Roland Garros 2010 Quarter-Final Interview

Elena beat Nadia Petrova 2-6 6-2 6-0

Q. Once again, you're in semifinal in a Grand Slam. How did it feel, and do you think that this time you can win?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I think probably this is the most difficult performance, you know, since I played my first time to get to the semifinals.
I think the weather condition was, you know, quite tough for everyone here during two weeks. It's really it was a difficult challenge to win this match today against Nadia. I think we both were struggling with a little bit of injuries today, and there was very difficult to play.
I'm just very happy, you know, to be in the semifinal and have another chance to play here.

Q. You've had basically such a long rivalry with her. You've been playing matches against each other, same country, whatever. Is it more difficult or less difficult when you have somebody like that across the net?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I guess you just, you know, get used to it, because there are so many Russians on the tour. I realize every time I come for the tournament I'm gonna face someone from Russia, or maybe a couple of times during the tournament.
Yeah, it's not easy to play against someone you know very well, and, you know, you practice sometimes together. It's maybe a little bit more emotional.
But in another way, you just know better the player, and you know exactly what you want to do on the court.

Q. You had a bit of trouble getting into the match in the first round. Was that because of your thigh pain? When did you start feeling pain in your thigh, exactly?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I think because of the weather, you know, my second round we were on and off on the court, and it was not enough time to warm up and, you know, get ready to play. I just start to feel something on my calf.
But, you know, since I've got one day off between the matches, it's really helping me for recovering, and it feels better.

Q. Were you surprised when you saw Nadia calling out for care after you were injured? Is it difficult to deal with this match where both players are injured?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I think everyone has to deal with something here, you know. It's probably one of the most difficult Grand Slams to play because of the surface, and once again the weather conditions makes it very hard for everyone.
It's very cold and it's windy. Sometimes there is no time to warm up. You just go on the court straight and you have to play your best. It's not an easy week for everyone.
So, yeah, I think physically we were not at the best today, but we were fighting and, you know, playing a good match in the end.

Q. When you were at the Lycée in Moscow, what age were you? Was that where your sort of special relationship with Roland Garros started?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I played my first final here, my first Grand Slam final. It's always been a very special tournament for me. I like it here. This is my favorite Grand Slam.
So I just have so many great memories of playing on Philippe Chatrier Court, and just here in Paris. So every time I'm coming here I really feel inspired by the crowd. I just love to play here.

Q. Am I wrong if I say that you are in semifinal without playing your best tennis?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, it's not about, you know, showing your best tennis. It's about winning matches.
Once again, in this kind of weather conditions, you really have to, you know, push yourself very hard and, you know, stay positive, try to win no matter what.
I think I had some good tennis here and there, but it was difficult.

Q. I'd like to know if did you expect Francesca Schiavone to win so easily versus Wozniacki today? She won 6 2, 6 3. And also, you played her many times. Sometimes you won; sometimes you lost. What do you remember there? What do you expect on clay?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, I think well, Francesca is a very good player. She likes to play on clay courts. I think it really suits her game. She has a great variation in her game. She always had good results playing on clay courts.
I think she's in a great shape for the moment, and that's gonna be a tough match for me.
I didn't see basically, I didn't see this match against Caroline today, but I'm sure it's gonna be a tough challenge for me.

Q. She plays with a lot of variety. There is something that bothers your game more than others in a way? Because I remember, for instance, once in Moscow years ago she beat you quite easily, and you were playing very well at that time already.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, I think we played lots of times since juniors. Every time it was a difficult match, very close match.
So, yeah, I think she's a clay court specialist, you know. She knows how to play on clay, and she has a great variety. She mix it up a lot. That's gonna be a tough one.

Q. You say it's the most difficult Slam and it's your favorite, you love it the most. Do you love it partially because it's so difficult? I mean, is there something about the hard work you put in or something about overcoming that that makes you like it?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I just love Paris. I love coming here. I love to play here. I really love French crowds. They support me every time I'm here. This really makes me play my best.
I really waited for this Grand Slam during the year, and really waiting to come to Paris and play this tournament. I think it's probably the most interesting Grand Slam to watch because it's the second in the year.
And it's not like Australia. You don't know what to expect because everyone is coming from the offseason, and sometimes it's just too emotional.
But here, it's all about, you know, your good preparation, you know, how fit you are and how mentally tough you can stay during the two weeks to be able to win such a difficult challenge.
So I think it's the most exciting one.

