NEW YORK, NY, USA - One of the biggest upsets of the US Open - Vania King's second round win over one of the hottest players of the summer, Samantha Stosur - may have been lost among the many dramatic headlines of the fortnight, but not here. King's performance at her home major was a major breakthrough, and bigger things are almost certainly just around the corner. Vania reflected on her experiences for us.
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Sunday, September 13, 2009
Hey everyone!
This is my reflection on the US Open blog. I had one of the best Open experiences this year - my first time staying in Manhattan (I was there almost three weeks because the tournament hotel of the previous tournament, Bronx, was at the Radisson on 48th), my first time reaching the third round in singles, and although it wasn't my first time with friends, my best friend was there and I spent a lot of time with her and other good friends of mine! I was so excited to do well and play well - I wanted to stay there longer as I knew my friends were there. I was entered into all three events, women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, so each day after my result I could predict what day I would for sure play until. I was that hopeful to stay!
I had a great result in singles, and hopefully I will continue on this path of improvement in all aspects of my tennis and ranking. I think I proved to others, and more importantly to myself, that I am capable of playing against the top players. I now need to concentrate on keeping my focus for a longer amount of time. I can't say that this one result was amazing and exciting, although it was, but I feel like I've put a lot of work from even before this year - from the off-season of last year - and slowly, ever so slowly, I feel like my tennis is improving, and thus, my results are improving. It wasn't easy this year because my ranking had dropped quite a bit, and I was entered into the qualifying events of most of the tournaments I was playing. Since I was in the main draw of most of the tournaments last year, the points (even just one round) were much bigger than in the qualifying rounds, and it's also very tough in the qualies to win three rounds and compete mentally and physically at top form all the time. So I felt like I would play a few tournaments and pull my ranking up a little bit, and then boom, some points would fall off and I was back to square one. Like coming into the US Open my ranking was back down to No.123, which is near where I started the beginning of this year.
But I am happy with the progress I made - it wasn't all just tennis - it was my first time traveling without family this year, so I was really growing up. A little bit at least. When I went to Florida to train last year alone, my parents (Asian parents) were so worried, especially my mom. And I was a little bit too, after all, I always had someone to rely on. But it turned out to be the best decision, both for my maturity and tennis. I started to enjoy playing tennis again. In some ways I was mature, because I had personal conflict when I was younger, but in other ways I wasn't, because of that personal conflict, I was so wrapped up in my own problems. I started working and training hard, and was surrounded by people that supported my tennis and my goals, and were trying to push me to be better in that aspect.
So it feels like I'm a totally different person now, even to just three months, or six months ago. One thing that helped me when I was traveling alone (not totally alone, most of the time my coach was there) was realizing how much I cared about my family, so the problems that were an issue before may not be resolved, but not important enough to jeopardize our relationships. I think I've learned a lot about the person I want to be, the reasons I'm playing, and about other people too. I don't think I've made terrible blunders, but I guess I won't know until the future.
So back to the US Open, I often get sidetracked, since it was really, the biggest Grand Slam, especially in my mind since it's in the US. I was hoping so badly to do well. After the first round, I was bummed for Anastasia, but I guess this is sport? The second round I wasn't thinking at all, and the third round I think I was thinking too much! I had a lot of fun in mixed although we lost, but we played a good match against a very good team. In doubles I think we had chances, but our opponents were very tricky and tough to play against. I always have a good time playing with Monica though.
My next tournament will be the Bell Challenge in Quebec City, and after that I will play Tokyo, Beijing and Osaka, and then my season is done! I'm very excited and still trying to convince my coach to give me three weeks instead of two off. You would think I would be able to make these decisions right?? Don't worry, I think I've got him though - he knows it's better if I don't play than play being miserable... he said I have to do an hour and a half of fitness everyday though while I'm taking my holidays. I asked him, what is the point of holidays then if I'll be working my butt off? He had some trivial answer like not losing what we've worked the whole year for... :)
Until next time,
Vania
