Jelena to skip Aus. Open, next Tour-appearance in February

Australia is too far away • Father Damir remains head coach, Armenulic just a good friend • Williams and Davenport the best players in the world • The most important expected improvement - serve  • Goal in 2002 to remain in the top 10.

Nov. 6, 2001

by Natasa Pantic for jelena-dokic.com

When Jelena Dokic re-took Yugoslav passport in Nov. 2000, everyone in Yugoslavia was excited about it. This November she returned to the country as #8 in the world, with three singles' titles beside her name. Even more exciting for her Yugoslav fans, unlike many countries' great athletes, she decided to spend her break in Yugoslav capital Belgrade.

"It's a great honor to welcome Jelena on behalf of all Belgraders. I'll reveal a little secret - she's here to stay, not for a day or two but for the whole season-break," said Belgrade City Mayor Radmila Hrustanovic, opening the briefing organized by Yugoslav Tennis Association (YTA).

YTA's vice president Dimitrije Rasovic announced the organization would ask permission for Jelena to play with Yugoslav Fed-Cup team in the future. With few rising stars of Yugoslav women's tennis, like 16-year-old Jelena Jankovic (winner of the Girls' singles title at 2001 Australian Open, WTA #361), the team could have very bright future.

In a jam-packed City Hall, Jelena patiently answered the questions for about 45 minutes. We bring you the complete transcript of the briefing.

Q: How you expect to finish next season?

A: I don't know. I had a very good year, and I didn't plan to finish in the top 10. Next year will be harder, because it's much easier to get in the top 10 then to keep the ranking. My goal for the next year is to keep it, and I'll play the best I can, to do so.

Q: Which title you won is dearest to you?

A: Well, Rome was the first and the biggest, so I liked it the most. I think everything begun in Rome, so - it's Rome, I guess.

Q: Have your relations with media changed after you took Yugoslav passport, and what changed since you turned 18?

A: I've learned a lot from media in the last two or three years. I've been trough a lot with Australian media. This year I had much more opportunities to learn. I don't think many things changed since I turned 18, but since I took Yugoslav passport about a year ago, I started winning titles. I won all three tournaments as Yugoslav citizen.

Q: Will you go to Australia in January and which of the Grand Slams you'd like to win?

A: I've played a lot this year, since April, so I now plan to have a long rest. I won't go to Australia, first - cause it's too far away, and I think I had enough tournaments so far. About the Grand Slams, well - any of them would be a great success, and I wouldn't emphasize anyone particularly. I had the most success in Wimbledon, but I wouldn't mind any other Grand Slam title (laugh)

Q (N.P. for JD.com): Could you tell us a bit about your relation with Mr. Armenulic? Is he your new coach?

Armenulic: I'll answer that question. I've read something about that in the papers. The only cooperation Jelena and I have, is our friendship. Jelena has her parents, who work fantastic with her and lead her very well. If they were not so good, she wouldn't be number 8 in the world. Her father and her mother are taking care of her career and her, and she and her parents will primarily take care of her future. All of us here are just her tennis friends, and that's all.

Q: What do you think about becoming the best sportswoman of Yugoslavia this year?

A: I've heard about it couple of weeks ago, and I'd be very glad if that happens. I think I have good chance, but it's not my decision. So, we'll see...

Q: Would you like it?

A: Sure, as I said. I have Yugoslav passport for only a year, and I'd be very glad to become the best in the first year.

Q: When can we expect the first win against Lindsay Davenport?

A: Next year, I hope (laugh)

Q: Do you have finance advisor?

A: My Dad takes care of all that stuff.

Q: What's the difference between your first and second sets when you play Davenport?

A: It's very hard to play against Lindsay. There's a good reason she became No. 1. I had much harder match with her earlier this year, and I think I'll have much better chance against her as I'm getting older and maturer. It's very hard to play her, especially if you lose first set, then the second is much harder to play. But I don't worry too much about it, I'm sure next year I'll have a chance to beat her.

Q: Who should be #1 in your opinion - Davenport or Capriati?

A: I think there are more than two players who are the best. Venus and Serena don't play too much, but they're achieving the best results. Then we have Davenport and Capriati, who are very close at No. 1and 2 on the WTA rankings. I would say that maybe Williams and Davenport are the best, the most powerful in the world. And who's better, well, it's hard to say, but I think two of them are far better then the others.

Q: What's your forecast for the top 10 next year?

A: I don't know if there gonna be big changes in the top 10. I think all important changes will happen in the first six months. There are few new players, especially between No. 5 and No. 10. And I think some changes could be expected in the first six months. But I wouldn't be surprised if everything remains like it is now, and the top 10 players remain in the top 10.

Q (N.P. for JD.com): Where do you plan to start next season?

A: In Tokyo, after Australian Open (Toray Pan Pacific Open, Jan. 29).

Q (N.P. for JD.com): This year you couldn't play much at the beginning of the season because of the Age Eligibility Rule and then you played almost every week. How many tournaments you plan to play next season?

A: Well, next season I'll start two months earlier. I haven't played anything before April, so there's a big difference when you don't play at all for four months, and then start playing non-stop. I think next year I'll play fewer tournaments, but I'll start earlier, in February.

Q: Besides Davenport, who are other top players you haven't beaten so far?

A: I don't know that. I think I won at least a match against everyone except Lindsay.

Q: Do you have contacts with Monica Seles and what kind of relation do you have?

A: I'm seeing her in the tournaments, but I haven't seen her in the last couple of months because she didn't play much. We know each other, and we talk to each other when we meet, that's normal, but I'm seeing her only on tournaments.

Q: inaudible

A: I think tennis is at first place. It was always the most important to me. I play tennis for tennis not for something else. But those things are important in nowadays sports, as we could see in the last 5 or 6 years, and I don't mind that. If people like to talk, I can't do anything about it. After all, those are compliments. But tennis is always in the first place for me.

Q: Is it easier to play against good technicians or powerful hitters?

A: I think tennis much more relies on power these days. So, I guess it's easier to play with the players who are good technicians. Powerful players are the leaders in today's tennis.

Q: What elements of your game will you work on the most?

A: I think it's most important that I improve my serve. It's definitely one thing I must work on. There is always room for improvement. As I get older, my thinking will get better, there are also few tactical things I have to work on, but serve is the most important element right now.

Q: What are you impressions about Belgrade?

A: I haven't' been here for too long, a week is the longest period of time I spent here. Now I'll stay much longer, two or three months, so I'll have more time to see everything and to have good rest.

Q: Mrs. Dokic is always beside you during the tournaments, how does she influence your stability during matches? 

A: Well, Dad is chief in tennis. I'm used to have both parents with me, but whoever of them is there with me has a great influence. They helped me a lot during my career, along with my brother, and I like the most when all of them are with me. But it's not always possible. I have to thank my parents for everything, I think I wouldn't be where I am now if there wasn't of them.

Q: On which surface will you practice in Belgrade and with whom?

A: I don't know yet. I plan to take a long rest first. Next season I start on fast indoor surface, so I'll practice on that, but I still don't know when and with whom.

Q: And your Dad remains your first and the only coach?

A: (affirmative nod).

(end)

Jelena-dokic.com would like to thank Natasa Pantic and Snick for their help in making the transcript of this interview