McAuley
Feb 8th, 2006, 11:06 AM
Things You Didn't (or may not have) Know(n) About The World's Top Players:
MARTINA HINGIS
Martina plans to pursue a career in showjumping after finishing with tennis. Favourite food is sushi, while her athletic idol is Italian downhill skier Alberto Tomba.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI
Once wore black fingernail polish and black lipstick, Capriati now prefers pearl necklaces, silver bracelets and diamond rings in a symbolic touch signposting her amazing recovery. The Shining and One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest are her favourite movies.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT
An avid Atlanta Braves fan, Davenport owns two rottweilers. A product of Murrieta Valley High after transferring from Chadwick High in California, Davenport is one of the few players to have graduated from high school.
VENUS WILLIAMS
Life goal is to avoid further speeding violations. Likes listening to Jackson Five, Green Day, Toadies, Hole, Our Lady Peace and Rancid. An aspiring intellectual, Williams says her favourite television show is the Disney Channel. Her mantra is that "someone is always watching or listening." Wants to speak five languages.
KIM CLIJSTERS
Clijsters first began playing tennis at the age of five as nothing more than a hobby. Clijsters had the advantage of coming from a moneyed background. Has spent time in Adelaide this season on breaks with her boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt.
AMELIE MAURESMO
Loves go-karting and downhill skiing. Reads Stefan Zweig's books. Mauresmo hopes to open a sports cafe after her tennis career ends. A Jon Bon Jovi fan. The Frenchwoman did not follow a strictly exclusive diet as she soared to level of unprecedented fitness - she regularly eats hamburgers and pizza. Has a cat called Nelson. Notorious for mixing powerful cocktails.
SERENA WILLIAMS
Claims to be allergic to peanuts and "crazy people." Williams is enrolled at the Art Institute of Florida. Her favourite author is Maya Angelou, while the place you are most likely to find the youngest of the five Williams sisters is in front of the mirror in the house she shares with Venus. Says her most memorable experience was receiving an A in geometry.
JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE
Invited to Belgium's Royal palace after reaching the French Open semi-final. Detests some of the agents who dog her on tour, and likes to visit Montreal where her godfather lives.
MONICA SELES
Did not understand the rules of tennis when she won her first tournament her first tournament at age 9. Seles was so dominant on her arrival at Nick Bolletieri's Tennis Academy that Jim Courier reputedly did not want to play her again. Seles rewards herself with clothing shopping sprees after winning matches.
NATHALIE TAUZIAT
A cousin of French soccer captain Didier Deschamps, Tauziat was born in Bangui in Central Africa. Tauziat set up a tennis academy in Capbreton seven years ago.
MEGHANN SHAUGHNESSY
The amiable American could not believe the behaviour of the Swedish and Dutch supporters during the Australian Open in January when she thought the Europeans were under the mistaken belief they were at the soccer. Recently returned to Melbourne en route to Tokyo for a tournament. Favourite food is lasagna, likes water skiing and snow skiing.
JELENA DOKIC
Favourite movies are Notting Hill and Titanic. Believes her father Damir is the best coach for her, and loves visiting Paris and Rome.
AMANDA COETZER
Coetzer lists My Traitor's Heart and Gifts of Unknown Things among her most cherished publications.
MAGDALENA MALEEVA
Politically active, Maleeva took part in the movement against communism in Bulgaria. Likes listening to Moby, Transglobal Underground and Fiona Apple.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA
Regards Melbourne as "paradise on earth, with the nicest people." Elena is also an accomplished chess player and is adept at snow skiing. Fluent in English, and French as well as her native Russian.
SILVIA FARINA ELIA
Drawn constantly to the beach between tournaments, Silvia has strongly Italian leanings, preferring pasta and pizza as her choice of cuisine.
SANDRINE TESTUD
Born in Rome, Testud was a regular on the South Australian satellite circuit before cracking the big-time. Entranced by the beaches of Australia, New Caledonia and California, Sandrine is expert at a number of water sports including windsurfing and swimming.
BARBARA SCHETT
Hailing from a banking background, both her parents are involved in the industry. Barbara's favourite movie is Schindler's List.
ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO
Heavily involved with children's cancer charities and the pursuit of studies into language.
ANNA KOURNIKOVA
Kournikova's websites were accessed more than any other athlete in the world. One of the most heavily endorsed athletes in the world. Spends her time between Moscow and Florida.
ANKE HUBER
Can often be found at an REM concert. Also enjoys Hootie and the Blowfish. Once a fixture on Andrei Medvedev's arm, Huber is currently seeing Australian professional, Josh Eagle. Computer literate, Huber is another Australian devotee, citing Melbourne and Sydney as her favourite destinations.
HENRIETA NAGYOVA
Her parents are both engineers who now also prefer the tennis circuit than life in Nove Zamky in Slovakia. Loves watching Bruce Willis and Richard Gere movies. And more surprisingly, National Hockey League matches in the US.
CONCHITA MARTINEZ
A devotee of Indian cuisine, Martinez could often be found in London's Asian eateries demolishing Naan. Rides a Harley and a Honda Shadow 750. In her quieter moments, she hangs out with her cocker spaniels Tremi and Yuca. Frequently visits Bordeaux to restock her wine supplies.
ELENA LIKHOVTSEVA
Born in Alma-Ata in Kazhakstan and now lives in Moscow with her American husband Michael Baranov. Her favourite book is Master and Margarita. Likes John Travolta.
IRODA TULYAGANOVA
From the new tennis frontier of Tashkent in Uzbekistan, has forged a place in the Top 25 despite having no tennis heritage at all. Draws inspiration from Martina Hingis, Steffi Graf and Carlos Moya.
