Media Conference
Transcript - Laura Robson, Andy Murray (Great Britain)
8/01/2010
Andy Murray and Laura Robson
Press Conference
Laura you must be pretty happy carrying Andy through that tie-break?
(Robson) Yeah pretty happy. I think I carried better than he did. If that makes sense.
If someone had suggested at the start of the week, that it was your first time that being in the final what would you have thought?
(Robson) Well I always thought he was going to win all his singles matches so it was depending on how well we played in the mixed.
And how well do you think you played?
(Robson) I think we played pretty good seeing as we had never played together before.
Dou you feel you’ve improved as each doubles match has gone on?
(Robson) Yeah I think I’m getting more confident at the net, but I think we played better against Germany than today, as a team.
And are you talking about the understanding there, of where to move and things like that?
(Robson) Um just making volleys really.
You were really tight and it’s very in mixed doubles. You particularly played very well, you didn't seem to have any nerves?
(Robson) Well I had no idea with Kazakhstan and if they were going to get through or not so I just though we had to win, which we did.
Andy what have you seen in Laura’s play this week that’s most inspired you?
(Murray) Well I think what’s most impressive is that her age under pressure, I think she’s great. She doesn’t make silly mistakes, doesn’t make bad decisions. I the important stage of the matches I think because, obviously at that age, you can improve so many things. I think one thing that will make a big difference as she gets older is just when you play these matches obviously against these girls and at this level, it’s just sort of maintaining your level throughout the whole match. I think it won’t take her that long to be able to do that and when she does, she’s going to get to the top.
Is that what you’re working on at the moment Laura, to try and maintain that level? Because you start out really well in that first set and then you die off just a little bit.
(Robson) Um yeah well I’m just trying to work on everything really. Like forehand, backhand, through the legs, all of that.
How do you feel you performed against world no.5?
(Robson) I thought the first set was pretty good. Some of the rallies were pretty ridiculous. In the second set I did just die away a bit and then she took control more in the rallies.
Laura I ask this question with absolute no disrespect if there was ever a chance it was going to go down to a live mixed doubles tomorrow, are you going to discuss tactics or is it just going to be based on how well you’ve been playing?
(Robson) Well I think we played good in the mixed anyway so...
You might lose or Andy might lose...
(Murray) I’m not going to lose tomorrow
Andy in terms of getting yourself into the right frame of mind, shape and everything for the Australian Open - how much does your match like today on the court with Andreev put everything into perspective for you?
(Murray) Well I think if I can play like that...
(Robson) I don’t think it was that good.
(Murray) You know if I play like that – I don’t think I made any bad decisions, I don’t think I was over playing. It was just lucky shots that were coming off. Just really, really good tennis and if I play like that then I can win Australia for sure. I need to make sure I do it in a couple of weeks and play like that from the start of the tournament to the end.
Andy have you started the year as good as this ever before?
(Murray) Well I’ve always started the years pretty well. I made the final in Doha and then won it two years in a row, so I always started playing pretty well going into Australia. I was prepared well with my training. In terms of the way I was striking the ball and moving and playing well up at the net and taking chances – that was probably the best I’ve played at the start of the year.
Laura what did you expect in terms of working out where you are against these kind of players? Did you surprise yourself or did you think that you could compete that well?
(Robson) I mean I always play really well in practice and then when I get to the match it goes a bit pear shaped sometimes. I think i've had 3 good matches this week. But for me it’s not that surprising because I know I can play that well.
Laura you said you played that practice match against Maria Jose and won that practice set. What did you take out of that in regards to tactics and how you’re going to play in the final?
(Robson) Well it was practice so it doesn’t matter at all but you get a feel for how she plays a bit and she’s a lefty. She plays a lot of drop shots so I have to be ready all the time.
Andy to play your toughest match this week, how are you going to approach it?
(Murray) Well like all the other matches I’m going to obviously try and play well and use it as preparation for Australia. Serving volley a little bit, coming forward and just working on some things. If I do that then I’ll be happy. It’s been a really good three matches so far and hopefully I’ll play well again tomorrow.
Tommy’s a lot like you he gets around quite quickly and returns the balls you could imagine a longer game tomorrow?
(Murray) Well yeah I’ll have to wait and see. If I play well I’ve got a good chance of winning, if I play bad it makes it very, very difficult for you because he, like you said, doesn’t make any mistakes, chases a lot of balls down. There will probably be a lot of long rallies but ill try and keep them as short as possible
You said you’ve been working on your fitness, are you confident that you’ll be able to cover the court as well as he has?
(Murray) Yeah I’m pretty happy with the way I’m moving just now.
Andy as preparation for the season, how has the Hopman Cup compared to Doha?
(Murray) Well it’s definitely different. With Doha you could lose your first match and then you’re done there. Whereas here I’m going to get 4 matches now, well I was guaranteed 3 singles and 3 mixed so I knew I was going to get to play a lot which is important at the start of the year. I think to just be over here training outside in the heat on the days off make me, or hopefully acclimatise a lot faster than I have in the years before. I’ve been getting over to Australia pretty late so it’s just nice to be here early and a lot more relaxed than previous year.
Would you be happy to come back next year?
(Murray) Yeah well we’ll have to wait and see. I’ve enjoyed myself this week. It’s been good fun and I’ll need a partner so we’ll wait and see.
Apparently it was -21 in Scotland over night
(Murray)Yeah my mum texted me this morning, it was 11 when she woke up.
Minus 11? She’s happy that you’re here and not there?
(Murray) Yeah I guess. I mean...
Is she struggling to get out? Can she get out of the house?
(Murray) My mum loves working so she’s finding a way
Ok. Thank you very much.
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