At the year\'s end ... with Raluca Olaru

[16 December 2009]

Raluca Olaru (73 WTA) considers her constant progress concerning her game and attitude in 2009 and therefore hopes to further develop her style next year.

Although starting the 2009 season ranked 126, Raluca reached her best ranking (53)at the end of July after playing in Bad Gastein (Austria) her first final of a WTA tournament. She there lost to Andrea Petkovic from Germany.  Raluca won a trophy this year in Marseille, France (100.000$ ITF tournament).

Sport 365: You finished last year ranked 126 and now you are the 73rd player of the world. Are you satisfied?
Raluca Olaru: Yes, I am, because I was healthy and this helped me play the whole season, which is a great reason of joy. I am also pleased  with my results  hoping, of course, that I will do better next year.

Sport 365: You have reached the 53rd position this summer, but this was followed by a loss of points. What happened?
Raluca Olaru: I lost the points from the US Open where I had to defend approximately 160. Unfortunately, I had to face Na Li in the first round. We had a good match, but I couldn\'t beat her at that moment. I think that I had a constant progress  of attitude and game this year.

Sport 365: You have always had better results playing on clay than on hard courts. Does clay fit better with your style?
Raluca Olaru:  I like hard courts, but generally speaking, I had better results  on clay and I think that my game fits better on it.

Sport 365: The most beautiful moment of the season?
Raluca Olaru: The tournament in Warsaw, where I have reached the quarterfinals.

Sport 365:The most unpleasant?
Raluca Olaru: Tashkent, as I have played a match against Ekaterina Bychkova far from my potential.

Sport 365:  You have started to collaborate with Michel Schapers at midyear as a try-out. Did it turn into something permanent?
Raluca Olaru:  We had a trial period, when everything was fine so that we continued and will work next year together too.

Sport 365: You are part of the Adidas team. Is it an advantage?
Raluca Olaru: Yes it is a great opportunity. The whole team helps us a lot. Since I was a junior the team helped us with every problem that we faced. Coaches Sven  Groeneveld, Gil Reyes and Darren Cahill are among the best in the world and it is an honor for us to receive help from them.

Sport 365: What do you need to work on further in order to break top 50 ? It was twice when you were so close...
Raluca Olaru: I do believe that I can better my physical training and also my serve. It is important to maintain a high level during the whole year.

Sport 365: Will you prepare the new season in Amsterdam?
Raluca Olaru: Yes, I will spend there four weeks with my coach and my fitness trainer. Then, I will come home for a week on Christmas and on the 27th or 28th December I will leave to Australia.

Sport 365: What tournaments will you play before the Australian Open?
Raluca Olaru: Probably Auckland, where I think that I will be among the last accepted players on the Main draw and Sydney, where I will play on the Qualifying draw.

Interview posted on sport365.ro and translated by Ioana Alecsiu, Olimpia Team Player

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