Ana was on the cover of T2, the magazine of the Telegraph India, yesterday.
The following is an extract from the Q & A interview:
How supportive were your friends and family towards your interest in tennis?
My family gave me incredible support. But actually, it wasn’t until I was around 11 or 12 that we realised that I had a real chance of becoming a professional. Of course, I always dreamed about it, but it wasn’t until we had an offer from a sports agency that would help with my travel and tournament entries that we had to make a serious decision – my parents always hoped I would do something more intellectual. But they supported me 100%. I couldn’t have done it without them. My friends too were really, really supportive. The tennis world is very different, very specific, so they didn’t really understand everything about it, but they always encouraged me and shared in my excitement. I’ll always remember that.
Who do you enjoy playing against the most?
I love competing against the top players. That is my main motivation, and they are the players I most look forward to playing. There’s not one player in particular, but anyone who is near the top of the rankings.
Can you name any three key moments of your tennis career?
It’s hard to choose three but for sure one of them would be winning the French Open and becoming No.1 in the world. Another would probably be beating Amelie Mauresmo at the French Open when I was 17, and she was seeded three or four I think. Then maybe I would also choosing winning Montreal in 2006, which was my first Tier I title. Certainly there are always some turning points in a player’s career and those were very important for me.
Any India plans?
I haven’t yet visited but I would definitely like to go (to India). I am friends with Sania so I have heard a little about it. I love Indian food like Chicken Tikka Masala and spinach curry. I am aware that food in Indian restaurants across the world is very different to that which you find in India. It’s a shame there are no more WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) tournaments there, but hopefully there will be an opportunity to play in India sometime in the future.
Favourite stroke: Forehand
Favourite film: Hard to say, there are many! Probably The Notebook
Favourite actor: Eric Bana
Favourite actress: Meryl Streep
Most comfortable in what kind of clothes: I like to dress up from time to time, but I am most comfortable in something like an easy jeans and t-shirt combination
If not a tennis player, I would be: Maybe something like a psychologist. I find psychology extremely interesting.
