Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchováis a Slovak tennis player. She turned professional in 1999 and had her breakthrough year in 2002, when she won her first WTA tournament, the Indian Wells Masters, defeating Martina Hingis in the final and becoming the lowest-ranked player to ever win the tournament. She also reached the quarterfinals of that year's Wimbledon Championship and US Open, ending the year in the top 10. She was part of the Slovak team that won the 2002 Fed Cup and the...
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth23 April 1983
CityPoprad, Slovakia
Rome is my most favorite city, so I really enjoy to stay here and the whole tournament.
Some players prefer to play one point after another. I prefer to take more time. There's nothing you can do about it.
Definitely I felt like I always played well in Tokyo, I like the fast speed of the ball, it's very similar to grass.
There were a lot of points where if I could have won those, it would have made a difference, and who knows what would happen in the third set?
It's just all part of it. I don't allow it to affect me, to turn it into pressure.
It was really difficult out there and I just tried to make sure I put as many balls as possible in court, and not go for too many crazy shots or go for the lines
It means a lot. Finally I can say that I'm able to play and beat anyone, and it just gives me so much confidence. I had so many matches like this where I was really close to beating the top players and finally I did it today. I'm just really extremely happy about that.
It's been one of the most important things for me that I have gained experience and know better what to do at crucial times.
I just tried to be a bit calmer and patient.
I went for some stupid shots and was not patient enough. If you don't take your chances and she starts to feel she's getting on top, it's so hard to stop her. I didn't play the right shots the right way.
I was just really glad how I stuck in there and kept fighting for every point. That's what makes the difference for me, now being able to win these matches.
I was very pleased with the way I played today because Lisa is very tough to play indoors,
Well, I like to - the game of serve and volley, but it's very tough, you know, against the best players because they return so good and their passing shots are really good. So it's really tough to get there with those players.
That's what I've been always saying, that I was always using the mixed doubles especially to improve my net game and being able to return a guy's serve, 'cause then when you play someone like Serena, you are little bit more prepared for that.