It's always good to get a smaller tournament under your belt so that by the time you get to the Slams, you have a lot of experience.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I know it's not the most important thing for me to win the most Grand Slams and be remembered in this world. I certainly don't have to win little tournaments here, there and everywhere, I don't have to win at all. Although I do want to.
You always love playing in finals at any tournament. The grand slams and stuff like that are obviously the priorities but any titles go on your record.
To win Grand Slams you have to be in the right frame of mind, the right physical shape.
You want to try and win as many slams as possible in your career. As a tennis player, that's what we always dream of as a kid, wanting to play slams, wanting to win them.
It's always difficult, especially the U.S. Open, the last of the Grand Slams. It's always tough because you know, the season is very long. I really played a lot this year. Sometimes it's really hard to stay focused all the time because you're really tired after the whole season.
I think all tennis players have to struggle through the early stages of their career. We start off playing tournaments and really just get by. I always had a dream to play in the big tournaments and never have doubted if it was worth it. Having to battle a little early on in my career makes it all the more worthwhile now.
Maybe, one other match better; but if you look at the tournament as a whole, I played very high quality tennis for seven matches and raised my game when I needed to.
I want to play my best tennis at the Grand Slams.
The first rounds of a tournament are always tricky because playing tennis takes a lot out of you.
I'd rather be able to play great tennis at a slam than make eight finals of little tournaments and then lose first round of a slam. That doesn't sound too good.