Tennis Wonder

The Vera Zvonareva Picture

2011-05-30T23:28:00.000-07:00

Vera Zvonareva

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

V. ZVONAREVA/K. Kanepi
6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Crazy, crazy kind of weather out there today. Talk about the match and the conditions, how you were able to prevail.
VERA ZVONAREVA: Yeah, I think the weather was definitely not for the good tennis out there. But no matter what match had to be played, and we both were trying our best out there.
Like I said on the court, the most important thing was to find the right balance between being patient and being aggressive. I think I did it well.

Q. You've had such great success at the majors this year, been so consistent in the majors. Do you find yourself at a point where you're as confident as you've ever been playing in the big championships?
VERA ZVONAREVA: I don't question myself. You know, I always believed in myself. I always believe. I'm just going out there and trying my best in every match.
You know, it's been working pretty good for me so far.

Q. If you have a matchup with - we don't know yet - but with Caroline, you've been 50/50 with her. You're pretty evenly matched.
VERA ZVONAREVA: Um, yeah, well, it's gonna be tough match for both of them tonight. I don't know who's gonna win yet, Caroline or Dominika.
If it's Caroline, she's playing great tennis at the moment. She's been so consistent this year and won a few tournaments in a row. She's very tough opponent. You know, we played few times and we always had tough matches. I'm expecting a very tough one in the semifinal.
And even if Dominika wins, we just played a three-setter like few weeks ago. It was a very tough one.
No matter who's going through it, it's gonna be a tough challenge, and I'm up to it.

Q. With how many unforced errors she was making, you were talking about being balanced and aggressive. Were you trying to be a little bit more patient because of the errors she had been making?
VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, I don't think she was just making errors for no reasons, you know. Um, I think I was making it difficult for her. She had to go more for her shots. I was trying to, you know, guess where she was playing and reading her game.
So I was trying to make it as difficult as possible for her. With those conditions, well, unforced errors, it looks like it's an easy shot. But with the wind going all the different directions and blowing, it's not easy to make those shots.
So sometimes you have to make the right choices. I think today I made, you know, right choices where I had just to, you know, put the ball in play and where sometimes I had to step up a little bit and do a little bit more with the ball.

Q. What did you learn from the match against Flavia last year?
VERA ZVONAREVA: Um, well, that match was in the past, but I learn from every single match. There is something to learn about from every match you play. So there are probably things that, you know, made me more experienced player at the moment.

Q. What's it like to compete in this tournament without Serena being here?
VERA ZVONAREVA: Um, well, I still have to go out there and fight against everyone. It's not easy out there. It's tough challenge for everybody.
Of course it's great to have Serena. She's a great champion, she's a great fighter, but it doesn't really make the field any more open.
There are so many great players out there. It's a challenge for everybody.

Q. How important is it - if you have to play Caroline - not to get frustrated, because it seems like she makes everyone play patiently?
VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, you have to be patient against her. She's a tough player because she reads the game well. So you have to be patient but still go for your shots.
But, you know, you cannot get frustrated if you are playing against anyone. If you get frustrated, well, you will probably lose the match. Doesn't matter if it's Caroline or someone else on the other side of the net.
I think you can -- you know, you should get sometimes angry with yourself. Sometimes you should pump yourself. But you have to always be out there and trying not to get frustrated against anybody.

Q. Will experience matter for you, or do you think that Caroline has enough experience now where you being on the tour longer and being in bigger matches is all that matters to you?
VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, I think Caroline's got enough experience right now. She's very mature for her age, and I think a lot of people are underestimating her. But she's going out there and she's doing her job very, very well.
I can say she's very experienced, so it's, you know -- if I have to play Caroline, it's just going to be a tough match, but we both have been in those situations.

Q. What happened in your final in Montreal? Did you get frustrated there?
VERA ZVONAREVA: Oh, in Montreal I think I just couldn't find my game. I think I had to play Victoria in the morning, and they have absolutely different styles of game, Victoria and Caroline. It was very difficult for me just to change the mindset and switch to another match.
I was getting ready and preparing myself to play Victoria for two days while we were sitting in the rain.
Then I played her, you know, the style that I wanted, and then I had to play against Caroline, who's playing absolutely different. So I just couldn't manage and couldn't adapt to the differences in the game.
Then when I finally started, you know, finding my game a little bit, Caroline came up with some great shots. I felt like I just didn't have enough time on the court to get used to the game.

Q. What does it say about yourself that you were able to reach two Grand Slam semifinals in a row this summer?
VERA ZVONAREVA: Um, what does it say? I guess I'm improving. I'm still improving, you know. I've been playing for a while, but I'm still out there and still working hard. I'm still improving.
That feels great, you know. I can go out there, and I will try to work even more.

Vera practising at HK Victoria Park Center Court:

Hot sexy Vera Zvonareva - Interview with pictures

2011-05-30T23:05:00.000-07:00

Q. Just talk about your level. You have to be happy with that.

VERA ZVONAREVA: Obviously, you know, Yanina is a tough opponent, and I'm happy to win, and to win in two sets. Especially since last year, if I remember, last years I had to withdraw in my third round. I'm happy I was able to play today. I played I think pretty good match.

