New Year, Same Weather Report

Coverage

2010

Pilot Pen Tennis

Sunday, 22 August 2010 18:59

New Year, Same Weather Report

Written by Jack Cunniff

schiavone-082210-jc-art The 2010 Pilot Pen has picked up just where the 2009 event left off: with rain interrupting matches. While qualifying matches were moved indoors and first round play was delayed, the players here continued their preparations heading into the 2010 US Open. Francesca Schiavone and Samantha Stosur took time out of their schedules to meet with the press. The two players, who faced each other in the French Open final in June, are both having the best year of their singles careers. They talked about their successes, challenges, and plans for the rest of the year.

Schiavone, the 30-year-old Italian who surprised the tennis world by winning the French Open title, has climbed to seventh in the WTA rankings. When asked how her life has changed since winning the French title, she playfully responded, "This is the first time someone has asked me this question." But, kidding aside, Schiavone was happy to share her experiences. While she acknowledged that her life and circumstances have changed quite a bit, she feels the same inside. She's careful not to spend too much time thinking back on Roland Garros. She cited Roger Federer as someone who is always forward-thinking, an approach she feels she needs to take to continue her own tennis achievements. While she declined to share any specific goals, Schiavone stated simply that she's always looking to improve.

Speaking about the French Open trophy, Schiavone said she keeps it at home. Then, grabbing a 12-ounce bottle of water off the table, she said with a laugh, "it's like this," and indicated the size of the trophy as equivalent to that of the water bottle. The Federation Cup trophy, which Schiavone won last November as part of the Italian team, is a much larger trophy that she gave to her parents to share in her accomplishment. But the French Open trophy? "It's mine! Just mine," she says.

Schiavone attributed her play in Paris to heart and passion. While still not playing with a formal coach, she uses her wits and experience to get through matches. Still, she's hit a rough patch since Paris, failing to win back-to-back matches until this past week, when she reached the Quarterfinals in Montreal. "It's OK for the moment ," the Italian remarked on her recent performances. It wasn't a convincing statement, though she did sport a grin when mulling over her chances at Flushing Meadows: "I could be dangerous." Francesca is not looking beyond the US Open at this point; with Italy returning to the Federation Cup Final in November, Schiavone said preparations wouldn't start until after New York.

When asked to comment on Stosur's recent performances, Francesca was complimentary. She believes that the Australian has the qualities to win a Grand Slam and become one of the best. "She did it... almost," Schiavone added with a smile.

Stosur will be hoping the matches she plays in New Haven will serve as enough preparation for the US Open

The 26-year-old Stosur was scheduled to play in the US Open doubles with Schiavone, but decided to pull out of that event due to recent problems with injury. She was also forced to withdraw of the Tour events in Cincinnati and Montreal, due to what she described as a "dead arm." She had felt some aches and pains with her right shoulder and arm.

Stosur is feeling better and happy to be playing again, especially knowing "what's coming up just around the corner." She wants to be as prepared as possible for the US Open, and needs a few more matches to get there. She spent almost ten days without picking up a racket, just working on her off-court fitness, until started to hit again a few days ago. Problems with the arm has been a consistent theme for Stosur this season, reaching its worst point in Stanford and San Diego. Sam acknowledged that her success this year has translated into playing more matches than ever before, which is probably a contributing factor to the injury.

A former No.1-ranked doubles player, Stosur spoke about how nice it's been to find success in singles as well. "I never set out to do it that way," she explained regarding her transition from doubles specialist to a top sing;es player. Unlike many other players who reach the top spot in doubles, Stosur continued to work on her singles game, risking her No. 1 ranking by continuing to push for singles triumphs.

Defeating Serena Williams and Justine Henin in Paris certainly had a big impact on Sam's life. She returned home to Australia after Wimbledon, to be recognized more frequently. "Some people approach you, some people don't, and some people just stand there and kind of stare at you, which is a bit weird!" A definite sign your life has changed? When you're standing in line at the supermarket, "and the lady behind you starts telling you how good it was to watch you on TV at the French Open." Sam is enjoying her new level of recognition and knowing that all of Australia is behind her. One experience she's managed to avoid is being asked for coaching tips: "I haven't had that one yet!"

James Blake participated in Kid's Day activities today

Around the Grounds: After having Kim Clijsters on the ropes in Montreal, Bethanie Mattek-Sands continues to make strides this summer, qualifying for the main draw in New Haven. Mattek-Sands stands a good chance of becoming the third-ranked American woman after the US Open, should Melanie Oudin lose her quarterfinal points from 2009... Radek Stepanek, ranked 28th in the world, was a late entry here and forced to qualify for the main draw. A former top ten player, Stepanek lost to Teymuraz Gabashvili in the final round of qualifying but made the main draw as a Lucky Loser, replacing Mardy Fish, who withdrew with fatigue... Top seed and two-time defending champion Caroline Wozniacki has not yet made it to New Haven. She is still slated to play in the semifinals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal, where the schedule has also been plagued by rain.