TOKYO, Japan - Although she has a large fan following across the globe, nowhere does Ai Sugiyama receive more love and support than in her home country of Japan. And she has answered their call on several occasions, capturing two of her six career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles at Tokyo [Japan Open]. Although she wasn't able to come away with her third title at the Tier III event this week, she has many memories to take away from her trip. Relive some of the Japanese superstar's moments in the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog.
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Friday, October 6, 2006
Well this is my last blog entry from the Japan Open in Tokyo. Today was just not my day. I had a tough time on the court and I lost my match. I was really disappointed, but that's how it goes sometimes. Tomorrow I'll be heading home for a few days before my next tournament in Zürich, so I hope to get a good rest.
I just want to say a big thanks to all my fans out there who cheer me on at tournaments and follow my results on my website. I really appreciate all of your support. Thanks also for reading my blog this week, I really had fun writing it.
'Til the next time,
Ai
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Thursday, October 5, 2006
Hi everyone,
Today's match was tougher than I expected! The big crowd really helped. It's a faster court and Vania King hits flat balls. I won, but it was nearly three hours.
This is my third week on the road; I played Beijing two weeks ago and Seoul last week. I enjoy the traveling but when I have a few days off, it's nice to just relax. There's a place I like to go to, about an hour from my house in Kanagawa. It's a very famous, traditional-style Japanese hotel. Although it's close to the sea, they have a spa and hot springs. They do body treatments and facials and afterwards, refreshments. Nearby there's also golf, which I enjoy with my family. There's great seafood there, too.
So that's the routine I always do, about four or five times a year. I go there after long trips, like after two months in Europe or the US Open Series. I stay for two or three days. It makes so much difference. I can relax. There's no tennis, I'm completely away from it. This year, we went after Wimbledon and the US Open.
I spend maybe four months at home each year if I put all the weeks together, including the seven weeks off at the end of the year. I used to have a place in Florida where I would practice, but I don't go anymore. I prefer to train here. I'm already traveling too much! Whenever I have the time, I prefer to come home and sleep in my own bed.
I'm really close with my sister, Mai, a professional golfer. When I'm at home, I watch her lessons, go to the golf ranch, maybe hit some balls too. She lives at my parents' house, just 15 minutes away from me. I like to spend time there with the family and my dog. I have a 10-year-old Golden Retriever, Terry. He's named after a Japanese cartoon character. My sister and dad take care of him. I can't really take care of him because I travel so much, but when I have time, I go to my parents' house to see him. He was a gift from the coach of Yone Kamio, a former Japanese player. She had a lot of Golden Retrievers and when they had a litter she gave us the cutest one! He wasn't even three months old. He was unbelievably cute. He's still a great dog.
Where we live is not like a city city, it's not small small, but it's a place like a seaside town. The people are more relaxed there. There are a lot of fishermen and surfers. We can walk to the seaside in 10 minutes. It's a really relaxing, casual town. There are a lot of Japanese tourists, but lately I see more foreigners as well. I tried surfing once. I could stand on the board the first time but it wasn't easy! I was about 15 years old and I was skinny then so maybe it was easier! I also enjoy beach volleyball. I have friends who are on the pro volleyball tour and they give us lessons. They're on their tour so they can't give us too much time but it's really fun. It's good training for us tennis players to play in the sand.
On the road, it seems we always go out to eat. It's hard to cook for ourselves. When we're at Wimbledon though, we rent a house and my mom cooks for me. That's very nice! I love those two weeks for that, because I get sick of going out to eat every single night. I love to eat with family and friends. Sometimes I cook myself but it's not easy after training hard.
I like Asian food and cook some of the easy stuff like rice, miso soup, grilled fish and steamed veggies. It's healthy Japanese food. I really like the simple stuff. My parents have a barbecue and we have friends over, especially in the summer, and cook steaks, chicken, fish, the same as in many countries. Cookouts in the back garden with friends and family - that's what I like.
Tomorrow I will play my quarterfinal match. I'm really tired from today's match! I'll talk to you all again after my match tomorrow.
Ai
