14 year old Tatiana Golovin made such an impression on us at the recent pro tournament in Winter Park, FL that we asked her to spend a little time with us. Join us in getting to know something about this promising newcomer to the WTA pro tour who we found to be as exceptionally friendly and happy off the court as she is exceptionally talented on the court....
tennis.info	Congratulations on making it to the semifinals of the tournament - which, I believe, is only your 4th professional event.
Tatiana	Yes. I'm happy about my result.
tennis.info	I have to admit that when we watched in your first match, we knew nothing about you. But during the match I went over to talk to your Mom to find out a little more. And Jeff our photographer, who was on the Court, had a lot to say about your ability after the match. I haven't heard him talk about a player like that since he first saw Martina Hingis play. And he is not easily impressed. So we want to know more!
Tatiana	Well, thank you. Yes, this is just my 4th tournament. But I have also been playing in the Juniors.
tennis.info	We've done a little more research since watching your first match and it seems that Nick Bollettieri thinks you're top 10 material. So we're not the first to see your potential. How does he always manage to recognize talent so early on?
Tatiana	I've been there for 7 years. I went to the US Open in '95 with my parents and we met him there and he invited us to go to the Academy [IMG's Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, FL] to see how I played and that's how it started.
tennis.info	And you were 8 years old?
Tatiana	I was just 7.
tennis.info	And you hadn't been playing for long?
Tatiana	Just since I was 6. My Dad's a hockey coach and he loves tennis and got me into it. I enjoyed it and my Dad said that if I wanted to go to Bollettieri he would try to arrange it.
tennis.info	So he noticed very early on that you had some talent? Did you have any other interests?
Tatiana	I liked everything. I had 2 older sisters who did ballet and dancing but I just did everything I had the chance to.
tennis.info	Did you watch tennis. Did you have any idols?
Tatiana	I don't have any idols. I just like playing and competing. I'm not really good at team sports. I like tennis as an individual sport and really like competing.
tennis.info	So did anyone else move to Bollettieri with you?
Tatiana	My Mom and Dad and my sister moved with me. For me it was great. It is such a big academy with so many kids. It is so much fun.
tennis.info	And you were born in Russia?
Tatiana	Yes but I only lived there until I was 8 months old and then lived in France until we moved to Florida. I learned English at Bollittieri. I learned fast and it was no real problem for me.
tennis.info	And do you think of yourself as Russian, French or Floridian?
Tatiana	Definitely French. I was brought up there and all of my early education was there. Of course I feel a little bit American but mostly French.
tennis.info	And not at all Russian. What about the "niet" we heard on the court a few times? You got a warning once because the umpire thought it was something else. But we heard it clearly.
Tatiana	I know. Wasn't that funny?
tennis.info	I was surprised you took it so well. Do you speak Russian?
Tatiana	I speak it at home with my parents. They are both from Russia.
tennis.info	And do you visit Russia or France?
Tatia	In fact, I am going to France next week after this tournament. I have been invited by the French Tennis Association so I think it will be good for a change. They have great coaches and facilities. I have been offered a scholarship at Roland Garros in Paris so I am really looking forward to going.
tennis.info	I have noticed your Lacoste clothes. They're very distinctive and look very good on you. Are they made specially for you?
Tatiana	Thank you. I really like them. I'd like some to be made specially for me but I really like what I have - they're really good and it's great if they look good too. I'm really happy that you think they fit me well.
tennis.info	And its style that brings me to my next question - how many people have compared you to Anna Kournikova? You do look very alike - particularly now I see you close up
Tatiana	Actually I know Anna pretty well. Our parents knew each other when I was young so I got to know her. I don't see much resemblance. She is blonde and has a different face, no?
tennis.info	There is no doubt in my mind that you will be the next Anna Kounikova! Do you have any more matches scheduled for this year?
Tatiana	In France I will be playing a $50,000 tournament and two $10,000 tournaments. I think I will have to qualify for the $50,000. I'll also be playing in the Orange Bowl - that's a junior event. I'm ranked 12 in Juniors.
tennis.info	So you can still play in junior events even though you're playing in the WTA?
Tatiana	I can only play 7 pro circuit tournaments a year. That's not a lot so I have to play Juniors as well. But it is very competitive too. The level of junior tennis is really high and it is very good practice.
tennis.	Yes. Gisella Dulko, Harkleroad and your colleague Sharapova are evidence of the level of junior women's tennis.
Tatiana	Yes, the level is very high. You have to be very good to compete. But I hope to do that. I am hoping for a wild-card into the Australian Open and think I will get one into the French. Perhaps also into the Nasdaq or Indian Wells. These are the major tournaments I'm trying to get into.
tennis.info	And what are your goals for a ranking at the end of the year.
Tatiana	It all depends on the $50,000 event. Even if I win both of the $10,000 it wont make much difference but the $50,000 could help me move up.
tennis.info	But you got a lot of points when you got a wild card into Roland Garros earlier this year.
Tatiana	Yes, it was great experience.
tennis.info	And you played doubles with Anthony Dupuis. How was that?
Tatiana	That was really fun! He was really nice
tennis.info	I met him in Delray Beach earlier this year. He was very nice. Tell me about a typical day. What do you need to do to become a successful tennis player.
Tatiana	I generally get up around 8. Then do conditioning training from 9 to 10 and then tennis until 11:30 when it is lunch and then school. There is more tennis from 4 to 5 or 5:30.
tennis.info	And is there a curfew - a time when you have to be in bed?
Tatiana	You are so tired there is no need! I'm ready by 10 or 10:30. But in Europe I go to sleep later. Personally, I like to sleep 11 hours. 10 at least. But I like to do many things. I'm a big fan of horse riding. When I can I like to ride a lot. I'm looking forward to being in France. It will not be so hot. Florida is so hot.
tennis.info	And what are your tennis goals. To be number 1?
Tatiana	Of course! I don't know how long it will be - as long as it takes. But I am already impatient! But I believe that if I work hard and practice hard, I'll get there.
tennis.info	And your Mom - who's with you this week - does she coach?
Tatiana	She's a 100% Mom. She provides a lot of support. She's great to have around. It's so good to have someone from the family with you. She tells me when the body language is not good and she lets me know if she sees something she doesn't like but she knows I'm not perfect and doesn't give me too much of a hard time. But sometimes I don't move as well as I should - like in today's match and she'll tell me about stuff like that. It was hard today. It was so hot. I lost the first set badly but came back in the second set. I should have done better in the third set. I had so many chances but lost games when I was up 40-15. I was serving so well yesterday but had so many double faults today. But I guess it just happens and it's something I have to work on.
tennis.info	Well you certainly seem to have a good attitude and can stay relaxed even when it's not going so well. That's so good to see in someone who's so young. Perhaps you didn't get your 11 hours sleep last night?
Tatiana	I try to have a good attitude. I don't know what it was today but I'm sure I'll work it out.
tennis.info	I'm sure you will and I'm sure you'll have a great career. We've enjoyed watching you play here in Orlando and I have a feeling that you wont be playing $10,000 events for much longer and then we'll have to pay for seats to see you play.
Tatiana	It will still be a little while before that... It's been a great tournament . I've enjoyed it.
tennis.info	So have we. And we wish you great success in your future career.
Tatiana	Thank you.