“Madison held a press conference after her victory over Oleksandra Oliynikova”, — write: sport.ua
– It is never easy to win the first victory as the current champion. Please tell us about the match and about your game today.
– I think today I started a little slowly and, of course, I was nervous, but at the same time I have to give credit to my opponent. She has a rather unusual style, and this made the beginning of the match a little more difficult. But at the end of the tiebreak, I really found my game and was able to carry it into the second set.
– Congratulations on the victory. Can you talk about what it was like for you to play the last four games of the first set from your perspective?
– I think at that moment I felt that I was playing too passively and cautiously and not taking advantage of opportunities when they appeared. And when I play my best tennis, I go for a shot when I see a chance. When I conceded, it was 6:4, right? Yeah, when it was 6-4, I felt like I was at least playing the right balls, and if I lose points like that, I’m fine with that. From that moment on, the momentum changed a little, and then I just decided to trust myself and go for the shots.
– You remembered her style of play. When was the last time you played against someone who, for lack of a better word, uses “candles” so effectively, and quite effectively?
– Probably in the category under 12 (laughs). No disrespect to her, of course, but it’s been a really long time since I’ve played against someone with this style, even though she does it very effectively. I could not watch many of her matches in advance – there was not much information on the Internet. The preparation turned out to be somewhat misleading, and already in the match everything looked different. The balls flew very high and very deep, it was difficult. I felt like I couldn’t play on the fly or take the ball right off the bounce because she was hitting so well. So I just had to wait for the right opportunities. But yeah, I’m genuinely impressed with how well she executes those shots.
– You described a series of points that you won in a row to take the first set. What was going through your head at that moment? It’s your first match as a reigning Grand Slam champion, plus an opponent with an unconventional style can be confusing. What were you thinking about?
– At the beginning, I felt that I was playing too carefully and did not trust my first impulse. I was constantly changing my mind about what I wanted to do and it was slowing down my footwork. I felt like I was just reacting and not playing according to a plan. When I won the first game – I think it was 0:4 – I relaxed a little and felt that I was thinking more clearly. Even giving in, I understood what I was doing and what needed to be corrected. From that moment, I gradually started to put everything together, and the end of the tie-break finally sealed everything.
– Madison, great job today. You didn’t play in the last months of last year. Was it more related to physical condition, mental or a combination of both factors? And what was the return process like?
– It was rather physical. I felt that at the end of the season I was not one hundred percent healthy, something was constantly bothering me. And when it gets difficult, it’s important for me to feel good physically. So I focused on recovery. Unfortunately, at the end of the year I also got sick, but the opportunity to regroup and prepare physically as best as possible was very important.
– Let me clarify: was it more about rest or about working in the gym and strengthening weak points?
– Rather, it’s just time to really start rehabilitation. The season is very long and it’s difficult to find windows to maintain strength, fitness and keep everything working properly. At some point, the season just got out of control, and I couldn’t find the right time blocks.
– With all the mental and physical preparation for the defense of the first Grand Slam title, how much does everything change when you go out on the court? Does everything disappear?
– I don’t think that everything disappears. No matter how you imagine this moment and how you prepare, you know you did your best. But at the moment when they say “ready, play”, everything is covered in such a way that it is difficult to explain. And as nerve-racking and stressful as it is, I still remind myself how few people ever get the chance to be in that moment. And to go out on the court today and feel such support from the stands – I am ready to accept this stress every time.
– Your pitch used to look very short, but now it doesn’t. What was the process and logic of these changes?
– I tried to speed up the swing a little. Since I served almost the same for a very long time, it was difficult for me to get into Trophy position quickly. The idea was to make the movement shorter and faster, and then rebuild it again. But the season does not give much time for experiments. Before the finals, I was prepared for the serve to look different, knowing that I would make changes later. The plan was always to extend it again and refine it.
– Madison, do you share the concern of other players that Grand Slam prize money should be a larger share of total earnings?
– From my point of view, I would be more concerned about the Grand Slam tournaments investing in the welfare of the players. Tours already do this – health care, pensions, etc. After all, we are all partners and need each other. Therefore, I would first of all like to see investments in the welfare of the players. Of course, I would also like the funds to go to prizes, but first of all, to the protection of players.
– The question is less serious. Many women, including my wife, consider it a nightmare to come to an event and see someone in the same dress. Does it annoy female tennis players that you often play in the same uniform at tournaments?
– I don’t. I think it’s different for everyone, but personally, I’m always comfortable wearing what I’m told to wear.
