After catching up with Jarmila Wolfe in December, when we talked about her family life in Miami, the retired tennis pro was glad to answer another set of my questions, this time about her life on tour and her tennis career. Before proceeding to the interview, let me tell you exclusive news, Jarka and her husband have just found out that they are expecting their second child! Congratulations! Their daughter Natalia is two years old.
Q: What was the best part of being a tennis pro?
The best part of being a pro was that I got to live my dream and I got to do what I love to do until today. Tennis was always so much fun for me and it was a great job to have. I got to travel the world, meet a lot of amazing people, explore different cultures, try new foods, see things that a lot of people don’t get to see and mainly because it was part of my job, so I’ve been very fortunate to call tennis my job.
Q: What was the hardest thing to deal with on the tour?
The hardest thing was definitely being away from home and constantly traveling and changing time zones and sitting in the planes. The older I got, the harder it was for me to go every week somewhere else and not have enough time to spend with loved ones unless they came with me or came to see me at the tournament.
Q: You really enjoy your life after tennis with your family, but how hard and emotional was the decision to retire?
The decision was hard, as tennis was part of my life since I was seven years old. I dedicated my life and everything I did to it, to make it best I can, so it felt like half of me was gone, but at the same time it was an easy decision because I knew inside that it was time to go. I knew I wanted to start a new chapter in my life and knew that my body and mental side just wasn’t the same and I couldn’t perform as well as I would like it to.
Q: What was the best moment in your tennis career?
It’s always hard to pick just one. It was amazing to be in the London Olympics, as well as winning the mix doubles Grand Slam [Australian Open 2013 with Matthew Ebden]. But there are a lot of great matches I will always remember, regardless if I won or lost.
Q: Looking back at your career, do you have any regrets or things you would’ve done differently?
A few I do, but that’s for a longer conversation.
Q: Do you stay in touch with some of your fellow WTA players? If yes, with whom?
Not too many. Mainly with Gaby Dabrowski, Nadia Petrova, Mandy Minella, Anastasia Rodionova, and few more.
Q: Who is your favorite young WTA player and why?
To be honest, since I retired, I haven’t watched any tennis, I don’t even have Tennis Channel at home. I am busy with my two-year-old daughter and coaching.
Thank you, Jarka, for agreeing to do this interview! I’m wishing you to always enjoy life to the fullest and good luck with your second pregnancy.
Great interview Marija! It’s great that Jarmila agreed to it! 🙂
And congratulations to Jarmila and her husband on the baby news…Wishing her all the best for her pregnancy!
Frank, thank you! Jarmila was very nice to talk to and I really appreciate it that she took time from her busy mom life to answer my questions.