Media Conference

Transcript - Elena Dementieva, Igor Andreev, Laura Robson, Andy Murray
8/01/2010

---

Elena Dementieva and Igor Andreev
Laura Robson and Andy Murray
Courtside

Well you want drama folks? The Hopman Cup is all about mixed doubles and we’ve had some good ones this week but I don’t think anything has come near what we saw this afternoon. So a round of applause for the Russians in defeat.

First of all Elena, this is your first visit to Perth, you changed your schedule. Last year you’d won a couple of tournaments coming into the Australian. You changed and we’re delighted to have you here in Perth. Have you enjoyed it?

(Dementieva) Oh thank you for having us. It was a great time to be here and play this tournament so we really enjoy our time here trying very hard to get to the finals. Unfortunately we couldn’t do it but we had some good matches and great preparation for Australia.

How about playing against Laura today? You hadn’t played against her. She’s only fifteen years of age and you’ve got a lot of respect for her.

(Dementieva) Oh yeah I mean she could be my daughter.

Well I wouldn’t go that far...

(Dementieva) No actually I think she’s got a lot of talent and she has a very good future. You know, very professional for such a young age. Was very enthusiastic today, was trying to play her best and really did.

Well congratulations on a great week, we’ve enjoyed having you. Igor, a touch one for you today. You ran into Andy in fine form – he’s been in great form all week. He didn’t miss too many against you today.

(Andreev) Yes but I was very lucky. I was very lucky because I was one of the spectators and I didn’t have to pay for the ticket.

And from here where do you go? Do you go to Sydney and then Melbourne?

(Andreev) Yes - Andy don’t go to Sydney. Yes off to Sydney next week.

Well we’ve enjoyed having you and how have you enjoyed being here in Perth for the first time?

(Andreev)  Yes it was a great week. Really good matches, really good atmosphere here, the crowd was fantastic and we enjoyed it very much here.

Well congratulations. Hopefully we’ll have you both back again next year.

Can you believe this young lady is fifteen years young? What an incredible performance. An unbelievable effort, you’re not too happy are you?

(Robson) For doubles or singles?

Well the singles, I know you expect a lot from yourself in the singles, but you had a few chances in the first set today also.

(Robson) Yeah the first set was really good quality tennis and then her experience showed really and just ran with the second set a bit.

Well you’re fifteen and she’s no.5 in the world. I know you told me yesterday it doesn’t matter.

(Robson) No it’s ok though because I got my revenge in the doubles. So yeah we still won.

And you’re in the finals.

(Robson) I want those diamonds.

I think you know who’s going to get the diamonds. I think mums going to get the diamonds.

(Robson) Nope, no chance.

No chance? I thought mum told me she had made a deal that if you won it she got the diamonds.

(Robson) Nope, I didn’t make any deals.

Andy and playing with this young lady you’ve been fabulous all week.

(Murray) Yeah I mean I’ve got to say thanks you Laura, she was awesome today. She did a great job. You know in the mixed, guys are supposed to try and dominate the match and help out a little bit, but every time I tried to we lost a point. So I just let her do it all herself and she did great so it was good fun.

Well it was a tremendous mixed doubles. You had an opportunity to wrap it up in 2 sets and then lost that tie breaker and then came back. And the way Laura played in that super tie breaker, you must have been pretty proud of her?

(Murray) Yeah she did great. You know she’s sixteen in a couple of weeks, she’s expecting a present from me, I said I play well tomorrow she gets one of those diamonds. I really, really enjoyed it but I played pretty well in the doubles as well...

You did play well in the doubles as well. Have you played any better tennis than you played in the singles today? You were just on fire.

(Murray) Yeah I played really well today, I served great. I didn’t really miss any shots which sometimes you play two or three matches like that in a year, fortunately one of them was today. Hopefully I’ve got a couple more in me for the Aussie Open.

Well a lot of folks think you’re going to win a Grand Slam within the next twelve months in the Aussie Open if you can play some tennis like that. The best to 5 sets though – you better keep the concentration a little bit longer.

(Murray) Yeah that shouldn’t be a problem I don’t think. I trained a lot in the hot weather over in Miami and then obviously came here training outside trying to get used to the conditions. When I get to the 5 set matches that won’t be a problem.

How about the final, you go in against Spain. How do you think that will finish up? How do you think you’ll go against Tommy?

(Murray) Um I played Tommy a few times, I played him twice last year, I won both of them. We actually played once in doors and he that one, two or three years ago. So it’s going to be a tough match. He’s played great here this week and Laura’s definitely got a chance in the singles and we’ll have to wait and see what happens. I want to win the tournament now.

You want to win the tournament now.

 I know you’re confident. I know you haven’t played any of these girls before. You haven’t played Maria Jose either.

(Robson) No, but I played her in the practice set before the tournament started and I won.

Well there you go. There’s a confident young lady. Are you going out there with a lot of confidence tomorrow then?

(Robson) Well I’m kind of putting it in my head that practice is pretty much like a match, so technically I’m 1-0.

Now was that played outdoors or indoors?

(Robson) Indoors on this court so it counts even more.

Well you two have done a super job, you’ve got a lot of supporters here, it’s been great to have you out here. You added so much to the tournament this year and good luck in the finals tomorrow. A great effort.

 

Back to current press conferences