1 00:00:02,380 --> 00:00:05,260 Speaker 1: Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of The Sit Down. 2 00:00:05,690 --> 00:00:07,790 Speaker 1: I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for ozopen.com. 3 00:00:08,030 --> 00:00:11,950 Speaker 2: And I'm Viv Christie, Australian Tennis Magazine Managing Editor. And Matt, 4 00:00:12,070 --> 00:00:14,790 Speaker 2: why are we sitting down this week with Jelena Dokic? 5 00:00:15,170 --> 00:00:17,900 Speaker 1: We're sitting down with Jelena because it's almost 25 years 6 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: to the day when she burst onto the scene with 7 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: her first round win at Wimbledon 1999 over world number 8 00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:26,020 Speaker 1: one Martina Hingis. So we got a chance to ask 9 00:00:26,060 --> 00:00:28,860 Speaker 1: her about all her memories from that incredible result and 10 00:00:28,910 --> 00:00:30,990 Speaker 1: then the career that took off in a golden age 11 00:00:31,090 --> 00:00:36,980 Speaker 1: of women's tennis. Jelena Dokic, thank you so much for 12 00:00:37,020 --> 00:00:39,480 Speaker 1: joining us in the studio today on The Sit Down. 13 00:00:39,659 --> 00:00:40,770 Speaker 1: It's great to see you. 14 00:00:41,050 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 3: Pleasure. Thank you for having me. 15 00:00:42,409 --> 00:00:45,029 Speaker 1: This is a great time of year to chat to you. 16 00:00:45,110 --> 00:00:47,350 Speaker 1: I mean, it's always great to pick your brain given, 17 00:00:47,470 --> 00:00:50,030 Speaker 1: you know, your tennis experience and career and your involvement 18 00:00:50,050 --> 00:00:52,170 Speaker 1: in the media now. But we're in the middle of 19 00:00:52,190 --> 00:00:56,290 Speaker 1: the grass court season. Wimbledon's just about to begin. And 20 00:00:56,650 --> 00:00:59,910 Speaker 1: certainly when you emerged on tour in the late 90s, 21 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,010 Speaker 1: your results on grass were so good so quickly. You 22 00:01:03,050 --> 00:01:06,470 Speaker 1: won 20 of your first 24 matches at Wimbledon, which 23 00:01:06,510 --> 00:01:08,950 Speaker 1: is amazing. That's an amazing strike, right? Sounds like you 24 00:01:09,010 --> 00:01:10,290 Speaker 1: kind of hit the ground running. I did. 25 00:01:10,310 --> 00:01:13,030 Speaker 3: Well, I first played juniors as well. So I played 26 00:01:13,050 --> 00:01:17,170 Speaker 3: the year before in 1998 when I became junior world 27 00:01:17,190 --> 00:01:21,149 Speaker 3: number one. I actually played lead-up tournaments going into Wimbledon, 28 00:01:21,230 --> 00:01:23,580 Speaker 3: and then I played Wimbledon juniors as well. I got 29 00:01:23,590 --> 00:01:26,380 Speaker 3: to the semis. So, yeah, I already had a bit 30 00:01:26,420 --> 00:01:30,830 Speaker 3: of that taste of what Wimbledon was like and– what 31 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 3: kind of the site was like and what it was 32 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 3: like to play on grass, even though I played juniors 33 00:01:36,980 --> 00:01:40,060 Speaker 3: in Australia quite a bit on grass as well. But, yeah, 34 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 3: I just loved Wimbledon. I liked the tradition of it 35 00:01:42,220 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 3: as well, I have to be honest. I liked the 36 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 3: whole tournament, the whole feel. And, yeah, for me, it's 37 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:49,700 Speaker 3: just a very special place. As much as Australian Open 38 00:01:49,740 --> 00:01:53,620 Speaker 3: for me is like the Holy Grail, nothing beats that. 39 00:01:53,660 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 3: But Wimbledon is right there, right after the Australian Open. 40 00:01:58,140 --> 00:02:02,010 Speaker 3: There's just... It's unique. It's special. There's not a little 41 00:02:02,070 --> 00:02:04,950 Speaker 3: thing out of order. I loved wearing the white, for example. 42 00:02:05,390 --> 00:02:08,290 Speaker 3: It's not something we would wear often, to be honest, 43 00:02:08,310 --> 00:02:11,350 Speaker 3: that you're in all white. And yeah, I like playing 44 00:02:11,370 --> 00:02:15,010 Speaker 3: on grass. And I liked that kind of, it had 45 00:02:15,050 --> 00:02:18,810 Speaker 3: a tradition. It was so respected. Even the crowd is 46 00:02:18,870 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 3: different at Wimbledon. They are a little bit more kind of, 47 00:02:21,750 --> 00:02:24,210 Speaker 3: I would say, subdued and respectful. So you kind of 48 00:02:24,610 --> 00:02:27,570 Speaker 3: have a whole very different feel to any other Grand Slam. 49 00:02:28,180 --> 00:02:30,820 Speaker 2: Can you remember that experience of walking through the gates 50 00:02:30,860 --> 00:02:32,419 Speaker 2: at the All England Club for the first time? 51 00:02:32,780 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, I remember it was a few of us going 52 00:02:34,620 --> 00:02:36,980 Speaker 3: through with the juniors and it was kind of like, wow. 53 00:02:38,090 --> 00:02:41,710 Speaker 3: For me, that's all we kind of hear about when 54 00:02:41,950 --> 00:02:45,010 Speaker 3: you're growing up, especially in Australia. That was our goal, 55 00:02:45,230 --> 00:02:47,710 Speaker 3: to get to Wimbledon and to get to Wimbledon juniors 56 00:02:47,770 --> 00:02:50,389 Speaker 3: and then hopefully to play there one day. Same with 57 00:02:50,410 --> 00:02:53,620 Speaker 3: the Australian Open for us Aussies at home. So it 58 00:02:53,660 --> 00:02:56,980 Speaker 3: was special and, yeah, I remember. I found my footing 59 00:02:57,260 --> 00:02:59,220 Speaker 3: pretty quickly. I was still only 15, but did well 60 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:02,860 Speaker 3: on grass and even won the lead-ups going into Wimbledon 61 00:03:03,020 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 3: as well. But it was special. But if you told 62 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:07,390 Speaker 3: me that a year later, I would make the quarters 63 00:03:07,490 --> 00:03:10,550 Speaker 3: from