tennisIlove09
Dec 28th, 2002, 06:34 AM
Majoli puts shoulder into improving fitness
The Gold Coast Bulletin
CROATIAN comeback girl Iva Majoli is not placing any expectations on her 2003 season but would dearly love to improve on her round one elimination from last year's Uncle Tobys Hardcourts at Royal Pines beginning tomorrow.
Majoli has battled chronic shoulder problems with her right playing arm and after a stressful few years the 1997 French Open Champion wants just to keep herself on the court.
"Everything is going well at the moment but I'm not really setting any goals, my big goal is to be healthy," said Majoli.
"I really worked on my fitness over the off-season to be ready for big games.
"I have found that when you want things the most it doesn't happen."
One of the difficulties Majoli has found in her recovery is coping with the expectations of being a French Open champion and being touted as a possible world No. 1.
"The win wasn't something I expected, no one expected me to win," she said.
"Everything after that was new and different. The pressure and attention that everybody thought I could be No. 1.
"If I wasn't 100 per cent everyone really wanted to beat you because you are the French champion."
Although Majoli's major focus is for the Australian Open starting in Melbourne late January she arrived extra early on the Gold Coast to properly prepare for the Hardcourts.
"This is the first time I have come over a few days early to prepare," she said.
"Everyone wants to get ready for the Australian Open because that is the big one we are all here for."
The 25-year-old world No. 32 is making a point of forgetting past failures on the Coast but is impressed by the quality of field assembled for the tournament.
The Gold Coast Bulletin
CROATIAN comeback girl Iva Majoli is not placing any expectations on her 2003 season but would dearly love to improve on her round one elimination from last year's Uncle Tobys Hardcourts at Royal Pines beginning tomorrow.
Majoli has battled chronic shoulder problems with her right playing arm and after a stressful few years the 1997 French Open Champion wants just to keep herself on the court.
"Everything is going well at the moment but I'm not really setting any goals, my big goal is to be healthy," said Majoli.
"I really worked on my fitness over the off-season to be ready for big games.
"I have found that when you want things the most it doesn't happen."
One of the difficulties Majoli has found in her recovery is coping with the expectations of being a French Open champion and being touted as a possible world No. 1.
"The win wasn't something I expected, no one expected me to win," she said.
"Everything after that was new and different. The pressure and attention that everybody thought I could be No. 1.
"If I wasn't 100 per cent everyone really wanted to beat you because you are the French champion."
Although Majoli's major focus is for the Australian Open starting in Melbourne late January she arrived extra early on the Gold Coast to properly prepare for the Hardcourts.
"This is the first time I have come over a few days early to prepare," she said.
"Everyone wants to get ready for the Australian Open because that is the big one we are all here for."
The 25-year-old world No. 32 is making a point of forgetting past failures on the Coast but is impressed by the quality of field assembled for the tournament.