Repeating Islands

Tim Nicholson posted this interview with Monica Puig in the Australian Open website. Monica, seeded fifth,  has just won her semi-final match against Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 6-4, 6-4. She will play the #2 seed, An-Sophie Mestach of Belgium, tomorrow. Let’s wish her luck.

Update: Alas! Monica played well but lost her final match. For an update go to Monica Puig Loses Australian Open Final

What is your favourite city?

I would like to say San Juan Puerto Rico. That place is my home. But this is my favourite country because I wanted to come here and meet Steve Irwin when I was very little, it was an ambition of mine. So I have to get to the Australian Open early so I can meet him. And then when I was 12 I just won one of my first nationals in the USA and I saw that he died and I was like, ‘now I don’t get to meet him’. So it has to be in between here and Puerto Rico because they are both the same. Everybody’s laid back, everybody’s nice and it’s a tropical environment.

What do you like about Melbourne?

I like the site here (Melbourne Park). It’s so pretty and it’s a good atmosphere to be around and the courts are the best colour ever.

What is your favourite surface?

It’s in between hard court and clay court because I play well on both. And I had my first two big results on clay and I had so much fun last year playing on the clay and I did really really well but I grew up on hard court so it’s in between those two really.

Who do you travel with?

My mum now, my BFF Daniel who is my BFF and agent. And my coach Alain which, today is his birthday so he should be very excited to be here.

What would you do if you weren’t pursuing tennis?

It would have to be something that would make me go to the Olympics. I’m not the type of person that would sit at home and do nothing. I used to do gymnastics and my mum saw people getting hurt and she was like ‘ah no no no’. I don’t know I just can’t think of not playing tennis, it’s not me.

What player do you look up to?

I look up to Nadal and Clijsters. Like I did today, they could be down set point s and find a way and come back and win. And also they play an aggressive game style, Nadal plays somewhat aggressive and somewhat defensive. But he knows what to do with each ball and there is a lot of discipline and work ethic there and it’s something I’m going to try more to emulate.

Do you have a non-tennis hero?

My grandma. My family is the type of family that won’t complain. If something’s wrong with my grandma, you’d never know because she never complains. My godmother too had cancer and everybody said she was done, there s nothing we can do. But she kept fighting she said I’m not going to die and now she’s cancer free.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I like to listen to the same song over and over and over. For me if I listen to the same song, I have it in my mind and when I need a little bit of energy on the court it comes up and starts getting me going again.

What’s the song?

It’s a Spanish song. It’s the type of music Puerto Ricans listen to. It’s pretty upbeat and it makes you want to start dancing. Before we start warming up I’m always dancing.

Who is your favourite male movie star?

Who’s that guy in the Proposal?

Ryan Reynolds.

That one. Because he’s really funny and I like that.

Britney or Madonna.

Madonna. She has a lot of power. Her songs are so good and so original. But Britney also comes out with really good songs every now and then. When she was coming up she was doing really good until her little mishap, but she fought her way back up.

What are your goals for this year?

Win my first Grand Slam in Juniors. And get above 100 in the WTA rankings. So I can come here and play in the main draw next year. That’s what I want to do, I want to play all the Grand Slams in the main draw. Also to enjoy every single match I play. And not put so much pressure on myself to have to win and more enjoy myself on the court and know that I have to love the struggle of the match all the time.

For the original interview go to http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2011-01-27/201101271296119611498.html