Mesh Tennis

Q. How does it feel to be a Grand Slam champion?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It’s probably undescribable feeling, something that I always dreamed of, of course. I think every player dreams about winning a Grand Slam, whatever.

And, you know, it’s something special. It’s a special event. It’s two weeks long, all the best players in the world playing. Then you come up in the end as a champion, you know, only one guy to win the tournament. I mean, I’m still not aware of the big achievement I have had in these two weeks.

I’m very proud of myself, of course. And, of course, the support of my family and everybody who’s been with me in these two weeks has been very important to me. So right now I feel kind of relieved because I’ve played at least the semifinals in every Grand Slam in last year, and I was pretty close in US Open.

So probably today I was a bit nervous on the start ’cause I found myself in the strange situation: that I am the favorite in the finals of a Grand Slam, which is not usual for me.

So it was dangerous, but I managed to cope with the pressure well and to win.

Q. You said the other day you thought this could be kind of the changing of the guard. Do you feel that now with you and Jo‑Wilfried coming through?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I knew that he’s going to go for the shots, you know. He’s playing in the first Grand Slam finals. He’s had amazing tournament. Of course, he absolutely deserved to be in that position.

Today was very, very close match, so could go either way, that’s for sure. Was just couple of shots, couple of points deciding.

But, you know, still it’s my first Grand Slam. I’m very happy for that. I’m gonna take it easy, you know. I’m not gonna try to think about, you know, reaching even higher goals right away. You know, I’m not in the rush.

I want to enjoy in my success and just celebrate with the people I care about. From then, I’ll see what it goes.

Q. Do you feel Roger’s dominance in the game is finished?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I don’t think so, no. I mean, it’s not possible that only one tournament is changing the history. Of course, I mean, I played amazing tennis here, so I think I absolutely deserved to win, even against him in the semifinals. You know, he accepted in the right way.

Sure, he’s gonna come back in a big style, of course. He’s still planning to be the best player in the world, so we all know how good is he. We gonna see a lot of him, of course, this year.

Q. There are such small margins between defeat and victory, and you’ve tasted both in Grand Slam finals now. What do you think was the special difference today that perhaps just gave you the edge?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I didn’t play Roger (smiling).

Well, you know, as I said, it was kind of strange feeling to get into the match as the favorite. As I was saying in the preconference, it’s always dangerous to play against the underdog, the player who doesn’t have really anything to lose.

He was really aggressive, going for the shots since the start. That’s where I really needed to calm down and really try to keep my focus. And obviously playing in a Grand Slam final in US Open gave me a lot of experience which I used today, I think.

In these crucial moments I was being probably more patient and more focused, so I think that’s one of the turning points.

Q. As those set points were kind of ganging up on each other at the end of the third set, you really just had to keep your mind as focused as you possibly could.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Exactly. I knew that I’m playing against a big server, and I have to wait for my chances. And, you know, he started match really well. You could see that in the first set. And he was obviously a better player in that first set.

And then, you know, I just was trying to keep my focus, remain the consistency, the high level of game, try to wait for my opportunities, and then when I get them, you know, I should use them right away, which I did.

And that fourth set was, you know, a little bit strange because we had ups and downs, both of us. We didn’t have so much chances on each other’s serve. We were holding serve pretty good. But you could see that we were not of moving really well, both of us, that we were really tired.

You know, I asked for the treatment because I was sliding a lot and I felt some soreness in the hamstring. It’s all normal, I think. It’s mental preparation. Mental strength, I think, plays a big part in this match, especially in this match.

You know, it’s a Grand Slam final and you’re coming to the match aware of the fact that you’re in the finals. And then, you know, you get nervous a little bit. Sometimes in important moments you don’t play the way you would like to play.

But it is important. The difference is if you stay focused in the end.

Q. You talked about the nerves a bit. Obviously a bit of a nervous start, breaks of serve and what have you. What did you do today to help occupy your mind, and how nervous were you in the lead‑up to tonight?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I was trying before the match to keep my head off the tennis court and just thoughts on something else. You know, just talking jokes, listening to music, watching funny videos, whatever, just to relax. And I kind of managed to do that.

And then since I got to the court it all changed in two seconds (smiling). When you get to the full stadium, you feel again very proud of yourself because you got to that stage. But, again, you want to win. You know, since you get to the final, you know, final match, you just want to make another step and win it.

So, of course I was nervous and there was pressure, and I think it’s understandable. But I’m very happy the way I deal with that pressure.

Q. Is it more pressure than you’ve ever felt in your life?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think this is one of the matches, one of the matches where I had most of the pressure. I think so, yes.

Q. So what’s on the agenda for tonight then?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You don’t want to know (smiling).