Q. What do you think you did overall that was so good today?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I think there were moments you know, you could always say that maybe I double faulted a little bit too many times today. But I did serve well when I needed it. I think that was good.

Also, I was able to, you know, return well, I think, today. Even sometimes I had some mistakes, but I kept doing what I had to do, and eventually paid off. I was able to break a couple times.
I think I was able to put a good intensity and go for my shots a little bit better, not to hesitate. Yeah, that's pretty much it.

Q. Are you healthy enough now and motivated enough and strong enough to get back to the level where you were before you had the injury?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Yeah, you know, finally I think I feel good. Couple of minor things, but every single tennis player experiences those. But I can say finally I'm healthy and finally I can put up a good work.

You know, I'm looking forward to improve my game and get back to that level where I was before.

Q. How long have you felt that way? Because your results since the spring have not been that great. Roland Garros was not as good as you can play, and Eastbourne.

VERA ZVONAREVA: Uh huh, well, Eastbourne was a tough match. Maria Jose is very tough on the grass; it was very close match. That was actually one of the good matches, I think. Yeah, I could have used couple of opportunities, but it's minor things. I think I was already able to put a better level than the whole clay court season.

Yeah, you're right, clay court season wasn't great for me. I think it was mentally tough for me playing on the clay, and I think I can realize it better now than I was there.

Now at least I know what I have to work on for the next year for the clay court season and how I have to prepare myself.

Q. You probably heard this from some of your compatriots, but two years ago there were six Russian women in the top 10; now there's only one, Elena. Is it because of age or injuries? Why do you think that's happening?

VERA ZVONAREVA: You know, you cannot be on top of your game and play the best tennis the whole career. It happened that all of us were playing very good tennis at the same time and get into the top 10. It's not easy. It's very, very hard.

Now it seems like quite a few players got injured, like you can see with Dinara was struggling a lot, I was struggling, and other players as well. You know, injuries, they always put you back a little bit, and it's tough to recover.

I think one of the best players who can do it very well is Serena, because she's not able to play for a long time due to injuries and then come back and still play very strong.

But, um, otherwise, injuries always tough to recover from. It seems like we all got even Elena, you know, she couldn't come here and play here. She had to withdraw in a semifinal of a Grand Slam.

So I think it's just a coincidence of everything together: everyone being in the great form and then everyone suddenly getting injured at the same time. It's a little bit downhill, maybe.

But I'm sure all of us, we're good players, and I'm sure we will get back to that level.

Q. There was also a time when you would have three players and you would have a couple more come up and replace them. You'd have someone that was 21, 22, 23. Now you have Kleybanova, Pavlyuchenkova maybe coming up to the level of top 20, top 10. Do you see them as being real elite players, or do we still have to wait and see on them?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, think they're coming close to that. You can also see I think Anastasia, I think, she beat Venus back to back last year. Two great wins is not easy, so being definitely see the potential out there.

And Alisa, she already has a lot of top 10 wins under her belt. So I think they are up there. It's just a very thin line between the players becoming one of the top 10 players and maybe being ranked 30. Maybe they will need just a little bit more experience. But both of them are very good players.
Q. Looking at your balance and your movements, the way you do splits quite elegantly, is this something you trained for particularly? Do you have a past as a gymnast or a dancer?

VERA ZVONAREVA: No, just actually happens naturally. I never train. I think I'm pretty flexible. I always work on my flexibility since I was a kid.

Then I think tennis is getting quicker and quicker. Sometimes when you try to chase the balls, it just comes naturally. I don't really train it.

Q. Mentally you seemed to manage the match very well. Can you talk about what you were feeling inside?

VERA ZVONAREVA: You know, I was just trying to play one point at a time. I was not looking around. I was trying to stay concentrated, keep my concentration on all the time, trying to think what I will do in my next point. That's about it.

Nothing else was bothering me around. I wasn't noticing anything around. I think that helped me a lot, because I was able to play pretty good tennis from the beginning till the end. You know, there is a couple unforced errors there and there, but I managed to, yeah, overall to play pretty even from the beginning till the end.

Q. Why were you able to do that today when maybe earlier in your career you might not have?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I don't know. I think it comes with experience. You grow up. You're more mature. You know you've been in different situations and you know how to manage them better. You know that it is important just to forget what was before and try to concentrate on the next point.

I think, uhm, right now I have learned a lot from the past, and I can do it much better now.

Q. What do you know about your semifinal opponent? Must be rather a surprise that you're not playing Venus, that you're playing Pironkova.

VERA ZVONAREVA: You know, obviously Venus is going to be always one of the favorite players here at Wimbledon. But if Tsvetana beat her today, she deserves to be in the semifinals. She played great tennis.

I played her in Moscow last year and I lost to her. I will try to remember that match. I know I was not playing my best tennis over there. I will just have to, you know, think about it a little bit and prepare myself the best I can.

