April 9, 2008Melilla, Spain An Interview with Vladimira UhlirovaThe top ten player from the Czech Republic gives LRWTT her first interview. Vladimira discusses life on tour, her goals for the year & her problems involving two British hussies. By Giadagiovanna Gorrochategui, staff reporter
© LRWTT Images G. Gorrochategui: First of all, let me thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk about life on tour.
V. Uhlirova: No…no…not a problem at all. In fact, I’ve been meaning to sit down and discuss how things were going. The tournaments are running together very quickly so I apologize for not being available.
GG: How have the tournaments been so far?
VU: Like I just said these tournaments are running back-to-back and there has been a lot of traveling so far. I arrived in Spain just this morning after failing to advance in a grass court event in Australia. The flight was long so I’m sorry if at any time during this interview I come off bitchy.
GG: So grass isn’t exactly your best surface?
VU:
(rolls eyes) I didn’t say that. I had just finished playing in Pattaya and had to rush over to Australia to play a useless tournament. So many players either didn’t show up or they played as if they weren’t there. For example, my doubles “partner”, some girl named Hofmanova, failed to even show up for her singles match and then played like crap during our doubles match. You won’t be seeing me share the same side of the court with that useless “talent”. I didn’t even want to be her doubles partner but the organizers of the event said that she really needed an experienced player. So much for my charitable work for the year
(rolls eyes again).
GG: Let’s discuss the Tier IV event in Thailand. You did manage to reach the doubles final. That’s very impressive.
VU: Thanks. Now when talking about a great doubles players, I have to mention Chani (Scheepers). We’ve played a few times together already this year and I hope to maintain a steady doubles relationship. It’s nice to know that you have someone who’s reliable on the court. After all she is the top ranked singles player on LRWTT. Chani is all about hard work and it definitely shows.
GG: Who else have you played doubles with?
VU: Well this week I asked Mariana (Duque Marino) if she would like to team up. She’s a very sweet girl who had a fabulous week in Pattaya. I think it’s her first Tier IV tournament win so I’m very happy for her. She’s also plays extremely well in doubles. I only play with winners…..and she’s definitely a winner. I’ve also teamed up with Anne (Keothavong) and Palma (Kiraly). Both are nice enough girls but we just didn’t click on the court. Anne has a bit of an attitude problem and I’m not sure if she really wants to be on the tour anymore. Her groundstrokes are sloppy and her movement on court is…well…not the greatest. She’s old and has been on the tour forever. Watching her play these days is like watching a train wreck. You don’t want to watch but you still have that morbid curiosity.
GG: It appears that you don’t get along with most of the British players. Why is that?
VU: I knew this would be brought up so we may as well discuss it. Look….I don’t know what the deal is with Amanda (Elliott) and Bally (Elena Baltacha). I think that they both might be holding a grudge against the player who used to be coached by Aurelio – my current coach.
GG: Zsuzsanna Babos of Hungary, correct?
VU: Yeah that’s her. Apparently they had issues and now they are projecting their dislike of her onto me. It’s really not fair. I tried to be nice to them at the beginning of the year but they continue to be rude and behave like children. I try not to let it bother me and just focus on my career as a great tennis player. Hopefully one day they will grow up but personally I just think that they’re jealous.
GG: Elliott & Baltacha have had some great success so far in doubles and Baltacha did reach the singles final in Pattaya. Apparently they do have some talent. Do you think that perhaps the jealousy is the other way round?
VU: Look….don’t start that crap with me. I know what I’m talking about so just stick to your lame, prepared questions so that we can wrap this up. I have a massage and a nap waiting for me after this.
GG:
(looking uncomfortable) I apologize for that last question.
VU: Well you should be.
GG: Let’s talk about your goals for the year.
VU: Alright.
GG: So…what are they?
VU:
(looks at watch) I would like to really develop my game on grass. I already mentioned that I had a poor showing in Australia but I think that only made me more passionate about my serve-and-volley game. I already obtain a great serve but I need to be more comfortable at the net. The more practice I get in doubles will definitely help out. I plan on doing some intensive training on grass courts in England and in the Netherlands later this spring while trying to squeeze in tournaments throughout Europe. I think that I’m pretty much an all-court player with the exception of carpet. I’ve never been a fan of playing indoors.
GG: Do you think it’s possible to reach #1 in singles by the end of the year?
VU: That’s something that I’m going to strive for. Aurelio managed to coach a top player so I don’t see why he couldn’t do the same with me. Granted it’s really up to me as far as the determination is concerned. I’m pretty focused on my game and on my goals. I’m not a quitter so I think that becoming LRWTT’s top player is a very realistic goal.
GG: On that positive note I would like to thank you again for allowing us to get to know one of the tour’s more prestigious players a little better.
VU: Thanks!
:devil:
