Molik aiming for a better season

Did you celebrate your successful 2004 season?

I had a couple of weeks off at the end of the season but I am not sure if I was celebrating the good season or just having fun and enjoying having some days off. But I had a good six months in the last part of the season.

You must be wishing this season will as be good as 2004?

I am hoping for a better year, I had a good start. Last year was nice; I had a lot of fun and enjoyed myself. But I feel that there is a lot that I could have improved on. I am hoping for a much better year this year. 

What do you think was the improvement to your success?

I was playing at a higher-level tennis more consistently; I didn’t have so many ups and downs last year. The last six months I was playing the same tennis day in and day out, therefore my results were very consistent. At the same time having a couple of big wins as well and dealing with the pressure well. Maybe I am matured, I am coping with things a lot better.

That must have build on your confidence as well.

Yes, I had a fantastic January; there is not one thing I can complain about. To start the season off on such a good note, with a lot of confidence, I set myself up the best as I can for the 2005 season. I had a week off after the Australian Open and actually I was not very well.

What are your goals for 2005?

Not very much, no special goals. Obviously my year is focused around the majors. Doing the best I can around the Grand Slams. They are my main focus. But as for goals, I haven’t written down any certain things, I never have and I probable never will. For me it's a matter of staying healthy, injury free and play the best tennis as I showed at the Australian Open.

Does entering a tournament as a top-ten player change anything for you?

No, it feels the same. I am the same person, the same player. I can conduct myself the same way regardless of my ranking. What it means is that I get a seed, I get a bye, which is nice for a change and sitting in at a press conference like this. It's very much the same for me. It's a very good way to be because can concentrate on my tennis. That is the most important thing to me. But has it changed me? No. Maybe in the public perception it has but for me it's very much the same.

Did you get more attention from the public?

A lot more people were aware of me after the Australian Open. We had two Australians in the quarterfinals on Australia Day at the Australian Open. So it was big news, the fact that Lleyton and I were doing pretty well. There is a little bit more focus back at home and I am recognized a touch more. The Australian Open in January, it is silly season in Australia and it runs crazy about tennis. That’s finished and now the football season takes over which for me is nice. I can go home now they are concentrating on a different sport.

What do you think about the gold and diamond racket trophy?

The trophy is probably a bit too heavy to play with. It's a beautiful piece. I have heard you have to win it three years right? Three out of five, well it's my first year so it's a long way away.

Do you have any plans while being in Antwerp?

I have no special plans; I was shopping a little during the day. They have nice clothes shops that I like. Tomorrow I probably have the afternoon off so maybe I go around the city, I was hoping to experience something. I like art galleries, maybe I can find something, I look at that tomorrow.

Maybe you can go with Venus, she was hoping to experience something as well?

Well I think we don’t share the same taste. She would probably use this racket as jewelry; turn it into an earpiece or something like that.