1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,587 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:11,947 Speaker 1: from News Talks edb. 3 00:00:12,947 --> 00:00:16,267 Speaker 2: Kee We tennis player Lulusun has taken us all on 4 00:00:16,787 --> 00:00:20,307 Speaker 2: a magnificent ride at Wimbledon these last two weeks, reaching 5 00:00:20,627 --> 00:00:22,947 Speaker 2: the quarterfinals. We're going to see an all full law 6 00:00:23,107 --> 00:00:26,907 Speaker 2: of the New Zealander Lulu Sun. We qualify that has 7 00:00:27,147 --> 00:00:30,787 Speaker 2: lit up this tournament. She'll be around fifty in the 8 00:00:30,787 --> 00:00:34,587 Speaker 2: world on Monday's rankings and we look forward to seeing 9 00:00:34,707 --> 00:00:39,147 Speaker 2: that and at Wimbledon next year. Lulusun joins us here 10 00:00:39,227 --> 00:00:43,067 Speaker 2: on Weekend Sportloader. Congratulations on a terrific fortnight that we 11 00:00:43,187 --> 00:00:46,147 Speaker 2: all were totally enraptured with back here in New Zealand. 12 00:00:46,347 --> 00:00:49,547 Speaker 2: How do you yourself reflect on the last fortnight? 13 00:00:49,667 --> 00:00:57,067 Speaker 3: In general terms, it's been a worldwaid of emotions and experiences, 14 00:00:57,147 --> 00:01:04,947 Speaker 3: new experiences and a lot of lessons learned. And I 15 00:01:05,187 --> 00:01:09,947 Speaker 3: can only you know, thank everyone that helped me and 16 00:01:10,027 --> 00:01:15,107 Speaker 3: supported me through all these weeks. And I'll just continue 17 00:01:15,147 --> 00:01:20,627 Speaker 3: working and continue, you know, trying to level up for 18 00:01:20,867 --> 00:01:21,987 Speaker 3: future future events. 19 00:01:22,027 --> 00:01:24,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, to even get into the mind draw, you had 20 00:01:24,707 --> 00:01:26,787 Speaker 2: to play qualifying, didn't you. You had your three rounds of 21 00:01:26,827 --> 00:01:29,307 Speaker 2: qualifying to get into the mind draw. Once you reached 22 00:01:29,387 --> 00:01:34,307 Speaker 2: the mind draw, what were your goals your aspirations? 23 00:01:35,027 --> 00:01:41,507 Speaker 3: Well, coming from already playing passing qualifying in Australian Open, 24 00:01:42,267 --> 00:01:45,107 Speaker 3: I was hoping this time to pass the first round 25 00:01:46,507 --> 00:01:49,467 Speaker 3: so it could be better, you know, one more step 26 00:01:49,827 --> 00:01:54,547 Speaker 3: than Australian Open. So yeah, I mean I didn't have 27 00:01:54,627 --> 00:01:59,147 Speaker 3: a lot of expectations, but obviously you know, you want 28 00:01:59,147 --> 00:02:02,547 Speaker 3: to do well at the same time, so I was 29 00:02:02,667 --> 00:02:06,787 Speaker 3: just taking it match by match, and after my first one, 30 00:02:06,827 --> 00:02:08,907 Speaker 3: I was like, Okay, let's go go work on the 31 00:02:08,947 --> 00:02:11,467 Speaker 3: next one, and then the next one and then the 32 00:02:11,507 --> 00:02:16,947 Speaker 3: next one. So it kind of spiraled and I'm just 33 00:02:17,307 --> 00:02:19,867 Speaker 3: super happy I was able to experience all that and 34 00:02:19,867 --> 00:02:22,147 Speaker 3: against super players as well. 35 00:02:22,587 --> 00:02:25,027 Speaker 2: How much confidence were you building during this time? How 36 00:02:25,107 --> 00:02:27,907 Speaker 2: much how much more confident did you become with each 37 00:02:27,987 --> 00:02:29,347 Speaker 2: match that you won? 38 00:02:30,067 --> 00:02:34,507 Speaker 3: Definitely? I mean even with any win, you know, you get, 39 00:02:34,587 --> 00:02:37,867 Speaker 3: you build up your confidence and your sureeness in your 40 00:02:37,907 --> 00:02:42,107 Speaker 3: game and what you're doing, and it also brings up 41 00:02:42,147 --> 00:02:46,587 Speaker 3: momentum to you as well, so I think it definitely 42 00:02:47,027 --> 00:02:48,867 Speaker 3: brought up each round. 