Interview with Julia Görges: "We should see this crisis as an opportunity"
For Julia Görges, positive thinking is an important prerequisite for getting through the corona pandemic well. The Porsche brand ambassador and winner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2011 is waiting at home in Regensburg to be able to play tennis again. In the interview she talks about what she misses the most in this situation, what she finally has time for, how she keeps fit, with which players she is in contact and what we can learn from this crisis.
by Press release
last edit: Apr 16, 2020, 02:33 pm
Ms. Görges, where are you currently and how are you?
Julia Görges : “I sit comfortably in my garden in Regensburg and enjoy the Easter days in the sun. I am fine."
How do you cope with the current situation?
Görges: “I always think positively and try to make the best of this situation. I enjoy the time that I have never had on the tour in the past 13 years as a professional, even if it was of course a bit unusual at the beginning. But I can do my normal fitness program, I have everything at home that I need. And if everything goes according to plan, I can hit balls again this week with a special permit in the TennisBase Munich-Oberhaching. Trainers are not allowed, as I heard, showering is also not possible. But it's definitely nice to have a racket in my hand again. ”
How difficult is it to carry out your training in a disciplined and consistent manner without having the next match in mind?
Görges: “It's not difficult for me at all. Of course I miss the competition, that's my passion, that's why I do this job. But for me it's also about myself, my physical well-being. Because the tennis sessions were dropped, I had a lot more time in the past few weeks to focus my training intensely on fitness. I hope that will be noticeable when I'm back on the pitch. ”
What do you miss most - apart from tennis - during this time?
Görges: “An uncomplicated life, that is, meeting friends whenever I want and being able to move freely. That just doesn't work now, at least not in groups. But I can still go outdoors. I actually manage quite well with this situation. "
In a video, you and other Porsche brand ambassadors appeal to your fans to think positively, stand together and adhere to the instructions of the authorities. How important is that?
Görges: “Positive thinking is always important. There are ups and downs in life. As an athlete, I have had to deal with victories and defeats over the years, and these experiences can be transferred well into private life. If we look around these days, we see many things that are not so positive. Our freedom of movement is restricted, shops are closed, many people are very concerned about their future. But only those who manage to remain positive can help others and give them the feeling that they are not alone in this difficult situation. Being there for your fellow human beings, staying at home and complying with the rules is an important prerequisite for getting through this crisis well. ”
What do you finally have time for through Corona?
Görges: “I find it pleasant to be able to deal with things for which I have never really had time or have had no desire in all these years. Mucking out and cleaning up is definitely one of them. If you live out of a suitcase all year round, you always pack the same things. Now I take a look in the back corners of my closet and wonder what everything comes to light there. "
Even the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix planned for next week cannot take place due to the corona pandemic. How much does this affect you?
Görges: “The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix will always have a very special place in my heart. It's the first major tournament I've won in my career. The fact that we can't play in the Porsche Arena this year in front of this fantastic audience makes me very sad. Like many of my colleagues, I associate this tournament with great emotions and positive memories. ”
Is your 2011 victory still there?
Görges: "Of course. With this success, my rise to the top of the world began. The memory of the great week in Stuttgart is always there, not only when I play in the Porsche Arena. At the time, I had not dreamed of reaching the finals and then driving the Porsche onto the center court as the winner. At the beginning of the week I was in front of the car with my mother, I remember that, and we joked that it would be a nice Easter present. Such moments will remain in my memory forever. ”
What do you think will be different for you after Corona?
Görges: “For me, this time is something like a sneak peek into life after your career. Of course, the crisis has restricted me in many areas, but at the same time I have the freedom to do things that I never really had time for in my 13 years as a professional. That's why I see it positively. I now get a first impression of what my life could look like when I no longer travel the world as a tennis player. ”
Can you learn from such a crisis?
Görges: "Definitely. This is also very important, because if you just stick your head in the sand, you will never get out of a low again. A new door always opens after every bad situation. There are many new and beautiful experiences behind it. We should see this crisis as an opportunity and think about what will happen to us afterwards, what we can do differently and better in our lives. Even if that is certainly not easy at the moment. "
Which players are you in regular contact with and how do you experience the current situation?
Görges: “I sometimes write with good friends on the tour, with Ash Barty, Kiki Bertens and Simona Halep. I also had some contact with Angie Kerber and Karolina Pliskova. We then tell each other what it looks like in our countries and what everyone does in these weeks without tennis. I have the impression that, despite everything, they somehow enjoy this time, each in their own way. ”
When do you think tennis will be played again?
Görges: “We are the largest global women's sport. Therefore, I believe that it will only continue when all travel restrictions have been lifted, i.e. every player can travel anywhere without having to quarantine there. I very much hope that this will be the case this year. The most important prerequisite for the continuation of the tour is that the health of everyone involved is guaranteed at all times. If I have to wait a month or two longer for that, then that's fine with me. "
A wish at the end?
Görges: "I sincerely hope that the crisis will soon be over and that everyone can continue their work with passion - on the tennis court and in normal life."