Ever since I was young I loved making things and being part of the design process.

A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn't have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible.

Of course, everyone knows my story of being born in Russia and moving to the United States at 7. For a few years people would say, 'Well, she's living in the United States, but she's Russian.'

Sometimes when you're putting the work in it just seems so, so hard, and you never know when that work's going to pay off.

Ever since I was young I loved making things and being part of the design process.

I never think about the numbers. I've never played tennis for the money, because as long as I enjoy it, and I can achieve anything, then the money will come. I know that things will start coming up, many more people will want to start getting involved. But I just want to keep my head cool, and I want to leave (business) to the people who take care of business. I just go out and I just play tennis.

I can't please everyone. That's not in my J.D., you know, not in my job description.