficulties with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which, while still unresolved, have not dampened her spirit. “I know how hard I work every day to be where I am. I’m feeling like I’m getting better every day.”

And, at this rate, Kim and Justine will soon have to share the spotlight.

More photos from the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells