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European girl are hungry: Dokic
Jelena Dokic says European girls are more eager to perform than the British and hence do better. All 5 British women lost in the first round this year.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 08:48 AM IST
Read Time: 2 min
Wimbledon:
Jelena Dokic has a theory as to why British tennis players don't have as much success as their Continental counterparts. "I think the European girls are much more hungry," the 11th-seeded Dokic said.
"I was very hungry to make it. That was the only thing on my mind. That's what I was pushing for. Maybe they're just not hungry enough. Maybe they're not pushed enough. I think the players that have less opportunities are usually the ones that get through because they are so hungry," she said.
This year, all five British women lost in the first round. It's the first time that the country didn't have a single female representative in the second round since the Open era began in 1968. The last local women's winner was Virginia Wade in 1977.
Dokic, 20, was born in Belgrade but began her tennis career after her family moved to Australia in 1994. In 2001, she changed her nationality back to Yugoslavia, now known as Serbia-Montenegro.
She beat Emmanuelle Gagliardi 6-1, 6-3 Thursday to make the third round.
Roddick's game excites Serena
When Serena Williams eyes the ATP Tour, she makes a point to watch Andy Roddick. "Andy Roddick has an amazing personality," Williams said. "I'm not one to watch men's tennis, but I get excited when I see him playing because he's exciting to watch. His antics on the court, you know, he fights, he screams, does wild stuff. I think it all boils down to personalities."
Williams won her second-round singles against Els Callens 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday, then 30 minutes later was back on the court with sister Venus for a first-round doubles.
"It's definitely been a long day," Williams said. "But it's a good workout. I'm in very good shape now. I'm not tired. I'm running for long points. I don't get tired at all so it's good."
The doubles match against Corina Morariu and Rennae Stubbs was even at 7-6
>(7), 2-6, 3-3 when play was suspended because of darkness. A series of slam-bam rallies earned the players a standing ovation as they departed.
Morariu is back on the tour after recovering from a life-threatening battle with leukemia. "She's the epitome of a fighter," Serena Williams said. "They're playing I think above their means, and I think they're playing really well." (AP)
Topics mentioned in this article
Tennis
Andy Roddick
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