The only Belgian – out of the nine involved in qualifying for the US Open – to play on the courts this Tuesday, Yanina Wickmayer (WTA 86) will be opposed from 5 p.m. to the Canadian Katherine Sebov (WTA 141).
Before his entry into the running, we contacted him by telephone. Selected pieces.
Yanina, how do you feel physically and mentally as you begin qualifying for the US Open?
“I arrived last Thursday and I had a few days to acclimatize and digest the jet lag. Training is going well. Physically, it’s better. I recovered well from my back injury suffered in Prague at the beginning of August. I took the time to take good care of myself and I no longer feel any discomfort. Mentally too, everything is fine. I’ve had a great season so far, I feel good on the pitch and I can’t wait to play.”
We know that you would have liked to receive an invitation from the organizers. Were you disappointed not to get it?
“No way. There are plenty of young Americans who deserve it and others who come back (Editor’s note: like Venus Williams). It just wasn’t the right timing.”
You’ve already said it: the US Open is your favorite tournament. But for what reasons?
“This is where my career really took off, with my semi-final in 2009. People still remember that fortnight. Moreover, it is a living tournament, where there is a lot of atmosphere.”
In 2009, the Danish Caroline Wozniacki deprived Yanina Wickmayer of a final at the US Open. ©PhotoNews
Are there places you visit every time you come to New York?
“With my granddaughter who is present here, we have a little less time to visit but we try to have a small restaurant in the evening. Also, for two or three years, we no longer stay in the center where life is calmer. So every year, we try to discover new places.”
You often travel alone, without your husband and your daughter Luana Daniëlla (born April 15, 2021). But in New York, you are reunited as a family. Is it important to feel good?
“She hasn’t traveled with me at all this year, except at Wimbledon and therefore here at the US Open. It’s not always easy to live, but in a tournament there is not much to do for children of his age. Especially since she is a very active little girl. So with my husband, we find that it’s better that way, but I know that they are fully behind me and that she follows me. Here in New York, there are plenty of leisure activities. She also goes to the club nursery and she has a lot of fun. When she is present by my side, it does me a lot of good.”
You have found the world top 100. Did you see yourself so high in the rankings at the start of the season?
“It’s the first time I’ve come back from maternity so, honestly, it was hard to have expectations. I didn’t have many expectations. I started this challenge by telling myself that I was going to give it my all every day, have fun and see what was going to happen. Over the weeks, my level only increased and the results followed too. The top 100 is obviously a special milestone, you still have to win a lot of matches and I am therefore proud to be among the top hundred players in the world one year after returning to the circuit.
At almost 34 years old, you are currently the Belgian number 2 behind Elise Mertens (WTA 32). Does it surprise you not to see young Belgians performing at the top of the world?
“The level is quite high, there are plenty of players who are developing well. I can say that since I had to start all over again from the beginning. To be part of the top 100, you have to be strong in the head but also physically. It’s far from a gift. Obviously, all of Belgian tennis would like to see a little more talent emerge, but we have to give time to the new generation. We see that Maryna (Zanevska) is stopping, that Ysaline (Bonaventure) is taking a break, the new generation needs time. There are good players but it is sometimes played on details.
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Once the US Open is over, what will be your program and your next goals for the end of the season?
“After the US Open, I have to decide if I stay two more weeks in the United States or if I go quickly to China where the tour is quite substantial. There will also be the Billie Jean King Cup meeting at home (Editor’s note: in the play-off against Hungary) then it will already be the end of the season. My biggest goal remains to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s even a dream. Finding the top 100 was a first step to take in this regard. Winning titles, including doubles, is another goal I was able to achieve. Now, I will play higher tournaments and the level will increase. I have to continue to reach the different crossing points that will lead me to the Olympics.”
2023-08-22 08:49:00
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