3008 interview with Australia’s Alicia Molik

How did your career in tennis begin?

My first introduction to tennis was at about 6 years old following my brother
to his lessons; I have to thank my parents for enrolling me at a local tennis clinic as a child. At around 13 I set my sights on a professional career in tennis.

You retired back in late 2008 due to an elbow injury; but you were only in retirement for seven months, what brought you back to the sport so soon?

I had a really good break; my body got a chance to rest, recharge and my elbow healed, by early 2009 I was feeling great and eager to get back to tennis. I thought my body was telling me that it was time to retire but it seems that it was actually just crying out for a break.

The Australian Open is among Australia’s premier international sporting events, will this be your first grand slam tournament since your comeback to tennis?

I played doubles in the U.S Open earlier this year but I still have to contest a place in the Australian Open as my world ranking isn’t high enough after my retirement to secure a place. Hopefully things will go well in the wild card play offs and I’ll be playing in the Open.

How do you prepare for a tournament such as the Australian Open?

Mentally, my ten years of experience since starting professionally accounts for a lot, I know how to cope with the pressure and what to expect on a professional level. Physically, I have been working hard for the past 6-9 months, you don’t start training in December for a January tournament, you set your sights ahead and work hard to get there.

You appear to possess great self belief that anything is possible, do you think it is the combination of talent and self belief that makes a champion?

I don’t think you can be successful in any career if you don’t have a sense of self belief. Along the way you learn to believe in yourself, it’s not something that just happens it is something that becomes a part of you. I have learnt to believe that I can win and that I have it in me to be better than my opponent.

I know what I need to do to get the advantage; it’s the hard work, the dedication, and sometimes taking the steps backwards to get ahead as I am doing now. I have done a full circle and now I’m building my career again by playing challenger entry level which I know I need to do to get back to my best.

Who is the toughest opponent you have played and why?

Lindsay Davenport, she had an amazing ability to direct the ball wherever she wanted it with effortless power. She was so precise and had me running all over the court. I would also say Justine Henin, she has one of the best backhands around, I enjoyed playing against her.

Who does or has inspired you in Tennis?

I enjoyed watching Steffi Graf play and Roger Federer, he is so cool, calm, collected and a champion but I am also inspired by people in general that are passionate about tennis and take a great interest in the sport, I like to surround myself with these types of people.

What does 2010 hold for Alicia Molik?

I would love to play all the grand slam tournaments, the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S Open.

Who do you predict will win the Australian Open?

Tough question but I think Serena Williams will win in a Williams / Henin final. I think Roger Federer will win the men’s final as the courts here really suit him. Usually someone unexpected plays in the final so I’ll predict a Federer / Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) final.

Australian Open – 18-31 January, 2010 - Melbourne Park
Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au
Web: www.australianopen.com