SportsLine: Do you think you would have been able to achieve what you have so far had you stayed in Russia (he moved from Moscow to California when he was 12 years old)?

Dmitry Tursunov: I could have, but I moved here because I didn't have a coach at the time and I didn't feel that my father (his former coach) would be able to give me what I needed. There are coaches for every stage in tennis.

SportsLine: When did you first begin to feel like you had a shot at a pro career?

Dmitry Tursunov: It never really came up, but I was always ranked high in juniors. I just concentrated on that.

SportsLine: How do you think your game measures up against your peers?

Dmitry Tursunov: I'm sure that we'll have our share of wins and losses against each other. It's not really fair to say who's better. Whoever is better on that day will win.

SportsLine: What are your goals for 2001?

Dmitry Tursunov: I don't have any goals set. My coach wanted me to be in the top 170 so I guess I achieved his goal. I wanted to make the top 200 last year, but I broke my foot. There's enough pressure on me already so I shouldn't create anymore for myself.

SportsLine: What types of adjustments have you needed to make now that your competition has gotten tougher?

Dmitry Tursunov: You have to play better all the time. Since it's new to me, I'm trying not to get intimidated by my opponents. I try to stay focused and not phase out during matches. In challengers you can phase out for a few minutes and come back to win.

SportsLine: What is the strongest part of your game?

Dmitry Tursunov: I try to be an all-around player. Sooner or later one of the shots will emerge as a weapon. I don't have a very big weakness or a very big weapon yet, but I can hit the ball harder than a lot of people can.

SportsLine: What is the best thing about being a tennis player?

Dmitry Tursunov: I haven't met the president yet, but it's very rewarding. When you grow up you think 'do I really need to do this for five hours a day or should I just go and play with my friends.' I like the crowds, and seeing them clapping and participating in the game. That's worth playing for.

SportsLine: Who has been your favorite player to watch?

Dmitry Tursunov: I like Goran Ivanisevic. It was almost like it was a theatre when he was on the court. That is what attracted me to him. I also liked watching Petr Korda. He had an unbelievable stroke, very smooth and very effortless. I was always trying to capture that feeling of being effortless.

SportsLine: Is there someone you most look forward to playing?

Dmitry Tursunov: Not really. Hopefully I'll end up playing all of them and I'm sure I'll get my share of beatings. Hopefully I'll be up there early enough to play (top) guys like Pete Sampras before they retire.

SportsLine: What are your career goals?

Dmitry Tursunov: Right now I'm just trying to get up there. Once I settle down I'll be looking forward to winning a Grand Slam. You reach a milestone and then you make a new challenge for yourself. I'm sure it's always going to be changing.

SportsLine: Does the prospect of facing any particular players intimidate you at this point?

Dmitry Tursunov: If you can control the physical you can control the mental. One of the challenges for any athlete is to perform the same way under pressure and to learn how to get rid of that pressure. I try to look at the reality (of the match) and have a healthy outlook.

SportsLine: What are some of the sacrifices you have had to make because of the demands of your schedule?

Dmitry Tursunov: I might not have gone through my childhood fully, but I have no regrets about it. Some people grow up one way, some grow up another. If everyone went through the same experiences it would be very boring and we would have nothing to talk about. The experiences I've had made me the person I am.

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

Dmitry Tursunov: I have so many interests right now and I'm sure I'm going to try a lot of things. I really like cars. Maybe I'll get into auto racing like Steve McQueen.

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