20/06/2011 18:45 CEST - INTERVISTE

Kimiko Date Krumm (20-06-2011)

Q. How happy are you with that?
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Of course I'm very happy because I win the Grand Slam since Wimbledon since 1996. For me, always a Grand Slam first round I play against seeded player most of time.
Today I play against wildcard player, and I know Katie since when I start play. We practice together many times, and then I play against her also last year in America Cincinnati or somewhere so I know her very well.
And then that's why I'm very happy to win today. I know how difficult to win the Grand Slam, the first round. So I just concentrate today and then I did, so I'm very happy.

Q. Were you surprised at how comfortably you won the first set? You only dropped six points in the first set.
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Yeah, I play almost best today in first set. I was very focus the game, focus the ball, my serve was good, and then I don't miss not so much. I think it's perfect today since I don't know. Long time. This year maybe first time, yeah.

Q. The Wimbledon people tell us that you're the third oldest lady to win a singles game. Does that make you feel good or a bit sad?
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Yes, it's good. (Laughing.) I don't care about the age, but of course it's very, very difficult continue the best condition all the time. And then every time after the match it's difficult to recovery the body.
And so even I'm oldest in number, third oldest women's, I think it's good for women's. And then just, yeah, keep going like that.

Q. Do you feel the same enthusiasm as was it 25 years ago when you made your debut? Do you feel the same energy, enthusiasm?
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Um, yes. Uh huh, yes.

Q. Martina was 47, I think. Can you imagine you might go on until you're 47?
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: No. I think it's impossible. Still long ways, but not too far. (Laughter.) But still difficult I think, yes.

Q. You've got an easy game next, yeah, an easy match against Venus?
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: (Laughter.) Yeah, first time to play against Venus. She's of course good player, especially on grass. I don't know how many times she won. More than five. Yeah, of course. (Laughing.)
So for me it's nothing to lose. Now I feel better than clay court season, so I'm just try continue to like today. I hope I can enjoy to play even I win or lose.

Q. May be back on Centre Court again.
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Hopefully. Yeah, I like to playing on Centre Court, so hopefully, yes.

Q. How old were you when you switched from left hand to right hand in tennis? Because you're naturally left handed, aren't you?
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Yes. When I start to play tennis already I start play on the right hand. Because in Japan, always players to fix the right hand. And then just I pick up the racquet, so I just follow the other people. I didn't think about better to keep left hand, so just play...

Q. Can you play left handed?
KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Little bit. That's why sometimes on the left side I can hit forehand a little bit. Because when I was 12 to 14 no, 16 my tennis coach, he told me after he knew that I'm naturally lefty, he told me, You should practice a little bit left hand.
And then between the practice time I went to the wall, and then until hundred time go hit, I cannot stop. Only I went to the wall and I hit hundred times every day, so that's why a little bit I can hit only forehand.
Yeah.

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