I meet WERA SZEWCZYK at one of the Baba Cup tournaments. She drops by our stand to see the clothes, and we end up having a long conversation about everything.
I feel such a super positive energy that it could not be any other way and Wera becomes our Ambassador. Tennis is her passion, apart from the fact that she is able to travel a few dozen kilometres for a match several times a week, she has also recently been awarded the qualifications of a regional PZT Referee. We arrange a photo shoot at the local courts in SOHO (as Wera says 😉 ) and the photo shoot is just happening….
Kamila Borowska: I am very curious about the circumstances in which your adventure with tennis began?
Wera Szewczyk: It’s probably often the case that it’s the kids who follow in their parents’ footsteps – with us it was a bit of the opposite. I took the kids to tennis lessons, watched and decided that I would try it too. Anyway, I’ve been watching tennis since I can remember.
At the last Baba Cup tournament, you and your tennis partner won first place in the Novis category. From tournament to tournament, you present a higher and higher form. How many times a week do you train?
Yes, it was a super adventure and experience. I can honestly say that I don’t train with a coach. I’ve opted for practice, simply arranging singles, doubles and sometimes mixt matches in the TSL league (it’s the biggest league in Warsaw with over 500 people actively playing).
Which of the tournaments you have played do you remember best and why?
I have positive memories of all the tournaments – both the ones I won and the ones I did less well in, to put it mildly. I learn a lesson from every tournament, in fact from every match.
And what are your tennis strengths?
Hmm I think the biggest asset is the service. I used to be a volleyball player and that helps me with that game. And also I think the backhand. And! I love playing on the net. I just don’t know if I’m doing a good job of revealing the cards as my opponents are reading it 🙂
Which court surface is your favourite?
I’ve tried playing on all surfaces. I love hard, but it’s not a surface that’s good for people of my age 😉 That’s why I mostly play on clay.
Which court of all the courts available in the world would you like to play on?
Hmm it wouldn’t be any famous court. I would love to play on courts with beautiful views all around, maybe the Italian Alps….
Who is your tennis idol and what do you value him/her most for?
I love NICK KYRGIOS for his talent, for his ease of play, for his ideas on the court – however, he needs to work on his behaviour 😉 Of course I like the game of FEDERER, MONFILS.
And of the women I am closest to IGA, I like to play like her – with strong shots.
What was the most valuable piece of advice you received on court?
I am not obedient, on the court either 😉 My doubles partner keeps repeating the word “calm” to me completely not sure why 🙂 I joke, I know and I keep trying….
In a difficult situation, when I lose I go back to the words addressed to Björn Borg by his coach “one point at a time” in the film “Borg McEnroe. Between courage and madness”. It helps 🙂
The idea is not to think about the result whether we lose or win, the most important thing should be the one point we are currently fighting for.
Clothes, although not the most important thing in tennis are an integral part of it. What do you think should be the characteristics of the ideal tennis outfit?
Above all, it has to be comfortable and fit so that you can concentrate on playing and not on pulling up or down your clothes. It should not restrict movement. I love to feel comfortable as I do in UpToU outfits.
I’m very happy about that 😊 Finally, I’ll ask you what are your tennis dreams for next year?
I am fulfilled tennis-wise, because tennis is a great distraction from everyday activities. The important thing is to be healthy then you are able to move mountains….
Yes, that’s true! I wish you the very best of health and super form on the court 😊
Thank you for the interview!
Photos: Kama Borowska/ UpToU
We would like to thank the SOCHACZEWSKIE TOWARZYSTWO TENISOWE for allowing us to use the courts for our photo shoot <3
