Sabine Lisicki’s Wimbledon Reflections
The press had plenty of questions for Wimbledon Finalist Sabine Lisicki at New Haven Open this week. Luckily, they weren’t all about Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli’s retirement.
Is your life any different now that you made the Wimbledon final?
It is different. It’s been quite a change when you go home and all of a sudden everybody on the streets knows who you are. It is nice, because it shows that the hard work pays off.
Alright, real quick. Marion’s retirement?
I’ve known Marion for a very long time. I think she thought a lot about it. I think she will be happy. She fulfilled her dream. She wanted to win Wimbledon for her entire life and I am happy for her.
Wrist Injury during or after Wimbledon?
It was during Wimbledon, but I think I handled it well. At a Grand Slam, you give it everything you have no matter what’s happening. And that’s what I did. I needed to take care of it. I needed a bit more time than I wanted (to heal the wrist) but that’s the way it is. I played my first final in a Grand Slam, so that’s good.
On whether she’s tried New Haven’s famous “Apizza”: No, and I probably won’t because I’m gluten-free.
What did it feel like walking out on Centre Court at Wimbledon?
Awesome feeling. I loved every second that I could step out at Wimbledon for every match and especially for the final. I think at Wimbledon the final is even more special than the other grand slams, starting with the walk on court. Everything just changes. All of a sudden you walk on court with flowers, someone else carries your bag, all those little things make a difference. Just that tournament with lots of tradition which I love about. It’s just amazing and I think I’ll learn a lot from that experience knowing how it is.
Did it ease the pain of the loss after hearing Marion had retired recently?
Didn’t change anything. I lost to Marion in the final giving every thing I had. She’s had that experience before and she knew what to expect going into the Wimbledon final. I think that’s a positive for her. She played unbelievable and I wasn’t on top of my game.
But the way to the finals, I couldn’t have a much tougher draw than I had, beating Serena, beating Radwanska and the other three girls as well who played great beforehand on grass. It really was a tough road to the final, but it made me a better player as well for the future. It gives you a huge amount of confidence and it shows that the hard work is paying off. I had to go through tough patches in the past with injuries. Just to get all of that back and to get the support of the crowd, it was the best feeling in the world.
Look out, US Open. The charming Lisicki has a taste for big show courts. I hear playing on Arthur Ashe is pretty sweet, too.
—Stephan Fogleman
