INTERVIEW
le 15/10/2000 après sa victoire à Tokyo
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After 2 weeks in Japan where she reached 4 finals (2 in singles and 2 in doubles), Julie accepted to answer a few questions. During these 15 days, that she considers as "the best fortnight in my career" , she won 2 tournaments in doubles doubles (the Princess Cup and the Japan Open), 1 in singles (the Japan Open) and lost a final against Serena Williams after beating Monica Seles in semifinals. Julie was tired but happy. She talks about these 2 weeks. |
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1)We know that you love Japan. Has it had an influence on your very good results during the last 2 weeks ?
Yes, certainly. But even before that, playing the Olympic Games in singles and in doubles pleased me a lot. I felt I recovered my confidence in singles thanks to my two victories and because of my very tough match against Schett. There was a good atmosphere between the French team members in Sydney, which started my recovery, and then with Japan feeling so special to me, a second home, my self-belief began to return. Moreover, I was made to feel very welcome by the Japanese tennis fans who supported me during all my singles matches and, above all, during the doubles with Ai Sugiyama. There were 11,000 spectators for the final. It was extraordinary.
2) How do you feel after these 2 weeks ?
I am very tired but it doesn't matter when I compare it with all the good things that happened to me during the last 15 days. It has been my best fortnight since I have been on the tour. And when you win, you alwalys recover more easily.
3) What is your schedule for the the next few weeks?
I go back to Switzerland to rest after this fantastic fortnight during which I played 4 finals (2 singles, 2 doubles) and won 3 of them (1 singles, both doubles). Then, I will play in singles and in doubles in Moscow. After that, I will rest for one week and finish the year in the USA in Philadelphia and at the Masters in New York. I have qualified for the doubles there (Julie and Ai are the number one ranked team in the world) and I hope I am about to qualify in singles too: on Monday I was ranked n° 17 in singles. (Sixteen women qualify for New York)
Thank you Chris for helping me for the translation