Jiaduo Wu: "I Want To Win An Olympic Medal With The Team"

In a press conference, the Olympic German team made up by Jiaduo Wu, Kristin Silbereisen, Irene Ivancan and Sabine Winter, subtitute player, talked about their Olympic preparation and goals.

Jiaduo Wu "Dudu", about her development from Beijing to London: "I have learnt a lot in these four years. In 2009 I won the European championship and that gave me confidence. Now I face big tournaments differently, mentally speaking. After my early departure in singles in Beijing, I analysed a lot, thought positivelly and worked well during these four years."

Dudu about her goals: "I want to win a medal with the team. That will be very hard but anything can happen in big tournaments. In singles I will see my chances round by round."

Dudu about some advices for her team mates who will make their debuts at the Olympics: "I have told them that they must concentrate on the match. We can experience other things such as the atmosphere in the Olympic village or meeting stars after the competition. We prepare for the Olympics just like other tournaments. I have said to them that it would be like playing at the English Open. We must play relaxed because mind is more important than technique at the Olympics."

Kristin Silbereisen about how to stop her euphoria: "I think that it won't be so easy. Sometimes I heard many things about the Olympics and London but maybe these aren't very objective. I'm happy to be in London but also want to show my level. I'm the first German player who will play and don't want to be the first one who loses.  The pressure is there but it increases, while the time to compete is getting closer." 

Irene Ivancan about her shape: "I have trained super hard and I want to play a super tournament. I have played training matches and I'm almost happy with it. I hope to keep that level in London. I have worked on my weaknesses and it isn't fun but in general, I have improved. The World Team Championships has given me a lot of confidence. I'm in better shape than in Dortmund, emotionally speaking. But many factors play a role in London."

Irene Ivancan on the difference in the preparation because she will only compete in the team event: "That doesn't make a difference because we look for winning a match at the end. It's stressful that you must play a match to the best of four games in singles and to the best of three games in team. I'm a player who takes her time to get into the game, so I can turn a best of four games match around. That isn't easy in a best of three games match. Pratically, there is no margin of error. If we lose, we are out. We must be in top shape from the very beginning." 

Sabine Winter about how to keep excitement at a low level: "I've been in these kind of situations often when you are nominated but you don't compete. But if the team needs me, I would be there. I'm happy for my nomination. I will watch every German match and will support my teammates.

Photo and info. source: tischtennis.de