Dec. 11, 2003
Q: Where did you grow up, and what was it like there?
A: I was born in Belarus but moved to Los Angeles CA when I was almost six years old. I grew up in Hollywood. I think its one of the coolest places to live at and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I loved growing up in the city and I couldn't see myself living anywhere else.
Q: When you're not practicing your game, how do you spend the remainder your time?
A: Well back home when I wouldn't be practicing tennis I would be studying for exams and doing homework. But on the weekends I would usually go out with my friends to some of the popular places in Hollywood. Since I am new to Columbia I don't know of many places to go her yet, so I usually go to the movies with Erika Josbena (my roommate), or hang out with a few of other people I met here. I also hang out a lot with my sister Kristina.
Q: Why did you choose to come to the University of Missouri?
A: One of the main reasons I came to MU was because of my sister. I can't be away from home for a long period of time because I get homesick and I wanted to be somewhere close to one of my family members. Another main reason was because I knew mizzou had a great tennis program as well as great players on the team. I enjoy hanging out with the girls on the team. They are all funny, outgoing, and just great friends.
Q: What did you decide to major in, and what do you plan on doing after graduation?
A: I haven't decided what I am going to major in. But after I graduate hopefully I will find a job located in Los Angeles because that is where I want to end up living.
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration for all that you have accomplished, and why?
A: My parents and my sister have been the biggest inspiration in my life. My dad is my coach and he always pushed me to be the best I can be. My mom was always there to support me no matter what. Even if I didn't win she would still think I was the best. My sister just pushed me all the time. Its not like I was competing against her but I always wanted to be just as good.
Q: Who is your favorite tennis player?
A: I am my favorite tennis player. I can explain this one. I can't name a favorite tennis player because I don't know what they go through. All I can say is that I know what hard work is, I know what dedication is, and I know what it means to be committed to something. I have been through pain because of tennis, I have been really upset/happy because of tennis, and all I can say is that I am proud of myself for sticking to something for this long and not becoming annoyed with it. So that's what I mean when I say who is my favorite tennis player. But if I have to name someone it would be Younes El Aynaoui because he seems like he has fun on the tennis court regardless if he is losing or winning.
Q: How do you describe yourself, as a person, and as a part of the MU tennis team?
A: If I can describe myself I would have to say that I am confident. I don't like to lose. I strive to win every match. Of course I lose like any other tennis player and I don't get down on myself because I know that I will always strive to win and if someone is better than I am then I cant do anything about that. All I can do is work hard and be confident that I will do well.
Q: What is your most anticipated game for this season and why?
A: Every game that we play I am excited about. This is my first year and I look at it this way: I only have four years to develop my tennis game and after that I am not going pro so I want to enjoy every match that I play in college.
Q: What team or particular player, do you feel is going to be the biggest challenge to you in this upcoming season?
A: All the players in college are good. There aren't any bad tennis players out there. And since I don't know many college players yet I think that every match I play should be a challenge and I am going to go out there thinking its a challenge so I can challenge myself.
Q: What do you expect from yourself as a player in the 2003-2004 season, are there any improvements that you have been working on?
A: What I expect from myself this season is to go out there and fight no matter what. I am a patient tennis player and if I can just go out there and fight for every point I would consider that to be an accomplishment. Hopefully this first year I can learn more about the doubles game because for ten years I have been nothing but a singles player so doubles can be a good attribute to my tennis game.
Q: Can you give us some of your speculation of the upcoming season, including which player or players you feel will be most valuable to the team?
A: I think our tennis team is great. All of us are so talented and hard working. We can do some great things this upcoming season we just don't know it yet. But once the season starts we will all see it. I think we will be the team that everyone wants to beat.