By Scoop Malinowski
Status: WTA rank 236. Has qualified for the US Open main draw for the second year in a row. Last year she lost in the 1R with match point.
Ht: 5-3 Wt: 114
DOB: May 28, 1991 In: Pasadena, CA
First Tennis Memory: I remember in Mexico, hitting on synthetic grass when I was seven. And I remember whiffing on my first ball. Did not make contact at all [smiles]. My first memory.
Tennis Inspirations:Â Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Steffi Graf.
Current Car:Â A Hyundai Sonata (white).
Last Book Read:Â I’m currently reading Grit by Angela Duckworth.
First Pro Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered:Â I think Michael Chang. At UCLA, there used to be the Mercedes Benz Cup. (Autograph and picture?) Yes.
Greatest Career Moment:Â Winning the last round of qualies here to make the main draw two years in a row. The intensity was so high, I just exploded. To be in the main draw of the US Open…two or three years ago I was too timid to ever dream about something like that.
Most Painful Moment:Â Losing in the first round main draw last year. I had match point (vs Risa Ozaki).
Funny Tennis Memory:Â I laugh at it now but it wasn’t funny at the moment. When I caught my coach sleeping at my doubles match [smiles]. (Where?) I think we were in Korea, last year. And he denied it. But I know what you look like when you’re sleeping [smiles].
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: I’d say golf.
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow:Â Hmmm…Kobe Bryant. Roger Federer. And…I’d have to say Russell Wilson.
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis:Â There’s always a creative way to get better [smiles].
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:Â That’s a tough one…I’m gonna say cookies and cream off the top of my head.
Best You Ever Felt On Court:Â Last round of qualis here.
Nickname: The Little Giant.
Embarrassing Tennis Memory:Â Blowing match points is quite embarrassing.
Closest Friends In Tennis: I’d have to say my teammates at USC and Jacqueline Cako, Asheley Weinhold and Kerry Wong. We’re all really good friends.
People Qualities Most Admired: Honesty. Loyalty. Humor.
Danielle Lao · main draw · The Little Giant · US Open
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