Q. Yeah, I do.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Actually, I’ll keep that as a secret because we have special ways of celebrating, so… We’ll have a fun night.

Q. Is it a family celebration?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, yeah, family, everybody. I mean, I’m a people guy, so I like to be with…

Q. Six of the last ten winners of the Australian Open have lost the first set. Does it mean anything to you? You didn’t say much about your serve. But in the second and third set, you had 10 games when you lost only 10 points on your serve. So that was probably a key, you think?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think, yeah, yeah. On the first place, well, stats, you know, say that probably the Grand Slam champions are getting into the matches a little bit nervous, so probably that was the case with me today.

But, you know, I’m very happy that I managed to hold on till the end. Serve was ‑‑ it was following me in a great style and giving me a lot of motivation and a lot of confidence I think in these two weeks, and was one of the best elements in my game.

That’s very encouraging for the upcoming season, you know, and for the future, because this is something I’ve been working on a lot lately. I’ve been trying to work on my consistence with the serve, first‑serve percentage, but at the same time placement.

All these things need time. So I’m pretty surprised with the way I served these two weeks, and I think serve was one of the key factors in my game, even today.

Q. Having played this match as the favorite, does it give you more appreciation for what Federer and Nadal have done, the position they’ve been in the last couple of years?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, no doubt. I mean, for everybody who wins a Grand Slam, you have to give them a lot of appreciation and respect. I just felt it now, what it feels like. Hopefully, you know, in the future I’m gonna feel it more.

Q. You say you’re a people person. Is it very difficult to be playing against somebody who is such a crowd favorite? Second match in a row now.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, this is something that you got to fight against, you know, just try to keep your head in the match. As I said after the match, you know, the crowd was more behind him. In one way, it’s okay. You know, it’s understandable.

Everybody has a right to decide who they gonna cheer for. He’s an attractive player. You know, he’s a young one. He’s unseeded coming to the finals. Obviously, they wanted to support him.

But I think I had enough support, you know. Even though there was, you know around my box and in my box, all together about 20 or 30 people. I think they were screaming incredibly throughout all the match and really helped me out.

Q. It looks like a particularly heavy trophy. When you went to lift it up, did it seem light or did it seem heavy?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I didn’t feel anything at that moment. I didn’t make difference about heavy or light or whatever. You know, I just looked at it and looked all those names on it and I thought to myself, Jesus, my name is going to be in that trophy. I was very proud of myself.

Q. Would you like to play the whole year‑round on hard court without having to having to also play on clay?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Probably, yes. I’ll speak with the ATP chairman about it to make all the tournaments hard courts (smiling).

No, you know, you have to always ‑‑ one of the goals of every professional tennis player is to try to be consistent with results on any kind of surface, and I think I managed to do that in the last year and a half.

Q. Will it be tough at Roland Garros, you think?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I’m going to be more relieved now, even though, you know, coming as a Grand Slam champion, all the tournaments in this season. You know, I feel better now, you know, not with too much pressure.

We’ll see. I play my best tennis on the most important events, so it’s encouraging thing.

Q. When you were a small boy in a small country ravaged by war, could you imagine a day like this, when you are actually a Grand Slam champion?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I was dreaming of it many times. I was watching a lot of legends in the sport lifting up Grand Slam trophies, so I wished to be in that situation one day. So it’s like a dream come true.

Q. Was it a reality or was it just a dream?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I always believed. You know, I always believed. I didn’t want to think in a negative way. I always had a big support, especially from my parents, my father. You know, I think he always believed more in me than I did in myself.

With the way I was playing throughout all the junior years and junior events, I think I earned enough confidence and motivation to be a professional tennis player and to be as a Grand Slam champion.

So, you know, for somebody it was not realistic, for somebody, yes. And it was difficult to judge in that time because Serbia doesn’t have such a big tennis tradition. Considering all these bad times we had, you know, in the time when I grew up and practicing there. So it was basically impossible if you look in it that way, but I always believed.

Q. Was your family affected by the war?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I wouldn’t talk about the war. It’s just something that I’ll pass.

Q. Can you tell a little bit how you became so good? You mentioned several times the conditions in Serbia weren’t very good to be a tennis player.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, you know, I think everybody was really surprised with the amount of the players we produced from such a small country with no tennis tradition. So I think it’s still unexplainable, because there was no system whatsoever in our country for tennis and we didn’t get so much support needed in that stage, mostly needed.

But we always had I can say strong support from our closest, you know, from the parents. And I think this hunger for success and the times and things we went through made us stronger. I think so.

Q. Everybody assumes they might have a bit of an idea of what it is like to actually win a Grand Slam. When you do win a Grand Slam, what’s it like?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You should start playing professionally and maybe you’ll get to this stage (smiling).

