| Jennifer Hopkins |
Birthdate: February 10, 1981
Birthplace: Kansas City, Mo.
Residence: Leawood, Ks.
|
Height: 5'7"
Plays: Right-handed
Status: Pro (1998)
|
|
Highlights:
2001
Reached the final round of the Anz Tasmanian International, her first WTA final.
2000
- Played for the Kansas City Explorers of the DuPont World Team Tennis Professional League.
- Played in the main draw at Roland Garros, losing to Rita Kuti Kis, 6-2, 7-6.
- Reached the doubles final at the WTA Tour event in Antwerp, Belgium (w/Rampre).
- Reached the semifinals of the WTA Tour event in Warsaw, losing to eventual champion Henrieta Hagyova, 6-0, 6-4.
-Lost to Anna Kournikova in the second round of Ericsson Open.
1999
- Won the singles title at the USTA Challenger of Albuquerque, N.M.
- Made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam event at the US Open as a wild-card entrant. Reached the quarterfinals of the junior competition.
-Reached the singles final of the USTA Challenger of Mount Pleasant, S.C.
-Won three USTA Satellite events -- Springfield, Mo., Hilton Head, S.C., and Little Rock, Ark.
- Defeated Amy Frazier, ranked No. 30 in the world at the time.
- Defeated Jelena Dokic at a WTA Tour event in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Juniors
- Led the United States to a third place finish at the 1999 Connolly Continental Cup, the junior version of Fed Cup, as the team's No. 1 singles player.
- Won the 1998 USTA National Girls 18's Clay Court Championships.
- Reached the singles semifinals at 1998 Easter Bowl girls' 18 championships.
Interesting Fact:
- Enjoys painting in her spare time.
|
Sportline.com recently spoke with Jennifer. Here is what she had to say:
SportsLine: How old were you when you first realized you were good enough to make tennis your career?
Jennifer Hopkins: At 17 I had finished in the top five of juniors nationally for two years in a row. At that point I thought I was good enough.
SportsLine: What is the strongest part of your game right now?
Jennifer Hopkins: I attack a lot and I like to put pressure on my opponnent.
SportsLine: What part of your game needs the most work?
Jennifer Hopkins: My fitness needs to improve.
SportsLine: What is your favorite thing about being a tennis player?
Jennifer Hopkins: It's a pretty luxurious life. I like to travel and see new places. You learn a lot about yourself and your life through the sport. I also like the crowds and fans and the attention.
SportsLine: What is your least favorite thing about being a tennis player?
Jennifer Hopkins: The life can get grueling. You're on the go all the time, and the time changes can be difficult.
SportsLine: Who has influenced your game the most?
Jennifer Hopkins: My coach, Ray Ruffels. He was a pro and he has great insights about the game. He communicates them well and brings out the best in me.
SportsLine: Who has been your favorite player to watch?
Jennifer Hopkins: I like Chanda Rubin. She's been really nice to me and I like the way she plays.
SportsLine: Who do you most look forward to playing?
Jennifer Hopkins: I want to play Martina Hingis, just to see what it's like.
SportsLine: Do you ever get discouraged with your game?
Jennifer Hopkins: The ups and downs are hard. Sometimes you don't win a match for a few tournaments and you think that's the way it's going to be from now on.
SportsLine: Have you ever really argued with an umpire?
Jennifer Hopkins: No, I'm the kind of player that doesn't really argue. I think you lose your focus on the match.
SportsLine: If you win a Grand Slam how will you react?
Jennifer Hopkins: When I've won in the past I just broke down in tears. It would take me a while to look up with dry eyes.
SportsLine: Have you ever been intimidated by an opponent?
Jennifer Hopkins: When I was little I got intimidated, but not anymore. I'm a lot more confident now.
SportsLine: Does the prospect of playing any particular player intimidate you?
Jennifer Hopkins: When I played Venus Williams I was thinking "what can I do."
SportsLine: Do you feel like you lost any part of your childhood because of the demands of training and travel?
Jennifer Hopkins: I missed out on a lot of the social aspects of being a teenager, but I switched to public school my junior year of high school to have a more normal life.
SportsLine: Do you have a boyfriend?
Jennifer Hopkins: Yes, Nick Rainey (top ten ranked doubles player at the University of Southern Cal.). He's very interested in my career, but I only get to see him every two or three months.
SportsLine: What would you like to pursue after you retire?
Jennifer Hopkins: I might go back to school and pursue the arts. I'm interested in interior decorating, and I've always been interested in architecture, painting, and the arts.
Future Game Archive
