Tennis diva to appear at Ford Arena
She never won a singles tournament as professional, but few tennis players
achieved more popularity - and appeared in more fashion magazines - than Anna
Kournikova.
She'll be in Beaumont to participate in the Christus Pro/Celebrity Classic at
Ford Arena Friday night. Also participating is Pete Sampras, whose 14 Grand
Slam singles titles are an all-time record.
Among other participants are tennis professionals Justin Gimelstob and Chanda
Rubin and television journalist Stone Phillips, a Texas City native.
Although without a singles title, Kournikova, 26, achieved much success in
the doubles game. She won two Grand Slam events paired with Martina Hinges
and 16 doubles tournaments overall.
She answered questions about her playing career, fame and most memorable
moments.
Q: Your professional career ended in 2003. How often do you compete these
days?
A: I try to play as often as I can and in as many of these (events) that I
come across, especially when it's for great causes and with fun people. I'll
be playing with Pete Sampras. I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great
opportunity for me to get back on the court and playing tennis in a more or
less competitive environment.
Q: You've had success as a doubles player. How do you feel your skills
translate into the doubles game? What's the main difference - aside from the
obvious of having another player on the same side of the net - between
singles and doubles?
A: Doubles were never first for me because I always played singles. But I
guess that's why I did pretty well in doubles because I never put any
pressure at all on myself. I just always played doubles just for fun. I
always played with partners I got along with and had a great time with. It
was never about winning, really, and I ended up winning much more there, so
it was kind of strange. I played it for fun and to practice for singles. In
some weird twist, it came out the opposite.
Q: Did you feel pressured as a singles player?
A: I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel pressure. I put a lot of pressure on
myself. Dealing with pressure comes with experience. I was so young when I
stopped playing, when I was 22 years old. I'm sure if I was playing right now
on the tour I would think differently.
Q: Through the course of your career you received a lot of attention on
the court and off the court. How much of that was sought and how much of that
did you want to deflect?
A: When I was playing, I tried to deflect a lot of it. When you're in that
position - and like I said, I was so young and inexperienced - you have all
these people around you and you're just thrown in the middle of it all, and I
did the best I could to stay focused. I played. Tennis was always my goal.
Tennis was my No. 1 priority.
Q: Golfers remember specific shots. Baseball players remember pitch
sequences in at-bats. Are there any specific moments in your career that
stand out for you? Like a serve or a volley?
A: There are moments. There are quite a few. I don't think I could name one
of them. There are always moments that stick with you, in the first round of
some unknown tournament or in the semifinals of Wimbledon, there are
definitely moments that stand out more than other ones.
Q: Is there any moment you're most proud of?
A: For me, it's when I beat the top players. It's when I beat Steffi Graf.
When I beat Monica Seles, who was my idol growing up. When I beat Martina
Hinges, who was unbeatable at the time, No. 1 in the world. When I beat
Lindsay Davenport, when she was No. 1 in the world. When I beat Arantxa
Sanchez. It was always about the players. It was about the players on the
other side that I beat, when I felt like I accomplished something by beating
those No. 1s in their prime, too. That was a huge satisfaction for me.
Q: Do you miss the competition?
A: I do, of course. You can never replace that feeling you have on the court
and stuff. It's very special in a way. There's nothing like it.
Q: Many athletes in America go into acting after their playing days. Is
there a next step for you like that?
A: I don't see myself going into acting unless it was something for 20
seconds, something fun. If I wanted to do something, I'd want to do it
professionally and learn about it. I love working with Boys and Girls Clubs
all over the country. I love working with the boys and girls, that's a big
priority for me now. Then playing in these exhibitions. These are fun for me.
... There are things I want to do with modeling here and there. I've got to
pay the bills. (laughter). That's it.
p.s: This question answers some of your questions mbno20x2
Q: How much do you pay attention to things happening in your home country
(Russia)?
A: Just enough. My dad keeps me posted. My grandmother and stuff, but I'm not
into politics or anything.
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