Well, how can I explain? You know, I’m still not aware of such a success, as I said on the start. You know, sitting here with a Grand Slam trophy beside me, I’m still probably on the court and still with the thoughts on the match and all these two weeks. I don’t realize it still.

But I think people in my country will prove it to me bigtime.

Q. Can you relive the match point?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t know. I really don’t know. I can’t remember. I just remember that I fell down and I was relieved and so happy. I even couldn’t show my emotions because of the momentum, so it’s very difficult to say what I felt.

Q. What do you remember of the celebration you had after Paris when you and Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic were received in Belgrade? What do you expect now will happen?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I see smiles from the Serbian journalists there. It says it all.

Yeah, we still didn’t have a Grand Slam champion. Now I don’t even realize how big deal this is. I really am overjoyed with the victory and very happy that the people in Serbia appreciate what we have done ‑ not just myself, but everybody.

With that reception, they proved that they have a lot of respect. Even though Ana played finals, me and Jelena, we played semifinals. You know, if you look at it, maybe some players from other country, semifinals, Grand Slam finals, not a big deal. But for us it was a big deal in that moment.

Q. How many people were there?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: About 20,000, I think. Now I don’t know. I mean, I was always watching as a kid all the successful professional athletes from our country, let’s say basketball, basketball winners, the European World Championship, Olympic medals, water polo, volleyball.

All these guys, when they win something big, they go to this balcony of the government. It’s our tradition to have reception, you know, for such a great success. There’s always so many people filled up on the streets. You don’t even know the numbers.

Maybe I’m gonna have this, as well (smiling).

Q. You’re already a celebrity in your country. Grand Slam champion. How do you think you can cope with that celebrity?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, this is something which comes with the success, I think. To be popular and to be celebrity, it is very nice. It’s very flattering when the people recognize you on the streets and come up to you saying many words of things and of respect and a lot of positive comments. You have to be proud of yourself, you know.

But it is important to keep the balance always in the life. That’s what I’m trying to learn right now, you know, because I am still young and getting into the business. More people pay attention on me and what I do.

Of course, I have to try to keep my focus on tennis because that’s what I want to do still in next 10, 15 years. Who knows. Everything else, you know, I’ll manage to survive.

These photos I took are all posted on my flickr site. They are from various tournaments in 2006. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

Maria Sharapova
Originally uploaded by -robynw-

Maria Sharapova
Originally uploaded by -robynw-

Maria Sharapova
Originally uploaded by -robynw-

Maria Sharapova
Originally uploaded by -robynw-

A REVIEW of the Australian Open’s night session policy will result in next year’s women’s final taking place at night as another night session is added to the schedule, due mainly to the power of television.

The contentious early-morning finish to the Lleyton Hewitt-Marcos Baghdatis match, which started just before midnight last Saturday night and finished at 4.34am the following morning, has brought the issue of night tennis into sharp focus but next year’s Open is set to feature night sessions on every day of the tournament.

Yesterday’s women’s final between Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic will be the last played in day time and the showpiece match moved to night time next year.

The shift will mirror the move of the men’s final, which first moved into television prime time in 2005, when Lleyton Hewitt’s defeat at the hands of Russian star Marat Safin became the most watched program of the year. It will give Channel Seven a full schedule of prime-time viewing, where Seven’s ratings have been strong.

Andy Roddick’s third-round marathon match against German Philipp Kohlschreiber, which also finished early in the morning, was the fourth-highest-rated show in Australia — behind only news broadcasts — and even maintained enough ratings to stay in the top 20 once the match went into the early hours of last Saturday week.

Tennis Australia would not confirm the change in timing but a spokesman said it would be part of the yearly review of “everything” at the end of the tournament.

That review will take into account the rules around late-night starts. Currently, the match referee can decide whether to start a match after 11pm. The Age

Ana had no luck with her drop shot yesterday, and television commentators are starting to point out that it seems to be something the Serbian players have in common. I believe it is getting the nickname of the “Belgrade bomb” from some people.

IT may be a while before Ana Ivanovic attempts another drop shot.

There are defining moments in matches and bungling a drop shot when you could have set up a set point is far from ideal.

Perhaps it was a case of getting caught up in the moment - with her nose in front at 5-4 in the first set, the Serb was gaining confidence.

But an untimely brain fade proved costly as she lost that game and eventually the set 7-5.

Proud but still reeling afterwards, she offered a blunt assessment of her poor shot selection.

“Yes it hurts I can tell you that,” she said.

No doubt she had been dwelling on it and might have added a few other choice words.

Compounding the result was a telling stat - after taking out the first set, Ivanovic goes on to win almost

100 per cent of her matches.

But forced to play catch up, she needed her A-game to recover.

After a tight struggle early in the second set, the contest went flat.

She was broken to go down 5-3 and Maria Sharapova needed a single match point to grab her third grand slam title.

