Tennis champs catch Olympic fever
Updated: 2008-04-18 10:01
"I can't wait to go back in early August. It's been on the calendar for my family for a long time. My aspiration is to do my best to win any medal. I really don't care.
Best memory
"My best memory is winning the gold but I always think back to the opening ceremonies in '96. The United States was the last country to come out and I was with Mary Joe (Fernandez) and Monica (Seles), two of my best friends on the Tour.
"It was a moment I'll never forget. We were so excited and giddy and, like, pure joy. Sitting there, we were all crying when Muhammad Ali lit the torch. I always kind of think back to that moment."
Kuznetsova was brought up in a family where the Olympic Games represented the ultimate in sport.
Her father, Alexandr Kuznetsov, coached six Olympic and world cycling champions, including her mother, Galina Tsareva, a six-time world champion.
"For me it's very important," said the 22-year-old, who won her first Grand Slam title at the 2004 US Open. "It's like a Grand Slam or even maybe more important than that."
Asked whether she would prefer to win Wimbledon or an Olympic gold medal this year, Kuznetsova replied: "Olympic gold medal. No question."
Pressed if she would change her mind if the French Open was the alternative, she said: "It would come very close, you know. I hope I don't need to choose this one.
"Well, if I have one Grand Slam and I would have one Olympic medal it would be good. I have chances to win (Grand Slams) next year, you know, but then there is no Olympics."
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