43 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:54,667 Speaker 2: Yeah, across the tournament, Lulu, what do you think contributed 44 00:02:54,707 --> 00:02:57,347 Speaker 2: most to your success? What were you doing particularly well 45 00:02:57,347 --> 00:02:59,987 Speaker 2: across all your matches at Wimbledon that got you all 46 00:03:00,027 --> 00:03:01,387 Speaker 2: the way through to the quarterfinals. 47 00:03:02,747 --> 00:03:06,907 Speaker 3: I think having an aggressive grame was definitely helping. And 48 00:03:07,067 --> 00:03:11,547 Speaker 3: obviously my serve and forehand were, you know, the the 49 00:03:11,627 --> 00:03:17,547 Speaker 3: helpful strokes that I had in my game. So I mean, 50 00:03:17,587 --> 00:03:20,747 Speaker 3: on grass, obviously you have to be aggressive and come 51 00:03:20,787 --> 00:03:25,347 Speaker 3: to the net because it you know, when you're aggressive, 52 00:03:25,387 --> 00:03:27,867 Speaker 3: you get advantages more on the net. To be able 53 00:03:27,907 --> 00:03:31,387 Speaker 3: to come in more opportunities as well, and to be 54 00:03:31,427 --> 00:03:33,827 Speaker 3: able to finish in the net also helps you because 55 00:03:33,867 --> 00:03:37,027 Speaker 3: sometimes if you don't, then the rally might continue. 56 00:03:37,107 --> 00:03:41,187 Speaker 2: So yeah, but that's not an adjustment for you, is it? Necessarily? 57 00:03:41,507 --> 00:03:43,627 Speaker 2: From what I can see and have read and have seen, 58 00:03:44,187 --> 00:03:46,387 Speaker 2: that's your game, isn't it? The aggressive game, the serve 59 00:03:46,427 --> 00:03:49,307 Speaker 2: and volley coming to the net, and it clearly worked 60 00:03:49,307 --> 00:03:52,427 Speaker 2: for you at Wimbledon. So so this surface and this 61 00:03:52,507 --> 00:03:55,467 Speaker 2: tournament probably probably search your game, does it. 62 00:03:56,027 --> 00:03:59,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, it does, I've I've played it only a few 63 00:03:59,307 --> 00:04:04,267 Speaker 3: times before, so but I enjoy my time on grass 64 00:04:04,347 --> 00:04:12,947 Speaker 3: always because it's a short season Montanna's unfortunately, but I 65 00:04:13,067 --> 00:04:16,227 Speaker 3: enjoy each surface as well because you you have to 66 00:04:16,267 --> 00:04:19,867 Speaker 3: adapt a little bit on each surface, a little bit 67 00:04:19,907 --> 00:04:22,387 Speaker 3: of your game, a little bit of how you move 68 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:27,067 Speaker 3: as well. So it's it's sort of this adaptability game always, 69 00:04:27,627 --> 00:04:29,027 Speaker 3: and so I really enjoy that. 70 00:04:29,987 --> 00:04:33,827 Speaker 2: Tell us about the experience of center court, playing on 71 00:04:34,027 --> 00:04:36,707 Speaker 2: center court for the first time, and not only on 72 00:04:36,787 --> 00:04:41,827 Speaker 2: center court, but against local darling Emma Radakanu, who obviously 73 00:04:41,907 --> 00:04:44,747 Speaker 2: had a whole nation behind her, but not only