Hayden Meikle: Hey, Claudia, how are you?
Claudia Williams: I'm good. I've just finished some altitude training. I do some cycling with a mask on my face.
HM: How did you get into tennis?
CW: My Mum took me to the Renouf Centre in Wellington when I was 4. She was really into tennis - she had played for Wellington. Me and my sister started playing. I'm quite competitive and it just kept growing from there.
HM: Does your family still play?
CW: Yeah. My younger sister doesn't really like it, but my older sister and I competed against each other for a while. I always wanted to beat her. She got into squads before me, and I'd be the one hanging on to the fence, asking to play as well. I think that's where I got my competitiveness from.
HM: Do you guys have a tournament at family gatherings?
CW: This year, we're going to do everything at Christmas. Bowling and petanque and stuff. They're trying to come up with some sort of handicap for me for tennis.
HM: Are you good at any other sports?
CW: I was quite good at soccer when I was younger. But I'm sticking to tennis now.
HM: You've got a little bit of an American twang. Have you been living in the United States?
CW: Yeah. Basically, I decided I needed a change. It's hard to get enough strong competition in New Zealand, and I realised I needed a different environment. So I've been based in Florida this year. It was a great experience and I improved a lot.
HM: Have you been to other countries through tennis?
CW: A lot. I've been to Egypt three times and did really well there. I made two singles semifinals and won a doubles title. I also went to Greece and Australia.
HM: What's your world ranking?
CW: I think my singles ranking is around 900 and my doubles ranking is around 700.
HM: What sort of racket do you use?
CW: I've been using a Yonex but my contract just ran out. I'm looking into other options.
HM: What's the strongest part of your game?
CW: My serve is a bit of a weapon. And I'm quite good mentally. You can always improve, because tennis is such a mental sport, but I feel like I'm quite strong in that area.
HM: And a weakness?
CW: Hah, I don't like to tell anyone. I need to work on having more variety in my game.
HM: All-time favourite player?
CW: Maria Sharapova. She's just so feisty on court. I love how competitive she is on court.
HM: Are you feisty on court or are you well behaved?
CW: I'm better behaved than Sharapova ha ha. You've got to be feisty. You've got to have a little bit of mongrel. But I try not to get too angry. I want to deal with things in my head. You sometimes need to have a poker face. I will show emotion when I'm excited, but I try not to when I'm angry at myself.
HM: Sharapova does the shrieking that drives people nuts. Do you scream, shriek or grunt when you hit the ball?
CW: Sharapova probably takes it to another level. But grunting is just letting air out and releasing pressure in your body. People actually advise you to do it. I definitely do grunt. Every top tennis player has got a grunt.
HM: Any superstitions?
CW: I just really like to stick to the same routine if I'm winning. I'll change things up if I lose.
HM: Favourite guilty snack?
CW: Chocolate. But I only treat myself when I lose.
HM: Had much to do with Marina Erakovic?
CW: I played a doubles match against her at the ASB Classic two years ago. It was a great learning curve. When she comes home this summer, I might try to have a hit with her. We have the same physio.
HM: What's a realistic aim for you at the ASB Classic in January?
CW: I just want to prove to people how good I am. They haven't seen me in a long time and I know how much I've improved and matured.
HM: Where do you hope to be 10 years from now?
CW: I'll be 28. I really want to be winning grand slams and in the top 20 in the world. You've got to set your sights high.
