Daniela Hantuchova and Svetlana Kuznetsova reacted to Jelena Jankovic’s penchant for blaming her losses on injuries, like she did after Alisa Kleybanova defeated her in San Diego. Jankovic has been bothered by an ankle injury.
“Everyone has a different opinion and different personality,” Kuznetsova said. “When I played in Miami I injured my shoulder and I saw stars in my eyes. I cannot blame that my shoulder was the reason that I lost. If you are injured you forget it and you go out there and you play. If you complain the press later, that’s your problem and how people are going to judge. That’s why Venus Williams gets so much respect because she doesn’t complain about injuries. The fans when they read our press conferences, they know who is who.”
Hantuchova wouldn’t single out Jankovic but said that she agrees with how Venus won’t discuss injuries after losses.
"If you can’t play, then don't,” Hantuchova said. “But if you do, don't complain afterward.”—Matthew Cronin