Tsvetana Pironkova takes the first set 6-4 on Donna Vekic. Here she is talking about her comeback and motherhood.
Q. When you were preparing to come back, in the three years that you were away, how much were you paying attention to the tour? How much were you paying attention to how tennis had changed from when you finished? Did that inform how you felt you needed to prepare as you came back?
TSVETANA PIRONKOVA: Well, I always followed the news around the tour obviously, especially the Grand Slams. I always watched those. But I really took some time off away from tennis in all aspects. There were times where I didn’t really follow all the tournaments, just a few ones.
That was kind of I guess I just needed to distance myself a little bit for about two years. Little by little I started really missing the tour, started watching more tournaments, started to follow the players. I kind of started to make plans in my head looking at the calendar, which tournament would suit me best (smiling).
Yeah, at one point I was like, Okay, let’s take this opportunity, let’s take this chance, just try to do my best. The result right now, as I said in the previous question, it really makes me proud and happy.
Q. There are several mothers playing at the US Open this week. Could you explain the challenges and joys of raising a young child while also competing at the highest level in tennis?
TSVETANA PIRONKOVA: It’s definitely not easy. I mean, it’s just my first tournament back. Obviously there’s a lot of challenges, but they are priorities in the first place. That would always be my son and my family and their health and happiness. I would never make a compromise with that.
But, you know, if you make a good schedule, if you really have the right motivation, I guess you can combine the two things, motherhood and being a professional tennis player. It makes a lot of work, but everything takes work, so…
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