Dinara Safina Prepares for Wimbledon

Dinara Safina Prepares for Wimbledon - page 2

5 months ago 22nd Jun 10:34

“I wouldn’t say that I put too much pressure on myself I just like to get the best of me, some people do see at me putting pressure on myself but I want to get the best out of everything, I’m very professional.”

The early part of the year saw the number one spot change hands several times but since Dinara achieved her dream of reaching the top of the rankings on April 27th she has dominated the women’s games in what has so far been a great year for the Russian player.

She build on her French Open final and silver medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 by reaching her second Grand Slam final at the beginning of the year down in Australia.

And after a good string of matches on the clay, which included that French Open final, she is the top seed at Wimbledon and one of the favourites to scoop the title.

While she has been plying very well her speed across the court has been the one area of her game that Dinara really has improved over the last twelve months: “Conditioning for me was always important and I need to be as quick as I can. I work out a lot and I run a lot as well as going to the gym, so it’s a mix of everything, and I also try to d a lot on the tennis court.

And despite the busy schedule Dinara loves her time on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour: “I enjoy it you know I’m having a good time. I have no problems travelling the whole year and being away from home, I’m really enjoying being away from home.”

And other players on the tour have juggled their playing commitments with projects away from the court Safina has stayed focused on her game with little time for much else.

“I don’t have much time out of tennis so I meet with my friends when I have to chance and we go out to dinner. I also spend time with my family because I don’t see them much so that’s the first thing that I do when I get home.”

For anyone who has even had just one eye on the women’s game in recent years will have noticed the dominance of the Russian players over the rankings, four other Russian women join Dinara in the top ten.

“It’s because we have a competition between each other when someone passes someone else we train to then pass them so in a good way it’s competition. We force each other to play better and fight more to move on.”

But on the agenda for Safina at this very moment is of course Wimbledon as she attempts to navigate her way through the rounds and claim her for Grand Slam title.

And despite being in good shape and the top seed she was playing down her chances: “Well I just want to take Wimbledon one match at a time and see how far I can get this time.

“For the rest of the season I just want to be healthy, that’s the most important thing, and to continue working hard and playing my best.”