When I'm down or maybe when it's close in the match, I feel like I'm still in it. I don't feel like I'm letting down. Mentally, I'm still really, really tough.

I don't follow other players or the tournaments they play. I have my own schedule and do my own thing. I never really think, 'Oh, I want to be or play like so-and-so.' I just like being myself.

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

My parents had a normal life in Russia and they could have easily kept living a normal life, working and raising a child in Russia.

When you travel so many weeks a year, it's always nice to have a home-cooked meal.

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.

Music is a part of my life all the time - on the plane, before matches, driving out to the court.