LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Follow along with one of the most promising rising stars in women's tennis this week as Sabine Lisicki writes her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Blog from the BGL Luxembourg Open in Luxembourg.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Hi everybody,
I had a great week in Luxembourg and really enjoyed my time here! I didn't win today and I'm disappointed but I'm happy I did so well this week. The crowd was amazing. The stadium was full and they made me cry at the ceremony... It was so lovely of everybody to support me like that throughout the week!
It's not easy to come back from injuries. You have a lack of practice, matches and other little things. I'm going home with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye because I had a great week here but at the same time I wanted to win!
I have lots of room to improve and I'm looking forward to the off-season to get rest and then get started to be ready for the new season!
I'm flying home tonight, that's why I'm not writing too much... I hope that you enjoyed reading my blog this week and thanks a lot for all the questions!!!
Thanks for your support and I'm looking forward to blogging again.
Love,
Sabine
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Hello again everyone :)
It was a battle against Shahar today. Being down in the third set and again in the tie-break, I had to play the important points well to pull it out. You never know what's going to happen in the third set so I'm really happy I won that one.
I had a good preparation for the match today. I slept in a little bit and had a good breakfast, then spent some time reading James Blake's autobiography. It's just a great story. He has had so many struggles but got through them to become one of the best players in the world. Anyway, after reading for a bit I went on site, warmed up, ate something then went on court.
After the match I did a sponsor visit, got some treatment done then headed back to the hotel, where I'm writing to you from :)
I have to say, the crowd was great today. It was almost full and so many people were supporting me, it was a great atmosphere. I really enjoyed being on the court. I'm very happy to be in the final too. Timea also had a very long semifinal, so we'll see what happens tomorrow. I'm ready for another battle.
I'll talk to you all after the final... have a good night!
Sabine
What is the fastest serve you've ever hit? Carol, USA
127mph, but it wasn't officially clocked. Officially clocked, I'm at 125mph. I'm pretty lucky, I've always had a good serve. But I'm working on it too. You can always improve all parts of your game.
Your English is really good, when did you start speaking it? Phil, USA
When I came to America the first time I didn't speak much English at all, but I was lucky to have good people around me who encouraged me to learn it. They really helped me a lot. Also, spending so much time in Florida now helps.
I noticed you always wear a cross. Are you religious? Wendy
I am, I'm Catholic. My parents are Catholic so I am as well.
What are your goals for 2010 and for your career? Hugh, UK
I'm ranked No.28 right now and my next goal is to get to the Top 20 as soon as possible, and then of course the Top 10. But my career goal is to become No.1 in the world and win Grand Slams. I'm in no rush, I'm giving myself time. I believe everything comes with time and for a reason. I work very hard. I hope someday I'll reach No.1!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Hi guys,
It was another good day for me. This morning I woke up and saw that I was going to play against Patty. I played against her just a few weeks ago in Tokyo. I knew what to expect. I won, 64 62, and I'm very happy to be in the semis! I'm going to play against Shahar Peer second match after 2pm. I played her last year twice and we are tied at 1-1 in H2H. I'm sure it will be a good match.
Before my match I met Jana Novotna. It brought some memories up. I thought I'd share them with you :) When I was a little kid I went to practice with her. I was so nervous, I forgot to bring my shoes!! Can you imagine, you meet such a great player and forget your shoes. What impression does that make? Not good. Anyway, we went to the clubhouse and bought a new pair so I could practice with her. It was great and I still have a picture of the two of us :)
Alright, it's pretty late here. Sorry for the short blog but I need to get some sleep to be fit and ready to go for tomorrow! :)
Talk to you tomorrow,
Sabine
How do you like living in Bradenton? Fred
It's great. I have everything I need there so I'm very happy! I know a lot of people in the academy and it's always great to see and talk to them. I'm looking forward to Decemeber when I will be back again!
Among all off-court activities you've ever done, which was your favorite? Alain, Canada
There is so much to explore in this world! I really enjoy a lot of things. Once in a tournament I did curling and that was fun and something totally different! But also watching other sports is great.
Who is your favorite men's tennis player? Nguyet
I really enjoy watching Federer and Nadal. They are both great players and are fighting on the court! I like that :) Also I like watching Santoro. He is the magician of the ATP Tour. It's sad he's leaving at the end of this year.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hi everybody,
Today was a very easy going day. Practice went very well. I talked quite a lot with the players while I was on site and thought of going to the movies later in the day. Instead I decided to go back to the hotel to take a nap. Once I woke up all fresh again, I watched a DVD - to be specific, I watched The Notebook. I think it was a nice movie with a great love story. It ended pretty sad though.
My opponents haven't finished their match yet so I don't know who I'll play. I'm sure it will be a great match against either one of them and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match!! I'm happy with the way I'm hitting the ball and so glad to be back on the court. When I had all those injuries I really missed being on the tour. Tennis is simply my passion!
Soon we have the off-season. Every player takes some time off. It's a great time because I get to see all the people that are important to me and get to do some things I might not be able to do during the season. End of November, I start the preparation for next year. It's basically the only time of the year where I don't play tournaments and do training only. I'll spend most of that time in Florida...
Alright that's all for today. I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Sabine
What kind of sacrifices have you had to make to become a professional player? Mark, Ireland
I really love tennis. I'm very lucky I can do what I love! I enjoy working on and off the court so there is not much I miss. Of course I can't see my friends as much but thanks to Skype and e-mails it's not that big of a problem :)
What do you enjoy doing most during your free time away from tennis? Drew, Singapore
I enjoy watching movies, reading books, listening to music and of course I use the internet to stay in touch with my family and friends! When I'm at home I also enjoy painting. My mom is an artist so I guess it's in my blood to be a little bit of an artist too.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hi guys,
I got back to the hotel quite late but let me start from the beginning of the day.
