Day 4 - An interview with Emilie Loit - Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Q. You broke her in second set. And what happened? You had some opportunities, and you didn't seize them.

EMILIE LOIT: There were plenty of opportunities today, but I was at pains with my serve. So when you get the break, I mean, that's okay, but you need to confirm it.

At 6‑5, I had another breakpoint and I missed it. But in the second set, I had a breakpoint and I made a double‑fault and I gave her the game.

So it's a little bit disappointing, in fact. But it reflected the match as a whole, I mean, with a lot of ups and downs. I mean, I was not really consistent today. And if I had been consistent, I would have won the second set. I mean, that's what I think.

Q. What about your injury?

EMILIE LOIT: It's not an injury. I mean, it was cold, and my muscles were a little bit tight and tense and stiff.

Q. What were the weather conditions? I mean, is it a problem to you?

EMILIE LOIT: I like these conditions. I like when the weather is damp, because with clay, is a little bit heavier and the balls are heavier and it suits my game.

It was a little bit windy, so I can't blame the weather conditions. I mean, the weather conditions were quite okay for me. It was not too bad. But for the spectators and for the beauty of the game, of course it's better if the weather is better.

Q. What about Sharapova? People say that she can be beaten the first round. I mean, what do you think of that?

EMILIE LOIT: I mean, she's a great champion, and like any great champions, they are there. They're present. And from time to time, I thought I was about to make the point, and, in fact, I couldn't, because she covers the court very well. I mean, she runs fast.

It's frustrating, I mean, to play against her in the first round. That's true. In the first round, I mean, she could be defeated. Having said that, I mean, she's a very talented player and she never gives up, and I'm a little bit disappointed because I was defeated in first round.

Q. Do you think that you could have won the second set?

EMILIE LOIT: Yes, I could have won the second set. I mean, I could cover the court very well. From time to time, I tended to over‑play, and when I was successful was when I played my game, and with a good slice, backhand, and finishing the point with my forehand.

So I could have gone to a third set, and I could have played for one hour and even for 90 minutes. So I felt good.

Q. Your whole family was present. I mean, from Cherbourg, there were plenty of people.

EMILIE LOIT: Yes, I mean they come every year. I mean, this is their annual visit to Paris.

Q. What about your friends and parents?

EMILIE LOIT: Yes. I mean, they've been coming here at Roland Garros, I mean, for the past 11 years. And I think that next year they will bring me a little bit of luck.

Q. What is the schedule?

EMILIE LOIT: I will try to recover. Now, with the new point system, it's important, I mean, to get through some rounds in the grand slams. I will play maybe the doubles and I hope that we're gonna win. Then I go to Barcelona, then Wimbledon. And after Wimbledon, one week off, one week of holidays.

Q. Regarding your serve, I mean, do you have some problems with your serve? Is it something recent?

EMILIE LOIT: It depends on my game as well. I mean, my game is quite erratic, and it's also true for my serve of the past few days. I mean, my timing hasn't been very positive. And the conditions were quite windy and I couldn't toss up the ball very well.

But I would say that in the second set, if I had served better, I might have won the second set.

Q. I mean, you've talked about the point system. Do you think that you are going to lose your ranking?

EMILIE LOIT: I don't think so. I mean, it wasn't anything in terms of my ranking. But now there is a new point system. I mean, it's important to win some matches in grand slams, and when you are in Roland Garros, I mean, you want to make the most of this opportunity.

So this year, I mean, I was well prepared, unlike last year. So it's very tough and difficult to be knocked out at such an early stage. And I hope that I will improve my ranking so that I can be a seeded player so that I be cooler. But it's part of tennis.