playing 74 00:04:44,787 --> 00:04:48,067 Speaker 2: out there against her, but winning that match, What was 75 00:04:48,107 --> 00:04:48,467 Speaker 2: that like? 76 00:04:50,947 --> 00:04:54,627 Speaker 3: I mean, first of all, I was just really stoked 77 00:04:54,667 --> 00:04:58,027 Speaker 3: to play on center and to be able to play 78 00:04:58,067 --> 00:05:02,347 Speaker 3: in such a big of a crowd was amazing. And 79 00:05:02,427 --> 00:05:05,627 Speaker 3: to play a player like Emma, who was you know, 80 00:05:06,067 --> 00:05:08,307 Speaker 3: even and if I lost, I would I would take 81 00:05:08,347 --> 00:05:11,507 Speaker 3: it all in and I would learn from it. So 82 00:05:11,587 --> 00:05:14,827 Speaker 3: I just really came in to play each point at 83 00:05:14,907 --> 00:05:18,467 Speaker 3: one hundred percent and until the very last. And so 84 00:05:20,387 --> 00:05:24,427 Speaker 3: I mean it was insane. But obviously with the roof closed, 85 00:05:25,467 --> 00:05:29,467 Speaker 3: everything was echoing and it was hard to hear when 86 00:05:29,587 --> 00:05:34,067 Speaker 3: people were aplauding, but I kind of knew that was 87 00:05:34,227 --> 00:05:38,707 Speaker 3: going to happen beforehand, So I think it was okay. 88 00:05:38,467 --> 00:05:41,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, okay, more than okay, What a what an experience 89 00:05:41,427 --> 00:05:44,347 Speaker 2: for you? To beat Emma Ratakana and get through in 90 00:05:44,347 --> 00:05:46,667 Speaker 2: a lovely reception as well that you received from the crowd, 91 00:05:46,667 --> 00:05:49,147 Speaker 2: even though they were obviously barracking for Emma, you know, 92 00:05:49,267 --> 00:05:50,547 Speaker 2: for you to go back out there and get that 93 00:05:50,547 --> 00:05:52,827 Speaker 2: lovely reception, I thought that was that was just awesome. 94 00:05:53,187 --> 00:05:55,907 Speaker 2: So now, Lulu, you don't really have a lot of 95 00:05:55,947 --> 00:05:59,947 Speaker 2: time to relax because the Paris Olympics are fast approaching. 96 00:06:00,147 --> 00:06:03,147 Speaker 2: You're going to play doubles there with Aaron Routliffe. How 97 00:06:03,227 --> 00:06:04,907 Speaker 2: much are you're looking forward to that, to playing with 98 00:06:04,947 --> 00:06:07,627 Speaker 2: the silver Fern, you know, at the Paris Olympics in 99 00:06:07,667 --> 00:06:08,587 Speaker 2: the next couple of weeks. 100 00:06:09,947 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 3: I'm so looking forward to it. I'm really excited to 101 00:06:13,227 --> 00:06:16,907 Speaker 3: play doubles with Aaron, you know. I know she has 102 00:06:16,987 --> 00:06:22,227 Speaker 3: a lot of experience, more experience than me obviously, so 103 00:06:22,627 --> 00:06:25,747 Speaker 3: I'm going to take everything she says, and I'm going 104 00:06:25,827 --> 00:06:28,427 Speaker 3: to try to prepare as best as I can before 105 00:06:29,827 --> 00:06:36,107 Speaker 3: and just you know, give it all. Yeah. 106 00:06:36,147 --> 00:06:39,067 Speaker 2: Well, if it's anything like Wimbledon, you're going to take 107 00:06:39,107 --> 00:06:41,227 Speaker 2: us on a heck of a ride. Lulu, congratulations on 108 00:06:41,267 --> 00:06:43,987 Speaker 2: a wonderful couple of weeks. You had everybody back here. 109 00:06:44,027 --> 00:06:47,667 Speaker 2: As I'm sure, you know, barracking for you and watching 110 00:06:47,667 --> 00:06:49,627 Speaker 2: every match and just willing you on and to reach 