Maria Kirilenko is making music here on court, much like her classical leaning. A self-confessed fan of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, the 20-year-old svelte beauty from Moscow is all set to win hearts here. And not only is she keen to make a mark with her tennis, she also wants to do it in style, much like Roger Federer, whose style statements are perhaps now making more news than him winning tournaments. Her strong preference is for Stella McCartney’s creations. “I follow fashion, and always like to wear the latest. My favourite designer is McCartney,” she said. Aware of her glam quotient, she said: “I am honoured to be chosen to wear Stella’s creations. It is nice if people find me attractive, but I want to be known for my tennis.” Seeded fourth here, the Russian is a close friend of Maria Sharapova. “We are good friends. We have known each other since we were 13,” she said. A budding ballet dancer, she started playing tennis at the age of seven when her father, Yuri, got her admitted to Dinamo Moscow, one of the best tennis facilities in Russia. And having reached 35 on the WTA rankings, she has lent credence to his choice. But she still enjoys music, and though a hectic life on tour prevents her from practising ballet, she never misses an opportunity to watch. “I like listening to lots of different music and I love classical. I don’t listen to it as much as I would like. Ballet was something that I did as a child. I don’t really have time to practise anymore but I do enjoy watching it,” she said. And she enjoys Mstislav Rostropovich’s music: “I admire his music and like listening to the cello.” Asked who is her idol, she skirted the issue, saying she had too many. And despite having varied interests, she is not too keen on thinking of life after or outside tennis. “Right now, my focus is on tennis. I am still young and will thing about life outside tennis later in my career.”
