India needs more clay courts to produce singles tennis stars: Mary Pierce

NEW DELHI: Like the pace on her famous forehand, Mary Pierce doesn't hold her thoughts back. Throw a question at her and a two-sentence reply will be as lucid as an entire chapter. That's the experience of a four-time Grand Slam champion and someone who managed to climb back into the top five after an injury-forced slip down to almost 300.
Relishing 'idli sambar' on her recent visit to India as the Roland Garros brand ambassador, the 45-year-old Mary relishes the simple things in life, which for her was better without the Internet, and sport, which for her was more fun with less money involved.
The sense she drills into each of her word reflects the experience of a champion who knows that sport is not always a joyride and can test your limits. "Doing little things right can make a big difference in the end," she says, even after you have become successful in your field.

Among those little things for Mary is her wish to visit to the Taj Mahal, but that doesn't mean she is new to the country. She played doubles alongside Sania Mirza at the 2003 WTA Indian Open and cherishes the mixed doubles Wimbledon title she won with Mahesh Bhupathi in 2005. And she knows what 'dahl' and 'paneer' are.
In the year 2002, she won two titles at Roland Garros -- women's singles and doubles. When you ask why France is still waiting to see its next Grand Slam champion on clay, Mary would candidly reply, "I think it will take some time," and then give an expert advice to India on producing champion singles players: "It will really make a big difference if the Indian players train on clay."
The 2019 'International Tennis Hall of Fame' star is holding training clinics at the DLTA courts in Delhi; but give her five minutes off, and she would relish indulging into a chat on anything under the sky.
In one such conversation with Timesofindia.com, Mary shifted from her loaded forehand to a harmless slice backhand with the ease of an artist -- be it a question on tennis or any subject off the court.

Excerpts from the interview...
How's your India trip turning out to be?
I love India. I think it's been about two or three years when I was here last. It's one of my favourite countries. The people are so nice. They have such gentleness and kindness about them. And the food is delicious.
Any repeat orders on your food menu?
(Smiles) I've had some 'dahl' (cereal), I've had some 'idali', is it? I love it. And rice, some lovely vegetables, 'paneer' and all kinds of good things.
Coming to your favourite topic, tennis, how closely you follow the sport these days and what keeps you busy the most?
I've been based in the south of France now for almost a year and helping my brother and sister from Mauritius who are based there and have a tennis academy; I kind of oversee their training. I'm on the board of the ITF (International Tennis Federation) as the female player representative, and I'm on some different committees and commissions for the ITF and for the IOC (International Olympic Committee). So I travel for different meetings and that keeps me pretty busy.
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And the latest addition to your resume has been 'Hall of Fame' player...
Yes, that was incredible (smiles), such an amazing experience. I was really humbled and it was such a privilege to be honoured in that way, to have my whole tennis career recognised as being one of the greatest players in the history of the game. It was a very, very special moment in my life and one of the greatest of my career.
My next question is around women's tennis in particular. Back in your era, you had Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Gabriela Sabatini, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, you were there. Do you think it was more competitive in your days than now?
Back when I was playing, there was a bit more depth and a lot more rivalries than in the game today. When I was playing, looking back at the top 10 then, it feels like almost every player was number one at that time. It was so deep, so rich and so competitive; the level was so high. Also the personalities, each player had a different personality on the court. We showed our personality on the court a lot more and maybe even interacted with the crowd a little bit as well. I think it was a bit more entertaining and more fun at that time.
Now it's getting a little too intense, maybe...
Today, there's so much prize money that it has just caused the game to be so much more business-like. I can understand that there's a lot more money to gain today when you're playing the sport, but it's becoming business-like. We are beginning to see a few players starting to come out now with a little bit of personality and show it out on the court. That's good.
You mentioned about the fun element missing in today's tennis. You believe that could be the reason why there are growing cases of mental stress and depression among sportspersons, maybe not so much in tennis but overall in sports?
That's an interesting question. It's a topic that's very global because nowadays, supposedly. There's a lot more depression, a lot more people on medication, a lot more people that are suicidal. Basically, they're linking that mostly to the Internet and telephones (mobile) because now people are living in their phones and relating to people through a different world instead of relating to one another like we're standing here talking to each other. That's how it used to be. You actually used to meet people, talk to them face to face. Now it's very different how people interact, and it's because of the Internet. I think that has a lot to do with how people are today.
Since you are in India, I have to ask what's your opinion about women's tennis in India?
India has a great player in Sania Mirza. I know she's got married and had a baby. Now she has come back and I am happy to see her playing again. I know that she has inspired so many girls in this country to play tennis. I really hope that in the near future we'll see some new fresh, young Indian girls coming out on the tour and hopefully some future Grand Slam champions, because I know in India there's a lot of potential and there's a lot of talent, but I feel it hasn't been totally tapped into and exploited fully.
You mentioned Sania has made a comeback. How difficult is it to do that in professional tennis?
It's pretty difficult. I've had some injuries, a really bad back injury where I was out for seven months. I was basically like zero physically. So I had to work all the way back up, my ranking was down to about 300. But I was able to get back in shape, get back in the top five. But it took me about two or three years to really get back to my real top level, and it was hard. It's very, very difficult. There's a lot of pain, suffering, hard work, tears, sweat, and hours and hours that go into getting back into that shape again. But at the end of the day, you do it because you love it, you're passionate about it, and then it's worth it when you get back to that top level again.
Sania started as a brilliant singles player before switching to doubles, and many players before her followed the same route. Why do you think India is not able to produce singles players who can be potential Grand Slam champions?
I think we need more clay courts in India. Playing on clay really creates singles player because you have to hit a lot more balls in the rally, you have to learn how to construct your points. Physically it's a lot harder as well, on the legs and whole body, you have to run and slide. I personally believe training on clay. I grew up training on clay, and it will really make a big difference if the Indian players train on clay.
Talking a little bit about world tennis, both men and women, do you think the landscape is changing maybe? There's a Coco Gauff in women's tennis and an Alexander Zverev in men's, Federer and Serena not able to pass the last hurdle in Grand Slams.
Definitely. I think we're in a transition phase where you have got Federer, (Rafael) Nadal, (Novak) Djokovic, (Andy) Murray. All these players are going to be at some point phasing out of the game and you've got the new ones and the next-gen that are now emerging on the tour. They are very exciting to watch. I'm already enjoying watching those players play. I think it's going to be a really nice, fun, interesting next generation of players on the men's and women's tours.
Having said that, are you considering coaching one of those young players if they approach you?
Yes, maybe. Why not! I would definitely give it some thought, and it would depend on which player it is. I would have to have some conversation and see what that player's goals are. There's got to be a chemistry that works between the two of you. But I would be open to it.
What will be your advice to kids here in India since you are here specifically for a tennis clinic?
There's no secret (to success), it's hard work. You need to obviously know why you're playing tennis, what are your goals, what are your dreams. It's important to have a dream. It's going to motivate you in those days when it's hard and it's difficult. Be passionate about what you do. So it's sacrifice, hard work and dedication. It's not always doing what you want, eating what you want or sleeping at the time you want to, but you have got to really do the little things that always add up and make a big difference in the end.
My wrap-up question: Are you planning to turn into a tourist as well on this India visit?
Well, I'm hoping to visit the Taj Mahal (smiles). I've never been there. It's on my bucket list. We'll see if it happens.