I'm gonna try my best over there, just the way I was trying today, and then we will see what's going to happen.

Q. What were her strengths when you played her in Moscow?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I think she's all‑over‑the‑court player. You know, it's hard to predict what she's doing on the court. Sometimes she can slice; sometimes she can hit the ball; sometimes she can play slow; sometimes she can play fast. You never know what to expect, so you lose your rhythm. Then you start thinking maybe too much on the court.

I just know that in that match I will have to concentrate on myself and execute my game no matter what the score, no matter what she's trying to do. Just try not to look on the other side and try to concentrate on myself.

Q. You had some really strong results a while back in your career, then there were some tough results and your injury. What was it like when you were really struggling, trying to get over your injury? Did you imagine relatively quickly you'd reach the Wimbledon semifinal?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, you always dream about it. You always want to be there. Like I always say, I always believe in myself and I believe I can be here.

But obviously when you go through a lot of injuries in your career, it sort of puts a lot of doubts in your head. It is very difficult to come back after an injury. You lose a lot of confidence.

But, uhm, I think, I don't know, I always believed in myself. I always believed I could do it. I was just maybe frustrated that my injuries are not going away. But I know as soon as I feel hundred percent, I will be able to play good tennis again. It's just matter of time.

Because I can work hard. I can work hard every day. I believe that, you know, if you work hard, you will achieve.

Q. This was your first victory against Kim Clijsters today. What made the difference today?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Uhm, I think I was able to play one point at a time today. I was able to keep my concentration from the beginning till the end of the match. Also I'm much more experienced right now, much more mature. I think I played tactically better, and I was able to hang in there, not to pay attention to what was going on around.

Even after I lost the first set, maybe there were a couple unforced errors that could have put me back, but I was trying not to think about it. I was trying to think about what I have to do next to win the next point.

I think it helped me a lot.

Q. You are a promoter of gender equality. What have you achieved, and what are your goals with that job?

VERA ZVONAREVA: It is very important to give the same opportunities to everyone in the world. If we are lucky here, in Russia, there are so many countries, where girls, they don't have the possibilities to achieve their dreams.

And I think, uhm, us tennis players, we could be role models for the girls. No matter what they want to do in their lives, they should believe in themselves. They should believe they can achieve great things.

It's not more about of gender equality, it's more about equality for opportunities for everybody, so everyone has the same opportunities. I think our examples, where we are, we should be able to make, you know, a lot of girls around the world to believe in themselves more.

Q. You spoke about concentration. You always had your towel over your head. Is that one part of your concentration? For instance, did you see what the score was between Pironkova and Venus?

VERA ZVONAREVA: No. Like I said, nothing matters on the court besides thinking of what you're going to do next.

I think, yeah, I put the towel because it just helps me to relax and not to see what is going on around. Because in my game, I think I'm capable to do a lot of different things. For me, it's very important that my head is relaxed because then I know what I want to do in the next point.

And if you see all the things around, noticing all the scores, it just takes your concentration a little bit away, and then maybe you will make a wrong decision on the court.

And for me, if I know what I want to do, I think I'm capable of, you know, beating anyone on the other side. So for me it's very important just to keep my concentration.

Q. So you didn't know about Venus?

VERA ZVONAREVA: No.

Q. Pironkova is one of the younger players left here. Why do you think we're not seeing more teenagers breaking through at these big tournaments?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, to break through as a teenager, it's very difficult. There were some great examples in the past.

But I think to be able to reach this stage of a Grand Slam, you need an experience. You need the maturity. It comes with years on the tour.

I think it is very difficult to play unbelievable tennis and reach the Grand Slam semifinal, final very early. Only few girls were able to do it. Uhm, those girls became great players.

But, yeah, I think you need that experience to be here.

Q. What does this mean to you and what does it feel like?

VERA ZVONAREVA: You know, I'm very excited. I think I haven't realized it yet that I will be playing in the final.

But, yeah, it's one of my dreams to be out there, to be on the Centre Court, and play in the finals of Wimbledon.

So at the moment, you know, I think I'm thinking too much about my final. But I'm sure when the tournament finishes, finally I will realize that it's, you know, one of my dreams came true and I was able to make it to the final.

Q. If it is Serena Williams as your opponent, how would you describe the challenge before you?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, it's going to be a tough challenge, for sure. Serena is great player, defending champion, and very tough to play against.

But, you know, I always believe in myself. I think I will just have to go out there and try to play my best, like I did in previous matches. We will see what's going to happen then.

Q. You've been a very good player for a long time. You've been working towards this moment for a long time. What in particular in these last two weeks has worked so well for you?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Uhm, I don't know. It's hard to say. I think I'm more experienced right now, even though I had a couple bad losses, you know, at the French Open and then Eastbourne I lost first round. But I thought I was playing already much better tennis much, and I knew I just had to keep working hard.

I knew few things that I have to improve. I was trying to go on the court and try to bring it out of myself. And if it wouldn't work that day, it wouldn't work. But I just knew I had to keep going for my shots and play the way I play.

