“The British tennis player commented on Marty’s defeat at the start of Major in the United States”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
– Katie, how do you generally appreciate your game today?
– There were positive and negative points. In the back of the back line, I felt better than in the last weeks, and it is already encouraging. It’s a good step forward. Yes, there were separate draws where not everything was, but it is part of tennis. The biggest problem is my submission. The team and I have tried many different options, but nothing works yet. This is what you need to work hard on. If this element will be corrected, the rest will also be in place.
– Problems with more technical or psychological?
– Probably a combination of both points. We constantly change the balls, conditions, coating and difficult to find stability. There are weeks when I go well and then you need to adjust again in a new place, and I will be lost. In training everything works, and in the match – no. I think more variety is needed and at the same time more trust in your blow. Because simply hit in the court at this level is not enough – rivals immediately press at the reception.
– That is, it is a variety?
– Yes. Sometimes I get hung up on one type of feed, and the rival quickly gets used to. It is necessary to have variations, to go at risk without thinking about the next blow, until the first is completed. This is what you need to work on.
– Sounds as if you are at a certain crossroads in your career. How do you perceive it?
– If you look only at the results, you can say that it is difficult for me. But in fact, I feel very motivated. There was a moment in Montreal that I consider a turning point. There I seemed to press the “Reboot button” and turned myself a drive. For the first time in a long time I feel excitement, I am interested in working on myself, because I know that there is a lot of space for progress.
– Do problems on the court beyond it, do they affect personal life?
– I will not hide – after the defeat there is a bad mood, it is difficult to leave only on the court. But I am very grateful to people around me: they support me, helping to stay in good condition outside of tennis. It’s important to get back to workout in the right mood.
– How long do you have problems with your submission?
– It takes some time. I remember the match in San Diego against Martha-then I made the most double in my life, it seems. And from that week everything will reach. I always complain about these balls – for some reason, I have the worst with them. In addition, I had a shoulder and arms injuries through which I changed the movement during the serving. Therefore, you have to adapt.
– Do you look at the option of attracting a special coach for serving, as Coco Hoff did?
– Yes, I’m open to it. There is no selfishness in my team, everyone wants me to become better. Therefore, if it makes sense to attract an additional specialist, I think we will discuss it.
– You have a ledge for the team on Billy Cup Gin King. Believe that the United Kingdom can win the title?
– Of course! Otherwise, why did we fight so to get there? We have a very strong team, we can play under pressure. Last year, they were in the semifinals, near the finals. I think this time we have a great chance.
– You mentioned a difficult period in Montreal. What was the cause and how did you come out of it?
-After Wimbledon, I was tired, trained more than ever. It exhausted me psychologically. In Montreal, I realized that I was burning. She took a pause – about a week without tennis. She communicated with her psychologist, restored the balance. It was the right step that allowed me to return fresh and new mood.
Video review of Marta Kostyuk’s match – Katie Bulter