qualifying, I wouldn't have believed you. So yeah, I 64 00:03:10,610 --> 00:03:13,490 Speaker 3: always had a special relationship with grass. I think because 65 00:03:13,510 --> 00:03:15,290 Speaker 3: of the way that I played, I could use my 66 00:03:15,590 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 3: game to my advantage. Again, lucky that the coaches taught 67 00:03:19,470 --> 00:03:21,900 Speaker 3: me what is kind of the best way to serve 68 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,100 Speaker 3: and how to use your slice serve on grass to 69 00:03:24,139 --> 00:03:27,790 Speaker 3: make it kind of, skid away as well. And those 70 00:03:27,850 --> 00:03:30,430 Speaker 3: few little things that you learn from the legends of 71 00:03:30,490 --> 00:03:32,389 Speaker 3: the game and the greats of the game really helped 72 00:03:32,450 --> 00:03:34,790 Speaker 3: me early on. And that's why I think I had 73 00:03:34,810 --> 00:03:37,910 Speaker 3: a big love for playing on the grass because I've 74 00:03:37,930 --> 00:03:40,670 Speaker 3: got some really good tips early on. 75 00:03:40,710 --> 00:03:44,530 Speaker 1: You alluded to 99, obviously the result were almost 25 76 00:03:44,530 --> 00:03:47,190 Speaker 1: years to the day where you beat Martina Hingis in 77 00:03:47,210 --> 00:03:50,330 Speaker 1: the first round of Wimbledon. And that, well, certainly in Australia, 78 00:03:50,590 --> 00:03:52,910 Speaker 1: your profile exploded after that. I actually remember a story 79 00:03:53,630 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: It would have happened overnight in Australia for us. And 80 00:03:56,460 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: I remember my mum calling down the hallway. She must 81 00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:01,780 Speaker 1: have woken up before me. And it was the lead 82 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:06,330 Speaker 1: story on the ABC News that this Australian teenage qualifier 83 00:04:06,670 --> 00:04:08,610 Speaker 1: had stunned Martina Hingis in the first round. 84 00:04:09,010 --> 00:04:09,460 Speaker 3: Matt, get up. 85 00:04:09,630 --> 00:04:12,290 Speaker 1: Yelena Dokic has beaten Martina Hingis. I remember that really vividly. 86 00:04:12,330 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: And that was a huge result. And what do you 87 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 1: remember about it 25 years on? 88 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,890 Speaker 3: Look, it was... The match in a way was almost 89 00:04:20,930 --> 00:04:23,530 Speaker 3: a blur because it went by quite quick and you're 90 00:04:23,550 --> 00:04:26,430 Speaker 3: so focused. I already went through a couple of matches 91 00:04:26,470 --> 00:04:29,529 Speaker 3: of qualifying. I got to the third round of Australian 92 00:04:29,550 --> 00:04:32,570 Speaker 3: Open just five months before as a 15-year-old and I 93 00:04:32,610 --> 00:04:34,690 Speaker 3: actually lost to Martina in the third round. And then 94 00:04:34,710 --> 00:04:37,479 Speaker 3: we had a practice week going into Roland Garros and 95 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 3: she was always lovely and we used to practice together. 96 00:04:40,260 --> 00:04:42,300 Speaker 3: So I remember I did feel a little bit more 97 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,820 Speaker 3: comfortable going into this match, but still Martina can do 98 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 3: anything on the court that you just didn't know what 99 00:04:47,940 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 3: was coming next. She was so crafty. But I went 100 00:04:51,220 --> 00:04:53,260 Speaker 3: out there and I had, I was on a mission 101 00:04:53,339 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 3: and I knew exactly how I wanted to play and 102 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 3: what I needed to do. And I needed to take 103 00:04:57,570 --> 00:04:59,930 Speaker 3: the match out of her hands on grass. She would 104 00:04:59,990 --> 00:05:01,849 Speaker 3: come in a lot. She would also use the drop 105 00:05:01,890 --> 00:05:04,290 Speaker 3: shot as well, just like I would, but I needed 106 00:05:04,310 --> 00:05:06,750 Speaker 3: to keep her back. And that was the main goal. 107 00:05:06,910 --> 00:05:09,730 Speaker 3: Take that match out of her hands, be aggressive, try 108 00:05:09,750 --> 00:05:11,739 Speaker 3: and dictate those points. And I knew I needed to 109 00:05:11,810 --> 00:05:15,210 Speaker 3: serve well, not have to hit too many second serves 110 00:05:15,250 --> 00:05:17,130 Speaker 3: because she would put pressure on me. So I had 111 00:05:17,610 --> 00:05:20,700 Speaker 3: a very, very kind of clear game plan, and I 112 00:05:20,740 --> 00:05:24,140 Speaker 3: was very focused. But I remember walking out on court 113 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,180 Speaker 3: was very special, but at the same time, here you are, 114 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 3: like a 16-year-old qualifier. It's also daunting to play a 115 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 3: world number one, right? So I remember that. But then 116 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,880 Speaker 3: when I got into the match and I started to 117 00:05:34,900 --> 00:05:37,310 Speaker 3: feel comfortable after about two or three games, and after 118 00:05:37,330 --> 00:05:39,090 Speaker 3: I won the first set, there was this kind of 119 00:05:39,150 --> 00:05:43,219 Speaker 3: like shock feeling around the stand. Like you can, you 120 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,300 Speaker 3: could literally hear it, you know, when you're a player 121 00:05:45,460 --> 00:05:49,300 Speaker 3: and you can just hear people and that feeling and 122 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:50,260 Speaker 3: that noise going. 123 00:05:50,540 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 1: It's like a murmur. 