Q. Have you worked with a professional on the mental side of your game? Is that just poise and maturity, or have you worked with a sports psychologist or performance coach?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I always believe in myself. I always know that, you know, I can do anything. For me, I think it came with an experience and I know better how to handle different situations.

But, uhm, I don't care what people say around. And when they do, I can get ‑‑ I can break the racquet, but it doesn't mean I'm not there in the match. I'm trying all the time.

But I think right now experience helps me a lot. I've been in a lot of different situations in the past of my career, and I think I know how to turn the matches around much better now.

Even if something is not working, I think I know in my head that I just have to take it one point at a time and just keep trying. In the end, we will see what's going to happen.

Q. Do you think the injuries might have been almost like a disguised blessing, that it gave you time to reassess?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Injuries are never good. You never want them. But I think definitely, you know, when you have bad injuries, you appreciate the opportunity to play out there on the court. You really appreciate that you're able to do this.

Even if you have bad losses, I think you're able to bounce back quicker because you know, you know, you're still healthy, you're still playing. You get the chance to go out there and play better.

If you're injured, you're not able to do it. So I think, yeah, maybe in a way it helped. But I don't wish anyone to get injured (smiling).

Q. Can you describe how you felt emotionally today versus how you felt when you played Dinara in Australia in the semifinals and didn't play your best.

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, it's two totally different matches. It's very tough to compare those. I think Dinara played really good tennis that day. Maybe I did not expect something from her.

But today I think I was prepared better. I knew what to expect against Tsvetana. I think in the beginning was very difficult because she's very difficult opponent, especially here on the grass. But I managed to turn it around.

That match with Dinara, I think she was just too good that day for me. It was very difficult for me to turn it around.

Q. You spoke earlier about how tough a challenge Serena Williams would be. Can you get more specific about what the key to you possibly having success would be against her?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, I will have to stay aggressive no matter what and not to let her dominate. Because when Serena dominates, she's very difficult to play.

So, I don't know. It's too early to say. I will have to sit down and just talk to my coach a little bit and see what the best things to do.

But I know that she's a great fighter. When I go on the court I will have to expect a very tough match, I will try to fight for every point, and I think try to make it difficult for her on every point. Try not to give her any points.

Q. How much of an advantage does her serve give her against anybody?

VERA ZVONAREVA: It's a very big advantage, I would say, especially here on the grass. But, uhm, I think if you can find the timing you can return it.

You know, it's very difficult when she's serving well, but there are moments where she may not serve as well. You just have to use those chances. You know, if she served well, okay. You go to the other side, try to return the next one.

But there will be moments where she doesn't make a first serve. I haven't seen anyone make a hundred percent of first serves. So then you will just have to take your chances then.

Q. Is there anything in your background, in your experience with her, that might give you particular confidence going in against her?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Uhm, I remember I played a very good match against her in Cincinnati one year, and I was able to beat her. It was a very, very tough one, but I think I was able to play the right way against her.

So I will just have to try to do it again.

Q. You've had three coaches now in the last eight months. Can you talk about that. Was it difficult for you? Can you talk about your new relationship with Sergei, who has just come on the scene.

VERA ZVONAREVA: Like you said, yeah, I changed three ‑‑ I don't think three coaches. I actually just worked with one coach. I think it was Antonio in the beginning of the year.

Q. Sam.

VERA ZVONAREVA: Yeah. Well, Sam was able to help me out during Charleston because Vika was injured. Thanks a lot for that. But after that, I just started working with Sergei right away. So I didn't really change that many people.

I've known Sergei for many, many years. We actually won mixed doubles Russian championships one year. I think he was a good player. He stopped playing himself like a year ago, and I think he really enjoys coaching.

He's also the one who can hit with me on the court, so I don't really need to find hitting partners. It's very helpful.

So for me it's always a tough challenge against him. He's playing good tennis. So, yeah, so far, you know, it's working quite good.

Q. Are you still a student?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Yes, I am.

Q. What are you studying?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I'm studying international economic relations at the diplomatic academy back home in Russia.

Q. Do you do it online?

VERA ZVONAREVA: No, I have to take classes over there and I have to take my exams when I'm coming back there.

Q. Why did you choose that subject to study?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I don't know. My first degree is in physical education. You know, I need to keep myself busy. I always love studying. It was always very important for me to keep my head busy with something else.

And traveling around the world, meeting different people, I just thought that international economic relations is something interesting, something, you know, close. I have a lot of experience from around the world. Maybe this way, you know, I can use it a little bit.

Q. What will you get? Is it a full degree? What is it called?

VERA ZVONAREVA: It's going to be like, I don't know, master's degree. I don't know how you call it. Yeah, diplomatic academy, it's the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia. It focuses a lot on international affairs, as well.

So I was doing a little bit of work with UNESCO back home. I think my experience at the academy, what I'm studying, helps with that.

Q. So how is the economy looking?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, I don't think I have enough experience and knowledge yet to tell you what's going on (smiling). I don't know. Maybe when I graduate I will be able to answer that better.

