Sport | Tennis

Kuznetsova sets sights on Paris clay

Having won the US Open in 2004, Kuznetsova feels that she is a better player now. The element of consistency should stand her well as she attempts a triumph in Roland Garros.

  • By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova believes there is a strong element of consistency in her game that should stand her in good stead for future assignments.
  • Image Credit: Tracy Brand/Gulf News

Dubai: Former US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova is targeting the French Open this year.

Having won the US Open in 2004, Kuznetsova feels that she is a better player now. The element of consistency should stand her well as she attempts a triumph in Roland Garros.

"The idea is to keep growing each year. The growth need not be restricted to the tennis. It should also include the personal dimension," Kuznetsova said.

Last year was profitable for the sombre Kuznetsova. She picked up three titles in Miami, Bali and Beijing. "I think I got better. I am getting more consistent now and I am showing a more complete game now," Kuznetsova stated.

"I came so close at Roland Garros last year and I wish the next Grand Slam could be the French Open," Kuznetsova hoped.

'No longer desperate'

"I am no longer desperate. I am composed and cool, learning how to mix my game so that I have a more telling effect on the ultimate results," she added.

It is ironical for her to be a tennis player, especially as she hails from a family of cyclists. Her father Alexandr Kuznetsov has coached six Olympic champions and world champions.

He is currently employed by Lokomotiv, a top club in Russia. He also coached her mother Galina Tsareva, a six-time world champion holding 20 world records, and Svetlana's brother Nikolai Kuznetsov, a silver medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

When Svetlana started playing serious tennis, the family decided to shift her to Spain. "Not many people in Russia believed in me, so I had to make the move for the sake of my career," she said.

"My aim is to keep growing each year. I get more mature and so I try and derive more out of life each day," she added.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (1 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. Daniilidou eager to regain top-20 spot

    Daniilidou eager to regain top-20 spot

  2. Hantuchova and Jankovic soar

    Hantuchova and Jankovic soar

    Hantuchova and Jankovic soar

  3. Dream day for UAE junior players

    Dream day for UAE junior players

    Dream day for UAE junior players

  4. Drizzle washes away Sfar's hopes

    Drizzle washes away Sfar's hopes

    Drizzle washes away Sfar's hopes

  5. 'Dubai has the ingredients to produce a top player'

    'Dubai has the ingredients to produce a top player'

  6. Six kids from UK in Dubai as part of programme

    Six kids from UK in Dubai as part of programme

More from Tennis

  1. Djokovic to face Federer after survival act

  2. Italians shut out US to take Fed Cup home

  3. Federer, Djokovic reach Swiss Indoors semifinals

  4. Federer cruises into Swiss Indoors semis

All articles in Tennis

More from Sport

Gulf News
Popular in Sport
Goal rush expected at Beach Soccer World Cup
Football

Goal rush expected at Beach Soccer World Cup

A total of 970 scored in four editions

Sport Editor's choice