MEMPHIS, TN, USA - Shahar Peer has enjoyed an incredible rise over the last few years; she cracked the Top 20 on the 2006 year-end rankings and hasn't left that elite since, also notching several firsts for Israel, including becoming the first from her nation to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal (doing so in Melbourne and New York last year). In Memphis last year she made it all the way to the final, and this year she'll bring us along as she tries to go one step further in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog.
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Friday, February 29, 2008
Hello again everyone,
Well unfortunately I lost my semifinal match today. I'm disappointed, of course; it could have gone either way. I had my chances in the first as well as the third set, like in the third set I had a break point at 3-3 and just missed. It was the kind of match that every point was so important, and I just wasn't able to win enough of them. But credit to her, she played really tough. The last few matches have all been tough and I can take a lot of positives from this week. I was playing well the whole week. I also felt support from the crowd today which was nice.
Now I'm heading to San Diego for a few days to train with Conchi and then we're off to Indian Wells. There are some really important tournaments coming up, and I'm really hoping I can do well at them like I did last year.
Of course I won't leave without answering a few more fan questions! Actually, I am attaching a really nice picture I got with some fans after one of my matches in Israel last year. Thanks for sending it in and thanks to everyone for all of your continued support.
Until next time,
Shahar
What tournaments are you most looking forward to this year? - Yaron
Well I look forward to playing every tournament, but players really build their schedules around the Grand Slams. Of course I want to win every tournament I am playing in, but those are the main goals of the season for most players.
Are there any players you look forward to playing? - Christine, Qatar
Not really - I mean there are some players I haven't played, but every match is a new one and I usually focus on the match itself, not so much on my opponent.
Hey Shahar - my name is also Shahar and I'm from Israel too :) I want too know how you feel when you win or lose - do you love winning and hate losing? - Shahar, Israel
Well the most important thing is winning. It's the bottom line - whether you're playing well or not, you always want to come away from a match with a win. As a tournament goes on you obviously want to play better and better, so that's when you maybe focus less on the win or the loss and more on playing your best level. But winning is the most important in any case; actually I just found out that I won my 200th match yesterday in the quarterfinals, and that's great - hopefully the next 100 will come soon!
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Hi again everyone,
My match with Sofia Arvidsson was very tough today. From beginning to end we were playing really well; even when I lost the first set I felt I was playing well. I changed my tactics after that, becoming a lot more aggressive, and I think that helped. But the second and third sets weren't easy at all, I had to try my hardest. It was a good match and I hope the crowd enjoyed it. My semifinal is against Olga Govortsova; I lost to her the last time we played and she's a really good player. But I haven't started thinking about it - I'll just enjoy this win for now and think about that one later!
I didn't do that much after my match yesterday. I went back to the hotel, went on the internet for a bit, finished off that movie, read a little bit... I liked the movie a lot, it's different but it's about a real story, so it's very interesting. I don't really have a favorite movie or book, I just like reading and watching as many as I can. Later on Conchi and I went out for Japanese food (I had chicken teriyaki). Then I went back to the hotel to relax a bit before sleeping.
Lindsay has made an impressive comeback. I haven't seen her playing this week but I know how she has been doing, and it's amazing. It's not easy to have a baby and return so strongly and so quickly. I think she has been able to do it because she is one of the best ever - she has had a great career. I'm not playing her next so I don't want to think about the possibility of playing her yet though!
I'll talk to you all tomorrow after my semifinal.
Shahar
What is your favorite tournament on the calendar? - Michele, Italy
It's hard to pick one. Usually players pick where they do the best, or one of the Grand Slams, but I just don't know. There are so many nice tournaments!
Will you play doubles one day with Conchita? - Manuel, Spain
That's a nice question! I don't think it'll happen though. She is injured and she can't serve properly, so I don't think she'll start playing again.
Will you continue to play doubles with Azarenka this year? - Philip
Yes. I've played with a lot of partners before but now I'll play with Victoria. I have been friends with her for a while - we knew each other in juniors - and last year we did very well. We had a great two weeks in Australia this year too.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
So today I played Melinda Czink, and it was much tougher than yesterday. I played really well in the beginning and was winning pretty easily, and had a point for 60 30. I started playing too short from there and she started coming back, and before I knew it I was down 2-0 in the third set, and 30-0 for her in that game. I was able to find my game again and didn't lose another game. This gives me lots of confidence for my upcoming matches, that I can play my best when I need it most.
I didn't do that much right after my match yesterday. I didn't practice any tennis but I did go to the gym. Back at the hotel I watched a movie - an Israeli one that was nominated for an Oscar - Bufor - and it was very good. I've read the novel before but I wanted to see the movie too. I like watching Israeli movies but I also enjoy romance movies. Well I like a lot of different movies, I always bring some with me when I'm travelling to tournaments.
Last night I went to the Suns-Grizzlies basketball game with Conchi. I watch games a lot back home, I really enjoy basketball. Unfortunately we couldn't stay all the way to the end because I had another early match today. Conchi is a great coach; I really think she's going to help me take my game up another level. I'd like to mention someone else who was important for me, who just announced her retirement a week ago. Monica was my mentor - she was a great player and will be missed.
I did some biking and stretching after my match y and I'll probably get some treatment for my leg in a little bit. Maybe I'll watch another movie today, although I still have about 20 minutes to go in Bufor! It's pretty long (but very good!)
I'll talk to you all tomorrow!
Shahar
Who is your best friend on the Tour? - Michel, Brasil
I usually spend most of my time with the people who are travelling with me - agent, coach, etc. But in terms of players on the Tour I'd say Tzipi!