Q. I saw you on the BBC talking about Robin Van Persie, the Dutch football player. Did you meet him in Amsterdam somewhere during rehab?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Yeah. We were actually doing the rehab together. I got the surgery, and then he got injured and he got his surgery, as well. So we were at the same place doing rehab. Yeah, in Amsterdam. I got the chance to meet him.

He was working very hard. I was working very hard out there. He was working very hard. It was a pleasure, you know, just to have a fellow athlete next to you working. You know, I wish him the best at the World Cup.

Q. Are you still in touch with him somehow?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, sometimes, you know, our physio back in Amsterdam will tell me, Robin said hi; congratulations. I will sort of send him message this way, as well.

But when I was back there in Amsterdam for regular checkup, I saw him, as well. It was a couple months ago. He was there. But, uhm, yeah, other than that, we are not really in touch.

Q. Are you going to watch the game tomorrow?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I might.

Q. He'll be playing tomorrow.

VERA ZVONAREVA: Yeah.

Q. Studying economics, how much of tennis is a business and a job for you and how much of it is just love for the sport?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Uhm, I think it is both. It is very difficult to say because our job, tennis, is our life. You cannot, like, separate it. But when we go on the court, when we practice, it's more a love of tennis. You don't think about any other things.

When you go out there, you play your matches. You want to win not because you will get better prize money, just because you want to win. You want to see that hard work paying off. It's just a joy of winning. That's the most important part of it.

I think everyone works very, very hard. When you go out there and you see the result of it, that you're able to win and you're able to play good tennis, you can really enjoy, you really don't care about anything else.

Q. At this point Serena Williams is considered maybe the biggest favorite to win the title in the last 10 years, maybe in history. When you think of the possibility of an upset, you against her, what goes through your mind?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Uhm, you know, I always believe in myself. I don't care about what everyone says. I'll just have to go out there on the court and try to play my best tennis.

I know if I play my best tennis I can beat anyone on the other side of the net. That's what I'm gonna try to do on Saturday. I never look at any odds or comparisons. It's not important to me.

The Princess Anna Picture

2011-05-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

There will hopefully be new pics after Anna plays Alona. In the meanwhile, to tie us over, these are from the same source (V Chen's photostream, thank you very much to that person for taking great pics of Anna). They are obviously from a night match in Indian Wells judging from Anna's attire. I also couldn't resist posting some pics I discovered from the AO, some of that practice outfit we never saw full length, which are from the photostream of Becks, thanks very much to her for great pics of Anna too- I wonder if that's the same Becks I know from this forum? Anyway, and another interesting one because I hadn't seen it before and it looked so unique, really, it has to be seen.

The Princess Anna Chakvetadze Picture

2011-05-17T02:59:00.000-07:00

Beautiful princess

Anna Chakvetadze of Russia serves to Sania Mirza of India during their JB Group Classic tennis tournament in Hong Kong January 7, 2009.

nastasiya Myskina, the French Open champion, accused GQ magazine in a federal lawsuit yesterday of failing to prevent a photographer it had hired to take photos of her for a profile from reselling two topless pictures from the same photo shoot to a Russian magazine.

Some of the photographs taken by Mark Seliger appeared in the October 2002 issue of GQ. But this year's July/August issue of the Russian magazine Medved includes a topless shot of her, wearing jeans, on the cover, and three other photographs inside, including another topless one, according to the lawsuit.

Myskina, who is seeking at least $8 million in damages, said that the defendants - GQ; its owner, Condé Nast Publications; and Seliger - had agreed that the photographs would appear only in GQ and could not be resold.

Her lawyers said in the lawsuit that the photos in Medved "are highly embarrassing and have caused Ms. Myskina great emotional distress and economic harm."

The suit, filed in United States District Court in Manhattan, accuses Seliger of profiting from her rise to prominence and it says that GQ and Condé Nast should have known that Seliger and his studio had sold the pictures to Medved without Myskina's permission - and "had a duty to prevent" the sale.

Maury Perl, a Condé Nast spokeswoman, declined to comment, and a call to Seliger's studio seeking a response was not returned.

"It's not a question of being photographed nude," Alexander Berkovich, Myskina's lawyer, said in a telephone interview from his New York office. "It's about a decision that others made without her permission."

The topless photographs, he said, were not supposed to be published.

"It was a total surprise to Anastasiya and to me," Berkovich said.

Berkovich said that by selling the topless photograph to Medved, the defendants were showing that they "want to capitalize on her status. Those photographs didn't show up for two years."

Myskina, 23, is the fourth-ranked women's tennis player in the world.

The Princess Anna Picture

2011-05-17T02:58:00.003-07:00

Anna in the last pic

There will hopefully be new pics after Anna plays Alona. In the meanwhile, to tie us over, these are from the same source (V Chen's photostream, thank you very much to that person for taking great pics of Anna). They are obviously from a night match in Indian Wells judging from Anna's attire. I also couldn't resist posting some pics I discovered from the AO, some of that practice outfit we never saw full length, which are from the photostream of Becks, thanks very much to her for great pics of Anna too- I wonder if that's the same Becks I know from this forum? Anyway, and another interesting one because I hadn't seen it before and it looked so unique, really, it has to be seen.

