Published: 11:30AM Wednesday June 17, 2009
By tvnz.co.nz's Michael Burgess
Source: ONE Sport
Source: ReutersMarina Erakovic
Marina Erakovic has fond memories and just one regret from her debut bow at Wimbledon in 2008.
She reached the third round on the hallowed grass in London, the best result by a New Zealand female since 1988.
In some ways her performance came as no surprise, as she has always felt comfortable on the turf.
"It is a surface I have always liked and I have a game that suits it" she told tvnz.co.nz
I have a good serve, I have a good slice and it all adds up to make me a good player on grass."
She also admits to a slightly strange fondness for the perfectly manicured turf at the All England club.
"For me personally I like the grass. It is so soft, it's so well kept and tidy. It is made for you. You are going to go out there and you are going to destroy it - so you are the special one really."
Erakovic, who twice made the Wimbledon doubles final as a junior, loves the atmosphere in South West London.
"It's always a great experience every time you go there. There is this hushed feeling and you get little goose bumps."
In the first-ever match at Wimbledon the Kiwi youngster faced her doubles partner Michaela Krajicek.
It was a tight battle, with Erakovic prevailing 7-6 7-6 in a tick under two hours and the memories linger.
Lingering memories
"I remember it being so close. I [was] really focussed and on the day I felt I was a bit more confident."
Facing off against friends is a common hurdle in tennis and even harder on the big stage of a Grand Slam.
"It was tough because we were playing together the week before and doing quite well [but we] got over it very quick - we played doubles the next morning."
In the second round the opponent was 102nd ranked Julia Goerges of Germany and Erakovic went into the match with a sure-fire plan
"I was more confident because she is more of a 'hit or miss' type kind of player. It was really about being patient and playing the right kind of balls and in that sense I executed that game plan very well and that is what won me the match."
Erakovic beat Goerges 6-2 7-6 in 80 minutes and was the first Kiwi in the last 32 since Belinda Cordwell twenty years earlier.
There was a huge media reaction in New Zealand but Erakovic was keeping her feet on the ground.
"I turned off my phone because I didn't really want any of that stuff in the brain when I was playing.
"I was focussed as I still had a third round match to play.
"When it was all over I checked it and yes there were a lot of messages."
Erakovic was very familiar with her next opponent Tamarine Tanasurgan.
The Thai player had been a regular practice partner as well as a Federation cup opponent and Erakovic was prepared for a close encounter.
"I knew it was going to be tough. She is very handy with the racket and has a tricky technique."
The New Zealander lost a tough three setter 6-4 4-6 4-6 and admitted to tvnz.co.nz she still wonders what might have been.
"It was very close and I definitely do have regrets because I know I had a huge chance to win that match.
"I definitely remember some of those points in the third set. I missed this one backhand down the line on a crucial point and that is so frustrating."
Tennis is a game of the finest margins and players exist on a week to week emotional roller coaster.
Usually the last result is forgotten as the next match rolls around - but not always.
"Some of those matches that are quite monumental and you do a little hiccup or stuff something up that hangs around a bit longer.
"But you can't think like that or it will eat you up inside.
"All I can do is learn from the match and next time do better as they all say".
Due her long injury layoff, nobody is quite sure when the next time will be be one thing is for sure - Erakovic can't wait to get back to Wimbledon and the magic atmosphere.
"When you step on to the court you know you are going to play very well because everybody plays well here."
Erakovic won't be there in 2009 but one hopes the current
flagbearer of New Zealand tennis will get many more opportunities
in the future to shine at the All-England club.
TVNZ is bringing you the biggest tennis tournament in the
world LIVE on air and online. Wimbledon 2009 will be broadcast live
from London on TV ONE and streamed live on
www.tvnz.co.nz
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