Malek: Aussie Open Review

>>> Reflecting first on the Australian Open; disappointing to go out in the first round, but you had a very tough draw against Agnieszka Radwanska. What were your thoughts on the match?

100 points from last year are a lot to defend. I’ve already lost to Agnieszka, so I need to change something in my game to have a chance against her. But I would like to play in the Fed Cup team and I knew our team boss Barbara Rittner was looking on.

There were so many thoughts in my head… it was not a pleasant feeling. I was very disappointed. But some games are over very fast. I’ve made too many mistakes, and Agnieska can turn any weakness into her advantage very well. Of course, a tight result sounds better, but I could do nothing on that day.

>>> Is it slightly frustrating to meet a player like Radwanska, the number 10 seed, in the first round of a Slam? It’s a tough start.

It is very, very frustrating. Each Grand Slam is a required tournament and five points is not very much. These five points include around the whole year.

>>> It’s a little while until the French Open now. What are your plans for the next couple of months?

After my Fed Cup weekend I had to fly to Pattaya City. There I was allowed to play on Wednesday against Sania Mirza and I won that match against her. That means I am in the second round and so I cannot reach the right flight to Dubai, where I have to play in the quali. Today I don’t know if I’ll play in Dubai, but after that I’ll play Kuala Lumpur. After that Asian trip my coach and I fly to America. In Indian Wells I am in the main draw, but in Miami I have to play quail again. In April I want to play some tournaments in Europe and in May the Bundesliga begins. I’ll play there for a new club, TC Radolfzell, and I hope our team can win the championship.

>>> You have some Fed Cup games coming up too. What are you hoping to achieve in that and do you enjoy working as part of a team?

At first I am very disappointed that we haven’t reached the semi-finals. We were so close to doing it. So I hope we can win against France – it is a home game. Maybe we have many viewers who are behind us as you can see it in other countries. We are proud to play for our country, and it is nice when it is noted by the press and when we get support from the spectators.

I personally like to play in a team. I look forward to the Fed Cup and Bundesliga.

>>> Is it a case of trying to pick up more points and hopefully start to move up the rankings again?

At the moment I have to defend a lot of points and I am very glad to stay where I am. But in a few months… Who knows?

Tatjana Malek