From a night match in Indian Wells

The AO practice outfit we saw a glimpse of before.

And a unique one I came across, people watching Anna on a big screen in Federation Square in Melbourne.

The Princess Anna Picture

2011-05-17T02:58:00.002-07:00

The Princess Anna Picture

2011-05-17T02:58:00.001-07:00

Anna articles and interviews

2011-05-17T02:58:00.000-07:00

Q. Not so good early on, but then it all changed very quickly. Anything you can put your finger on that turned it around for you?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I started very slow today. But you have to get used to Patty's game because she play with so much spin. Ball is bouncing so high here. Vodafone is a little bit different court because I played outside courts all my matches.
I just had to get used to it, then I found my rhythm and played better.

Q. Did you step more inside the court? Is that what you did?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, I just started play more aggressive.

Q. So you were pretty composed out there the whole time. How does it feel to be in the quarterfinals?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I'm happy to be in quarterfinals, for sure. I didn't expect that when I came here because usually I play very bad in Australia (smiling). I'm happy to be in quarterfinals.

Q. Mentally were you nervous at all going into the match knowing you were playing a veteran player?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I just try go to the court, just to win. I'm not thinking about who is my opponent.
Before the match, of course, I'm thinking. But during the match, I just thinking about how to beat her, and which level.

Q. You might have Sharapova in the next round. You played her twice. Didn't get the chance to play her in Moscow. You almost beat her in 2005.
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, almost. But I lost. She have to beat Zvonareva first. I think it will be very difficult match today. Zvonareva is playing pretty good here. I mean, they both are tough, so we'll see how it goes.

Q. Can you talk about if you have to play either one, what you have to do against each other.
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: They both play pretty similar. They hit very flat, good serve. Better backhand, I think. Well, I played against Vera on grass and I lost very close match. I don't know. They both very tough opponents. I have to be ready.

Q. Do you feel you're a much better player now than you were when you lost to Maria the last time you played her?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I think so because now I have more confidence and I know how should I play. I mean, if I will play ‑‑ if I use my game plan, you know, right, then I can win I think.

Q. Your anticipation seems to be a strength. Is this a natural gift, something you're conscious of that you work on?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, I'm trying to work than it. Sometimes it really happen, but sometimes I have bad days and I just can't play.

Q. Bad days, you mean you guess the wrong way to go?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: What?

Q. You guess the wrong way. You seemed today to guess the right way every time.
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I'm just trying to watch her racquet, where she want to hit.

Q. I think there are 27 Russian women and girls here competing. It's easy for the media to think of them as a group. Do you look upon the other Russian girls as friends or rivals?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Of course friends because we spend so much time on the tour. You can't be friends with everyone because it's different personalities, all the players. But most of them are very nice. I'm friends with them.

Q. Is it important for you to beat them as rivals and to sort of work your way up, get a profile for yourself?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I'm not thinking to beat them. I just want to, you know, play one more match and get one more match. I'm not thinking about that she's from my home country.
Of course, it's mentally a little bit different because we know each other better. But I'm not thinking like, Okay, she's Russian, I have to beat her.

Q. Patty didn't fight very much today. Have you been surprised by her behavior?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I actually was surprised. But I was trying to play concentrate second set because I knew that she's a fighter.
If she win like two easy points, she can start to fight. I think I served pretty well. That helped me a lot, especially in the second set.

Q. You're on a real winning streak at the moment. Can you ever remember being as confident going into matches as you are now?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No.

Q. That's a real noticeable thing to you, very important?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Uh‑huh. I won like 20 matches I think, 19 or something. So, yes, I get more confidence of course. But it's also depends against who are you playing. I mean, I think here I have pretty good draw, especially first two rounds. It can be tricky when you play like first round.
Maybe she's like Mirza or Chinese, maybe she's not seeded, but she's good player. And here I think draw was good for me.

Q. So you're not giving yourself a lot of credit?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, not really (smiling).

Q. Are you pretty hard on yourself?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, I am.

Q. Is that good or is that bad?
ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, I don't know. You tell me if it's good or bad. I don't know. I mean, that's how I'm thinking. I don't know.
I don't want to talk, like some of the players, they like to say, I will win a Grand Slam. I mean, all the players want to win a Grand Slam. All the players, they want to win their match.
I don't know. I just play. We will see what's happen.

she looks hot... I hope to see more pics later. There is a lot Vee's pics and about 3/4 for Anna. And Anna is hotter

THE MODERATOR: Question.

Q. Was it a matter of survival of the fittest at the end, who was the stronger at the end?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, definitely Maria was today. She is stronger. I guess she played very well. She's a great fighter. I think she deserve this win. I can just wish her good luck in semis.

Q. Was she a little more aggressive than you?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes. I think I need to improve to be more aggressive on important points especially because, yes, she was a little bit more aggressive than me.

