Gold Coast 2000
Anna before her first match 2000
January 1, 2000
Anna before her first match 2000
January 1, 2000
Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova was adamant her serving woes would not flare
again in Australia this summer as she strives for her first tournament win.
Kournikova has one of her best chances to break the drought when she lines up as second seed in the Thalgo Australian Women's Hardcourt Championships starting Sunday on the Gold Coast.
It will be the first time Kournikova has played here since wobbling through her Australian Open campaign last year, sending down 31 double faults in one infamous match.
But the 18-year-old hardly flinched at a press conference today when asked whether she was concerned those problems would return.
"No," was Kournikova's blunt reply.
"If you saw my last tournaments, I didn't see any problems."
Kournikova was full of confidence today after completing a solid end to 1999, including an intense last month on the practice court.
She reached the fourth round of three grand slam tournaments this year, including Wimbledon and the French Open, while claiming her first major doubles title with Martina Hingis at the Australian Open.
But Kournikova was reluctant to list strict goals for 2000, even though the inevitable question surfaced about her hopes of winning a tournament.
To do so next week she must overcome the likes of Julie Halard-Decugis, Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.
"We'll see. I can't just say that tomorrow I'm going to be number one," Kournikova said.
"You never know what can happen. I'll say that right now I'm working hard and I'll take it one day at a time and improve with each practice and each match.
"I have to be focused, which I'm doing now, and hopefully it will come."
Kournikova practised this morning on a relatively pleasant summer's day on the Gold Coast, showing some signs of a virus.
But she insisted she was almost over the illness and would be ready for her first singles match next Wednesday after receiving a first round bye.
"The first day (in Australia) is always difficult but I'll just try and get used to the atmosphere in the next few days," she said.
"I have plenty of time so I'm sure it's going to be okay."
Kournikova has one of her best chances to break the drought when she lines up as second seed in the Thalgo Australian Women's Hardcourt Championships starting Sunday on the Gold Coast.
It will be the first time Kournikova has played here since wobbling through her Australian Open campaign last year, sending down 31 double faults in one infamous match.
But the 18-year-old hardly flinched at a press conference today when asked whether she was concerned those problems would return.
"No," was Kournikova's blunt reply.
"If you saw my last tournaments, I didn't see any problems."
Kournikova was full of confidence today after completing a solid end to 1999, including an intense last month on the practice court.
She reached the fourth round of three grand slam tournaments this year, including Wimbledon and the French Open, while claiming her first major doubles title with Martina Hingis at the Australian Open.
But Kournikova was reluctant to list strict goals for 2000, even though the inevitable question surfaced about her hopes of winning a tournament.
To do so next week she must overcome the likes of Julie Halard-Decugis, Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.
"We'll see. I can't just say that tomorrow I'm going to be number one," Kournikova said.
"You never know what can happen. I'll say that right now I'm working hard and I'll take it one day at a time and improve with each practice and each match.
"I have to be focused, which I'm doing now, and hopefully it will come."
Kournikova practised this morning on a relatively pleasant summer's day on the Gold Coast, showing some signs of a virus.
But she insisted she was almost over the illness and would be ready for her first singles match next Wednesday after receiving a first round bye.
"The first day (in Australia) is always difficult but I'll just try and get used to the atmosphere in the next few days," she said.
"I have plenty of time so I'm sure it's going to be okay."
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