What fuels my enthusiasm for women's tennis? When I look back over the years, tennis has always been in my life. My mum was a big fan, so I often watched with her.


I have vague memories of the top players of the early 90s slugging it out at Wimbledon. My first favorite player was Arancha Sanchez Vicario. Mainly because she was my mum's favorite, and I liked the way her name was pronounced!

I guess my enthusiasm really kicked off when I was in my early teens. It was primarily down to the introduction of Eurosport to our cable company. When I first got involved in tennis, it was the Anna Kournikova/Martina Hingis era. I probably didn't realize it at the time, but these players had a lot to do with the tennis fan I am today. Kournikova provided the glamour on tour. Something that was only really touched upon before, I honestly believe that she brought women's tennis to where it is today, and that she has influenced a new generation of eastern European players that we see on court today.

'I honestly believe that she [Kournikova] brought women's tennis to where it is today'


Hingis was the dominant player on the tour. Despite the recent preposterous allegations made about her, she was possibly our last link to the way tennis used to be played. Her fans know and appreciate this and will remember her for all the greatness and class she brought to the tour, and not the horrible, unfortunate way her career came to an end.

I always thought that women's tennis, in contrast to the men's game, was a lot more exciting. There was more variety in the women's game. As much as I respect the great Pete Sampras, I thought serve-volley was really boring, and loved the longer rallies in the women's game. Monica Seles was my favorite player. I loved her style. I thought she was a great inspiration and a credit to the tennis world the way she rebuilt her career after being attacked on court.

I have watched the likes of the Williams sisters, Justine Henin, Amelie Mauresmo and Kim Clijsters go from young teenagers to great champions. Its hard to explain, but you begin to learn so much about these characters as players and people, and they haven't got a clue who you are!

And then, just as I was really getting into tennis, tragedy struck! Our cable company were cutting ties with Eurosport. I cried. No honestly, I actually did. I am not an emotional person, I didn't even cry when Mufasa died in the Lion King, but I did when Eurosport came off the television. How lame is that?

All was not lost though. I was fortunate enough to have internet access and my issues of Ace tennis magazine. I followed every tournament and I even set up a very amateur website. It was all Mickey Mouse stuff, but it helped me express my tennis enthusiasm. Luckily a few years ago we signed up with digital, so I can follow live matches again!

As you can see, it is hard for me to put into words how much tennis means to me. It is, by far, my biggest passion. I could go around in circles trying to tell you what it means to me. But, I guess, the only people who will truly understand me are the people who are just as crazy about it as I am!

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