CHAT SESSION WITH AMELIE

Amélie: "Hello everyone, thank you for coming to chat. I will try to answer all your questions after a good day of training "

Question of Daniel
Amelie what were the cuases of your lack of motivation and your need to take a break?
I believe that after 10 years of playing at the very highest level, and with all the games over the last three seasons, added to my operation, I was affected physically and mentally, so I needed to take some time out


Question of Violated
What are your objectives for the end of the season?

My objective is to play some matchs and to work on modifying some technical points of my play so I can start next season as smoothly as possible approach the next season


Question of Rushki
How do you physically recover?????????

I consistently train with Xavier, and do specialised rehab at Biarritz Olympique...???????


Question of Timothée
How are your adductors?????

They are doing well. It was a difficult and hard time, but it was necessary to spend time so that they will not be injured in the future ???????..


Question of Sisyphus
Why did you work on rehabilitating on your adductors during the summer? Why was it not possible to do this during normal training?

To add a workload of one and half to two hours of rehab to each day's training for my adductors was too much. It is a fragile muscle which I need to be careful of.

Question of Karinebas
Which tournaments will you play after Beijing?

Stuttgart, Moscow and Zurich... if all goes well and I have enough points for the Masters I will enter into Linz.


Question of the Dolphin
Amelie, during your break did the idea of quitting tennis cross your mind? What made you change your mind (???)

Before taking the break, I really had enough (???) After five weeks, my physical and mental motivation has returned beautifully thanks to the break

Question of Le_Lapin_Peint
There are many fans that follow you at the tournaments. When they arrive in great numbers do you find it stressing?

It can be a little , but not usually, except in Beijing where they are really hysterical!


Question of Karolina M.

Amélie, do you have particular (needs???) all the time or only before important events?

I do not have particular needs. I know myself very well now but during the periods of tournaments and large needs, I am very careful with my food...

Which is your preferred dish?

I like really the pasta

Which is your preferred dessert?

Any pudding that has chocolate in it



Question of Kiani M.
Do you watch tennis on TV when you are not playing?

I watched only one match of US Open. I don't watch much when I am not playing ...

What was the most oustanding acheivemtn during your two months absence?

Victory of Roger and Justine at the US Open...


Question of Lana
What would your perfect day?
When I don't need to train I would get up late, go for a small jog, watch a movie in the afternoon, eat dinner with friends, share a good bottle of wine - those kind of things


Question of Mimi83
When you are training how long do you run, how far, for how long, and how many times per week?

I generally run between 40 and 50 minutes... that's approximately 12/14km/h three to four times per week... it is something I have' learned to appreciate...


Question of Didine
Which player is most capable of dethroning Justine Hénin from the top in the months to come?

I think that Venus really returns at a very high level and I think that she is most impressive. We'll see what she is like with me when with me in the next few weeks...????


Question of Shine M.
Amélie, you are no longer in the top 10, is this an additional pressure?


Not at all! It is true that I want to regain a top 10 place very quickly but I took so much time out this summer that it was part of the plan (not unexpected??)

Question of Isabelle G.
Depending on your results at the end of the season will you be making changes to how you approach things for 2008???

Changes to how I approach 2008 do not depend on how I end the season. I already know that compared with the previous seasons, I need to reduce my program to concentrate on the large slams


Question of Frederic
Amélie, have you found your motivation???? Which are the things which make you train?Yes really! What interests to me is the feeling of joy, playing and recreating in my training and the relaxation I feel?????????????

Question of Maria567
Amélie, with which player did you play best with ? Will you be playing with Svetlana Kuznetzova this year?


We will play together in Beijing. She has played well with Petrova since the beginning of the year. Kim was another player with whom I played very well but also Frenchwomen in general???


Question of Simelise
Améliehow often do come on your Internet site, and do you visit the forum? What do you think about it?

I often visit the site, but not so much to the forum. I look over none the less.



Question of Sandrine Deligne
Amélie, How do you manage to combine playing tennis and supporting investment the causes which are dear to your heart?

It is difficult for me to fufil my role sufficiently, in particular with the Curie institute but tryorganize things the best I can.


Question of Jodie
If a film on your life was made, would you be lavailable to play your own part?

I admit I've never thought about it, I do not know if I am a very good actress, maybe, we'll see.

Question of Helena Jakiel
Amélie, if you were a young player today, but with the knowledge that you have acquired from several years, would you have approached your carreer inthe same way???????

There were certainly errors in my approach which I will not remake , but those errors had to be made to allow me to do what I had to do????? I have very few regrets!


Question of Isle1987
Amélie, know you what you will do when you retire?

I think about it from time to time. The answer is no tclear, but there are t several options... To remain in tennis of course follow my passion of wine and leave the world of the sport a little. I would like to put myself forward for the commission athletes of the CIO and if that works out why not to a role with the International Olympic Committee.

You are about to make a big return to playing and in the past have had to make many recoveries form injury ???? After 10 years on the circuit, will you be organising you r tournament calender differently? If so what changes will you make?

As I have mention above, I will play certainly a little less so I can be more physically prepared for the larger tournaments...


Question of Sisyphus
Is the collaboration which has been speculated about with Guy Forget during the US Open just a rumour?????

We have not set new dates to work together yet but tof course I would welcome the opportunity to work with Guy, why not in 2008?

Question of Jul
Throughout l your career, you had set objectives; To become n°1, to win a Large Slam, to win the FED cup. Do you have set goals for this part of your career, will you share them publicly, eg to win the French Open, to become n°1 again...?

I continue to say that to win a Large Slam for me is always possible, but to become World No. 1 again with the new programme will be difficult

Question of Shain
Which are your favorite places to spend your holidays? beach, mountain, city, shopping, etc.

Beach, without hesitation... sea, ocean, heat


Question of Nexty
Amélie, are there any questions you would like to ask your fans , but would not dare to ask in person?
No, but if I had a question I believe that I would dare to ask it... but I am sometimes surprised by this relation "Love" "hatred" which I sometimes could note on the forum...

Question of Isabelle M.
Would you spend a day with your fans? It would be our great dream!!! (???)

I don't think I could spend a whole day with my fans, I would be swamped with people if they got wind of it

Question of Anne Claire B.
Hello Amélie, Are you in contact with Mary Pierce and if you keep in touch regularly? Do you want her back at your side in the FED Cup?

I saw Mary at Wimbledon and I know she passed on the US Open, she continues her rehabilitation. It would be great to have her back in the FED Cup team


Question of Amy
Amélie, I have also have a beautiful Golden Retriever (dog). What do you particularly like about this breed?

I like their softness and sociability, I find them beautiful... you have to see Bengal on the webcam, look I'll show him online to you...

Amélie ending words:

"Thank you for the questions which asked about my break and the last two months. Your constant support and committment makes me happy. I'll see you on court soon!!!! Tonight I'm watching France (in the football Euro 2008 qualifiers) and will shout for the blues! ... love and kisses..."

thanks to Weemee fron wta