By Scoop Malinowski
Status: WTA no. 638 has qualified for the 2023 US Open. 2008 Olympic bronze medalist. 2010 Wimbledon finalist.
DOB: September 7, 1984 In: Moscow, Russia
First Tennis Memory: “Playing a tournament in England. I was age of six and it was my first tournament. (How did you do?) I don’t even remember. I think I won my age-group, actually. And I think it was the first time I went out of Russia, actually. Very interesting to me. It was sort of an exchange between club in England and club in Russia. First, England kids came to Russia. I think coach from my club knew coach in England. Also, Olga Morozova worked in England, so they got in touch and did an exchange.”
Tennis Inspirations: “You mean, who inspired me? The person? Yevgeny Kafelnikov, he was the first Russian to do so well and I used to love watching him. I was looking for Hingis as well. I just like the way she was playing.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I like reading, traveling, listening to music - something without sports. But I also like to play volleyball, like beach volleyball. Watch Russian movies [smiles], because I don’t get the chance to when I’m home.”
Favorite Movies: “Mostly Russians. I don’t think you’ve heard about them [smiles].”
Musical Tastes: “Actually any kind of music, I like different. I listen to music because I miss home. But I can listen to classical music, I can listen to R&B, rap and just pop music like Roxette and Linkin Park.”
Last Book Read: “Actually, studying. I’m at the diplomatic academy at home so I have to read a lot of books from my school. But the one that I love – War and Peace (Tolstoy).”
First Job:”Tennis [laughs].”
First Car: “VW Polo (white).”
Current Car: “BMW X3.”
Early Tennis Memory: “I started playing in the club in Moscow. I remember there was lots of kids in my group, about 30. And we all had to play on the one court, but it was fun [smiles].”
Favorite Meal: “Russian soup, borscht [smiles].”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Frosted Flakes [laughs].”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Strawberry.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Usually I’m trying to talk to my coach and not really thinking about something. Just thinking about I have to go on court and try my best and do something, everything I can to win the match.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Few of them. One of the best ones – Olympics is probably the great experience. Something unbelievable, amazing for me to get the bronze medal. It was great. Also, making Wimbledon final and winning Indian Wells. It’s a very big win. It’s also one of the greatest moments as well.”
Most Painful Moment: “Hmm, there are many of them. There are many, many probably painful moments. But one of them was literally painful – when I sprained my ankle on the court in Charleston. It was a bad memory and sometimes it’s still in my memory and it doesn’t bring good feelings.”
Strangest Match: “Maybe losing to Myskina when I had nine match points [smiles], in San Diego (2004).”
Funny Tennis Memory: “There were a few of them. I think I was trying to reach a ball in Amelia Island and I jumped over and there was a scoreboard and the whole scoreboard and everything – down. And I was laying in there [smiles]. And I think I won that match, against Amanda Coetzer. It was like years back. Also, it makes me laugh sometimes when I watch myself on TV [laughs]. When I’m talking to myself on court. ”
Which Match Did You Feel At Your Very Best: “Maybe winning the match against Venus at French Open. And I think maybe the match in Charleston the year before I played against Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic in a couple of matches, I thought they were very good.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “I think the younger players – Elena Vesnina, Victoria Azarenka. I’ve played juniors with Kuznetsova, Myskina. And Likhovtseva.”
Funniest Players: “I think all of them. They have pretty good sense of humor. (ATP?) Funny ones – I’m thinking Safin is funny for sure. Monfils is funny, dancing, everything he does is a bit funny, the way he walks.”
Toughest Competitors: “It’s tough question. But I didn’t like to play against Smashnova, because I always play four hours against her [laughs]. So I think she is, for me.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Home. Moscow.”
Childhood Dream: “Well, of course, I wanted to become a tennis player. And I just always really like to get into top 10 I think.”
Favorite Tournament: “Kremlin Cup.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “On the men’s side, Federer and Safin, I like watching Marat play is fun. Fantastic. Also Rafael Nadal. I like to watch Andy Roddick. Every time he serves, I just check the speed of the serve [laughs]. And Agassi. I think Rios was another player I liked to watch. I watched him play in Washington and I think he was a great player to watch, for me. I think he was like an actor on the court. And I love it because he was doing his show. Everybody knows it’s tough to play in tennis, especially when it’s 100 degrees. And he was like, performing as an actor. You can always see his emotions. He wasn’t like just standing there, doing his job. You could see how he feels. On the women’s side, I don’t watch that many, except my opponents. It’s easier to enjoy the men’s matches.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Probably U.S. Open few years ago when I played Elena Dementieva. I got so upset on the court [laughs]. Just so mad and upset and I broke my racquet. But that happens.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I like to see…it’s tough question. When the people saying the truth. And I think straight people.”
You can read more Biofiles like this at www.mrbiofile.com
Indian Wells · Marat Safin · Russia · US Open · Vera Zvonareva · Wimbledon
Dana · September 6, 2010 at 9:53 am
War and peace.
Dana · September 6, 2010 at 9:54 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_and_Peace
Scoop Malinowski · September 6, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for the corrections Dana, just edited it that typo