124 00:05:51,420 --> 00:05:55,730 Speaker 3: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Going, oh, wow. A qualifier has just 125 00:05:55,770 --> 00:05:59,589 Speaker 3: taken the first set. Like you could feel it as 126 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:01,190 Speaker 3: a player, you could feel it. And then when I 127 00:06:01,230 --> 00:06:03,890 Speaker 3: got on top in the second set, the crowd was 128 00:06:03,950 --> 00:06:06,420 Speaker 3: kind of extra, I felt like on my side, which 129 00:06:06,460 --> 00:06:08,220 Speaker 3: I kind of thought, oh, maybe we would switch a bit, 130 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,160 Speaker 3: which would be absolutely normal. They were very fair. 131 00:06:10,180 --> 00:06:10,260 Speaker 1: Yeah. 132 00:06:11,180 --> 00:06:13,780 Speaker 3: But once you kind of got more towards the end 133 00:06:13,820 --> 00:06:16,289 Speaker 3: of the match, you could see, like, they were just– yeah, 134 00:06:16,310 --> 00:06:19,750 Speaker 3: probably because I looked like I was about 10. But, yeah, 135 00:06:19,770 --> 00:06:23,050 Speaker 3: they were really, like, excited for me to actually win 136 00:06:23,070 --> 00:06:24,810 Speaker 3: this match. And when I won, there was just, like, 137 00:06:24,850 --> 00:06:28,490 Speaker 3: this roar that, yeah, I could sense or I could 138 00:06:28,529 --> 00:06:33,230 Speaker 3: feel those kind of emotions still today if I go 139 00:06:33,270 --> 00:06:35,010 Speaker 3: back and if I go back to court number one 140 00:06:35,550 --> 00:06:37,919 Speaker 3: of what that kind of sounded like. So we didn't 141 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 3: used to– have sit downs at sets. It was always 142 00:06:41,380 --> 00:06:44,500 Speaker 3: on the uneven. So the first set finished on an even. 143 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,380 Speaker 3: So we didn't sit down. You stay on your side. 144 00:06:47,860 --> 00:06:51,190 Speaker 3: But I remember people were like, whoa, like you could hear, 145 00:06:51,230 --> 00:06:54,130 Speaker 3: like you could literally hear people go, wow, what are 146 00:06:54,170 --> 00:06:57,750 Speaker 3: we watching here? So I remember I could distinctly like 147 00:06:57,990 --> 00:06:59,770 Speaker 3: feel that and see it on people's faces. 148 00:07:00,110 --> 00:07:00,330 Speaker 1: Yeah. 149 00:07:00,850 --> 00:07:02,750 Speaker 2: Love all the details that you're remembering now. 150 00:07:02,810 --> 00:07:03,540 Speaker 3: Yeah. So do I. 151 00:07:03,710 --> 00:07:07,169 Speaker 1: In 2000 at Wimbledon, you went one better at Wimbledon 152 00:07:07,190 --> 00:07:09,350 Speaker 1: and you made the semifinals. Yeah. And I just wonder 153 00:07:09,790 --> 00:07:11,990 Speaker 1: how satisfying that was for you to back up what 154 00:07:12,030 --> 00:07:13,810 Speaker 1: you've done because a lot of the, you know, the 155 00:07:13,870 --> 00:07:16,050 Speaker 1: way the rankings work, there's pressure to defend points and 156 00:07:16,070 --> 00:07:18,810 Speaker 1: all that. And you actually went better. Um, did that 157 00:07:18,850 --> 00:07:21,130 Speaker 1: feel especially satisfying to do that? Uh, it did. 158 00:07:21,420 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 3: I had a bit of a, after that Wimbledon quarterfinal, 159 00:07:24,260 --> 00:07:26,860 Speaker 3: I had a bit of a kind of, uh, let's 160 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 3: say growing year, uh, where I was now ranked inside 161 00:07:31,180 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 3: the top 40, 30. And, uh, Yeah, I was playing 162 00:07:35,020 --> 00:07:37,900 Speaker 3: on the tour, big tournaments every single week, but I 163 00:07:37,940 --> 00:07:41,780 Speaker 3: was still only 16, just about to next year actually 164 00:07:41,820 --> 00:07:45,060 Speaker 3: turn 17. So I was not actually fully physically and 165 00:07:45,100 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 3: mentally and emotionally ready to be on top in those 166 00:07:48,930 --> 00:07:50,810 Speaker 3: certain parts of the year and Grand Slams because I 167 00:07:50,850 --> 00:07:53,170 Speaker 3: had still no experience. So for me, it was a 168 00:07:53,190 --> 00:07:55,710 Speaker 3: bit of a growing, I would say, year and an 169 00:07:55,790 --> 00:07:58,130 Speaker 3: experience year where I had some losses in the first 170 00:07:58,190 --> 00:08:00,610 Speaker 3: round of Grand Slams, including the US Open, but then 171 00:08:00,630 --> 00:08:03,460 Speaker 3: I also had some wins as well. And then I 172 00:08:04,220 --> 00:08:07,050 Speaker 3: had a lot of pressure going into that Wimbledon in 173 00:08:07,050 --> 00:08:10,430 Speaker 3: 2000 because we used to have bonus points based on 174 00:08:10,910 --> 00:08:13,670 Speaker 3: players that you beat by ranking. And me alone, by 175 00:08:13,710 --> 00:08:15,750 Speaker 3: beating Martina at a Grand Slam, she was number one 176 00:08:15,770 --> 00:08:17,820 Speaker 3: in the world, plus double points at Grand Slams. I 177 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:18,820 Speaker 3: think I had to get to. 178 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:23,380 Speaker 3: The final or something like that to be able to 179 00:08:23,420 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 3: defend that. 180 00:08:24,180 --> 00:08:26,540 Speaker 1: So I... Oh, and you'd also beaten Pierce as well, 181 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: who was a top team player. 182 00:08:27,460 --> 00:08:28,740 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly. Yeah. 183 00:08:28,820 --> 00:08:29,020 Speaker 1: So. 184 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:34,209 Speaker 3: Oh, wow. And when you're young, it's all about kind 185 00:08:34,250 --> 00:08:37,270 Speaker 3: of defending. That's the mindset. And later you learn it's 186 00:08:37,309 --> 00:08:39,550 Speaker 3: a bit different. So yeah, I had a bit of 187 00:08:39,590 --> 00:08:42,170 Speaker 3: a up and down, up and down year, had some 188 00:08:42,340 --> 00:08:45,100 Speaker 3: great things, but then had some, you know, tough losses 189 00:08:45,140 --> 00:08:48,980 Speaker 3: as well. So I went into that Wimbledon kind of, yeah, 190 00:08:49,140 --> 00:08:50,620 Speaker 3: under a lot of pressure, but I was able to 191 00:08:50,660 --> 00:08:52,510 Speaker 3: get to the semis, pretty much defend all of it. 192 00:08:52,580 --> 00:08:54,660 Speaker 3: But it was more about the fact that I had 193 00:08:54,710 --> 00:08:57,050 