10 November 2016 | Tennis Victoria

After winning the Bendigo International Pro Tour doubles title with partner Asia Muhammad (USA) last month, Victoria’s Arina Rodionova caught up with Tournament Director Andrew Reynolds about her high flying 2016 season.

Andy: What was it like to play on Rod Laver Arena during Australian Open with your sister?

Arina: That was one of the best experiences of the year, I had two amazing matches in the Australian Open. The one we played on Hisense was pretty amazing as well, the atmosphere was great and the crowd, it was pretty special. On Rod Laver we played a little bit late, the guys took their time as always, we played at about midnight but it’s still one of the biggest courts in the country so it was special and it was special to share it with a family member, something not many tennis players can experience.

Andy: Fantastic. Then of course you had a great few weeks in February, a win in Perth then Port Pirie runner up. But the one I want to ask is the Fed Cup in Slovakia, what were you feelings about that, that must have been pretty amazing too?

Arina: That was my first Fed Cup, I love all the team events and team sports, it was really special. I love to play for the country and to represent Australia. The match I played against Schmiedlova, who I think was top 20 at the time, I was up a set and 4-1, and I couldn’t close the match and it was one of the most heartbreaking moments, I was devastated. The team was really good to me, they thanked me for trying hard. I left it all out there, and it was one of the most mentally challenging matches of my career, but it’s good to have it in my books I think now.

Andy: In August you’ve gone from Australian Open to Fed Cup to Rio, what a year! Tell me some of your feelings with the Rio Olympics.

Arina: To be an Olympian was my dream since I was a 5 year old kid, I remember watching the Olympics and I always loved it. When I found out there was a chance of us getting in it, I think I played a tournament in America at the time and I was very emotional and we had to wait a couple of days to see if we were in or not.

When I found out we were in, I was on the way to a tournament but I literally turned around and went straight to Miami and then to Rio. I could not believe I was going to be an Olympian, and to share it with my sister was something special. I’m pretty sure our parents are pretty proud of us, two daughters in the Olympics at the same time is pretty cool.

Obviously the whole week was just surreal, I got to meet so many major athletes, some are new friends, now I’m a fan of Melbourne United, the basketball team because I got to know a few players who play for them and they were nice enough to give me tickets when I was in Melbourne. It was pretty cool to meet all these amazing athletes and listen to their stories because not every sport is like tennis, I met some people who actually need a second job to survive and to actually be a professional athlete and yeah, it was pretty inspirational the whole trip. I’m still in a bit of shock that I went to Rio.

Andy: What are your plans for the summer? It’s hard to top all that, but you want to continue to be consistent and see where it gets you, I suppose?

Arina: I’m excited as it’s my off-season, so I’ll get to have a little break because it’s been a long season. With the Olympics, I didn’t get a chance to go back home during my American trip and i was away for 5 months, so I’m really looking forward to spending some time at home. I’ll put a few weeks of preparation leading into summer and then see what the Australian Open will bring this year.