STOCKHOLM, Sweden - The transition from juniors to the pro circuit has been a smooth one for Caroline Wozniacki. Last year's Wimbledon girls' champion now boasts three Sony Ericsson WTA Tour quarterfinal runs as well as a Top 100 ranking, all at the young age of 17. This week the Danish upstart heads to the Nordea Nordic Light Open in Stockholm and adds her name to the list of Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Bloggers.
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Saturday, August 4, 2007
Well I lost my quarterfinal against Radwanska today. I'm disappointed of course. I tried my best, but it just wasn't enough. Hopefully I'll win next time. She was playing really well - she's ranked in the 30s now so she's obviously playing very well, consistent and aggressive at the same time. But even though I lost it's always fun to go out on the court and play. Of course waiting through the rain yesterday makes you tired but it's like that for everyone.
Tonight we went to an amusement park in Stockholm to help cheer up a bit. It was quite fun - I went on some roller coasters and tried to win some prizes but I didn't win any! I was trying to win this big chocolate thing but I was unlucky. Everybody was winning but me! Usually we like to just walk around the cities we visit and see all the cultures, but sometimes we like to do these things too :)
You always want to take the positives away from a tournament, even when you lose. It doesn't help to be negative at all. I had some good wins and I know I'm playing better and better. And I had a lot of nice comments about this blog - it's nice to know people were reading! I think I'll start doing more on my website...
Thanks for reading and the nice comments, and I'll see some of you in Toronto!!
Carloline :)
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Friday, August 3, 2007
It's been a pretty long day of rain here in Stockholm. I didn't end up playing my quarterfinal. We were waiting around all day, and they said they would make a decision at 7:30pm about whether or not to cancel play. The rain had stopped by then but not long after they started drying the courts it started again and so play was abandoned. I'm not upset about it - actually, I was a little tired today, not just physically from my matches this week but also mentally from my waiting around all day today. And tomorrow is supposed to be nice and sunny!
While I was waiting I passed the time with Elena Vesnina mostly. We talked and even played this tennis game on Xbox in the player lounge. I picked Davenport in the beginning but I was playing so badly and she was winning so much, so we switched and I got Venus, but then she won with Davenport too! After a while I started getting better and giving her some close games though.
It was fun to play as other players in that game. When I was younger, I always looked up to Martina Hingis. I wanted to play just like her, thinking a lot on the court, just the way I'd like to play. I've actually played her three times now, twice in Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments and once in an exhibition match. In the beginning I couldn't really believe I was playing on the same court as her; but eventually I got used to it. You are both players in the same environment.
There wasn't really much going on today to write about... well I did go downtown and I saw some shoes I wanted to buy but I didn't end up buying them. I didn't really feel like trying them on yet... I'll think about it then go back. I like buying things for myself now and then - not just if I've had a good result but even if I'm not feeling so great. Whatever mood I'm in there's always shopping there for me!
There's a good movie on right now, I think I'll watch some of that and just go to sleep. I'll need all my energy for tomorrow. I am just focusing on my first match but if I win I'll have another one, so I'll need to be well rested.
Talk to you all tomorrow!
Caroline
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Thursday, August 2, 2007
Hey everyone,
I'm very happy about my win today over Elena Vesnina, who was the No.6 seed. It was a big fight but we're good friends, and it's always tough to play a friend. I think the main reason I won was because I was running and fighting as much as I could. I have a few things I definitely want to improve on, but right now I'm just happy. She had her doubles to play right after and I had to go to my massage, so we didn't get much of a chance to talk. I usually get a massage whenever I can after a match or else I'll feel tired the next morning!
I didn't go for my morning run today... I actually slept in quite a bit! After we had lunch we went to the club and I played for an hour to warm up for my game. I hit with Michaela Johansson, a good Swedish player. It was my first time hitting with her, but she plays a lot like Vesnina so I'm sure it helped me! Usually I'll hit with a player or my dad. My dad is my coach, so he obviously helps a lot.
After my match we went downtown again and to Friday's for dinner. For anybody who has not heard of it, Friday's is an American-style restaurant and I really like it. Their fajitas are my favorite. I'm a little plain when it comes to eating fajitas though; I usually just add the meat, a little bit of salad and some guacamole, and that's all I need. I don't like mixing too many things together. Pretty plain!
I really like playing here. Not only is Stockholm beautiful but I feel at home all week. It's the only Nordic tournament we have and they take great care of me here. I think it helps me bring my best game. My next opponent isn't going to be easy - Agnieszka Radwanska, the No.2 seed. I have never played her before but I know her very well from the juniors. We're good friends. It'll be tough but not impossible. I'll have to play my smartest to win. It should be a good match!
I'm just going to relax tonight and sleep well, then wake up for a morning run. I can't miss two days in a row! I always feel better when I run. But of course, not too too early...
I'll talk to you all tomorrow night!
Caroline