Speaker 3: another great result at a Grand Slam. I went one 194 00:08:57,130 --> 00:09:01,570 Speaker 3: further as well. And yeah, it was really satisfying to 195 00:09:01,610 --> 00:09:03,970 Speaker 3: be able to not just go one better at Wimbledon, 196 00:09:04,090 --> 00:09:08,449 Speaker 3: but just another proof that I can play at that level, 197 00:09:08,590 --> 00:09:11,809 Speaker 3: especially on the big stage. I think as tennis players, 198 00:09:11,830 --> 00:09:13,969 Speaker 3: you want to be able to perform on the big 199 00:09:14,010 --> 00:09:16,969 Speaker 3: stage just as much as you have to be able 200 00:09:16,990 --> 00:09:19,350 Speaker 3: to get through those tough weeks when the tournaments are 201 00:09:19,370 --> 00:09:22,689 Speaker 3: smaller and they're not covered by the media. You don't 202 00:09:22,730 --> 00:09:25,310 Speaker 3: have big crowds. And sometimes you play tournaments when not 203 00:09:25,330 --> 00:09:27,850 Speaker 3: a lot of people were watching. And that's important. But 204 00:09:27,890 --> 00:09:29,950 Speaker 3: it's also important to be able to deal with pressure 205 00:09:30,570 --> 00:09:33,610 Speaker 3: and expectation on the big stage, like the Grand Slams. 206 00:09:33,770 --> 00:09:38,550 Speaker 3: So for me, that was massive in terms of, well, 207 00:09:38,950 --> 00:09:41,850 Speaker 3: it's not a fluke type of thing, just for myself 208 00:09:41,970 --> 00:09:45,470 Speaker 3: as well, my expectations. And I got to a semifinal. 209 00:09:45,990 --> 00:09:46,830 Speaker 3: Of Wimbledon, yeah. 210 00:09:47,130 --> 00:09:48,550 Speaker 1: I was going to ask the last bit about Wimbledon. 211 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:50,740 Speaker 1: So when we talked about you winning 20 of your 212 00:09:50,740 --> 00:09:53,819 Speaker 1: 24 matches and that took you through to 03, you played, 213 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: you made the third round in 03 and you played 214 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 1: Maria Sharapova. Yes. And 12 months later, she won. Yes. 215 00:09:58,990 --> 00:10:02,439 Speaker 1: And I think everybody... knew what a talent she was. Like, 216 00:10:02,500 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 1: what was she like to face? And, yeah, what do 217 00:10:05,340 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: you remember about that? 218 00:10:06,020 --> 00:10:10,229 Speaker 3: Oh, it was tough. I remember that match. And I 219 00:10:10,929 --> 00:10:13,309 Speaker 3: wasn't in the best form myself, not taking anything away 220 00:10:13,350 --> 00:10:15,170 Speaker 3: from her, nothing at all. I still think I played 221 00:10:15,210 --> 00:10:20,010 Speaker 3: a pretty okay match, decent match against her. But I remember, yeah, she– 222 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:24,200 Speaker 3: actually overpowered me already a little bit in that match. 223 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 3: And yeah, I came off the court and I said, 224 00:10:27,460 --> 00:10:30,660 Speaker 3: this girl's winning Wimbledon in the next two or three years. Yeah, 225 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:34,620 Speaker 3: it was unbelievable. And just the way that she played, 226 00:10:35,100 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 3: she was very focused and consistent. Her forehands and backhands 227 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,450 Speaker 3: were like laser sharp and she had a lot of power. 228 00:10:41,500 --> 00:10:44,319 Speaker 3: She was tall, big reach as well. And even though 229 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:46,490 Speaker 3: she got better with her serve and her movement, even 230 00:10:46,530 --> 00:10:49,070 Speaker 3: at that time, she had incredible accuracy with her cross 231 00:10:49,130 --> 00:10:51,250 Speaker 3: courts and with her down the lines. And she was 232 00:10:51,290 --> 00:10:55,449 Speaker 3: really brave with going for it and taking the ball 233 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 3: out of the air when she hit good shots. But 234 00:10:58,460 --> 00:11:00,860 Speaker 3: I was more so, I'll tell you this one. So 235 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,340 Speaker 3: she comes back and she wins, right? But I actually 236 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 3: even thought actually in that match that I lost to her, 237 00:11:05,179 --> 00:11:07,970 Speaker 3: I was like, oh, okay. I actually played some decent tennis. 238 00:11:08,070 --> 00:11:10,290 Speaker 3: It was pretty close. Yeah, I couldn't hold my– it 239 00:11:10,309 --> 00:11:12,790 Speaker 3: was one break of serve in each set. And I 240 00:11:12,809 --> 00:11:14,370 Speaker 3: was like, yeah, she's playing well. But I'll tell you what, 241 00:11:14,610 --> 00:11:19,309 Speaker 3: years later, this was in 2009, I think after I 242 00:11:19,370 --> 00:11:23,530 Speaker 3: made that Australian Open run, I practiced with her at Wimbledon. 243 00:11:24,150 --> 00:11:27,010 Speaker 3: So two days before Wimbledon, we organized a practice. I 244 00:11:27,050 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 3: know exactly which court it was. And we said, okay, 245 00:11:30,420 --> 00:11:33,660 Speaker 3: we'll practice. We had a hit and we'll play two sets, right? 246 00:11:34,340 --> 00:11:37,390 Speaker 3: So I was like– oh my God, now I see 247 00:11:37,690 --> 00:11:40,730 Speaker 3: even more so why she's so good and why she's 248 00:11:40,750 --> 00:11:44,170 Speaker 3: won Wimbledon and all the other Grand Slams. Because it's 249 00:11:44,190 --> 00:11:47,310 Speaker 3: been a while since I practiced or played against her. 250 00:11:47,330 --> 00:11:51,210 Speaker 3: I mean, I don't think that there is anyone in 251 00:11:51,270 --> 00:11:55,390 Speaker 3: the world, and I've practiced with some amazing players and 252 00:11:55,429 --> 00:11:58,230 Speaker 3: champions and greats of the game like Sellers and Capriati 253 00:11:58,270 --> 00:12:02,090 Speaker 3: and Steffi Graf and Lindy Davenport. I've never faced a 254 00:12:02,130 --> 00:12:08,050 Speaker 3: ball that comes flatter and deeper and harder, especially on 255 00:12:08,070 --> 00:12:10,870 Speaker 3: grass that shoots that way. And I was like, oh, 256 