Status: WTA #1. Winner of 2012 Australian Open.
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 130
DOB: July 31, 1989 In: Minsk, Belarus
Tennis Inspirations: “My inspiration was Steffi Graf, all the time. She was my idol since I was a kid and I had a chance to play against her once in an exhibition in Boise, Idaho (2004). And that was one of the best moments if my life. I played doubles with Mike Bryan against her and Agassi.”
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “I like to go shopping, to the movies, all the girl stuff. Just a normal girl.”
Favorite Movies: “A lot. My favorite TV show is Friends. The movies is a lot, I cannot say just one.”
Last Book Read: “I’m reading about the Queen of France, it was a long time ago.”
Musical Tastes: “I like Madonna, Justin Timberlake, I like just deejays, the club music. And a little Russian music.”
First Tennis Memory: “Is when I won my first tournament, I was like eight-years-old. And they gave me a huge, huge bear. Was bigger than me.”
Favorite Meal: “Steak.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
Favorite Web Sites: “WTA Tour [laughs].”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I think winning the Australian Open and becoming #1.”
Most Painful Moment: “Oh, losing the first round.”
Favorite Tournament: “Yeah, U.S. Open.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “A lot actually. Especially Elena Vesnina, Dinara Safina, Chakvetadze, Poutchek, Cibulkova, a lot [smiles].”
Funniest Players Encountered: “I think Cibulkova. She’s just laughing all the time.”
Toughest Competitors: “I don’t know. It’s a tough question. I’d say Serena.”
Current Car: “Mercedes (dark blue).”
Funny Tennis Memory: “The funniest moment was when my coach fell in Charleston. It was painful but it was really funny. He was running to the drop shot and he wanted to jump and just flipped over three times. And he hit the net. I was scared but it was really funny.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I don’t know. Maybe when somebody boo at me when I throw the racquet.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “I like to watch Federer. I like to watch Serena and Venus play. And I like to watch Bryan Brothers play doubles. And Nadal, of course, everybody likes him.”
Favorite Sports Outside Tennis: “Hockey.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I think the open-ness. Respect.”
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Gans · March 17, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Scoop,
By the end of last year, I was impressed with Kuvitova and had predicted that she would dominate 2012. However, Azarenka’s rise is nothing but stunning.
I wonder if she has become the male version of Djokovic. She plays attacking tennis, has that winning look in her eyes and plays the big points so much better.
As much as I hate the shrieks and grunts, I don’t seem to notice that anymore when I watch her play. But my favorite is still Kuvitova as she comes to the net and has excellent skills. She is the only one among the top 10 who can volley. Everyone else is the same bang bang tennis.
Even though I criticize these players for their lack of skills at the net, I wish I had 50% of their baseline game though. There is so much to learn from these players.
Author comment by Scoop Malinowski · March 17, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Yes Gans Azarenka’s noisemaking is almost musical and rhythmic, she clearly does it for timing and flow, I’ve always enjoyed her sound effects. She does play like male Djokovic, very athletic and physical. Kvitova is more interesting to look at because she looks different and her movements stand out, I enjoy watching tall lefties, like Lopez, Korda, Rusedski, Rios, they just have a different look.