Q. You seemed quite nervous at the start. Did it take you a while to settle down?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, I wasn't nervous at all, not at all. Maybe on the tiebreak because I was up like 5‑3 and I had so many opportunities. I just didn't use it. That's, you know, a little bit strange because on the tiebreak, so many points are lost so easy balls.

I don't think it's because nerves. I just need to be more aggressive on the important points. That's what I think.

Q. What do you do about that? Will that be something you'll pick up on the next tournament, being more aggressive?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yeah, definitely I will work on it. But, you know, it's tough to be aggressive because Maria, she's hitting the ball so hard. Especially in the warmup, I thought she will kill me (laughter). I couldn't put one ball on court because she played one ball on me, and the other ball like somewhere. I couldn't, you know, get where is the ball going, she was hitting so hard.

It's also tough to play aggressive against these kind of players because they play aggressive and you should mix your game a little bit more. But important balls, of course, you should be more aggressive.

Q. On speed and placement, you were staying with her.

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Yes, but I think she won all the important balls. I didn't use my opportunities in the first as well as second set because it was like two or three games Love‑30 on her serve. I just didn't use them. That's why I lost.

It was close match, but Maria won. I think she played better today than me and she deserve it, definitely.

Q. Your shoulder, what happened?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: It was tight in the morning. I had some treatment on it. During the match I felt pain, strain from the backside. I definitely should call the trainer earlier, not after first set. I think I should call it before I'm serve on that game at 5‑4. Maybe it would help me.

I got some antiinflammatories and pain gone in second set after few games.

Q. What is the problem?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Strain, right shoulder strain.

Q. You hurt it before the match?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: No, it was really tight before. As I said, I had a treatment on it. I felt it okay. But maybe Maria's hitting so hard, my shoulder was getting tighter.

Q. Was it bothering you in previous matches or only this one?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, you know, that's amazing because something is happen when I'm playing important matches. Like against Hingis in Montréal I had injury, again, my right hand. Here, as well. I should do something to myself. Should stay healthy, you know, to beat these kind of players.

I mean, it was my tenth match in a row. I felt tired. I just need to stay healthy and maybe not play tournament before a Grand Slam.

Q. You seemed to be having her running more than you were running a lot of that match. You had her moving a lot. Is that a good sign for your future?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Well, that was my game plan, you know, to move her. If I would play all balls to her, it will be very difficult. Yes, you know, I was running I think well today. But my hands and my arms was little bit sore and stiff. You know, especially those easy shots, I couldn't put it where I wanted. That was the problem, especially important points.

Q. You're the same age as Maria. When did you first know her or meet her?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Good question actually. I think I saw her on TV when I played juniors and she played main draw of US Open or something. It was on TV. I think she beat someone the first round. I just remember her dress, that's it (smiling).

Q. Why is that?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: It was pink dress. I just remember the color actually. Sorry.

Q. Do you remember what year that was?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: Year?

Q. 2002?

ANNA CHAKVETADZE: I don't really remember. Sorry

I still can't find pics from today, but I'm sure other people will find them for us all, (team effort!).

This pic is of Anna under an umbrella in the rain in Rome.

Anastasia Myskina pictures Download Free

2011-05-07T06:32:00.002-07:00

If someone can give me the video or the link to the video i will...
be very happy? Preform sexual favours? Take your pick.

One last one of the light reflectant robe and shiny cup.
Shamil: Call me daddy.
Anastasia: Only if you stop combing over your hair.
Nadia: Damn how about you brush your hair before leaving the house.
And a couple photos for the Jens lovers.
Shamil: Call me daddy.

Anastasia: Only if you stop combing over your hair.
Nadia: Damn how about you brush your hair before leaving the house.
And a couple photos for the Jens lovers.

Anastasia Myskina pictures

2011-05-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

Here's part of her interview which talks about it

You once posed naked on a horse in a men's magazine. What's the story behind that ?
The magazine (GQ) called me to ask if I wanted to do some pictures with them but they didn't say anything about the horse! Then when I got there I saw this huge horse and I was really surprised because I'd never ridden a horse before. I was scared because it was really big. Then they started to take pictures. It was something completely fresh and I think it was a good experience, especially for me.

Were you embarrassed at posing naked for the shots ?
I wasn't naked, actually. I was wearing underwear. And there were no men in the room when I did the photographs - only my boyfriend and the guy who took the pictures. All the rest were women, so I was okay! My mum was a little bit shocked and my father was surprised because he thought it was going to be something to do with tennis, and it was completely different. But I think all my friends liked it. They told me they liked it, anyway.

