Wickmayer proves a point
Source: Agencies |
January 10, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUCKLAND Classic champion Yanina Wickmayer rated yesterday's title victory as the best of her career, particularly since she only entered the tournament as a late wildcard after a doping ban was overturned.
Wickmayer, who won the event after defeating top seed Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-2, got into the Auckland draw after a court overturned a one-year ban imposed when she fell foul of the Belgian doping authority's "whereabouts rule."
"When I came here the week before (the tournament started) I wasn't feeling well," Wickmayer told reporters after she claimed her third WTA title. My back was hurting and mentally I didn't feel very well. So I just tried to focus on other things and relax and enjoy being at a tournament again.
"Then my first match came on and I started to play really well ... and by taking it match-by-match it all helped me stay strong and mentally prepared for the next matches (and) ... I'm really, really happy."
Wickmayer, who had previous WTA title wins at Estoril and Linz in 2009, said the Auckland title was special because of what she had to endure late last year.
"This week will stay in my heart and my soul for the rest of my life," she said. "I'm just really happy to bring this trophy home. It's the most important one till now (but) hopefully there will be many more to come."
Wickmayer will now move on to the Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year, where despite being world No. 16 and having just comprehensively beaten the world No. 12, she will still have to qualify.
She was not entered for Melbourne Park due to the ban and when it was overturned it was too late for her to get a wildcard.
"Playing (qualifiers) next week is for sure not the best way to go into a grand slam if you know you can be 16th seed," Wickmayer said.
Wickmayer, who won the event after defeating top seed Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-2, got into the Auckland draw after a court overturned a one-year ban imposed when she fell foul of the Belgian doping authority's "whereabouts rule."
"When I came here the week before (the tournament started) I wasn't feeling well," Wickmayer told reporters after she claimed her third WTA title. My back was hurting and mentally I didn't feel very well. So I just tried to focus on other things and relax and enjoy being at a tournament again.
"Then my first match came on and I started to play really well ... and by taking it match-by-match it all helped me stay strong and mentally prepared for the next matches (and) ... I'm really, really happy."
Wickmayer, who had previous WTA title wins at Estoril and Linz in 2009, said the Auckland title was special because of what she had to endure late last year.
"This week will stay in my heart and my soul for the rest of my life," she said. "I'm just really happy to bring this trophy home. It's the most important one till now (but) hopefully there will be many more to come."
Wickmayer will now move on to the Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year, where despite being world No. 16 and having just comprehensively beaten the world No. 12, she will still have to qualify.
She was not entered for Melbourne Park due to the ban and when it was overturned it was too late for her to get a wildcard.
"Playing (qualifiers) next week is for sure not the best way to go into a grand slam if you know you can be 16th seed," Wickmayer said.
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