00:12:11,230 --> 00:12:12,950 Speaker 3: now I get it. Like even more so, you know 257 00:12:12,970 --> 00:12:15,170 Speaker 3: what I mean? But it was amazing because she was, 258 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 3: we had a great practice and it was actually one 259 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:22,540 Speaker 3: set all. I was really proud of myself. But it 260 00:12:22,580 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 3: was great because, yeah, I just saw she was so focused, 261 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:28,780 Speaker 3: just like she is in her matches. It was interesting 262 00:12:28,830 --> 00:12:31,229 Speaker 3: to see that. So as soon as she stepped on 263 00:12:31,270 --> 00:12:34,950 Speaker 3: the court, I was pretty focused and intense myself. I 264 00:12:34,990 --> 00:12:38,250 Speaker 3: like that also. So there wasn't much talking. When we 265 00:12:38,290 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 3: sat down, we had a quick drink and it was 266 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 3: like a little bit, but it was all about business. 267 00:12:43,179 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 3: We were out there like two, we had a court 268 00:12:44,820 --> 00:12:47,620 Speaker 3: for two hours. And yeah, it was amazing to see 269 00:12:47,660 --> 00:12:51,340 Speaker 3: exactly what she does in matches is exactly what she 270 00:12:51,380 --> 00:12:54,730 Speaker 3: does in practice. So it was great to have that experience. 271 00:12:55,130 --> 00:12:57,510 Speaker 1: That sounds amazing. And that actually, I'm just going to 272 00:12:57,530 --> 00:12:59,790 Speaker 1: list some of the people that you that you beat. 273 00:13:00,220 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: So obviously we've talked about Hingis, you beat Clusters, you 274 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:06,939 Speaker 1: beat Capriati, you beat Venus, you beat Maresmo, Pierce, Hennen 275 00:13:07,220 --> 00:13:11,700 Speaker 1: and Sellers. All of them have won multiple majors. And 276 00:13:11,740 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: in that period, you got to world number four. That's 277 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: considered like, I think a lot of people consider this 278 00:13:16,900 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 1: like the golden age of women's tennis. It was so 279 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,059 Speaker 1: many stars all at the top at the same time, 280 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 1: all doing such great things. How proud are you to 281 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:26,439 Speaker 1: have reached the top five in that, the strength of 282 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 1: that era? And also what was it like? to be 283 00:13:28,980 --> 00:13:30,180 Speaker 1: at the top in that era? 284 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 3: Oh, very proud because some people might say I'm unlucky 285 00:13:33,020 --> 00:13:36,470 Speaker 3: or unfortunate, but no, I actually look at it as 286 00:13:36,510 --> 00:13:39,850 Speaker 3: being very fortunate because I got to be on the 287 00:13:39,890 --> 00:13:43,350 Speaker 3: tour at the same time with these amazing legends, champions 288 00:13:43,490 --> 00:13:46,589 Speaker 3: of the game. Some of them were my childhood role 289 00:13:46,610 --> 00:13:49,470 Speaker 3: models and heroes like Steffi Graf and Monica Salas. All 290 00:13:49,510 --> 00:13:51,390 Speaker 3: I wanted to do was meet them and practice with 291 00:13:51,429 --> 00:13:54,410 Speaker 3: them and play against them. That was my goal from 292 00:13:54,450 --> 00:13:58,050 Speaker 3: the age of six. And I Yeah, I got the 293 00:13:58,070 --> 00:14:00,809 Speaker 3: opportunity to do that. But with so many other amazing players, 294 00:14:00,850 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 3: like you said, from Davenport to Capriati to Hingis to Maresmo, 295 00:14:04,860 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 3: they've all, everyone's won Grand Slams or been world number one. 296 00:14:08,260 --> 00:14:13,140 Speaker 3: And yeah, it's quite an era that we kind of 297 00:14:13,179 --> 00:14:15,809 Speaker 3: went there through. And yeah, it was very, very, Serena 298 00:14:15,950 --> 00:14:19,270 Speaker 3: and Venus, very, very competitive. But I'm lucky, I think. 299 00:14:19,370 --> 00:14:22,230 Speaker 3: I'm lucky to have been able to experience that, to 300 00:14:22,270 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 3: know those players, to play against them. And just to 301 00:14:25,650 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 3: have that, experience on tour. Some of them are my 302 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:33,609 Speaker 3: friends still today. And yeah, I still highlight, though, that 303 00:14:33,690 --> 00:14:36,650 Speaker 3: I'm very fortunate to have been able to practice and 304 00:14:36,690 --> 00:14:40,110 Speaker 3: play against Steffi and Monica. That was my goal as 305 00:14:40,150 --> 00:14:42,930 Speaker 3: a child. And I got to do that and I 306 00:14:42,970 --> 00:14:45,910 Speaker 3: got to talk to them and, yeah, have some great 307 00:14:45,980 --> 00:14:48,910 Speaker 3: matches against them, especially Monica because she retired a little 308 00:14:48,930 --> 00:14:52,020 Speaker 3: bit later than Steffi. And we had some great matches 309 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 3: and that was amazing as much as I hated to 310 00:14:55,180 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 3: play against them because they were a nightmare to play against. 311 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 3: But I still at the same time loved that. I 312 00:15:00,860 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 3: was always very proud to go out there on the 313 00:15:03,220 --> 00:15:05,460 Speaker 3: court And you go, oh my God, I used to 314 00:15:05,500 --> 00:15:07,500 Speaker 3: watch them. I used to dream about this. They used 315 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 3: to be my role models when they were winning Grand Slams. 