Tennis has been good to Amanda Coetzer, the girl from Hoopstad in the Free State who left school at the end of grade 10 to pursue a career in the professional ranks.
Relatively injury free for most of her 13 years on the pro circuit, she has - thanks to tennis - become a multimillionaire, visited places all over the world and been introduced to all types of people and cultures. But South Africa still owns her heart.
Despite losing in the first round at the French Open and Wimbledon this year, Coetzer says she is still motivated to play on the lucrative circuit.
As she journeys towards the end of her days in the professional arena, Coetzer reflects on her love for tennis, the pro tour, the Williams sisters and the state of the game in her country.
I have always loved being a pro. In fact, I find myself blessed to be able to have played the game at this level for such a long time. I have been very lucky to be relatively injury free, allowing me to play at this level for the time that I have.
I love the game. I love the preparation involved and the challenges I have to face. I like to travel, see new places, further discover old destinations and learn about different cultures.
My highs were obviously the nine titles I have won in singles as well as various doubles titles I have won. Also playing for South Africa in the Fed Cup and being part of South Africa's Olympics team since 1992 have been an honour. Winning the Hopman Cup for my country with Wayne Ferreira was awesome. Reaching the semifinals of the Australian and French Open must rate up there. A big low is whenever I am struggling with injuries, being out of control of what my body would allow me to do because of injury. Another low is seeing the state of tennis in South Africa. It is sad. We have so much talent and have such a rich tennis culture, yet sponsors have not invested in the game like in other sports.
Due to financial constraints, the national association (the South African Tennis Association) have not been able to fund a super squad system where talented juniors are financed and coached on the international circuit. This would give them the chance to gain all-important world-ranking points, which give them entry to the pro ranks.
South Africa probably has the most talented juniors in the world. The Nike junior tour for under-12s and under-14s is proof of this. I am patron of the Nike junior tour and it's encouraging to see the talent our country has. But, as the kids get older, they are lost to social activities or other sports due to the national association not being able to offer such juniors a future in South African tennis once they turn 18.
I get very angry when that happens. Both Wayne and I have given so much to tennis in South Africa. We have impressive Davis and Fed Cup records, have always been available for the Olympics and have for years played - and won - the Hopman Cup for our country. At every match we play around the world, we are introduced as South Africans, and we are proud of that. At times, circumstances don't allow us to be available for our country. When Fed and Davis Cup is played in dedicated weeks, it's easier for us to be available, but, with South Africa being in the lower groupings of the competitions, ties are played outside dedicated weeks, which puts pressure on us. We have to fulfil commitments to other events and our sponsors, otherwise we face heavy fines.
As I said earlier, I am really disappointed with the state of tennis in South Africa at the moment. I support SATA in their efforts. I believe the new board of SATA have shown good initiative and enthusiasm to try to improve the sport in our country. But they really need financial backing to achieve their goals and objectives. I initiated the Learn Tennis, Love Tennis foundation, which I set up in 1996 to assist with the development of girls tennis in South Africa and also with tennis projects in the disadvantaged communities in our country.
I feel that I still have some good tennis left in me. As long as I am competing well, my body is in good shape and I'm enjoying being part of the tour, maintaining a decent ranking, why not play on? I have always maintained that my game has room for improvement. A few months ago, I was feeling real good about my game and fitness level and was striking the ball well. My coach, Lori McNeil, and I have been working on aspects of my game that will allow me, as I get older, to be able to compete with the generation of faster and younger players. All these new elements introduced to my game were coming together nicely.
When I beat Steffi Graf at her peak, I was really pleased with myself. I have always looked up to Steffi, so to beat her in grand slams and in her home country was a very special feeling. Also, having beaten world Nos 1 like Martina Hingis, Jana Novotna and Lindsay Davenport was very satisfying.
The moment I best remember is maybe not the funniest, but the most touching. I was playing in the Spar Challenge against Steffi at the Westridge Park Stadium in Durban. Rain interrupted our match, but the capacity crowd of 8 000 wanted the game to go on while Steffi and I waited in the locker room for the rain to clear. When the rain eventually subsided, the organisers had to get the court dry. The crowd were so keen on us continuing the match that they ran on to court, ripped off their shirts, jerseys and, in the case of some guys, even their jeans to wipe the courts. Steffi and I could not believe what we were seeing. Other than funny, it was very moving.
The match point I won against Martina Hingis in 1996 to reach my first grand-slam semifinal at the Australian Open. I dropped a ball short to draw Martina to the net and then looped a top-spin lob over her head to win the point and the match.
Martina was a great champion. She will be remembered as one of the best ever. That says it all.
Steffi Graf, because I have always looked up to her and respected her.
Steffi and Andre Agassi.
He might, he is such a talent, he can really do anything! Look what he did at the US Open when he won it against all odds. One never knows with Pete.
I have a very good relationship with their father, Richard. I admire him a lot for what he has literally single-handedly produced. Both Serena and Venus are very private people and don't mix a lot with the other players. They have done an enormous amount of good for the game of tennis, and women's tennis in particular. They have put the women's game on a higher level. This has forced the rest of us to improve our strength, speed and agility and to become stronger in our strokeplay.
A regular month is four events, one per week. Breakfast is usually room service in my room alone, so I can prepare my mind for my match. I like to sleep late! I try to wake up late to allow myself a good rest. Lunch is normally at the courts and dinners at an Indian, Sushi or Moroccan restaurant. I enjoy Lebanese food as well. I also have obligations of autograph sessions, appearances for charities and interviews and photo sessions which I am obliged to fulfil for tournaments and their sponsors and my sponsors. And, each week, I focus on matters of my Learn Tennis, Love Tennis foundation, which is a project very close to my heart.
I'm a private person who enjoys reading, good movies, theatre and socialising with close friends and family over a good meal, with some good South African red wine.
The busy schedule. And I would make the court bigger! Just joking!
It's great when the girls and guys play together. I'm very much for that, and it becomes very spectator-friendly and sponsor-convenient.
Wimbledon will soon have to pay the same. The game has advanced so much in this regard and most events are acknowledging that women deserve equality. Wimbledon will soon fall into line.
Players are turning pro at a younger age due to technical and scientific developments. Players who are ready to turn pro should not be stopped, they should have the support of parents, coaches and agents. Sponsors should play the correct role without putting unfair pressure on the player as it results in burn-out.
I love playing the Australian Open and the French Open. I suppose they hold a special place in my heart because I have reached the semifinals in Melbourne and Paris. But the "party atmosphere" of Melbourne and the hot sunny days give the Australian Open a special feeling. The "class and sophistication" of Paris and the red clay of Roland Garros are just wonderful.
It's essential for me to make quality time for my family. I use my tri-band phone to talk to them on almost a daily basis. I value my family's support and assistance. And then my fans who have supported me through thick and thin. I liaise with my South African office to make quite sure that the fan mail from South Africa and around the world is read and answered.
I am a South African and will always be a South African.
There is no country like South Africa. I have, for convenience sake, had to base myself in Miami. That home will always be there for me. But my Cape Town home is special to me and I try to spend as much time as possible in Cape Town. I also love going to Hoopstad, my home town. You may be surprised, but I still have a room in my parents' house.