Kiki Mladenovic easily reached the second round at the WTA tournament in Linz. After her first-round victory over Harriet Dart, the Frenchwoman spoke at the press conference about the trembling of her friend Dominic Thiem’s games and her love for Austria.
She also explained why she is being coached by her mother, what she expects in the second round against Timea Babos and what she is facing almost day after day with her boyfriend.
Kiki Mladenovic …
… about her first round: “I didn’t know much about my opponent, even on the internet I found out very little about her. She definitely has talent, but I’m happy about my solid performance.”
… about the duel with her double partner Babos in round two: “On the tour you only have a few friends, but she definitely belongs to them. We actually talk about absolutely everything to each other. That’s a very valuable connection I have with her. We really train together at every tournament. It will be a difficult match because we know each other inside out. She serves well and has aggressive bottoms. She has a good record against me because my way of playing suits her. I almost dare not say it, but this time I want to return the favor for my defeats.”
… about the support of family Thiem: “I enjoy the support. Domi’s family is so loving, it means a lot to me that they’re here. In general I am very happy that I am in Linz, because it feels like home. I don’t know why I used to play in Asia in the past.”
… on the situation of playing before Thiems relatives: “I already know almost all members of the Thiem family, only the second grandma I got to know first. It’s not extra pressure, but I still feel a positive tension. After all, they might come to Linz just to see me lose (laughs). I was really nervous at first.”
… about her leisure activities at tournaments: “I am usually very professional and only commute between hotel and training ground. But as I get older – without wanting to sound as old as a rock, but I started playing on the tour ten years ago – I try to keep more and more half a day off to explore the tournament city. What I saw walking in Linz was really beautiful. Apart from that I find Vienna beautiful, but also the rural regions are wonderful. What can I say? I love Austria.”
… when asked if she was following Thiems Match in Shanghai: “For three hours I trembled in bed! It was horrible, after that I needed a nap. I was nervous at the end, completely exhausted without having played a match myself. When I watch him, I feel the same adrenaline rush as when I was playing.”
… to the question why she doesn’t hide her relationship with Thiem from the public: “Well, we don’t tell you everything (laughs). But is quite nice for the fans to see some pictures or videos. We still focus on our careers. It helps if we talk about certain situations.”
… about Thiems knowledge of French: “We have a little competition going on. We both learn the other language with one language app, but I have to make do with German. There is no Austrian, and I have already noticed that there are some differences. This is another example of what a competition type Domi is. I’m sure he practices two hours a day. I don’t mean to say he’s already fluent, but his French is incredible now. I’m sure he can speak well at the French Open.”
… It was a big mistake in my youth to learn Spanish instead of German. I know a few sentences, but I need a few more months. This will be my sixth language (besides French, Serbian, English, Italian and Spanish, note). At school I was always bad at mathematics, but languages were always more fun – as was philosophy.”
… to the question whether she would accompany Thiem to his seasonal preparation camp on Tenerife: “Maybe. I myself usually train in Dubai in December, the climate is right there and it’s on the way to Australia. But it’s something we’ve talked about before.”
… about her search for trainers: “My mother is currently accompanying me. But we didn’t stop looking for an external coach. But it is not easy to find one, because many are forgiven. It just has to fit, and you have to travel a lot. I’m pretty happy with my current team.”