Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchováis a Slovak tennis player. She turned professional in 1999 and had her breakthrough year in 2002, when she won her first WTA tournament, the Indian Wells Masters, defeating Martina Hingis in the final and becoming the lowest-ranked player to ever win the tournament. She also reached the quarterfinals of that year's Wimbledon Championship and US Open, ending the year in the top 10. She was part of the Slovak team that won the 2002 Fed Cup and the...
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth23 April 1983
CityPoprad, Slovakia
Im really pleased with my week so far, ... Its nice to do well here again. I think todays match was closer than the score reflected. Theres no special secret to how Im playing at the moment, Im just making sure Im doing the right things at the right time now.
I'm more mature now. I'm making smarter decisions on the court. I'm more aware of which shot I'm supposed to hit at the right time to win the important points. I served well, especially in the second set. I got a lot of easy points. I was able to dictate against her.
I must say I am much more aware of what I am doing on the court now, ... When I was in (the) Top 10, everything was easy for me. I had nothing to lose. I was just swinging at the ball and had fun -- there was no pressure. Definitely now I am more mature and making much smarter decisions on the court.
I really enjoyed every minute of it. I mean, I've learned so much in the last week, I mean, just the way to play a real, real doubles. It was a great experience for me, and we had a lot of fun.
In the second set I hung in there and waited for my chances. I wanted to be more aggressive.
But I definitely feel like grass suits my game, as well, and I feel like probably if I could pick a surface, it would be grass to play her on.
I felt very happy about my serve today. I felt a lot more confident today than I did yesterday.
It's just all part of it. I don't allow it to affect me, to turn it into pressure.
It was a great time here in the States this year, and definitely I feel like I'm playing well again. I gained a lot of confidence in the last couple of weeks, and I just have to, you know, keep going and keep the momentum now.
I went for some stupid shots and was not patient enough. If you don't take your chances and she starts to feel she's getting on top, it's so hard to stop her. I didn't play the right shots the right way.
I was just really glad how I stuck in there and kept fighting for every point. That's what makes the difference for me, now being able to win these matches.
It was really difficult out there and I just tried to make sure I put as many balls as possible in court, and not go for too many crazy shots or go for the lines
It's been one of the most important things for me that I have gained experience and know better what to do at crucial times.
It's never as easy as it looks, I'm just happy to be advancing through the rounds here.