Interview in Leon (ESP)
December 7, 2003
December 7, 2003
Q: Everyone's speculating
about your retirement, you think you'll ever play again?
Of course! But i'm not sure when. I hate not knowing an exact date for my comeback but oh well, when i'm ready, i'll say so. Meanwhile i got to wait and continue training.
Q: But what exactly is your physical problem, why don't we see you on court?
I got problems with my back, though it only affects me when i play for straight hours, a tournament or something like that but it doesn't affect me when i play an isolated match. If i were to hit some balls for a couple of hours it wouldn't be a problem, the competition is a problem.
Q: But if you don't recover, are you ready to take drastic decisions?
Well... they are a lot of medical solutions that can be taken in the future and perhaps we'll have to take them if that's the case.
Q: You're young yet you're always criticized for not having won a title, you think it's possible to see you fighting one day for a grand slam title?
I don't know, i can't guess the future. I have no idea; If you knew that, you wouldn't be here interviewing me, right? You'd bet on something and maybe win the lottery.
Q: You're the most recognized and stalked athlete in the world. You could, if you wanted, give 20 interviews per day. Having that in mind, aren't you tired of the press?
Never.
Q: Really?
Ok, yes, i get upset when they make things up but i'm used to it and don't pay attention to that anymore. I know i'm in the spotlight but if i were aware of everything that's said about me, my life would be hell. I wouldn't be able to do anything out of the ordinary; it's impossible to be liked by everyone, i got that perfectly clear.
Q: And don't we, reporters, make up a lot of things about Anna?
Sometimes things are made up and they prolly aren't true. Once again, i can't be bothered by everything that's said and thought about me, i'd go insane. Some people may like me, others may not. I can't change the minds of the latter, that's how life is.
Q: What's Anna like? Aside from the "character" that sells, that we sell, as Kournikova.
I try to be myself all the time. What happens is that people try to find things in me that aren't there and when they don't find them, they exaggerate them.
Q: Do you feel priviledged in such a complex world?
Absolutely, I grew up doing what i always dreamt of doing: playing tennis. Besides, the sport allowed me to see the world, meet people, visit places. But, make no mistake, the life of a celebrity is not full of glamour as people may think. You've seen it for yourself, you've followed me around for 24 hours and i haven't had much spare time, i haven't gone out till 9 am or shopping the whole day, it's a myth. I've been here in the hotel for almost all day long.
Q: So, you're life is tough then...
What i'm saying is that just cause i get to fly in first class, stay at 5 stars hotels, play tennis for a living and have fun that doesn't mean your life is a road of roses. No, it's a tough work. It's 24 hours of thinking about your health, in taking care of your body, your diet. It's a lifestyle.
Q: But your life seems to be sad sometimes, no? For example, in these days, you only got out of the hotel for the officials ceremonies, you've been "locked up" in here the rest of the time, you couldn't even visit the most interesting sites in town. You go around the world without getting to know it...
But that isn't cause people stalk me in the streets. Thing is, i end up completely beat at the end of the day. The last thing i think of is going out. I pick up the phone and order room service to eat in here. Watch tv for 10 minutes and then fall asleep.
Q: Are you tired of getting so many compliments all the time, of people saying how beautiful you are, that you have lovely eyes, etc?
Compliments are always nice. I don't get tired of them. But they come from people that i don't know, i mean, strangers. I'm interested in my friends and relatives opinions mostly. But yeah, i love to have the support from people.
Q: Which is the dream left to achieve in tennis?
My dream is to be able to play, simple as that. I've played great tennis throughout my career, had great results against some of the top players in the world... Therefore, my goal is to stay healthy to keep on enjoying this sport that i love so much.
Of course! But i'm not sure when. I hate not knowing an exact date for my comeback but oh well, when i'm ready, i'll say so. Meanwhile i got to wait and continue training.
Q: But what exactly is your physical problem, why don't we see you on court?
I got problems with my back, though it only affects me when i play for straight hours, a tournament or something like that but it doesn't affect me when i play an isolated match. If i were to hit some balls for a couple of hours it wouldn't be a problem, the competition is a problem.
Q: But if you don't recover, are you ready to take drastic decisions?
Well... they are a lot of medical solutions that can be taken in the future and perhaps we'll have to take them if that's the case.
Q: You're young yet you're always criticized for not having won a title, you think it's possible to see you fighting one day for a grand slam title?
I don't know, i can't guess the future. I have no idea; If you knew that, you wouldn't be here interviewing me, right? You'd bet on something and maybe win the lottery.
Q: You're the most recognized and stalked athlete in the world. You could, if you wanted, give 20 interviews per day. Having that in mind, aren't you tired of the press?
Never.
Q: Really?
Ok, yes, i get upset when they make things up but i'm used to it and don't pay attention to that anymore. I know i'm in the spotlight but if i were aware of everything that's said about me, my life would be hell. I wouldn't be able to do anything out of the ordinary; it's impossible to be liked by everyone, i got that perfectly clear.
Q: And don't we, reporters, make up a lot of things about Anna?
Sometimes things are made up and they prolly aren't true. Once again, i can't be bothered by everything that's said and thought about me, i'd go insane. Some people may like me, others may not. I can't change the minds of the latter, that's how life is.
Q: What's Anna like? Aside from the "character" that sells, that we sell, as Kournikova.
I try to be myself all the time. What happens is that people try to find things in me that aren't there and when they don't find them, they exaggerate them.
Q: Do you feel priviledged in such a complex world?
Absolutely, I grew up doing what i always dreamt of doing: playing tennis. Besides, the sport allowed me to see the world, meet people, visit places. But, make no mistake, the life of a celebrity is not full of glamour as people may think. You've seen it for yourself, you've followed me around for 24 hours and i haven't had much spare time, i haven't gone out till 9 am or shopping the whole day, it's a myth. I've been here in the hotel for almost all day long.
Q: So, you're life is tough then...
What i'm saying is that just cause i get to fly in first class, stay at 5 stars hotels, play tennis for a living and have fun that doesn't mean your life is a road of roses. No, it's a tough work. It's 24 hours of thinking about your health, in taking care of your body, your diet. It's a lifestyle.
Q: But your life seems to be sad sometimes, no? For example, in these days, you only got out of the hotel for the officials ceremonies, you've been "locked up" in here the rest of the time, you couldn't even visit the most interesting sites in town. You go around the world without getting to know it...
But that isn't cause people stalk me in the streets. Thing is, i end up completely beat at the end of the day. The last thing i think of is going out. I pick up the phone and order room service to eat in here. Watch tv for 10 minutes and then fall asleep.
Q: Are you tired of getting so many compliments all the time, of people saying how beautiful you are, that you have lovely eyes, etc?
Compliments are always nice. I don't get tired of them. But they come from people that i don't know, i mean, strangers. I'm interested in my friends and relatives opinions mostly. But yeah, i love to have the support from people.
Q: Which is the dream left to achieve in tennis?
My dream is to be able to play, simple as that. I've played great tennis throughout my career, had great results against some of the top players in the world... Therefore, my goal is to stay healthy to keep on enjoying this sport that i love so much.
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If you find ANY copyright material on this website PLEASE contact me and I will remove it immediately. Thanx very much!