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Not an average life
Posted: Tuesday February 15, 2000 12:35 PM
Currently ranked No. 39 in the world, 22-year-old Kristina Brandi is coming off her best season on the WTA Tour. Brandi captured her first WTA title in 1999, winning the $180,000 Heineken Trophy in the Netherlands. A resident of Tampa, Florida, Brandi is coached by her father, Joe, who played on the ATP Tour. Brandi recently advanced to the round of 16 at the Australian Open. Check out Brandi's diary every other week on CNNSI.com.
February 13, 2000 Hi again from Orlando where I am training for the next event in Oklahoma City. Thank you again for all your questions and interest both in my life and in women's tennis. I want to answer some questions that you have sent to my attention. Jim from Salt Lake City asked, "Do you regret not going to college in a traditional way?" Another question was asked by Reuben from Riverview, Florida, "What do you do for fun when you are not playing tennis?" Unlike most university students, I do not have an average life. If I were not a professional tennis player, however, I would have opted to attend college. In 1995, I chose a career in professional tennis over a scholarship to a top academic school. I honestly knew that if I chose to go to college, academics would have to take first place in my life. Reality also told me that if I waited these four years to begin tennis, I would be light years behind the other professional players.
Since I spend every week in a different city, I have to study Psychology 101 on the road. For now, this is my education. Later, it will be in the classroom! One of my favorite movies is "Good Will Hunting." I related to the part when Robin Williams asks Matt Damon if he has smelled the Sistine Chapel. He points out that is it is important to see places as well as it is to read about them in books. Being able to visit so many important places has been a major part of my education. The WTA events offer many off-court activities for our enjoyment. Most players, however, wait to visit the attractions until they are out of the tournament. It is not easy to climb the stairs of the Acropolis when you have a match to play the next day! (Trust me because I've already made that mistake!) Anyway, I have ridden elephants in Thailand, jet skied in Jamaica, belly danced in Istanbul, visited the Mona Lisa in Paris, cooked gorditas in Mexico, danced the meringe in Puerto Rico, visited the Pope at the Vatican and ... yes, smelled the Sistine Chapel in Rome! When I really think about it, my life is one big, educational field trip! -- Kristina
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