Kuznetsova Opens up on Press Pitfalls

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Kuznetsova Opens up on Press Pitfalls

Two-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has always been a fascinating athlete to talk to. She’s open, she’s engaging and she’s downright hilarious. Monday was no exception at Wimbledon.

After the Russian bounced Agnieszka Radwanska from the draw, she rattled off the pitfalls of talking to the press while engaging with a small roomful of reporters at Wimbledon. Clearly Kuznetsova likes to talk, but the 32-year-old revealed that it can be dangerous to say too much in press conferences, where players are commonly goaded into discussing their weaknesses and elements of their tennis and tactics that they'd probably rather keep private. She also added that it is easy to let the details of press conferences—commonly held after each win at a tournament—affect one’s mental preparation.

More: Venus Williams Marches into Wimbledon Quarterfinals

Here’s how Kuznetsova responded to a question about the fact that she’s currently getting more attention now that she’s reached the Wimbledon quarterfinal for the first time in a decade.

“You see, the thing is when we go to the press room and you guys make us think and answer questions, we don't want to think about it,” she said. “You know, I just want to go out there and play and don't talk to nobody. But I understand it's a part of my job to go and do press conference and talk to you. I enjoy talking, all right? But it's still things I don't want to think about it.”

Kuznetsova, who will face Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, says she has gradually learned to forget about what gets said in press conference. In other words—data dump.

“So with age, with experience, I'm just trying to, after press, I go and it's kind of delete the disc, and I forget about it. I just go on a clean path and I just want to play and not think about it all. Like, I'm not watching the draws. I'm not thinking about other girls. I'm just thinking about myself and this is what works the best for me. So the less press I do, less other thoughts I get.”

The Russian added that other more vulnerable and perhaps less experienced players might not be able to make the data dump as cleanly. “I think press hurts a lot of players,” she said. “I understand what we have to deliver to the world and people have to know, our fans have to know, you guys have to do your job, and you guys all do great. We appreciate your help. But it's difficult, and this is where pressure starts to get you, you know.

“And it's no way an athlete comes here and tells you everything what's going on with the athlete, because it's not possible because you cannot be so vulnerable to the world, you see? You've got to be protected to yourself. People cannot know your weaknesses, your problems, stuff like that. So it's really hard to find the balance and tell new stuff to be polite and sincere and quite open.”

It may be tough, but Kuznetsova walks the fine line perfectly. She’s quotable and notable in press, and reporters appreciate her candor. Dealing with press is full of pitfalls for younger players who lack the maturity to process the implications and protect themselves. But at 32, and in stellar form, Kuznetsova knows how to steer the conversation so that it doesn't turn into sleepless nights.

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