My match was scheduled second after 1pm, so I had more time in the morning than the previous days. I had a nice, long breakfast then went to the courts, practiced and prepared myself for my match. I had to get a quick bite to eat so that I wouldn't get hungry on the court, and my ankles needed to be taped too.
I beat Polona, 76(1) 64. She served well and I made a few mistakes too many but I played very well on the important points. I'm happy to be in my first quarterfinal in a while. After all those injuries I enjoy being on the court even more. In the next round I'll play either Kim Clijsters or Patty Schnyder. They are playing tomorrow evening. I'm looking forward to the next round. It will be a good match for sure. I love to have these kind of challenges!
After the match I did press and went to see the physios again. Now I'm back in the hotel. My dog was so happy to see me. It's always great when you come back and your dog is waiting for you.
I'm pretty tired so I think I'll go to sleep soon!
Talk to you tomorrow,
Sabine
What happened in the moments and days after your ankle injury at the US Open? Shay, Israel
I was pretty shocked when it happened. It was only my first tournament back from a shoulder injury so it was pretty tough for me. The same day I went to get an X-ray, to make sure nothing was broken, and the day after I did an MRI. It's never a good feeling to be in the hospital!!! Finally I got back home to Florida, rested and did a lot of rehab.
What has been your most memorable match so far? Famk, Australia
That's a tough question to answer. I think I have a few matches that were really important to me. Like the Fed Cup match against Lindsay Davenport, beating Chakvetadze in Miami (for my first Top 10 win), Venus Williams in Charleston, and this year's Wimbeldon. All of the matches at Wimbledon were special because I hadn't won a match on grass before that and then reaching my first quarterfinal of a Grand Slam was awesome!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hi everybody,
I had a quiet day today. I didn't have a match so I just practiced. I had a great hit in the morning and after that I went to see the physios to keep everything nice and loose :) I watched a little bit of the match of my next opponent and then ate lunch on site. The food is great here. These little things make a big difference.
I didn´t have practice in the afternoon so I had some time to go to a hairdresser. I usually don't do things like that during the tournament but I really needed a hair cut... Right next to me there was a lady with a cute Yorkshire Terrier. After I got the cut I went up to the lady with her dog. I wanted to pet him and he almost bit me!!! Imagine me coming to my match tomorrow with a tape on my my right hand because a dog bit me. That would have been a story... Thank God my reactions are good :) At a hairdresser too - it was like something out of a movie!
Tonight I'll prepare all my things for tomorrow's match and then I might watch a some TV or a DVD, not sure yet. Tomorrow I'm playing second match after 1pm against Polona Hercog.
That's all for today. Talk to you tomorrow :)
Sabine
On the draw, your name is listed under Player Representative at the bottom. What does that mean? Ben, USA
Good question! That means I helped with the draw. The draw ceremony was on Saturday evening and I was there helping them make it.
What is the craziest place you've been recognized? Kevin, Germany
When I was flying back from Charleston this year, we didn't land in New York as planned, we landed in Allentown, Pennsylvania and took a bus to New York. Everyone on the plane got on the bus and by the end of the ride they all knew I had won the tournament in Charleston. Anyway, at the US Open this year, I was walking in downtown New York, and one of the guys from that trip was on the street - all of a sudden, five months later in New York, someone was calling my name on the street. New York is huge! It was quite funny.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Hello everyone, and welcome to my first blog for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website :)
I'm feeling really good now, but the last few months weren't like that at all! Before the US Open I injured my shoulder and there was a big question mark over whether I'd even play there, but four days before I was able to start practicing again so I was able to go. Unfortunately I twisted my ankle during my match there, and then I got food poisoning in China a few weeks ago too. But I'm a fighter and I never let those things break me down. Last week I was at home in Berlin, practicing hard, and I'm feeling strong coming into this week...
I arrived here Friday morning. I´m here with my parents and my dog :) It´s always great to have everybody around you during a tournament. I have a Yorkshire Terrier called Happy. He doesn't come to too many events but wheh he does I enjoy the time playing with him. It's simply something different...
Today there were strikes in the city. We didn't know exactly where they would be so instead of planning on a 10-minute ride to the site, we had to make sure to have 30 minutes just in case the road right in front of us would be blocked.
I got up pretty early this morning to get a hit on center court. After my morning practice I came back to the hotel, rested a little bit, then went back to the site for my match - but it was still the first match on! I thought it would be over by then but it was okay, I just waited a bit, listening to music and reading some magazines, which helps me to stay focused yet relaxed for my match. I'm happy Anabel won in straight sets though, so I wouldn't have to wait too long!
I won my match against Iveta Benesova, 61 64. I was very happy about how I was playing - very solid and consistent. I'm also very happy my ankle and shoulder are holding up. I played Iveta in Miami this year and she beat me, so I really wanted some revenge!
About 15 minutes after I finished I did an autograph session for my fans. There were many people there and I'm always happy to put some smiles on their faces. Right after that I did press then went back to the hotel. Later I got a massage then went to the players party, which was great. Daniela and I had some fun. There was one person at our table who was eating a lot and we were both wondering how he could eat all that food... I won't tell you who it was though :) There's always some fun at the players party and it's a great way to get away from tennis for a little while.
Now I'm back in the hotel and I'll go to bed soon. I don't have a match tomorrow. I'm going to practice tomorrow morning so I'll have to get up ealry once again... I look forward to your questions and talking to you all again tomorrow!
Sabine
