Status: WTA #54 is in the fourth round at the 2013 French Open after defeating Petra Kvitova.
Ht: 5-8 Wt: 145
DOB: Jan. 8, 1990 In: Frankfurt, Germany
First Tennis Memory: “Is when I started, my dad (James) toom me out to the local courts, the public courts, and I was just smackin’ the ball around. I remember liking it from the very beginning.”
Tennis Inspirations: “Of course I like Fed. I like Nalbandian. I think he’s one of my favorite players.”
Last Book Read: “The Art of Driving In The Rain.”
Current Car: “Four-Runner (black).”
First Famous Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered: “Mardy Fish, I believe. No, let me take that back, Mary Pierce. (Where?) IMG. I went there for a couple of weeks and she was down there practicing.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Getting the opportunity to go back on Rod Laver and playing (defending champion Victoria) Azarenka (lost 46 64 26). After playing previously the year before and losing pretty badly (to Sharapova in 2012).”
Most Painful Moment: “Physically or emotionally? (Both.) Painful moment…losing Fed Cup (vs. Italy in 2013) was pretty bad. Physically, full body cramp at U.S. Open a few years ago. (Against who?) Baltacha.”
Favorite Tournaments: “I like Indian Wells. I like Australian Open. And what’s a small tournament that I like…trying to remember…oh, I do like Auckland. Auckland is probably one of my favorite tournaments for sure. (Why?) It’s because it’s the first tournament of the year. You’re cooped up for off-season, training, and then it’s like you’re set loose. And Auckland’s the first one. And the people are really laid back and the crowds are great and they always have a nice set up with the courts.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “I would say Melanie Oudin and Shelby Rogers. Because I spend a lot of time with them, they’re American. I grew up with Mel, so.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Madison Keys is pretty funny. But I don’t know who’s the funniest, to be honest.”
Strangest Match: “Full body cramp is pretty abnormal.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Probably when I throw a little temper tantrum is pretty embarrassing afterwards [smiles].”
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “It’s a game. You don’t get to touch anybody, it’s a racquet sport, I like them. It’s a great game, it’s a mental game more than anything.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “One time my doubles partner, we were playing, and she just caught the ball. She was totally ready for the ball and she just caught it. She didn’t know what to do. I remember that from juniors. I have a lot of good memories and friends from playing in juniors, a lot of them went to play in college.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Football.”
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “The U.S. women’s soccer team. I like the Giants (NFL). Basketball – Lakers maybe.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Cookies and cream.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. Forgiving. Understanding. Compassion.”
"In Auckland you feel set free"
Dan Markowitz · June 3, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Haven’t seen her play a lot, but she reminds me a bit of Evonne Goolagong. Kind of shy, moves well, has that “different” look as Goolagong had and she’s smaller than the usual top female player. Let’s face it, the top 3 females are either Amazonian or just plain LeBron James-ish in Serena.