ANGELIQUE'S BLOG: THE WAITING GAME
How did Angelique Kerber pass the time on a rainy day in Washington DC? She read, played some cards, and answered fan questions... read on, and send your questions in for her too!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Hello everyone... so, it was a bit rainy in Washington today
Well, the morning was good! I went to the gym a little bit and had a little bit of a workout, then I had a good breakfast, then just chilled out a little bit in the hotel. Then I went to the site and was practicing and warming up for 40 or 45 minutes, then had some lunch, and then... I started to wait!
After 7 o'clock we went on court for like five minutes, then it started raining again. We warmed up like three times, and every time we were close to starting, it would rain again. Then about an hour ago they cancelled our match. It was a long day of waiting... but it wasn't too bad, I was reading, playing some cards with my team, and just hanging out. I was sitting in the player lounge at the beginning of the day, and then the locker room, and then... well I was changing my place every hour, actually!
Anyway, this was my day. And I've had days like this before. The tough thing is you never know what will happen. But it's much better to just wait until the next day to play than just go on court, play a few games and then finish a match the next day. I think it was a good decision to cancel it tonight.
The book I was reading while I was waiting today was Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. It's a romance story and an easy read, and I'm really enjoying it. I know it's also a movie now, but I'll finish the book and then watch the movie. I like all kinds of books though - I can read a romantic story and then a thriller, and just change it up every time. Right now I'm reading this one, and I like it a lot!
My favorite book, though, is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I really, really love this book.
Hopefully it doesn't rain again tomorrow (I've heard it will...)
Well, goodnight everyone
Angie
What is the most important thing for a tournament to have to make you happy? Lawanda
For sure it's the crowd and the fans! I think it's very important to have a lot of people coming out, watching us and supporting us. It really gives us a very good feeling on the court. And just everyone being nice and helpful, making you feel like you're at home - for me, it's the people who are the most important thing. And then of course good food, a good player lounge and all of those things!
Is there anything different in your training for hardcourts than clay and grass? Eric
Other than practicing on hardcourts, not really! I try to play the same game on whatever surface, whether it's clay or hard or grass. I try to play aggressive and mix in some defense as well. Some surfaces you have longer or shorter points, but I just try to play my game no matter the surface.
Other than the Grand Slams, what is the most special tournament for you? Pete
Well other than the Grand Slams, the most special tournament for me is of course Stuttgart, in Germany, with my home crowd. I also love playing in Indian Wells, that's one of my favorite tournaments. And I would also say Paris, where I won my first WTA title. They're all special!