The Daily Forehand Talks to Olivia Rogowska

While the cameras and the focus of many fans will be set on world #1 Dinara Safina during her first round match at the US Open in the enormous Arthur Ashe Stadium, the eyes of many Australians (and hopefully those of you who read this) will often shift to her opponent, Australia's Olivia Rogowska.

Rogowska started the year at #367 in the rankings, but has risen an incredible 200 spots in eight months to her current ranking of #167, highlighted by a run to the second round of the French Open, beating Maria Kirilenko.  Rogowska made it into the main draw of the US Open through being awarded the wild card the USTA gives Tennis Australia, and later randomly drew the current world #1 in the first round. 

While few give Rogowska any chance of upsetting Safina, it will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience for her, and a chance for her to show a worldwide audience what kind of tennis she can produce.

At the warm-up challenger she played last week in The Bronx, I asked the eighteen-year old Aussie about receiving the Australian wild card into the US Open, differences between the pro circuit and juniors, and her rabid internet following.

TDF: You were awarded the Australian wild card for the US Open—how did that make you feel to be given that opportunity?

Olivia Rogowska:  Oh, It was great news!  I’m so excited to be playing at Flushing Meadows.  It’s my first time here in New York, and I’m really enjoying myself.

TDF: Were you surprised to be picked for the wild card?

Olivia Rogowska: Yeah! I was actually, because there are lots of other great girls from Australia.  But I’ve been working really hard and had some great results, so I feel like I deserve this wild card, and I’m really looking forward to it.

TDF: You lost in the first round here in both the singles and the doubles—what are you going to try to do in the time you have to prepare for the US Open?

Olivia Rogowska: Well, I’ve got a week until my match, so I’m going to be working really hard.  I played here, and I’m going to try to take as much positive out of the matches that I can.  So yeah, I’m just going to practice hard until then, and try to stay relaxed.

TDF: What are the biggest differences for you between playing in juniors and playing on the pro tour?

Olivia Rogowska: Well, definitely the players are way more experienced than the juniors.  They’re smarter, and they’re obviously stronger.  It’s just a completely different game, you know.  I just work hard, and enjoy it.

TDF: I don’t know if you know, but you have a very large internet following, especially on one site, Tennis Forum.  Have you seen or read any of it?

Olivia Rogowska: Yeah! Well, I’ve heard a lot about it. I’ve seen some things, and I really appreciate all the support I get from there.  But I try to stay away from it as much as possible, because there are some negative things written there.  But I really enjoy reading all the positive things written.