2004 Wimbledon
Date: 2004-06-28
Golovin def. Gagliardi 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

Question Short and sweet today. Obviously, a big day for you tomorrow, though, against Serena.
Answer Uh-hmm.

Question How are you going to approach that game tomorrow?
Answer I'm already very excited to be in the fourth round. Playing Serena is going to be amazing. It's my second time playing against somebody in the Top 10. I'm just really excited. I'm happy about my match today. It was definitely very tough considering we had to stop yesterday. So, you know, the night was kind of rough. So it was tough mentally, but I got through it. I'm excited to go play Serena tomorrow.

Question Did you manage to sleep okay last night?
Answer I don't know how I managed to sleep. You know, definitely had the same thing happen to me in the French Open. We had to stop at 5-All in the second. So I think, you know, I've had one experience. It probably helped me today.

Question Obviously, you did exceptionally well in Birmingham. Obviously this is your first time at Wimbledon. How comfortable do you feel playing on grass?
Answer Actually, pretty well. You know, I played well in Juniors here. I played very well last week in Birmingham. This surface suits my game, so it's going well.

Question You are now living back in France again after being in the US for a little while. I understand you're originally from Russia, is that correct?
Answer Yeah, I was born in Russia. When I was eight months, we moved to Paris, to France. And then when I was seven years old we went to practice at Bollettieri's for seven years.

Question Your father was an ice hockey coach?
Answer Yeah. That's why we moved to France.

Question Are they with you now? Are they following you over here?
Answer My mom follows me. My dad works. But, yeah, my sisters come to tournaments when they can.

Question Is he still a coach at the moment?
Answer No, he's into business now. Yeah, he stopped.

Question Are you aware when you're actually playing that you're getting quite a gathering? Obviously, we've had Anna in the past. We've got Maria now as well. If you don't mind me saying, the more attractive tennis players are getting more of a following. Are you aware of that when you're actually out there playing?
Answer You know, we try to stay focused. But, you know, I hope first of all that people come to watch the tennis. Then, you know, if the physical... You know, that's their choice. But I really hope that they come, first of all, for the tennis.

Question If you don't mind me asking, do you have a boyfriend?
Answer No, I don't have a boyfriend. I'm waiting for Prince William (laughing).

Question Prince William, is that your dream man, is it?
Answer Being in England, yeah.

Question You'd love to meet Prince William?
Answer Definitely. I'll be waiting for him, sitting in the stands (laughing).

Question You never know. He could watch you on Centre Court.
Answer Exactly. And especially there's so many, you know, younger players like Maria and a lot of younger players coming to play. So get some younger people to come and watch.

Question It's hard to start a match at 3-All. What would be the tactical plan? How do you come on the court?
Answer Well, the good thing about stopping, you know, at 3-All from yesterday is you can kind of step back and look at the mistakes you made, the good points she made, and, you know, kind of think through that. But, otherwise, it's just very tough mentally because you don't get enough rest, because you think about the match, and then you come on court and it's already 3-All in the third. So you don't have that much, you know, time to really readjust to the game. I think it was more tougher for both of us today than it was yesterday.

Question There was Brad Gilbert in the stands. Do you still turn to him for advice?
Answer Definitely, yeah. He's been actually going to watch -- he came to watch all my matches. He's somebody I respect a lot. He's helped me a lot in the past. He still helps me now.

Question In what sense did he help or is he helping? Is it tactical advice?
Answer I think it's just him being there, him believing in me, you know. It's just him encouraging me all the time. I think that's what really helped me the most. Of course he knows so much about the game, he's got so much experience. So it's always great to have him behind me.

Question You played Maria in the final in Birmingham. You two are the two younger players coming up on this stage, really like two big talents to look for in the future. What do you think of her? How many times did you play each other? What's your record? I mean, maybe junior record, okay.
Answer She was at Bollettieri's when I was seven. She was there one year before me. Through 14 years old we practiced a lot, we played together. So definitely when I was little I lost to her all the time Love and Love and 1 and 1. She always played a lot better than me when I was little. But I think now I'm catching up. I'm playing well. We both have our own games. Birmingham proved it, that I could hang in there. Just made a few mistakes, made a few wrong choices. But in the end, I'm getting closer and closer, and I hope to get better and get the ranking up.

Question Is it right you're going to play in the Olympics?
Answer Yes, yes.

Question Are you looking forward that?
Answer Very -- a lot. I'm so excited. I really can't think how it could get any better.

Question u obviously are representing France, is that correct?
Answer Yes.

Question Do you feel French?
Answer Definitely, yeah. I grew up there.

Question So home now is Paris?
Answer Yeah.

Question Do you still go back to the US?
Answer Of course. During tournaments, maybe practice in the winter a couple times there. It's still a place that I love.

Question Is this the first time you're playing someone from the Top 10?
Answer I played Dementieva earlier in the year.