The Serb made mistakes at crucial times, and Sharapova was in no mood to let her off the hook.

Channel 7 commentators remarked early in the telecast that Ivanovic looked nervous.

It was her second grand slam final appearance, but she said she felt surprisingly comfortable. Herald Sun

If she wasn’t nervous, she didn’t have her thoughts together yet - she looked very nervous and just did not play aggressively. It is her chance to turn this around now.

Chris Guccione, who had a fairly good showing already this year, will also join the team.

Lleyton Hewitt will lead the Australian team in next month’s Davis Cup Asia/Oceania first round tennis tie against Taiwan in Kaohsiung, Tennis Australia said Wednesday.

The world number 22 heads a squad including Chris Guccione (91), Alun Jones (137), doubles specialist Paul Hanley (10 in doubles) and Joseph Sirianni (146).

The tie will be played on hardcourt from February 8-10.

Another weighing in of the press on Yuri’s behavior.

Sharapov’s belligerence, captured by a camera he knew was in his face, belongs in a professional wrestling ring, not beside a tennis court. Even the American NFL, the world’s most violent football code, banned the throat-slashing gesture - which some players had called “the OJ” - eight years ago.

This was one of those clear-cut incidents when there was no alternative but to act.

And, as a bonus, by punishing Sharapov, the authorities would send a message to those who believe women’s tennis is run by starstruck sycophants who tread on egg shells around the players and their families in the knowledge they are more dispensable than the divas and prima donnas upon whom their livelihood depends. It was a chance to let everyone know who is boss.

When the verdict was delivered we found out. Is that one lump of sugar or two, Mr Sharapov?

You see, it was all just one big misunderstanding. What we thought was a violent gesture, the WTA Tour reported, was actually just an in-joke about Sharapov’s hooded sweatshirt, which his daughter thought made him look like an assassin.

And, if you didn’t believe that, there was an alternative official version. It wasn’t throat-slitting but the film director’s signal for “cut”. As in game over. It’s a wrap.

So, rather than punishment, the Sharaps are actually in line for two Oscars: best director for Yuri and best sound effects for Maria.

Oh, and one more thing the WTA Tour wanted to make clear: Be sure to say that Channel Seven was wrong when it said the incident was being “investigated”. Definitely not! After all, they didn’t want Sharapov thinking anyone had been asking awkward questions. I mean, you don’t want the guy angry when you’re booking his courtesy cars or delivering his complimentary tickets.

Which made you wonder how Kevin Sheedy feels. The legendary former Essendon coach was fined $7500 seven years ago for making a throat-slitting gesture at West Coast’s Mitchell White at half-time after one of his players was felled behind play. The killjoys at the AFL tribunal didn’t think it was an in-joke between the wily coach and the Eagles’ forward but a crude, inflammatory action. Now Sheedy must wish he had used the Cecil B. DeSheedy defence.

Sure, Sharapov appeared to direct his gesture at his daughter rather than her opponent. But years after infamous tennis dad Jim Pierce screamed from courtside for his daughter Mary to “Kill the bitch”, do we need Sharapov acting as if that is what his daughter had just done?

Imagine the outcry if Ricky Ponting crossed his throat after Brett Lee sent Sachin Tendulkar’s off stump cartwheeling. Some want the Australian captain sacked. For that they would demand he be hung, drawn, quartered and paraded through the streets of Hobart.

The incident left a bitter after-taste on a night that had presented Sharapova’s game in a brilliant light. Even after wiping Rod Laver Arena with Henin, she had been strangely terse in her on-court interview with Todd Woodbridge, seemingly upset the commentators dared analyse her performance.

None of which will diminish the new title favourite’s popularity with tennis consumers when she meets Jelena Jankovic in today’s semi-final. It certainly won’t faze the agents, sponsors and tour officials who profit from her game and good looks. Those people know that to fall out with the game’s most marketable star would be to cut their own throats. SMH

Newly-crowned Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova said she would celebrate her win Saturday by burning her father Yuri’s infamous “assassin” camouflage hooded top.

Sharapov caused outrage at the season-opening Grand Slam when he made a throat-slitting gesture after his daughter’s quarter-final win over world number one Justine Henin as he wore the army-print sweatshirt courtside.

He escaped punishment for his actions after tennis authorities accepted his explanation that it was an in-joke between father and daughter that had been misinterpreted.

However, the Australian press said it was “gutter behaviour” that cemented his place in the club of infamous tennis parents, while even Sharapova said her father “looks like an assassin” in the top.

She said after downing Serbian fourth seed Ana Ivanovic in the final that she was going to get rid of the controversial garment once and for all.

“I’m actually going to burn his jacket,” she said.

“I’m burning that thing, he didn’t hide it yet.”