Q. Having Maxim, being a professional athlete, does that help you be professional athlete somehow?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I'm not going to talk about him. Sorry.

Q. This will be your ninth Grand Slam singles semifinal. Does it bother you that sometimes people think you're the girl who's never quite gone on to sort of complete the journey in a way? You've been so close so many times. Is there something that's on your mind?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, for sure it's on my mind. I mean, I was in the final a couple times in the semifinal and never won the Grand Slam. This is one of the biggest goals into in my career left. This is great motivation for me.
But coming to the Grand Slam I'm not thinking about my chances. I'm not thinking about, you know, that's the one. I'm just trying to take one match at a time and trying to build my game and play my best.
You cannot think about, you know, winning Grand Slam. It's a two week competition, and anything can happen to you. I'm just, you know, glad to be in the semifinals. Let's see if I can handle this challenge.

Q. Paris is a lot of people's favorite city. I'm wondering what about the city suits you so well and if you speak any French and what you do when you have free time here.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, first of all, it's a beautiful city. It's just great to be here. Talking about this tournament, I think, you know, people, the crowd makes it very special for all of us.
For me, I mean, I just have I learned French at school, so every time I come I'm trying to speak a little bit French here.
Yeah, for some reason I fall in love with the city, and I just love to come back here again and again.

Q. Favorite spot? Favorite sightseeing spot? Favorite museum? Art gallery, anything?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I just love Montmarte. I just love to go there and walk around. This is a very beautiful part of the city, very different. Everything, Champs Elysees, especially the last week when it was closed for the cars. It was very different to see this kind of expo there.
I mean, a lot of beautiful place. Tour Eifel, I like to go there once during the tournament. Yeah, we're quite busy playing the tournament here.

Q. When I see your serve, you have done a great evolution. The double faults were there, but you are serving much better. Did you do something special or you change the movement or what? Because you're serving great.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Thank you. First time I hear this (laughter.) in my whole career. Well, I think with my serve it's all about rhythm. When I'm able to give the right rhythm on the match, it goes well.
I'm really working a lot on my serve. You know, it's not the biggest weapon in my game, but I think I've done a good work. It is a little bit better now, so I'm still I keep working on it, but it's a big advantage when you are feeling more comfortable in your service game. It's just a different attitude when you're playing.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in French?

Q. Thank you for answering in French. Could you tell us if you want about this special relationship you have with this tournament and about the conditions here.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, the weather conditions are very difficult for everyone this year, and today during the match it was very difficult winning in three sets against Nadia.
I think we were both injured on top of everything. But before the match, I decided I would be more aggressive. I was very happy I won in three sets and reached the semifinals.

Q. This is a tournament you enjoy very much.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, this is my favorite tournament amongst the Grand Slam tournaments. I'm very impatient to come to Paris. I'm looking forward to it every year. It's incredible to be in the semifinal.

Q. Six years down the road.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yes, that was my first semifinal here in Paris. Each time I arrive here, I'm very happy. It's a great pleasure for me to play here in Paris.

Q. You play your semifinal against an opponent you know very well.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yes, you're right. I've played Francesca many times. She's a very dangerous player on clay. She won to Caroline today. It was a beautiful match, and I think it's going to be a tough match.

Q. You get beautiful support from the French crowd.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, it was great playing with the French crowd. They supported me all along the tournament, and that gives me extra strength to play and win the matches.

Q. I've seen a video that shows that a few years back you wouldn't sleep in a hotel. You had a flat in Paris. So is it still true, or do you go at the hotel like all players?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: No, no, we have a room with small apartments. It's a hotel with small apartments. It's not far from here, and each time I come to Paris I go to the same hotel.
It's perfect, because you can walk here. It takes 10 minutes' walk.