http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/04/17/Spotlight-Lukas-Rosol.aspx
Bucharest, Romania
by Greg Sharko | 28.04.2013
After match point, what were your first thoughts after knowing you just won
your first ATP World Tour title?
Before the second set started, I was thinking about something else, my dad. I
tried to just concentrate and finish the match in two sets. Before the last
game, there were already emotions. I was shaking a lot before the match
point, not because I was nervous, but because I was thinking about everything.
Was it a goal of yours as a junior to someday hold a trophy like this?
I never had goals like being No. 1 or winning Wimbledon. I just always wanted
to try and find the level I could reach. Also before the season, my coach
told a newspaper that I had the potential to be in the Top 20. I don’t know
if it’s true or not. I just want to find my best level.
How does it feel to be the first Czech winner this year and first Czech to
win the Bucharest title in the 21-year history?
It’s nice that I’m first, but it’s not about being first or last. I just
tried to play good tennis, concentrate on my game and be healthy. Not getting
injured is the most important thing. And also staying in a good relationship
with my family and friends is always important too.
What were the things you did well to beat three seeds and win five matches
during the week?
I just played my game. That’s most important for me. I like the conditions
here. I hope I can keep winning like this.
You broke into the Top 50 after winning two big Davis Cup matches against
Kazakhstan. Did that give you extra confidence coming into Bucharest?
If you win a couple of important matches, or even one in Davis Cup to help
your country, it’s always something special. It’s really different as you’
re not playing for yourself, but for your country. If you lose, it doesn’t
give you good energy for the next week. But if you win, you have more power
and confidence.
Last year, you beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon for the biggest win of your
career. What did that win do for you since then?
More people recognise me, but it didn’t change me. Other player saw I can
play good tennis, so they are more careful with me. People have asked for
pictures and autographs. I cannot live on this result. I need to win more
matches like this and have successes at other tournaments.
You have played well on grass, hard and clay with this title, what would you
say is your best surface and why?
My best surface is clay because I grew up on it. This is where I started to
play tennis. I feel very comfortable on this surface. I hope I can improve on
the other surfaces this year.
You are now well into the Top 50 and likely be seeded at Roland Garros. What
ranking goals do you have the rest of the year?
It’s not important for me. I just try to play good tennis. Everything is
mental. Small things make big victories.
There have been a lot of great Czech players over the years. Did you have a
favourite growing up or did one help you while you were first coming up on
tour?
I always watched good players, not just the Czech ones. I liked Pete Sampras,
Alex Corretja, Boris Becker and Andre Agassi. It was great to watch them and
I tried to play like them in practice.