Sabine Lisicki recently did an interview with Ellery Maddocks for Tennis Now, chatting about how she turned her hatred for grass into love, the excitement she has for Wimbledon and the London Olympics, cooperation with Longines, the constant travels of tennis players, etc.
Here’s my favorite part of the interview, where Sabine explains how the grass surface troubled her not only because of its uniqueness but grass itself caused her health problems:
I used to hate it, the first time I went there (Wimbledon) I actually think I lost 5 straight matches on grass plus one doubles, and then I turned it around in 2009 where I went to the quarterfinals. I have a string grass allergy, so there was a lot against it, but at some point I just turned it around. I just love it now, it plays differently, it’s quicker obviously which is good for my service, which is one of my weapons.
Last year at the grasscourt Birmingham Lisicki won the title and went on to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon, her first and only Grand Slam semifinal appearance. However, Lisicki exited this week’s Birmingham tournament in the second round already, losing to Urszula Radwanska 6-3 6-4. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)
Unfortunately,Sabine’s form isn’t there at the moment so she can’t expect semi final again 🙁 Let’s just hope she can make it again.