The 20-year-old, who rushed to embrace her father after the win, said she had not been upset when he was criticised about the throat-slitting incident.

“No, because the whole thing was an inside joke and I’m just taking care of business out on the court, that’s my number one priority,” she said.

Former Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin, writing in The Australian earlier this week, called Sharapov “a poor role model”.

“That was a highly inappropriate gesture and was totally unnecessary. It’s bad manners and has no place in sport,” said the American.

“It’s one thing to celebrate in a positive way, but it’s another to taunt a world-class champion like Henin.”

The incident means Sharapov, already notorious for his vocal courtside encouragment of his daughter, seems destined to take his place alongside other infamous tennis parents, including Jim Pierce and Damir Dokic. AFP

Based on the punishments handed out to other sporting figures acting in this way, it does appear that Yuri is being handled with kid gloves by the WTA. Why are they so afraid of him?

For some reason, I always end up sitting near him when I go to tournaments - I’ve bothered him in the past, and I won’t hesitate to do some fake throat slashing of my own in the refreshments line.

Q. How was the feeling of your second Grand Slam final compared to your first?

ANA IVANOVIC: It was definitely a better experience. I won more games. It’s a little bit disappointing because I thought I had a lot of chances in that first set but didn’t use them.

But, you know, still, it’s a learning experience for me. I fought hard, you know. I just felt a little bit let down with my forehand, made some big mistakes in crucial moments.

So, you know, that wasn’t something I was hoping for. But, still, she played well and she had a great tournament.

Q. Was anxiety and nerves ever a factor out there?

ANA IVANOVIC: No, not really. I really felt comfortable out there. I wasn’t too nervous at all.

Obviously in the beginning, like everyone other match, but I managed to hold my nerves really well out there today. I was serving quite well, and on some occasions I would a little bit drop.

But she’s a tough opponent and she saw, you know, when I had troubles with my serve or with my forehand and she used that well.

Q. Did you think she played well today?

ANA IVANOVIC: I think she played well. She was a little bit nervous, I would say. She had also chances in the beginning of the first set. She was a break up, and then I broke her back.

Yeah, and then I still had some chances on my own, and she still fought hard and played some good tennis and managed to win that first set, and I’m sure that gave her confidence.

Q. Was the heat on center court, did that have any effect on you at all?

ANA IVANOVIC: Not at all. I practiced hard in Sydney in December, and it was really hot. Today on the court was much warmer than any other day, but still, you know, I enjoyed it. It wasn’t bothering me at all.

Q. You said all tournament you haven’t really played your best tennis here in the last few weeks. Was that the case again today? If so, what do you need to work on?

ANA IVANOVIC: No, I felt I played some good tennis in these two weeks. You know, that gave me a lot of confidence. Today, you know, just in some important moments I, you know, miss‑hit a lot.

You know, I knew I had to be aggressive, and that type of game will obviously cause more mistakes. That was the case, and I just made maybe few too many mistakes.

But, you know, it’s definitely a great experience for me. This position I was in, you know, it was my second final, Grand Slam final. So it’s something, you know, I can learn from, and this experience helped me. She was in this situation more times than I was.

Q. Her serve was outrageous today, barely losing a point.

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it was a little bit disappointing for me because she was serving so well. It was hard for me to control the returns. I tried to focus on my serve, and I managed to hold my serve most of the times.

But, you know, it’s very hard because I didn’t get many chances on her serve, so it was a little disappointing for me.

Q. Did you regret the dropshot most of all?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yes, it hurts, I can tell you that (laughter). Yeah, it was a little bit poor shot selection, I would say.

Q. Sometimes in sport you need to have a loss like this to give you incentive for the next time, maybe like Maria had last year. Will you build on this one now and work on next year?

ANA IVANOVIC: For sure. I already felt much better, you know, in today’s final than I felt in the French Open final. So it’s something very positive.

And obviously I was emotional out there and I was really disappointed I couldn’t take these chances I had. But, you know, at the other hand, I’m still young and I still think I have a lot of Grand Slam finals in front of me. So it’s just a learning experience and learning process.

And, as I said, I wasn’t in these situations many times. Only last year was that I had opportunity to play against top players in the big occasions, so this was one of them. It’s definitely ‑‑ you know, it hurts a bit now, but I’m sure I can learn from it.

Q. Did Novak get a chance to speak to you before you went out to play today?

ANA IVANOVIC: No. No, I haven’t seen him at all. I mean, he had great win last night. He played some good tennis. You know, he has good chance in the final. Tsonga is also playing very well. I’m sure it’s going to be very interesting. But I hope he can take title for Serbia.

Q. Will you stay to watch it?

ANA IVANOVIC: Unfortunately I have to leave tomorrow afternoon because I have to play Fed Cup.

