SportsLine.com recently spoke with Taylor. Here is what he had to say:

SportsLine: How old were you when you first realized you were good enough to be a pro?

Taylor Dent: At 15 I started becoming a dominant player in juniors. I thought at that point I could do it.

SportsLine: What is your training schedule like?

Taylor Dent: I hit from 10:00-12:00, break for lunch about two hours, hit from 2:00-4:00, then do some cross-training and stomach work. Strengthening my stomach will increase my overall strength and stability.

SportsLine: What is the strongest part of your game?

Taylor Dent: I have a good serve and I play pretty well at the net. (His serve was clocked at 140 mph at the 2000 US Open)

SportsLine: What is your favorite thing about being on the court?

Taylor Dent: Playing for the win.

SportsLine: What type of special advantage have you had because of your father?

Taylor Dent: Constant knowledge; we always talk about tennis.

SportsLine: Is there any one thing that he's told you that you take on the court with you every match?

Taylor Dent: "It doesn't matter whether you win or lose as long as you go down fighting." You're out there to win, but you can't win every time. The only thing you can do is bust your butt to try to win.

SportsLine: Who has been your favorite player to watch?

Taylor Dent: Patrick Rafter, because he has that mentality.

SportsLine: Who do you most look forward to playing?

Taylor Dent: I don't really look at the opponent. I'm trying to win the tournament. You can't really play the person (anyone could be having an off day/great day). You just have to play the match.

SportsLine: Do you ever get discouraged with your game?

Taylor Dent: The ups and downs are a little discouraging. I'm not a Lleyton Hewitt. I'm not an early bloomer. I need to be patient and my time will come.

SportsLine: Have you ever really argued with the ump?

Taylor Dent: If I feel like I'm getting cheated or there's been a bad call I'll let the ump know what I'm thinking. I'm not too shy to share a few words.

SportsLine: Who is the nicest player you've met on the tour?

Taylor Dent: Patrick Rafter, Todd Martin, and Paul Goldstein have all been really great.

SportsLine: Have you ever been intimidated by an opponent?

Taylor Dent: When I was in the 12's (junior division) I lost 6-0, 6-2 to a guy who I thought was the best player ever. I played him two weeks later and beat him 6-1, 6-1.

SportsLine: Do you feel like you lost any part of your childhood because of the demands of training and traveling?

Taylor Dent: Definitely! I'm still losing as we speak (not going to college etc). I'm willing to make the sacrifice though. This is what I want to do now. There's no question I'm missing out on stuff.

SportsLine: What cd is in you car right now?

Taylor Dent: Guns N Roses

SportsLine: What would you like to pursue after you retire?

Taylor Dent: I haven't even thought about that ... I'd be like Jack Nicholson, sitting on the sideline watching Laker games.

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