Interview
of Julie Halard-Decugis
09/11/ 2000
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The day she turned 30, Julie won the US Open doubles championships with Ai Sugiyama. She moved up to the n°1 ranking in the world. She agreed to answer my questions just before leaving New York to go to Sydney, where she played the Olympic Games singles and doubles. |
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1)During the first doubles of the year, did you think that, a few months later, you would win the US Open and become the n°1 in the world?
Not at all. I started the year ranked n° 38 in the world. My goal, during the first tournaments of the year, was to fight in order to be seeded at the Australian Open. Winning in Sydney and going so far at the Australian Open (Quarter-finals) was really a surprise. The most important match was the Wimbledon final: it was my first final in a Grand Slam tournament. Playing on the Center Court was really nice. From the Montreal final, Ai and I realised that we were among the frontrunners. After New Haven, the n°1 had only got a few more points than us and winning the US Open allowed us to reach this position
2) At the beginning, what made you choose Ai Sugiyama to play with you?
In fact, we have been friends for a long time. She came to see me during the Masters. She was looking for somebody to play with her because she had been playing with Likhovtseva for a long time and she wanted to change. I was in the same situation because I was playing with Mauresmo but she didn't quite manage to play singles and doubles during the whole year and she only wanted to play a few tournaments in doubles. I love doubles and I need to play a lot. Moreover, with Ai, we were friends. She is a very enthusiastic woman who loves playing doubles as much as me.
3) How do you explain that the first year you play together, you become the best team in the world?
First of all, we are friends. As well as our coaches and our families. Also, I love Japan. I've even tried to learn Japanese but it's very difficult. The other reason is that our games are complementary. That's why, in my opinion, we have good results.
4)Your victory at the US Open, is that the best memory in your career?
Yes, definitely. It's my first Grand Slam tournament, it's the first time I am n°1, it's the first time I celebrated my birthday during the US Open. So, it's really the best moment in my life.
5) How were you when the tournament started?
Quite well. In Montreal, I had played well in singles. Unfortunately, I had a problem with my back and I was lucky because Davenport had to retire due to an injury too. That allowed me to have 3 days to rest. In New Haven, I lost in the first round in singles because I had not really recovered. Playing doubles is very tiring, and it's hard to play in singles just after having played doubles. That's why I lost. But we won doubles. So, I started the US Open feeling quite confident.
6) What is your objective for the end of the year? Will you favour singles or doubles?
I will try to do both. Of course, I'd like to keep my doubles ranking and, concerning singles, my objective is to play the Masters.
Thank you Chris for helping me for the translation