SportsLine.com recently spoke with Iroda. Here is what she had to say:

SportsLine: You've had good results on all surfaces. Which do you prefer and why?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I like all the surfaces. I really don't care which surfaces I play on.

SportsLine: Which players would you compare yourself to in terms of your style and attitude?

Iroda Tulyaganova: My style of game is comparable to Venus (Williams) since we are both powerful with our serve and groundstrokes, yet can mix up our shots.

SportsLine: Have any of the veteran players on tour helped you out with your game or helped you adjust to life on tour?

Iroda Tulyaganova: Magdalena Maleeva is always very helpful if I have any questions on tour.

SportsLine: What do you think you need to do to take your game to the next level and possibly become a top-10 player?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I need to keep practicing hard and maybe work on coming to the net more. Also, I would like to improve my first-serve percentage.

SportsLine: What are your goals for the remainder of the year?

Iroda Tulyaganova: My goals for the rest of this year are to reach the Top 16 and qualify for the Sanex Championships in Munich.

SportsLine: What has been your high point on tour so far?

Iroda Tulyaganova: My greatest highlight so far was winning my first title in Tashkent last year. It was so memorable since it was my first title and it was in my hometown in front of so many friends and family.

SportsLine: What are the most significant adjustments you've made, mentally and physically, since you jumped from the Juniors?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I really started thinking more on the court and developed my game to where I'm actually playing tennis, not just hitting shots back and forth.

SportsLine: What is the strongest part of your game at this point and what do you need to improve upon the most?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I would say my serve and backhand are the strongest parts of my game. I would say that I need to improve the amount of winners I hit from my backhand side.

SportsLine: What do you enjoy most about being a tennis player?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I really enjoy traveling. But nothing compares to the great rush you get after winning a tournament. It is also very cool to have friends from all over the world.

SportsLine: Are there any players that you still look up to?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I admire the play of Venus and Serena Williams because I really like their games ... and their outfits!

SportsLine: What do you do when you find yourself getting discouraged on the court?

Iroda Tulyaganova: When I start to get frustrated on the court I try to look at my father or my Mom and try to calm down. Sometimes I just like to look around at the crowd and the stadium, just to loose my concentration for a bit, and then I regroup.

SportsLine: What are your biggest career goals?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I want to be No. 1 in the world and win Wimbledon and a Gold Medal at the Olympics for Uzbekistan.

SportsLine: Are there still players or situations that intimidate you for any reason?

Iroda Tulyaganova: I find it very difficult to play my friends compared to a top player on tour. If I'm playing one of the best players, I tend to play better because I have nothing to lose.

SportsLine: What were some of the sacrifices you've had to make because of the demands of training and travel?

Iroda Tulyaganova: When I first began it was hard being on the road because I was away from my Mom, my sister and my doggie. But now my parents travel with me but I still miss my doggie, Gruff.

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

Iroda Tulyaganova: I would like to open a tennis school in my home city of Tashkent. I'm already helping the young players through a program at "Memrijon", an orphanage in Tashkent in which my sponsor, Ramimov Gafur, built a tennis court for the kids. I donate tennis rackets and tennis balls and visit the kids when I am at home.

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