316 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 3: I was just kind of starting to play tennis. So 317 00:15:14,090 --> 00:15:15,870 Speaker 3: it was amazing to be able to experience that. 318 00:15:16,420 --> 00:15:18,470 Speaker 1: And was, of all of those names we discussed, was 319 00:15:18,590 --> 00:15:20,610 Speaker 1: one of them the toughest for you to face? 320 00:15:21,730 --> 00:15:24,090 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, Davenport was tough for me to play against. 321 00:15:24,150 --> 00:15:26,470 Speaker 3: I never beat her. There was something about her game. 322 00:15:27,070 --> 00:15:30,030 Speaker 3: My game did not match up well with hers. For me, 323 00:15:30,150 --> 00:15:32,810 Speaker 3: it was a nightmare. with the serve and just with 324 00:15:32,830 --> 00:15:36,250 Speaker 3: the way that she played. Yeah, I still to this 325 00:15:36,290 --> 00:15:39,630 Speaker 3: day can't tell you why. It just didn't suit me. 326 00:15:39,650 --> 00:15:42,860 Speaker 3: I had a very hard time reading her game. And 327 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 3: maybe we do play kind of similar, but she had 328 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:48,660 Speaker 3: a bigger serve. So that was always kind of, yeah, 329 00:15:48,780 --> 00:15:52,140 Speaker 3: a little bit of a tough one for me. Tough. Well, 330 00:15:52,460 --> 00:15:54,810 Speaker 3: I would say Serena and. 331 00:15:58,620 --> 00:16:02,180 Speaker 3: I would say Celis as well. I had Celis and Steffi, 332 00:16:02,820 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 3: two very different game styles, all three of those. So 333 00:16:05,620 --> 00:16:07,820 Speaker 3: those three would be the toughest in their different ways. 334 00:16:07,860 --> 00:16:10,900 Speaker 3: Whereas Monica was so intense, didn't let you breathe, would 335 00:16:10,940 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 3: take the ball so early. She had the best angles 336 00:16:12,970 --> 00:16:16,550 Speaker 3: in the world by far and the most accuracy. Steffi 337 00:16:17,130 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 3: had the best off forehand ever. great serve. The slice 338 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:24,980 Speaker 3: was a lot tougher than people think. That thing stayed 339 00:16:25,100 --> 00:16:27,830 Speaker 3: this slow off the ground. Like you literally had to 340 00:16:27,890 --> 00:16:30,410 Speaker 3: get your back knee on the ground every single time 341 00:16:30,470 --> 00:16:33,850 Speaker 3: to dig that one up. And yeah, extremely smart. And 342 00:16:33,890 --> 00:16:38,890 Speaker 3: then Serena, best serve in the world, probably ever. That 343 00:16:38,910 --> 00:16:42,110 Speaker 3: was tough. So you already went into it. Yeah, really 344 00:16:42,170 --> 00:16:44,290 Speaker 3: on the back foot, it was really hard to break Serena, 345 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 3: especially I played her quite a bit in that really 346 00:16:47,620 --> 00:16:50,050 Speaker 3: peak era of Serena when she was winning a lot 347 00:16:50,090 --> 00:16:54,090 Speaker 3: of grand slams as well. And, uh, just her sheer 348 00:16:54,230 --> 00:16:57,570 Speaker 3: power and athleticism and physicality. But yeah, I would say 349 00:16:57,610 --> 00:16:58,070 Speaker 3: those three. 350 00:16:58,090 --> 00:16:58,990 Speaker 1: Amazing. 351 00:16:59,470 --> 00:17:02,300 Speaker 2: So Yelena, you had another burst on grass in 2011. You, uh, 352 00:17:02,510 --> 00:17:06,360 Speaker 2: reached the Den Bosch final and you pushed, um, Shivoni 353 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:09,420 Speaker 2: to three sets, um, just after she'd reached the Roland 354 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:10,460 Speaker 2: Garros final. 355 00:17:10,859 --> 00:17:14,179 Speaker 3: What was that period like for you? Uh, that was 356 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,590 Speaker 3: that bit of a resurgence period for me, but, uh, Yeah, 357 00:17:17,730 --> 00:17:20,490 Speaker 3: at the same time, I retired not too long after 358 00:17:20,530 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 3: that with injuries and, yeah, with a wrist surgery. And then, yeah, 359 00:17:25,890 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 3: just in general with mental health struggles that I was 360 00:17:29,940 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 3: facing and battling already for 10 years. So it was, yeah, 361 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,560 Speaker 3: I wish, not a wish. I think everyone has their 362 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:41,460 Speaker 3: own story and there's a reason for kind of our paths. But, yeah, 363 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:43,570 Speaker 3: it would have been nice to play Wimbledon a few 364 00:17:43,590 --> 00:17:45,649 Speaker 3: more times and on the grass, but just in general 365 00:17:45,710 --> 00:17:48,139 Speaker 3: on the tour. because I had no plans of retiring yet. 366 00:17:48,180 --> 00:17:50,570 Speaker 3: I was only 29 when I retired. So yeah, that 367 00:17:50,609 --> 00:17:52,910 Speaker 3: was something for me that I had to navigate, but 368 00:17:53,290 --> 00:17:56,110 Speaker 3: it was great. Hurtog and Bosch was amazing. I used 369 00:17:56,130 --> 00:17:58,810 Speaker 3: to play that tournament all the time and getting to 370 00:17:58,830 --> 00:18:02,310 Speaker 3: the final was great. And they still kind of have 371 00:18:02,350 --> 00:18:05,090 Speaker 3: that old school grass courts where they are fast and 372 00:18:05,130 --> 00:18:08,710 Speaker 3: low bouncing. So that hasn't changed there. And yeah, it's 373 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 3: a really lovely tournament. So it was nice. It was 374 00:18:11,180 --> 00:18:15,070 Speaker 3: really nice to, yeah, to get that, kind of result 375 00:18:15,109 --> 00:18:17,910 Speaker 3: there when I was going through kind of a bit 376 00:18:17,930 --> 00:18:21,130 Speaker 3: of a tough period and turbulent period. And to still 377 00:18:21,150 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 3: be able to get on the grass and play well 378 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:24,139 Speaker 3: was really lovely. 