Download free Hot Sexy Alex Stevenson pictures

2011-05-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

Stevenson's mother is Samantha Stevenson, a noted sports journalist. Her father is basketball legend Julius Erving. Stevenson met her father for the first time in October 2008 after she initiated a meeting. The meeting was documented by ESPN.com's "Reaching Out". Stevenson keeps up with her father between tournaments. Stevenson is taking acting and singing classes in Hollywood during her off weeks from her full time return to the WTA Tour. Stevenson graduated from the University of Colorado on December 15, 2007, with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Sociology. She graduated on the Dean's List and is the only Final 8 member to have graduated from college while playing professional tennis. Stevenson was inducted into the La Jolla Country Day School Hall of Fame on December 4, 2009 - joining fellow Torrey, Rashaan Salaam, the 1994 Heisman Trophy winner

Stevenson joined Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles, Mary Pierce and Jennifer Capriati as a power player on the WTA Tour in 1999. 6' 1" and right-handed, she plays with a one-handed backhand. Her serve, forehand, and one-handed backhand are noted weapons in Stevenson's all-court game. Her fastest serve was clocked at 125 mph. She had the fastest second serve in the women's game from 1999-2004 at 105-115 mph. She was the first woman to amass 57 aces during the Wimbledon fortnight in 1999. The power game came from years of repetitive lessons. At nine years old, Stevenson began traveling from her home in San Diego to Los Angeles to be coached by Robert Lansdorp and Pete Fischer. It was Lansdorp who developed her powerful ground game, changing her two-handed backhand to a one-handed backhand. Lansdorp would tie her arm with an ace bandage to work on the backhand motion. Fischer, who also coached Pete Sampras, developed Stevenson's service motion, often used by coaches to teach "the perfect service motion." Fischer designed service drills to resemble Sampras' fluid serve.

Pics of Alex in Charlottesville last week:

Download Free Hot Sexy Maria Sharapova Pictures [HQ]

2011-04-21T05:06:00.000-07:00

Maria Sharapova Pictures [HQ]

Download Maria Sharapova wallpapers And Pictures

2011-04-21T03:18:00.000-07:00

Press conference
Toby posted this.
open your eyes,

Download HOT Maria Sharapova Wallpapers for Desktop

2011-04-18T03:30:00.000-07:00

Free Download Maria Sharapova Hot Sexy Pics

2011-04-18T03:14:00.000-07:00

Tennis Princess Maria Sharapova Sexy Stills and Hot Cleavage

2011-04-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

Maria Sharapova Pictures

2011-04-18T03:12:00.000-07:00

Maria Sharapova Picture

17th January - Crown's Tennis Players' Party

This freakin' voice in my head keeps naggin' at me. 'What the hell is wrong with you Masha? Please get better soon and win some SLAMS!!!' It's kinda annoying and frustrating but still, Memphis is up ahead and we'll see if she got her puzzle-head back in pieces and show us that she didn't forget how to actually play some decent tennis.

At least she´s still stunning on court

Nike - Lace Up Save Lives

Credits to Robi

Maria Sharapova Pictures Thread

2011-04-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

SHARAPOVA = (Double fault + Unforced Error + Poor BP conversion + Poor Movement)x Choking

As for the dress, I don't think the proportion works for me at all. The first one is OK, but the second one...Ugh~

Anyway, here's a couple of pics from MariaSharapova.com——Drawing ceremony & Maria @ St Jude's hospital.

she looks fabolous in that top and skirt.

Maria Sharapova pics

2011-04-18T03:09:00.000-07:00

WOW very beautyfull pics

I do love a good pointless argument so I thought I would join in with these which
have been photoshopped, or have they?

Why do so many WTA Trophies look like vases?

Of course she can!

Oh.Kaaaaaaay that lucky bastard

Oh.Kaaaaaaay that lucky bastard

Some more practise pics from Indian wells-

And some from the match

Maria Sharapova Picture

2011-04-18T03:06:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong, China - 4th Jan. 2010

from her Facebook :

Some pictures I took last night.

he really likes her longer hair, she takes great pleasure fondling it.

ll of these pics are grrrreat!

These are by far my favorite one's

Maria Sharapova Picture

2011-04-18T03:05:00.000-07:00

news conference in Hong Kong

this pic is just too good.

HK MATCH

she is carrying the fever from hua hin.....hope she'll get well soon...the guy in the team ..watever his name is a 2 time gs champ....bt has surely lost his touch...trailing 1-5 to paradorn..

The Maria Sharapova Picture Thread 2010

2011-04-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

The Maria Sharapova Pictur

The Maria Sharapova Picture

2011-04-18T03:03:00.000-07:00

Maria arrived in Bangkok airport

Maria's championship picture 2003 to 2010

2011-04-18T01:29:00.000-07:00

December's photo blog has been updated with a photo of
Maria celebrating Xmas with a Pippi doll.

Maria's championship picture

2011-04-18T01:14:00.000-07:00

1. Japan Open 2003
Maria Sharapova def. Aniko Kapros 2-6 6-2 7-6(5)

D1. Japan Open 2003
Maria Sharapova / Tamarine Tanasugarn def. Ansley Cargill / Ashley Harkleroad 7-6(1) 6-0

D2. Luxembourg 2003
Maria Sharapova / Tamarine Tanasugarn def. Elena Tatarkova / Marlene Weingartner 6-1 6-4


Maria Sharapova