杉山愛 Interview from Wimbledon.org - 網球 Tennis

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2008-06-24/2008062412143151979
53.html

Ai Sugiyama - 24 June

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Ai Sugiyama def. Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-2

Q. A good start to Wimbledon. You seemed very focused today, despite many
distractions on court. How do you feel you played?

AI SUGIYAMA: Yeah, I think I start really good, and actually the girl I
played today, I haven't played, of course. It was first meeting. She did well
in Birmingham. She went to the finals, so she's good on grass, and I was
expected to be 100 percent sharp from the beginning, and I think I focused
very good today. Yeah, I'm very pleased the way I played today.


Q. How does it feel to have broken the record for consecutive appearances?

AI SUGIYAMA: Yeah, I'm very happy. I mean, when I heard the number of the
Grand Slams I play, it's actually really huge numbers. Even here, I came here
16 times. This is my 16th Wimbledon, and it's been great.

I just don't want to be just -- just be here, but I wanted to perform well,
as well. So I focused practicing here good, and I focused today's matches
well.


Q. When you started this long run of Grand Slam appearances, could you ever
have imagined it would go on 14 years now, however long it is?

AI SUGIYAMA: It would be very tough for me. The motivation was always up and
down, and to motivate up there is really tough. But also, it was a good
motivation for me to keep going as long as I can. And if I'm fit enough and
play good enough to be top 50, 30, 20, that would be great. I just don't want
to just be there. I still need to play good, and I need to feel that I can
keep going, like not only being the first round participate.


Q. Did you ever come close to missing a Grand Slam through injury or --

AI SUGIYAMA: Actually not.


Q. What's your secret? How do you stay so fit?

AI SUGIYAMA: Maybe I thank my parents, that's the first thing (laughter). And
I'm also traveling with my trainer, taking care of my body, train well, and
have massage every day.


Q. Does it get harder as you get older to keep

AI SUGIYAMA: It's also here (pointing to mind) and body are very connected,
so when motivation going down, my fitness going down, everything going down,
and performance pathetic. But once the physical or mentally tough, then you
start to play good, then you can really push yourself to be -- play hard on
court. So mentally and physical, it's very connected.


Q. Getting to 100 might be a bit far, but how far do you think you can go?

AI SUGIYAMA: Oh, I mean, every year I have to really have a good day each
day. Tomorrow is the only day that I can think of. Today I focused today.
Actually I never thought I can play this long, and I never thought I would
be playing like this really, 2008 Beijing. I never think too much ahead.
But just I would like to play next US Open for sure.


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