Q. Can you see more Grand Slam final encounters with Maria?

ANA IVANOVIC: I’m almost certain of that. We had already quite a few matches against each other. She’s a great competitor. I’m sure she will do well in the future, as well.

You know, I really feel I’m also improving my game and I’m learning how to be a top player. These situations help me.

So I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to play against each other in the final of a Grand Slam.

Q. You’re going to play Fed Cup. It will be the first time?

ANA IVANOVIC: No, I played Fed Cup two years ago. We were also in a group in Bulgaria. Yeah, I think it’s just a pity that we have such a good team with Jelena and myself. I think we can get out of that group and get into the World Group. I think we deserve place in it (smiling). So hopefully this year we can get out.

Q. Do you enjoy this Grand Slam more than any other one you’ve played in yet?

ANA IVANOVIC: Every Grand Slam is very special. It’s very hard to pick one.

But I love Australia. I have relatives here so, you know, I just feel very comfortable here. And I feel sort of, you know, playing in front of Aussie crowd is like playing in front of home crowd. So I think that’s the biggest difference between all other Grand Slams.

Q. What does Australia Day at Mentone hold for the rest of the night? Barbecue out the back?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yes. How did you know (laughter)? Yeah, because as I already mentioned before, my uncle has a birthday and it’s Australia Day. We gonna go to their place. I think they’re already preparing some barbecue.

Yeah, I really hope they won’t mention much about the match today because I don’t know how happy I will be to talk about it.

But, you know, still we gonna try to have fun. It was great two weeks for me, so we can celebrate something.

Q. What are your feelings after that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: So exciting. Uhm, I don’t know. It’s amazing. You know, sometimes you just ‑‑ when you’re putting the work in it just seems so, so hard, and you never know when that work’s gonna pay off. When you’re going through tough moments, you never know when you’re going to have good moments.

I’m just so thankful that I got this one.

Q. Have you ever had a better serving performance? Losing two points in the second set.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t think today was my best serving performance of the match (sic). I think I served better against Lindsay and Justine.

But I did the things I needed to do in order to win the match. However way I did it, you know, at the end of the day, I won it.

Q. Is it even more satisfying because of what happened in the final here last year?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. Just satisfying, period, to win a Grand Slam, and to win one that you’ve never won before, especially after some of the tough losses that I’ve had.

Looking back at those, it makes it ‑‑ you know, it makes it a little more special, as well.

Q. What was going through your mind on match point, then when you got it?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I had a couple before I actually did it, but I was not holding back. You know, I wasn’t gonna make her hit an error. I wanted to force ‑‑ I wanted to go for the shot rather than her just giving me the point.

Q. Doesn’t happen very often that someone wins a tournament without dropping a set. How does that make you feel? Pretty emphatic?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, the feeling is just so weird, because with every match you play, you finish the match and you think, there’s one more to go and you’ve got to concentrate.

Although you just beat a top player, you played really good tennis, you always feel like there’s one more to go. And right now there’s no more to go, and I just can’t feel that yet, you know (smiling). I feel like I still have to get up tomorrow and play another match.

But it will settle in ‑ I hope ‑ really soon. I mean, I don’t have a match till next week, so…

Q. You struggled in the past here in the heat. Pretty hot out there today. Was there ever a moment where you felt a bit uncomfortable?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Not at all. When I was in Singapore a couple weeks ago it was so hot and humid out there. I got to practice there for about three days outdoors. It was great, because when I got out on the court today, I was like, This is a piece of cake. Even though it’s hot, it wasn’t nearly as hot as it was over there.

You know, just mentally going into the match I didn’t really care. Whatever it took, I was just gonna, you know, try to do everything I could to win that match.

Q. Ana thought you were a little nervous in the early part of the first set. Were you?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: On one of the service games, you know, I forced the issue a little bit. We got new balls and I was hitting with the wind, and I think I just went for a little too much on my second serves.

But, you know, I was also two points away from losing that first set and I served my way out of it. She got a little bit tight and also nervous because I think, you know, I was the one that was very close to losing that set.

But I was just steady. I made her hit another ball, and it slipped away from her.

Q. How will you celebrate tonight?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t know. I heard there’s a good concert tonight, so maybe I can attend that. I don’t know. But I’m just gonna be with my team and enjoy it, have a nice dinner. Tomorrow I’m back on an airplane.

Q. Do you think the experience of winning before gave you the edge today?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t know, because when you’re ‑‑ going into the match, I mean, I certainly wasn’t thinking about the Grand Slams that I’ve won before. I was just really concentrated on the current match, on my opponent, on the things I had to do in order to beat her today rather than thinking what I’ve done in the past.

