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Nicole Vaidisova Anticipates the China Open in Beijing

A rising star in world tennis, Nicole Vaidisova, who ranks ninth among the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles players, will compete in the China Open tennis tournament September 9 to 24.

Anticipating her first visit to Beijing, Vaidisova shared her feelings about playing in this tournament and her experience as top player in the world with BTM.

Winning three tournaments in 2005, in Seoul, Tokyo and Bangkok, in 2005 boosted Vaidisova’s love for Asia: “I always have a good time here, and I am looking forward to competing in Beijing.” She said she believes she will have a pleasant experience in Beijing.

“I must go to see the Great Wall.”

Vaidisova says she is working very hard every day to prepare for her performance in Beijing. “I’ve looked at the players list. There are some really great ones coming such as Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport. I’m looking forward to fighting these top girls.”

When asked about her impression of Chinese players, Vaidisova recalled her defeat by Li Na, the first Chinese player ranking within the top 20 in WTA, at Wimbledon in 2006. “That was really a tough match. I think the Chinese players have been playing very strong. They are sure to have a good future.”

Nicole Vaidisova was born in Nurnberg, Germany, on April 23, 1989. She said her parents encouraged her interest in tennis at an early age. “They were both very athletic. My mother was a gymnast and my father is a recreational tennis player.” She was introduced to tennis by her mother at the age of 6. “When I was a kid I played all kinds of different sports, but around 10 I started playing tennis more seriously.”

Vaidisova describes herself as a very “competitive” person: “Once I’m on the court or in the gym, I always try to be the best. When I’m old, I want to look back at my career and have no regrets.”

She pointed to the career of Steffi Graf of Germany, one of the best tennis players of all time. “She won so many slams, and is a true champion on and off the court. This is what I admire the most.”

Considering her career, Vaidisova said that beating the world’s No. 1 Mauresmo in the NASDAQ-100 Open 2006 in Miami was great, but that her best memory is of her first title win in Vancouver. “I will never forget that moment.”

Vaidisova will return to China at the beginning of 2007 for a tournament in Hong Kong, and she also plans to play in the 2008 Olympic Games. Vaidisova smiled as she said, “So maybe we could meet again at that time.”