2012 @CitiOpen Interview: Alison Riske

By Steve Fogleman, TennisEastCoast.com

Alison Riske was the first official interview subject of this blog, way back in College Park, Maryland last July. She remains a Tennis East Coast favorite. I wasn’t going to miss a chance to catch up with her, even after she lost in three sets on Saturday to Jana Cepelova of Slovakia. Just seconds after the match, she agreed to an impromptu interview during stretches. I’m used to interviewing players an hour or more after the match. The delay gives players the time to cool down physically and mentally. In qualifying, it’s more of a Wild West out there. The players can agree to meet you anywhere, anytime. I bring this up because I thought it was too early to get into the gruesome match details, so they were not addressed. She’s too nice to be bogged down with all that talk about second and third set unforced errors.

Last year, you were living in Hilton Head, South carolina. You’ve moved.

I’m down in Boca now with Sam Crawford, Madison Keys, Shelby Rogers, Chalena Scholl, Chi Chi’s sister. They are a good group of girls there.

What changes have you noticed about being in Boca rather than South Carolina?

I was so used to traveling with my sister, and always having a family member around, but everyone is really friendly. I room with Shelby Rogers. I roomed with Melanie Oudin before she left to train in New York.

Riske and Oudin

Have you taught Shelby a thing or two?

Shelby’s going to be teaching me a thing or two! She’s doing so well. I was in Charleston at Family Circle Cup cheering her on.

Are you two the pride of South Carolina then?

I’m from Pittsburgh.

I know.

I went home for Christmas. We did have snow while I was there.

Still loving those Steelers?

I’m still a Steelers fan and I’m so sad Heinz (Ward) left us!

What’s next up for the summer?

I think I’m going to play the 50 in  the Bronx and we’ll see if I get in Cincinnati and then qualies at the US Open.