Interview Alexandrova: ‘The grass season is finally here!’

After titles in 2022 and 2023, Ekaterina Alexandrova is back at Libéma Open, her favourite tournament. Not for nothing the 29-year-old player was dubbed ‘grass queen’ in this Daily News last year. The third series head is going for a hat-trick.

As a two-time defending champion, you have to return here with a nice feeling…
‘The grass season is finally here! It’s great to be back. I always feel good here and am really looking forward to starting straight away today. The courts look beautiful again and even though the bounce takes a bit of getting used to at first, it’s great to be back in nature. Moreover, the building has been completely renovated inside. Everything is different, from the changing rooms to the restaurant. It looks beautiful.’

Is there a subject you would like to talk more about in interviews?
‘It does very often only talk about preparations and the next match, so questions that are not about tennis are more fun.’

In that case… If you were to organise a picnic on the Brabant grass, which three people from the past or present would you invite and what would be on the menu?
‘At least on the menu are strawberries with chocolate, sandwiches, ham, cheese and coffee. I will invite my boyfriend, sister and best friend Yana Sizikova (top 100 doubles player,ed.).’

Which era in world history would you have liked to have lived in?
‘The 19th century or the early 20th century. Although I don’t know if it was a pleasant life, I enjoy picture-perfect costume dramas like Downton Abbey.’

Speaking of which… Is there any film or series you can rewatch endlessly?
‘I have now re-watched the series Friends countless times. As soon as I finish, I restart the first season. An endless circle, haha. All the characters are fun in their own way, but Chandler (played by Matthew Perry, who died last year, ed.) is my favourite.’

Did you have a similar obsession as a child?
‘I loved The anime (Japanese cartoon, ed.) Sailor Moon when I was about six years old. I don’t know why, but I could watch it all day and even had a special jumper. By comparison, my current passion for Friends is still manageable, haha.’

What would you like to be better at?
‘I would like to improve my mental state on the court, so that I am less nervous and can control my feelings and thoughts. Sometimes I linger too long on something negative instead of letting it go.’

What do you wish you had known ten years ago?
‘That there is no need to react dramatically to a loss. It’s not the end of the world. On the contrary, it really doesn’t matter to lose a game once. Today you lose, tomorrow you win. You can’t escape that process. It’s the circle of tennis life.’

Is there anything specific you would like to do after your tennis career?
‘To open a café specialising in dessert and sweets.’