You know, yes, when I was down Love‑30 on my serve, when she had that opportunity to break me and win that set, I think experience definitely helped me because I didn’t get ‑‑ you know, I didn’t get impatient. I was just steady. I knew that, you know, it was for her to take. I mean, she’s two points away from winning the first set in a Grand Slam final. You know, if you want it, take it. And she didn’t.

You know, was that experience? You know, I was just calm. I just did the right things.

Q. Do you sense this matchup with Ana could be a rivalry that will take the game forward for years to come?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t know if it’s a rivalry. I think we’ll probably have to play a few more times in order for it to become, you know, a rivalry. You know, we’re two of the top players. We’re both young. We’re both 20 years old. I think both of us have great careers ahead of us.

Q. You spoke to your mother, as usual, after the event. Do you think you’ll ever manage to encourage her to come to a tournament?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Maybe. Maybe when it’s not a 24‑hour flight.

Q. Is it nerves about flying or nerves about watching you?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, no, she’s not nervous about flying. It’s just too long of a flight to just come out, you know, the day before and watch the final.

Yeah, maybe sometime in my career.

Q. You talk lovingly about your mom’s contribution to your childhood and life. How does dad cope with being on the road with you all the time, him being away from your mother but his wife? How does that work?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, you know, it’s strange because my career obviously, although it’s amazing the things it has brought us, there are a lot of downfalls. You know, my parents don’t get to see each other very often, especially when I’m at tournaments.

If you play 18 tournaments a year, four of those Grand Slams, three weeks at a Grand Slam, it’s a numerous amount of weeks.

But, you know, those are the sacrifices that I and my family, you know, have to make.

Q. Are they able to hold it together?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, yeah, thank God they are. Yeah, definitely. Every time we get the opportunity ‑‑ the great thing about my family is that, you know, we’re pretty independent people. When it comes to, you know, if I go on a trip that’s six weeks long or even eight weeks long, sometimes from the clay to Wimbledon that’s what it is. By the fourth week, sometimes someone gets homesick or whatever.

But, you know, we’ve been through a much tougher process, you know, with not seeing my mom when I was younger. You know, those eight weeks, you know, we don’t mind anymore. But it’s great that my family is able to be so close and so supportive.

Q. Does dad remember to send the flowers?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Dad, yeah. He sometimes forgets, but I’m the one to remind him.

Q. Have you received a text message from Billie Jean King to congratulate you, and what did it say?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I have actually.

Q. What did it say?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Congratulations. You did great.

Q. On paper at the start of the tournament, you looked like you had a very hard road. Does that make this slam the most satisfying of the three, do you think?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I think that just proves so many things in regards to, you know, the questions you’re asked before the tournament starts, you know, when you’re told that you have a tough draw. I mean, I was told that I had a really great draw at the US Open, and I played horrific tennis.

You know, you just have to take it one match at a time. You’ve got to believe in yourself. This was probably the toughest draw that I’ve ever had in a Grand Slam, but I’m the champion here. So if I can get a tough draw again and win it, hey, I’d do it any day.

Q. You spoke about Billie Jean on the television interview. Can you tell us how that started, how often she does sort of offer you advice and congratulations?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It’s interesting. I think the first time I met her was when I was playing a junior tournament in Roehampton when I was 13 or 14 years old. I remember her coming to both of my parents and myself and just having a normal conversation, like, Hello, how are you? How is everything going? How is your training?

I was like, Whoa. That’s pretty amazing. Billie Jean King just came up to us. From that point on, she’s just always been, you know, really supportive. I actually don’t see her that often, apart from World TeamTennis and some of the Grand Slams that she comes to.

But, you know, she’s always one of the first people to text me when either I’m having a tough moment or a great win. It’s wonderful because she’s just done so much for the game and such a great supporter of the sport. You know, to spend whatever it is, a minute of her life sending me a text, is wonderful, you know, wishing me the best.

Q. Is it all done by text, or do you ever talk to her?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t speak to her that often, actually, no.

Q. You seemed really driven to win this title. You’ve done that. What now? Obviously you want to win other titles. Justine has been the dominant force the last six months. Would you like to achieve that sort of domination?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Definitely. But I don’t think that I’ll ‑‑ I don’t think that I’m quite physically and experienced enough to do that. I know I’ve already won three Grand Slams. I know I keep saying this, but I don’t think I’m at the peak of my career yet. I don’t think my body has 100% developed into its own. I’ve got many more things to learn, you know, in my tennis, and many things to build and improve.

That takes time. It’s not an overnight process. It’s something that I look forward to. No matter how many tough times or bad days I’m going to have, as long as I walk up in the morning and can’t wait to get that tennis racquet out of my bag, I’ll always be looking forward to improving.