379 00:18:24,300 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 1: Yeah. 380 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:27,160 Speaker 2: Can you describe what it's like to play on centre 381 00:18:27,180 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 2: court at Wimbledon? 382 00:18:29,380 --> 00:18:31,880 Speaker 3: Oh, I don't know what you're more worried about. Doing 383 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,590 Speaker 3: something wrong if you have to, because we used to 384 00:18:34,609 --> 00:18:38,850 Speaker 3: have to curtsy. So we don't have that today anymore. 385 00:18:39,890 --> 00:18:42,859 Speaker 3: So I was more worried about that than anything, to 386 00:18:42,890 --> 00:18:45,439 Speaker 3: be honest. So when we were told that, I know 387 00:18:45,460 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 3: it's quite simple, but I was like, where do I look? 388 00:18:49,619 --> 00:18:51,820 Speaker 3: So where the players are looking at each other, do 389 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 3: we turn now together? Because it was like on the 390 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:58,120 Speaker 3: service line, between service line and the net, when you're 391 00:18:58,380 --> 00:19:00,680 Speaker 3: walking on that side, where do we look? Who is there? 392 00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:04,500 Speaker 3: How do we curtsy, smile? It was like this whole thing. 393 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 3: And I did it for the first time when I 394 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:11,919 Speaker 3: was 16. So that was kind of very special at 395 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,200 Speaker 3: the same time as well. And you pretty much always 396 00:19:15,220 --> 00:19:18,160 Speaker 3: knew when you were on Centre Court, there's someone from, yeah, 397 00:19:18,550 --> 00:19:22,389 Speaker 3: in the Royal Box watching. So, yeah, it's special. I 398 00:19:22,430 --> 00:19:27,070 Speaker 3: really find the walk from the locker room to Centre 399 00:19:27,109 --> 00:19:34,100 Speaker 3: Court amazing. And it's the longest walk we have. And 400 00:19:34,820 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 3: it's just... It just speaks for itself where you go 401 00:19:38,580 --> 00:19:42,020 Speaker 3: through the corridors and the big windows are there where 402 00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:45,419 Speaker 3: you see a big part of Wimbledon. Then you get 403 00:19:45,460 --> 00:19:48,710 Speaker 3: to the members area. Then there's all of the different 404 00:19:48,770 --> 00:19:53,879 Speaker 3: stories and... trophies in the glass. What do you call them? 405 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:55,619 Speaker 3: Those glass cabinets. 406 00:19:56,660 --> 00:19:56,860 Speaker 1: Yeah. 407 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 3: Then you just when you get to that area before 408 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:03,820 Speaker 3: you walk out, it's just special. It's just. Yeah, that 409 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 3: Rolex watch will never get out of my head. Yeah, 410 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:09,139 Speaker 3: and the wood, it's all in wood as well. So 411 00:20:09,180 --> 00:20:13,070 Speaker 3: it's very different. And then there's obviously the green that 412 00:20:13,090 --> 00:20:15,990 Speaker 3: goes with Wimbledon. But then, yeah, it's special to walk 413 00:20:16,250 --> 00:20:20,590 Speaker 3: onto that grass because it's almost like, yeah, it's very 414 00:20:20,650 --> 00:20:23,390 Speaker 3: different to walk onto Centre Court at Wimbledon than even 415 00:20:23,450 --> 00:20:25,669 Speaker 3: Court 1 or even any other court. You kind of 416 00:20:26,130 --> 00:20:29,980 Speaker 3: walk onto it from a bit of a cement surface. 417 00:20:30,570 --> 00:20:32,869 Speaker 3: onto it. And then you kind of go, oh, Wynwood 418 00:20:32,910 --> 00:20:35,109 Speaker 3: and Centre Court. I don't know. That's how I always felt. 419 00:20:35,369 --> 00:20:39,129 Speaker 3: And yeah, it's different. It's, I love the number one court, 420 00:20:39,190 --> 00:20:44,340 Speaker 3: but Centre Court is obviously bigger. I like how the 421 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:49,679 Speaker 3: player boxes are. Yeah. I don't know. I just, it's special. Every, 422 00:20:49,700 --> 00:20:52,960 Speaker 3: I think for everyone, different tournaments or different Grand Slams 423 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 3: are special for me. Australian Open and Rod Laverine are 424 00:20:55,060 --> 00:20:58,970 Speaker 3: special for different reasons, but this is just unique. And, and, 425 00:20:59,619 --> 00:21:03,020 Speaker 3: the tradition, I can never go past wearing white. That's just, 426 00:21:03,140 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 3: we just never do that. We would never wear white 427 00:21:06,580 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 3: or pick to wear white or neither would our sponsors. 428 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:13,010 Speaker 3: So you just, yeah, everything kind of comes together. But 429 00:21:13,030 --> 00:21:16,810 Speaker 3: I love that walk. And especially in that second week, 430 00:21:17,490 --> 00:21:20,550 Speaker 3: that's where you kind of know, okay, all eyes are 431 00:21:21,190 --> 00:21:23,429 Speaker 3: on us now. This is a special moment. And no 432 00:21:23,470 --> 00:21:26,340 Speaker 3: matter what happens, you know, you've been in a second 433 00:21:26,380 --> 00:21:30,490 Speaker 3: week of Wimbledon and you've been in the Yeah, quarterfinals, semifinals. 434 00:21:30,550 --> 00:21:31,780 Speaker 3: So it's always special. 435 00:21:32,580 --> 00:21:35,020 Speaker 2: We are in an Olympic year and that was another 436 00:21:35,060 --> 00:21:37,340 Speaker 2: great result for you. You reached the medal rounds at 437 00:21:37,380 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 2: Sydney in 2000. What do you remember about that time? 438 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 3: I loved my experience at the Sydney Olympics. It was great. 