111 00:06:49,667 --> 00:06:51,667 Speaker 2: the quarterfinals. First key we to do it since Chris 112 00:06:51,707 --> 00:06:54,027 Speaker 2: Lewis back in nineteen ninety three is I'm sure you know, 113 00:06:54,147 --> 00:06:57,707 Speaker 2: was wonderful. All the best for what is ahead, including 114 00:06:57,707 --> 00:07:00,467 Speaker 2: the Paris Olympics. Will be watching with interest back here. 115 00:07:00,547 --> 00:07:02,067 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for taking the time for a chat. 116 00:07:02,147 --> 00:07:05,907 Speaker 2: Really appreciate it, Thank you so much. Thank you. Luluis 117 00:07:05,947 --> 00:07:07,547 Speaker 2: on there. Good to get the chance to chat to 118 00:07:08,107 --> 00:07:10,987 Speaker 2: our latest tennis star. She'll jump up into the fifties 119 00:07:11,147 --> 00:07:16,027 Speaker 2: in the women's singles rankings when those rankings are re 120 00:07:16,027 --> 00:07:19,627 Speaker 2: released after Wimbledon. But yeah, her next point of business 121 00:07:19,747 --> 00:07:22,867 Speaker 2: is the Paris Olympics. Just on Aaron Routliffe into the 122 00:07:22,907 --> 00:07:26,507 Speaker 2: final of the women's doubles. Now that is on Center 123 00:07:26,627 --> 00:07:32,347 Speaker 2: Court tomorrow, so Saturday in the UK, overnight tonight for us. 124 00:07:32,387 --> 00:07:37,707 Speaker 2: But it's the third it's the third match on center court. 125 00:07:38,227 --> 00:07:41,227 Speaker 2: The women's singles is first and that starts at one 126 00:07:41,267 --> 00:07:44,827 Speaker 2: am New Zealand time. That'll be followed by the men's 127 00:07:44,907 --> 00:07:47,947 Speaker 2: doubles and then the women's doubles. So it could well 128 00:07:47,987 --> 00:07:50,827 Speaker 2: be around depending on of course, how those other games go, 129 00:07:51,267 --> 00:07:53,747 Speaker 2: it could be around breakfast time, maybe slightly earlier than 130 00:07:53,787 --> 00:07:59,067 Speaker 2: that that Aaron Routcliffe, Aaron Routliffe, my apologies. Eron Rautliffe 131 00:07:59,347 --> 00:08:05,107 Speaker 2: and her doubles partner Gabriella Dobrowski of Canada make it 132 00:08:05,147 --> 00:08:09,707 Speaker 2: out onto center court to take on the opponents who 133 00:08:09,707 --> 00:08:14,587 Speaker 2: are Katarina sinea Kova from the Czech Republic and the 134 00:08:14,627 --> 00:08:18,747 Speaker 2: American player Taylor Townsend. Now Aeron Ratliffe and her partner 135 00:08:18,787 --> 00:08:21,827 Speaker 2: are the second seeds up against the fourth seeds, so 136 00:08:22,347 --> 00:08:26,307 Speaker 2: the favoritism is in the Kiwi's court, if we can 137 00:08:26,347 --> 00:08:28,627 Speaker 2: put it that way. So that'll be early hours of 138 00:08:28,707 --> 00:08:32,227 Speaker 2: tomorrow morning, getting towards breakfast time tomorrow morning, as I say, 139 00:08:32,267 --> 00:08:34,547 Speaker 2: depending on the length of the other two games, the 140 00:08:34,587 --> 00:08:38,467 Speaker 2: women's singles final and the men's doubles final will be 141 00:08:38,507 --> 00:08:41,227 Speaker 2: when Aaron Ratliffe makes it out. So yeah, we'll certainly 142 00:08:41,307 --> 00:08:44,347 Speaker 2: keep a very close eye on how she goes. 143 00:08:45,067 --> 00:08:48,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 144 00:08:48,347 --> 00:08:51,627 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 145 00:08:51,667 --> 00:08:53,307 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.