MARTINA HINGIS
Martina plans to pursue a career in showjumping after finishing with tennis. Favourite food is sushi, while her athletic idol is Italian downhill skier Alberto Tomba.
JENNIFER CAPRIATI
Once wore black fingernail polish and black lipstick, Capriati now prefers pearl necklaces, silver bracelets and diamond rings in a symbolic touch signposting her amazing recovery. The Shining and One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest are her favourite movies.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT
An avid Atlanta Braves fan, Davenport owns two rottweilers. A product of Murrieta Valley High after transferring from Chadwick High in California, Davenport is one of the few players to have graduated from high school.
VENUS WILLIAMS
Life goal is to avoid further speeding violations. Likes listening to Jackson Five, Green Day, Toadies, Hole, Our Lady Peace and Rancid. An aspiring intellectual, Williams says her favourite television show is the Disney Channel. Her mantra is that "someone is always watching or listening." Wants to speak five languages.
KIM CLIJSTERS
Clijsters first began playing tennis at the age of five as nothing more than a hobby. Clijsters had the advantage of coming from a moneyed background. Has spent time in Adelaide this season on breaks with her boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt.
AMELIE MAURESMO
Loves go-karting and downhill skiing. Reads Stefan Zweig's books. Mauresmo hopes to open a sports cafe after her tennis career ends. A Jon Bon Jovi fan. The Frenchwoman did not follow a strictly exclusive diet as she soared to level of unprecedented fitness - she regularly eats hamburgers and pizza. Has a cat called Nelson. Notorious for mixing powerful cocktails.
SERENA WILLIAMS
Claims to be allergic to peanuts and "crazy people." Williams is enrolled at the Art Institute of Florida. Her favourite author is Maya Angelou, while the place you are most likely to find the youngest of the five Williams sisters is in front of the mirror in the house she shares with Venus. Says her most memorable experience was receiving an A in geometry.
JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE
Invited to Belgium's Royal palace after reaching the French Open semi-final. Detests some of the agents who dog her on tour, and likes to visit Montreal where her godfather lives.
MONICA SELES
Did not understand the rules of tennis when she won her first tournament her first tournament at age 9. Seles was so dominant on her arrival at Nick Bolletieri's Tennis Academy that Jim Courier reputedly did not want to play her again. Seles rewards herself with clothing shopping sprees after winning matches.
NATHALIE TAUZIAT
A cousin of French soccer captain Didier Deschamps, Tauziat was born in Bangui in Central Africa. Tauziat set up a tennis academy in Capbreton seven years ago.
MEGHANN SHAUGHNESSY
The amiable American could not believe the behaviour of the Swedish and Dutch supporters during the Australian Open in January when she thought the Europeans were under the mistaken belief they were at the soccer. Recently returned to Melbourne en route to Tokyo for a tournament. Favourite food is lasagna, likes water skiing and snow skiing.
JELENA DOKIC
Favourite movies are Notting Hill and Titanic. Believes her father Damir is the best coach for her, and loves visiting Paris and Rome.
AMANDA COETZER
Coetzer lists My Traitor's Heart and Gifts of Unknown Things among her most cherished publications.
MAGDALENA MALEEVA
Politically active, Maleeva took part in the movement against communism in Bulgaria. Likes listening to Moby, Transglobal Underground and Fiona Apple.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA
Regards Melbourne as "paradise on earth, with the nicest people." Elena is also an accomplished chess player and is adept at snow skiing. Fluent in English, and French as well as her native Russian.
SILVIA FARINA ELIA
Drawn constantly to the beach between tournaments, Silvia has strongly Italian leanings, preferring pasta and pizza as her choice of cuisine.
SANDRINE TESTUD
Born in Rome, Testud was a regular on the South Australian satellite circuit before cracking the big-time. Entranced by the beaches of Australia, New Caledonia and California, Sandrine is expert at a number of water sports including windsurfing and swimming.
BARBARA SCHETT
Hailing from a banking background, both her parents are involved in the industry. Barbara's favourite movie is Schindler's List.
ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO
Heavily involved with children's cancer charities and the pursuit of studies into language.
ANNA KOURNIKOVA
Kournikova's websites were accessed more than any other athlete in the world. One of the most heavily endorsed athletes in the world. Spends her time between Moscow and Florida.
ANKE HUBER
Can often be found at an REM concert. Also enjoys Hootie and the Blowfish. Once a fixture on Andrei Medvedev's arm, Huber is currently seeing Australian professional, Josh Eagle. Computer literate, Huber is another Australian devotee, citing Melbourne and Sydney as her favourite destinations.
HENRIETA NAGYOVA
Her parents are both engineers who now also prefer the tennis circuit than life in Nove Zamky in Slovakia. Loves watching Bruce Willis and Richard Gere movies. And more surprisingly, National Hockey League matches in the US.
CONCHITA MARTINEZ
A devotee of Indian cuisine, Martinez could often be found in London's Asian eateries demolishing Naan. Rides a Harley and a Honda Shadow 750. In her quieter moments, she hangs out with her cocker spaniels Tremi and Yuca. Frequently visits Bordeaux to restock her wine supplies.
ELENA LIKHOVTSEVA
Born in Alma-Ata in Kazhakstan and now lives in Moscow with her American husband Michael Baranov. Her favourite book is Master and Margarita. Likes John Travolta.
IRODA TULYAGANOVA
From the new tennis frontier of Tashkent in Uzbekistan, has forged a place in the Top 25 despite having no tennis heritage at all. Draws inspiration from Martina Hingis, Steffi Graf and Carlos Moya.