439 00:21:43,660 --> 00:21:47,280 Speaker 3: To this day, it's the best two weeks I had. 440 00:21:47,740 --> 00:21:50,460 Speaker 3: It was amazing. It's something special. We don't have, no 441 00:21:50,510 --> 00:21:54,630 Speaker 3: sport has anything like it. It's so different to be 442 00:21:54,650 --> 00:21:58,070 Speaker 3: a part of such a Massive team, not just in 443 00:21:58,130 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 3: your own kind of sport, but the whole country. And 444 00:22:01,619 --> 00:22:05,980 Speaker 3: there is no other event where you're going to feel 445 00:22:06,140 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 3: and want to play for your country more than that. 446 00:22:09,540 --> 00:22:12,520 Speaker 3: It's not for you. It's all of that pride. And 447 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:15,850 Speaker 3: for me, I remember getting my tops and having Australia 448 00:22:16,310 --> 00:22:20,369 Speaker 3: written at the back. That was amazing. And yeah, it 449 00:22:20,390 --> 00:22:23,609 Speaker 3: will stay with me forever. I still have my backpack 450 00:22:23,890 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 3: from the Sydney Olympics in 2000. And yeah, it was amazing. 451 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:31,390 Speaker 3: I just missed out. And yeah, but still, I was 452 00:22:31,430 --> 00:22:36,990 Speaker 3: to sell us in the playoff for that bronze. But yeah, 453 00:22:37,350 --> 00:22:39,909 Speaker 3: it stays with you as something very special. And I 454 00:22:39,950 --> 00:22:42,450 Speaker 3: know that we as tennis players, we have grand slams 455 00:22:42,510 --> 00:22:46,300 Speaker 3: and that's our focus. And we are maybe not as 456 00:22:46,359 --> 00:22:50,340 Speaker 3: much reliant, like maybe swimming or some other sports on 457 00:22:50,500 --> 00:22:54,359 Speaker 3: Olympics and events like that. But at the same time, 458 00:22:55,020 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 3: I know that Every single tennis player, and I know 459 00:22:57,900 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 3: I was, there is so much pride with it. There 460 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:05,260 Speaker 3: is no ifs or nos. It's even if you are 461 00:23:05,320 --> 00:23:07,260 Speaker 3: on one leg but you somehow can get on the 462 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,340 Speaker 3: court and play, you go. And you just go and 463 00:23:10,380 --> 00:23:15,980 Speaker 3: you give 200% for your country. I remember I played and, yeah, 464 00:23:16,380 --> 00:23:19,310 Speaker 3: I was looking at the coaches as part of our team. 465 00:23:20,330 --> 00:23:24,410 Speaker 3: Leslie Barry was our coach as well. And the other 466 00:23:24,430 --> 00:23:26,770 Speaker 3: players that would come, I remember Pat Rafter came to watch. 467 00:23:27,910 --> 00:23:30,330 Speaker 3: I don't know if I was more nervous or more, 468 00:23:30,350 --> 00:23:33,970 Speaker 3: I don't know what, but yeah, it was amazing though. 469 00:23:34,090 --> 00:23:36,169 Speaker 3: It's such an amazing experience because we go and we 470 00:23:36,230 --> 00:23:39,570 Speaker 3: all support each other and you would never have that 471 00:23:39,790 --> 00:23:42,540 Speaker 3: to that extent where we're all together. Other athletes coming 472 00:23:42,580 --> 00:23:45,320 Speaker 3: from other sports as well, where we bond like that. 473 00:23:45,540 --> 00:23:47,679 Speaker 3: I love going into the cafeteria every day. I have 474 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:50,179 Speaker 3: to say it. It's like huge. And you see all 475 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:53,350 Speaker 3: of these different athletes coming which is exciting, and then 476 00:23:53,390 --> 00:23:56,750 Speaker 3: the pins that you collect as well. So those things 477 00:23:56,790 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 3: stay with you forever, and nothing can replace that, even 478 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 3: though for us as tennis players, we have so many 479 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,100 Speaker 3: goals with Grand Slams and different things we want to accomplish. 480 00:24:06,180 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 3: But if I could do– if someone asked me, I 481 00:24:08,940 --> 00:24:12,820 Speaker 3: don't know, if I could do something or the Olympics, 482 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:13,740 Speaker 3: I would say the Olympics. 483 00:24:14,340 --> 00:24:15,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. Wow. 484 00:24:15,380 --> 00:24:19,140 Speaker 3: For sure. If I could go to one more Olympics. 485 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:23,310 Speaker 1: Yeah. Wow. 486 00:24:23,530 --> 00:24:26,090 Speaker 2: Yelena was so generous with her time there. I just 487 00:24:26,270 --> 00:24:29,750 Speaker 2: love all the details that she can recall. And yeah, 488 00:24:29,830 --> 00:24:32,850 Speaker 2: imagine being a teenager having to curtsy to the Royal 489 00:24:32,910 --> 00:24:34,310 Speaker 2: Box on Centre Court at Wimbledon. 490 00:24:34,670 --> 00:24:37,310 Speaker 1: It was, I've always wanted to ask Yelena questions like that. 491 00:24:37,570 --> 00:24:40,410 Speaker 1: And I could have listened to her talk for hours more. 492 00:24:40,590 --> 00:24:41,030 Speaker 1: It was great. 493 00:24:41,369 --> 00:24:42,070 Speaker 3: It was wonderful. 494 00:24:42,570 --> 00:24:44,790 Speaker 2: We'll be back next week with another episode of The 495 00:24:44,830 --> 00:24:48,270 Speaker 2: Sit Down when we catch up with another Australian storm hunter. 496 00:24:48,510 --> 00:24:48,690 Speaker 3: Yep. 497 00:24:48,810 --> 00:24:50,330 Speaker 1: And in the meantime, you can listen to John and 498 00:24:50,350 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 1: the team this Thursday on the AO Show Weekly. Details 499 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 1: for how to contact us are in the show notes. 500 00:24:55,220 --> 00:24:58,189 Speaker 1: And as always, please subscribe, rate and review. See you 501 00:24:58,210 --> 00:24:58,670 Speaker 1: next week, Viv. 502 00:24:58,869 --> 00:24:59,629 Speaker 2: Look forward to it, Matt.