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Interview with Babsi Schett - "Serena's farewell will tear a big hole"

Babsi Schett in the tennisnet interview about saying goodbye to Serena Williams, the legends tournament in Wimbledon and her autobiography "I am what I am".

by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 05, 2022, 09:59 am

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Barbara Schett always feels at home in New York City
© GEPA Pictures
Barbara Schett always feels at home in New York City

While the tennis pros head towards the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows in the morning, Barbara Schett has long since arrived. From eight o'clock at the latest, the former number seven in the world is on the system and in action. There is actually no time to take a deep breath, after all the nights in New York were long, mainly because of Serena Williams. In conversation with tennisnet, Schett is in a good mood as usual.

tennisnet : A few weeks ago you played alongside Nathalie Dechy at the Invitational Doubles in Wimbledon. And then against Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis, two players who are still in good shape. Can this even be fun?

Babsi Schett : First of all: I jumped in the air to be able to take part again. Especially before the match against Kim and Martina, it was stressful trying to reconcile everything. Novak Djokovic played that day, I had another 20-minute show on Eurosport - and our match was a "to be announced". So we didn't know exactly when we were going to play. After our show, I looked at my cell phone. And then it was said: in five minutes to seat so and so. I made a beeline for the locker room and couldn't dig in anymore. Hingis and Clijsters have been waiting. And we've been properly stripped. Martina in particular is still really ambitious. It was fun nonetheless.

tennisnet : The first week of the US Open was marked by the farewell to Serena Williams. What is lost on the WTA tour with Serena's farewell?

Schett : A big hole is being torn in women's sport. If Serena really shouldn't play anymore. She was there for almost 25 years and shaped tennis. Done so much for women's sport in general. In tennis she has set new standards in terms of physique and speed, together with her sister. I got emotional when she said goodbye. Because an era has come to an end. Serena's importance was seen this week: the stands were booming, the American celebrities are there, even former American presidents. It's rare for someone to attract so many fans. And that may never happen again.

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"Serena mastered it brilliantly"

tennisnet : Her freaks are also legendary...

Schett : Yes, but you have to look at the whole picture. When you see where she comes from, you have to say: Serena really didn't have it easy. The father sees Virginia Ruzici playing and has the idea: Ok, my girls should play tennis. It's actually unbelievable that it actually worked out. And don't forget the Afro-American origin. Serena has traveled a lot and been exposed to things we can't even imagine. And she mastered it brilliantly.

tennisnet : As big as the hole is - who could fill it?

Schett : I love Coco Gauff. On the one hand, I like to watch her play, but on the other hand, she also uses her platform as a tennis player to make powerful statements. And it's not just about forehand and backhand. She's very, very grown up. Even though she's so young. But Serena has already set the bar very high with 23 Grand Slam titles. Plus 14 in doubles. You first have to manage to play tennis like this at the age of 40.

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tennisnet : "I am what I am" is the title of your autobiography, which was recently published. It is striking who is framing the chapters: Mats Wilander with the foreword and Thomas Muster with the afterword. How come?

Schett : I found Mats' foreword very appropriate, because tennis is a common thread running through my life. Mats knows me insanely well. We have been working together for almost 20 years now. When he sent me the foreword, I really liked it. And I now have a great relationship with Tom and we are close friends. And I figured readers would be interested in how he sees me and what our history is like.

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Schett to Huber - "You don't need to tell everything"

tennisnet : What is the idea behind "I am what I am"?

Schett : It was important to me that the book was varied. That there are many interviews from companions to make it funny and informative. It should be an easy read that you just won't want to put down. I think we did that very well. And that's where Mats and Tom played their part.

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tennisnet : You had many girlfriends on the tour. And none better than Anke Huber. It also plays a role in your book...

Schett : Anke and I played together on the tour for many years, played doubles, shared rooms. We're still good friends, but we rarely see each other. It was important to me that she also added her two cents here. But first with the note: You don't have to tell everything. So there are certain things that aren't in the book.

tennisnet : "I am what I am" is also your program.

Schett : Exactly. If you see me and talk to me: I'm always the same. I think it's terrible when people pretend when they're at events. I want to be authentic and be able to look at myself in the mirror in the evening.

tennisnet : Don't be afraid of big names - you can find out about that in your book.

Schett : Not at all. I spoke to Ion Tiriac at Wimbledon. And he didn't take off his glasses during this interview. I couldn't see his eyes. And I think that's really bad. So I asked Tiriac rather briskly to take off his glasses. Which he then did. Eye contact is important. At every interview. And also when toasting!

tennisnet : Now you are constantly on the road in the service of Eurosport, ServusTV, etc. Will there still be an opportunity for you to organize a reading from your book at some point?

Schett : In general, I would also like to publish an audio book. And there will probably be a reading and a book signing in a book shop in Vienna around the tournament in the Wiener Stadthalle.

by Jens Huiber

Monday
Sep 05, 2022, 12:35 pm
last edit: Sep 05, 2022, 09:59 am