DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: (JP/Arief Suhardiman)
As a public relations minder hovers ominously to signal the five-minute interview is up, Daniela Hantuchova is graciousness personified.
"That's OK, you can ask some more," the 25-year-old Slovak says.
Told that there is a long line of journalists waiting for their five minutes with her, she shrugs and says, "Well, maybe we can continue later."
The world number 12 and top seed in the Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic is in demand as one of the sport's most attractive and recognizable personalities. The willowy, blue-eyed blonde trained as a classical pianist until her early teens, before focusing her attention on tennis. The concert hall's loss, as they say, was the tennis stadium's gain.
Hantuchova has had a year of highs and lows. She had ended 2007 with a streak of impressive form as her game of powerful groundstrokes and strong serve came together. She said Monday that everything had started to turn around at last year's Bali tournament, where she lost a tight three-setter to Lindsay Davenport. It continued in January, when she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open and came achingly close to beating Ana Ivanovic.
"I was playing the way I wanted to," she says.
But then she fell ill with a respiratory ailment and was forced to pull out of several tournaments. Worse was to come: She injured her right heel and had to hobble around on crutches while undergoing rehab.
"I took the rehab very seriously, the doctor was very tough with me, he told me if I didn't do things right it would take much longer," she says. "The first few weeks I was on the crutches was not too much fun, because as an athlete you are used to all this action and doing something all the time."
An admitted perfectionist, Hantuchova said last year she was trying to be easier on herself. The injury hiatus allowed her some time" to spend with friends and wake up every morning knowing her schedule was free.
The competitor in her, however, was eager to return to the court.
"I feel very happy to be on court again, no matter how the matches go, and I didn't know a couple of months ago whether I would be able to play here. I'm very thankful. I'm enjoying every moment."
She is realistic about her fitness level.
I'm at a six or seven (on a scale of one to 10), because for two months or so I couldn't do anything but swim. And it's not just the practice but playing matches that you need to get back into."
Women's tennis has been rocked by the retirement of world number one Justine Henin this year, as well as the early exits of other players due to injury or burnout. Former world number 8 Alicia Molik announced her retirement last week at the age of 27.
"I didn't know that. It's a shame," Hantuchova says when told of the Australian's decision.
She says she understands that the grind of competitive tennis today can take its toll. It has not always been easy for her since she burst onto the scene by winning Indian Wells at the age of 19. For several years, there was the burden of expectations on her to fulfill her potential (she finally won her second title, again at Indian Wells, in 2007), as well as her own high demands to excel, to deal with. There is also the homesickness that comes with living out of a suitcase.
"It's such a tough life, which people don't really understand. You do it seven days a week, there is really nothing else to do."
But Hantuchova, with a newfound appreciation for the game after her injury, is not ready to leave the tour anytime soon.
"I feel there is so much more to achieve even though people think I'm getting to the older part in my career."
Daniela Hantuchova in short:
What would people be surprised to know about you?
"That I love laughing all the time, and I love sweets. My brother is the funniest person in the world. I love to laugh at anything stupid.
Her view on the changing of the guard in women's tennis
"Everything is very open. It's great for the fans, there are so many players to follow. For the players, we all see the opportunities. It's not like there is one strong player, and it's not like we don't have them, but everybody's level is just getting better and better."
In 15 years, I will...
"Probably be married and have a family."
