SportsLine: When did you first begin to feel like you could make it as a professional?

Marissa Irvin: I was consistently ranked in the top three in juniors, so it just seemed like a natural progression.

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

Marissa Irvin: Well, around my age you have Martina Hingis and I definitely have a lot to do to get to her level, especially mentally. Physically, I think I can compete with anyone. I'm right in there with a lot of the girls my age.

SportsLine: What are your goals for 2001?

Marissa Irvin: I was up to No. 66 last year and I dropped, partly due to injury (sprained ankle). I would like to get into the top 50 this year.

SportsLine: What types of adjustments have you made to your game since you turned pro?

Marissa Irvin: I've improved my conditioning. When you're younger you can rely on your athleticism and just hitting better strokes. Out here, everyone is so good and a lot of times it comes down to who's in better shape.

SportsLine: What is the strongest part of your game?

Marissa Irvin: My forehand and my serve. I've also been working a lot on my footwork because I've never been known as a speed demon.

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

Marissa Irvin: The best thing is being able to make a living playing a sport. Not too many people get to do that. I also love to compete in front of people. It's a blast.

SportsLine: Who has been your favorite player to watch?

Marissa Irvin: The player I most admire is Lindsay Davenport because she has accomplished so much and she's really humble. She's a Southern Cal. girl, she's a really nice person and she's done everything there is to do.

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

Marissa Irvin: I'd love to play someone like Martina Hingis. It's a blast to play the girls at the top because you get to see how you measure up against them.

SportsLine: What are your goals for your career?

Marissa Irvin: I would love to make the U.S. Olympic team in 2004. I want to represent my country in the Olympics. If I'm able to do that, I could say my career is pretty good. For me that is more important than winning a Grand Slam.

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

Marissa Irvin: There were sacrifices in the sense that I may have missed a few parties and I definitely missed more school than most kids. The hardest part was in high school when I was doing a lot of work on the road. I don't feel that I really missed anything and I had the opportunity to see so much. There was pressure from some people telling me to skip college and go pro, but that was never even a thought to me. Looking back, I definitely wasn't ready for the tour at 18. Most of my friends in college were also on athletic teams and the community of Athletes at Stanford is amazing.

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

Marissa Irvin: I would like to go back and get my degree at Stanford and have a family. Maybe I'll go to law school. When tennis is over for me, I want it to be over. There is more to life.

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