Q. I think you made a nice speech today. That comes with experience also, or you prepare sometimes a little bit before?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I usually don’t even know what I’m saying. About five people just told me that I said some great things. I was like, I did? Sometimes I don’t know what I say, especially today.

I was so overwhelmed about the fact that, you know, the middle of last year my thought process was just so different. I had many negative thoughts. If I would have thought, you know, in the middle of last year that I’d be standing on that stage, you know, with that winning trophy, I don’t think I would have believed it.

But, you know, I don’t know. I guess my mom, as well. That education and speaking well and those essays I write, that I wrote all the time, that helps as well.

Q. You’re going to play for Russia in the Federation Cup the first time. What circumstances have changed that you’re going to play when you’ve missed previous ones?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, fingers crossed, this will be the first time after a Grand Slam that I don’t get sick or injured. Over the last few years, especially when I get into the later stages of a Grand Slam, you know, your immune system goes down and something just out of nowhere comes up.

I’m so excited about the opportunity. Last year in April I was so close to going on the plane. The doctors told me, you know, You can’t. Your career can be in jeopardy if you go out and play competitive matches.

I’m really excited about the opportunity. Going there at the end of last year and experiencing it and seeing the girls win, the whole experience was really great for me.

From the beginning of the year, this was one of my priorities. I’m excited it’s in Israel because it’s the first time I’m going there. It’s quite a long trip over there, but it will be good.

Q. The Olympics is obviously in your sights.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yes, that’s another one of my priorities. It is. I think it’s not ‑‑ I don’t think players consider it as a tournament. I think ‑‑ I mean, in tennis you have a tournament every single week. But for other athletes, I mean figure skaters and other various sports, it just comes once in four years.

I think for tennis players it’s just incredible to be part of it. I’m very looking forward to the opening ceremony. I think that’s one of the things that I was always watching on TV. My parents allowed me to stay up late to watch the opening ceremonies.

I’d wait till, you know, Russia would come up. They would always be the last because it’s the later letter in the alphabet. That would kill me because it would be about 1:00 in the morning. I’d put my white hat on, because that’s what they were wearing, and walk around the house. So that’s something that I’ve very looking forward to.

Q. Although you live in America, the Russian heritage is something that means a great deal to you?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Absolutely. I moved to the United States because of my career. If I wouldn’t have this career, I’d probably be back home in Russia in college right now, as one of my friends is that I grew up with back there.

But, you know, those are some of the things you have to sacrifice in your life, in your career. I got the opportunity to move to a new place that taught me ‑‑ that made me more mature and basically has given me so many opportunities in my life, so…

Q. Is it going to be one of your priorities also to get a better relationship with the other Russian girls, Kuznetsova, Chakvetadze, Dementieva? Because they were in Moscow when you were there in the final of the Fed Cup. I didn’t have the impression that there was a big nice feeling between you. Just you and Vesnina were very close.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Actually, the majority of us have a wonderful relationship; we do. I don’t know what you saw, but we all went to team dinners. Yeah, I do. I have really good relationships.

Q. Chakvetadze said, I don’t understand why Maria came for the final.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I obviously didn’t play because I was injured and I couldn’t play. But, you know, the captain asked me to come there and support them, and that’s the least I could do for them.

Q. In your speech, you mentioned the tragic events within your camp last year. How much did that change your perspective?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It completely changed my perspective on life. I think the reason for that is because it’s one of the closest people in my team, in my family, that passed away. I’m lucky to have my grandparents and family and friends very healthy, knock on wood.

But that was ‑‑ it was a tough experience because it was so long, the process. She was sick with cancer for many years, and it had come back a few times. Every time she would be better, all of a sudden in six months she’d get it back again.

For the last two months of her life she was just a different person and not herself. All that suffering and everything that she went through, it was hard to deal with. I can only imagine how hard it was for Michael and his family. It just puts so much perspective into your life. During the time when I was practicing, the days I could practice without being injured, it was hard to motivate myself because tennis just didn’t seem important in those moments whatsoever, at all.

Q. Did you have any problems with Ana’s squeaky shoes?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, I didn’t hear anything.

Q. You mentioned the Olympics. If I could offer you the Olympic gold medal or another Wimbledon, you could only have one of them, what would you have?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That’s so tough. I think because I already have a Wimbledon title I’d take the Olympic gold medal, yeah. But if it was any other tournament, I would say Wimbledon.

Q. Would you like to play the final at night?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, this was actually different because it was probably the hottest Grand Slam final I’ve played in. The US Open final was obviously at night. It was a good change‑up. I’m glad I had the experience to do that.

It’s done! Maria Sharapova wins 7-5 6-3 over Ana Ivanovic, and daddy Yuri didn’t yet do anything to piss anyone off! A good day for all! Well, maybe not Ana, as she is currently crying on court…

More to come as interviews are conducted…