Kimiko Date-Krumm was jogging on the track next to Stanford University Taube Family Tennis Stadium on Tuesday. A man walked by with his daughter. He didn’t particularly look like a tennis fan, but there he was saying, “That woman is 40 years old!” He said it partly to his daughter, mostly to himself, fully in awe. If there’s one thing people know about Date-Krumm, a woman showing age is just a number, it’s what that number is. Since resuming her pro career after an 11-year sabbatical, Date-Krumm has scored wins over Maria Sharapova, Li Na, Daniela Hantuchova, Nadia Petrova and Samantha Stosur. At the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford this week, she lost in the first round to Dominika Cibulkova, who she’s playing with today in the second round of doubles. We chatted with the lovely world No. 52 about various topics, some things old, some things new.
What did winning the women’s World Cup mean for Japan? Did you watch?
Of course it was a big, big success in Japan. Normally football is for men, in Japan also, and now the women won the World Cup, so it was big, big news in Japan. I met [Homare] Sawa once, because she has contract with Adidas also. I didn’t watch. I started practicing, and it started too late for me. So I was in bed. I watched the highlights in the news.
After the earthquake in Japan you mentioned wanting to help in some way? Have you had a chance to get involved?
After that happened I started a foundation. I put in some money and then my friends and [others] donated. I want to use this money for sports – for example, building tennis courts again. I’m doing this with my [racquet] contract company Yonex.
Your bio says you funded the building of a school in Laos? Can you talk about that?
I built a school in Laos around three years ago. My husband and I did this together.
Your husband is German race car driver Michael Krumm. Has being married to a sportsman impacted your tennis? Have you picked up any tips from him?
He explains to me about sports, not only about tennis. He has friends who are motor sports drivers, knows many athletes from Europe or he checks the Internet and he finds out good comments from athletes. Sports is mental, for tennis also. So he explains to me how people concentrate or build up the level. Mental support for me is a big thing. And he is always training with me and motivates me.
What surprised you most when you returned to tennis?
In the beginning of the comeback it was always fun for me, even losing. I enjoyed the challenge. Now at this level it’s sometimes difficult to enjoy. But the first career was already a success, so I try to enjoy the fighting, enjoy the challenge. And all the time I am trying.
What surprised you most about the other players? How have things changed?
Women’s tennis is more powerful and more speedy.
Do you get tired of the focus on your age and wish people would just talk about your tennis?
Yes, always we are talking. [Laughs] Now most of the players are about 20 years old. So people don’t know when I was in first career. For example, when I played with Dominika Cibulkova doubles first round, Dominika said to me, “How many years you had the break?” I said, “Eleven years.” And she said, “Wow!” Her mother is almost my age. Anastasija Sevastova’s mother is the same age as me. So always we are laughing about age and she says, “You are amazing – you are like my mother’s age.”
Among the top young players, such as Petra Kvitova, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka, who impresses you most?
Everybody has a different style – of course, everybody is powerful. Caroline still didn’t take a Grand Slam title, but she is a very tough player (and she’s beautiful). Of course she’s the number one player, so she’s good. And now [Sabine] Lisicki come back into top 30, and Maria Sharapova come back into top 5 again. For me Li Na is interesting. She won Roland Garros title, and she has strong mental, good physical and good tennis. But problem is, she’s not very young anymore. [Laughs] For me she’s still young but compared to others, she’s not too young anymore.
Who’s the best player you ever played?
For me it’s Steffi Graf. Always Steffi Graf.
You think she could beat most of today’s players?
Yeah, I think so. If she has the motivation and starts a little bit practicing, I think she could beat everybody.
On the men’s side people talk about Roger Federer being the GOAT. Do you think he’s the greatest of all time?
Yes, I think so. And I hope so.
Which players do you most enjoy watching?
I like to watch Federer’s match because it’s beautiful tennis, and of course it’s strong.
And on the women’s side?
It’s a little bit difficult, because it’s not only about watching for fun but about [how to play] next time I play against someone. But hmm… who? I like Li Na’s matches. But yeah since three years I am watching for the next time maybe I play someone, so I am not enjoying to watch. [Laughs]
Your match against Venus Williams at Wimbledon this year was memorable. Was it one of your most exciting matches?
It was very happy for me – I wasn’t standing on Centre Court since 1996 against Steffi Graf. I never think I would stand on Wimbledon Centre Court again. And of course Venus is five time Wimbledon champion. There was nothing to lose. She has big, big serve. I couldn’t imagine how I would play, but I just focused on the ball. I need to control the ball, move to the net and use short balls. She has a big reach, so I don’t want to use side and side, I want to use front and back. Yes, it was one of the most exciting matches for me.
You’re naturally left-handed but started playing right-handed because of Japanese custom. Watching someone like Rafael Nadal do you wish you played left-handed instead?
Yes, I think they have advantage compared to other players, so I think it’s a good idea to play left-handed. But I can hit [left-handed] sometimes when I run to the left side, and I can hit the forehand little bit.
Your style is unique, and you play so flat. Is there a young player now whose game reminds you of your game?
No one. [Laughs] It’s completely different.