Mesh Tennis

Here’s Nicole’s interview also…

Nicole Vaidisova (CZE)[14] beat Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)[4] 7-6, 4-6, 6-1

Q. This is your third appearance in Wimbledon. In 2005 you reached the third round; 2006, you reached the fourth round. Where do you see yourself in this championship, having now defeated the champion?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: No, it was definitely a great win today. I feel really good about my game. Coming in especially, you know, like I said, I’m not a huge fan of grass, a little challenge for me.

I’ve been improving every match. Just very excited and looking forward to the next one. So not really thinking of rounds further and further ahead.

Q. Not semifinal or final?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: No. I’m in the quarterfinals right now and that’s, you know, what I’m thinking about, so…

Q. What were the keys for you to be able to beat a defending champion? I know you’ve beaten her a couple time before, but it’s different circumstances here.

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Definitely. I mean, this is a surface that definitely suits her a lot, and I knew if I wanted to win I had to, you know, kind of get on the same level and play as good as she does on it.

So I just came out there, you know, hitting and fighting for every point. In the end it worked out for me.

Q. How much of a mental battle is it to play someone like her? First set was tough. The second was tough. Third set it seemed like you were locked in there.

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Of course, the first set, she had three set points in the first set. You know, I just kept there trying to stay positive, fight for every point.

You know, in the second set I kind of, you know, I think lost a couple games just because I wasn’t as concentrated.

You know, we came out the third set, I just wanted to win. I did everything I could to win.

Q. What was it like off and on, off and on, with all the rain delays?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Yeah, I mean, it was kind of tiring. You know, you walk all those stairs up, the locker room in back. It’s pretty much a long walk. So that really gets you tired.

But, you know, you have to get used to it. You know, you sit there, you wait, you talk to your dad or someone for a second. You go on again, you know.

Full Interview

Vaidisova continues to be a dangerous opponent in majors, and this time she was able to take out defending champ Amelie Mauresmo. Below is a partial interview transcript with Amelie:

Nicole Vaidisova (CZE)[14] beat Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)[4] 7 6, 4 6, 6 1

Q. What went wrong?

AMÉLIE MAURESMO: I don’t know. Everything went wrong today. No, well, the serve was definitely not working really well today. A little bit I think I had some up and downs throughout the first week, and it showed a little bit more today when it’s a bit well, first when you play a better opponent and when it’s a little tighter in terms of score.

So it definitely showed more today as well as, yeah, the rest of the game didn’t work very well. Probably confidence. I’m struggling to get the confidence back. That’s probably an explanation, well, to what I produce in terms of tennis today.

Q. Did the stop/start affect you?

AMÉLIE MAURESMO: Well, it didn’t help for sure. It was the same for her. She was in a much better rhythm throughout the whole match than I was. Definitely those interruptions don’t help. But that’s it.

Q. Was there any stage during the match when the rain interrupted and you got fed up?

AMÉLIE MAURESMO: No, no, no, not really. No, no.

Q. What does it feel like to have lost your Wimbledon title?

AMÉLIE MAURESMO: I don’t really think about that right now. I’m just disappointed about losing this match, especially the way I played or I wasn’t able to play today.

This is even more frustrating, I think.

Q. Will you conclude that the best player won today?

AMÉLIE MAURESMO: Yeah, she definitely played better than me today. That’s for sure.

Q. Were nerves a factor at all for you?

AMÉLIE MAURESMO: Just the level of play that I didn’t have for the last few months. Sometimes, you know, it works. Sometimes it shows that it’s a lack of confidence and lack of practice, yeah. That’s about it.

Full Interview

Go Nicole!