BNP Paribas Open champion Elena Vesnina revealed that she almost quit the sport as some inconsistent performances and lack of self-belief almost caught her head.
The 30-year-old tennis beauty outclassed her opponent, Svetlana Kuznetsova, in the final and produced a breathtaking comeback by conquering the game 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 6-4 on Sunday. And now, she revealed how he almost gave up all until she bagged some double’s crowns, which also include an Olympic gold at Rio 2016, and managed to bring the spirit back.
“I had some moments when I was really not sure if I should continue, should I play, how should I play,” she told the WTA Tour website.
“Then the doubles helped me. I kept winning titles and I was playing finals. Last year was just amazing. Dream of my life. Gold medal. WTA Finals. Semi-finals of Wimbledon.
“That was the most important thing. Even before Wimbledon, I played the final of Charleston coming from the qualifying. I had good wins against good players, like Venus [Williams].
“I knew that I could beat the big players. I knew I had it inside of me. I just needed to free it up. To show it to everybody.”
Vesnina did win the trophy fair and square on Sunday, but while talking to the media, a tournament representative came and took it away, saying:
“I’m sorry to interrupt you. We only have one of these and the men’s final is about to end.”
Here is what happened:
How does @EVesnina001 lose her #BNPPO17 ?? midway through her champion’s press conference?
?????? pic.twitter.com/RbDT7nlRt7
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 20, 2017
