Google News Kristina Mladenovic: 'I didn't criticize Caroline Garcia after the Fed Cup tie lost earlier this month'
by LUIGI GATTO
In press conference in Dubai Kristina Mladenovic clarified her comments made after the Fed Cup tie lost to Switzerland a few weeks ago. She was not criticizing her friend and doubles partner Caroline Garcia at all, but was just criticizing Oceane Dodin. 'Just to clarify that thing, I never mentioned her name, and it was not about her.
I just answered the question that it was about the missing players in the team, and I was not mentioning Caroline Garcia,' Mladenovic said. 'I was comparing Amandine Hesse with Oceane Dodin, who is also an upcoming talented young player, and she never played Fed Cup.
She had one tie with us and never gave her all, and, you know, build something in the team. And I was comparing with Amandine who was literally like crying, being in the team. She came with us, being a hitting partner, which I thought was horrible for her.
And then she earned her spot being the main fourth player and then ended with playing official match. I could see how pride she has, because for us, in France, it’s something big to big patriotic and play for the country.' Mladenovic, who is playing doubles this week in Dubai with Garcia, added: 'So I was definitely not using that strong words towards my partner, because, you know, it’s a choice of hers not to play this year.
I regret it. I cannot say I agree with that, but in the past, from the beginning, from the beginning of her career, she always played fully (committed).' ALSO READ: Roger Federer: 'Laver Cup will be a tough event. I'd love to play doubles with Nadal'