MEMPHIS, TN, USA - Vania King's star has been rising quickly over the last year, and particularly in the fall, when she won her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title in Bangkok, as well as a pair of doubles titles. The 18-year-old American returns to home soil this week for the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships & The Cellular South Cup in Memphis, and brings us along in the newest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog.
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Monday, February 19, 2007
Hey everyone!
Well, I have bad news. I lost in singles, and since we lost in doubles yesterday, I'm out of the tournament. No worries though, there is always next time! I had a great, albeit short, time in Memphis.
I did have a few funny incidents here, like today when a little girl asked my coach (who is 60) if he was in the tournament, because she was collecting autographs. The same little girl then asked me if I was playing Venus (which I was not) and then asked me who I played. When I said I played Abigail Spears, she said something to her friend, who said, "No, she's not related to Britney Spears!"
Anyways, my next tournament will be Indian Wells, so I have some time to train before I head to the desert. The Pacific Life is one of my favorite tournaments, not only because it is so close to my home (in Long Beach, which is about an hour and a half drive away), but because the atmosphere is so relaxed there. Having a spectacular view of the mountains doesn't detract from its popularity either.
If you were wondering what my training will be like, I'll probably be hitting three to four hours a day and doing fitness about an hour and a half to two hours after that. I try to give myself one day off a week, usually Sundays, because then I can go to church. During tournaments I usually don't do fitness training, and if I do it's just maintenance to keep my strength and speed at the same level. If you look at the big picture, over a year, usually players train really hard in the off season (November, December) to build strength, and maintain during the year. Usually you lose a bit of strength as the year progresses.
I should write some witty parting words here, but really, the Romeo, Romeo line is the only one I remember.
So until next time, play more tennis!! :)
Vania
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Sunday, February 18, 2007
Hey everyone!
Well, this is my first blog for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, so I'm a bit nervous! I'm here in Memphis, playing the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships & The Cellular South Cup. I am here with my mom and my coach, Ray Ruffels. The last time I was in Memphis (actually playing at the same club) was for the 18s or 16s Clay Court Super Nationals. So I've made a bit of an improvement!
I haven't been able to do any sightseeing yet, and I'm not sure If I will have any time to, since I am playing singles and doubles. I am playing singles against a qualifier, and doubles with Shahar Peer. We are playing our first round today. This is our first time playing together, so I'm sure it will be fun and interesting to see how we match up together!
Anyways, my brother is here as well playing in the men's event, since this is a combined (women's and men's) event. I actually get to see my brother more often than my sisters (twins, they are juniors in college), because while we are both traveling, we bump into each other sometimes, whereas there are no tournaments around New Jersey (Princeton) or Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) until later in the year. My brother is 25 and though I adore him, I wouldn't say that our relationship is all roses. We are always arguing with each other — I think he just likes to argue, and I don't like to lose — so I will keep arguing! But it's always nice to see him. By the way, yesterday was the first time that I watched a match of his in a few years at least, and the first time that he has won when I watched him! He is staying at a friend's house, and his friend (Rob) also has the negative energy that causes Phillip to lose when he watches; I guess both of us watching at the same time made two negatives into a positive!
A lot of people have been asking me about my singing, so I'll write a little about it. I practice as much as I can, at least a few times a week, maybe more, for about an hour a day. I have my warm-ups and songs on my computer, so I usually just sing in the hotel. It can get pretty loud though, so sometimes I sing with a towel over my head to muffle the sound! I have been singing almost as long (maybe even longer) than I have been playing tennis — since around four or five years old. I took lessons from my amazing teacher, Karen McLain, who sang on Broadway. Suffice to say, my favorite type of music to sing is Broadway. I don't have any aspirations of a singing career, but I wouldn't hesitate to if I had the chance. I will always sing, no matter what, because I love it. Of course, tennis comes first, so if the opportunity arises, I will have to do a bit of juggling.
Well I have written quite a bit, hopefully haven't bored any of you guys, so for now I will bid you Adieu! (I sound so poetic! Now I have to say Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou fair Romeo?)
Haha, cheers, and I'll see you next time!
Vania
