Time for pole vault

Dubai: Fun-loving and effervescent. If you are looking for words to describe Agnieszka Radwanska, those would be it.

A regular to Dubai, she enjoys indulging in a bit of fun off-court as much as she enjoys her tennis.

In an exclusive interview to XPRESS from Stanford, USA, where she began preparations for the US Open next month, the world no 11 from Poland says she needs to be more single-minded if she's to progress past the quarter-finals at Grand Slams and break into the top-five, having been ranked as high as No 8 following her semi-final run at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships this year.

More focus

"I will need to continue to work hard and be consistent. I will also need to stay focused. The top players try for every shot and never give up. That's what is needed," she said.

That, though, doesn't mean she is ready to give up on all the fun that Dubai provides her.

"I have gone on camel rides three times. That was a unique experience and a lot of fun. I would enjoy doing that again. I love to shop and the shopping is great in Dubai. Last time I was there, Caroline Wozniacki and I visited two malls. Next on my list of things to do is get to know the city better and of course, do well in the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships," she said.

Experts believe while Radwanska plays a lot like Martina Hingis, she lacks the serving power and offensive capabilities to make it to the top. The winner of four WTA titles, though, differs. "Everybody has their own style, everyone is different. Some players hit hard, others play with a lot of spin. It is no harder to play against a powerful player than it is any other player. It's just tennis," she said.

One of the most affable players in the cut-throat world of Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, it comes as no surprise that Radwanska is close to the likes of Victoria Azarenka, Wozniacki and Maria Kirilenko.

"It is great to have friends on the Tour. We travel 10 months of the year which is a lot. It is good to be able to have someone to do things with off the court. On the court they are opponents but off court, they are still friends. Just because you beat someone one day, doesn't mean we won't be friends the next," she said.

So, how does she fancy her chances at the US Open where she hasn't made it past the fourth round? "I feel good this year going into the summer series. Last year, I was injured during the Open. So far, I feel good. The point is to get through to the second week. That's what I hope to do this year," she said.

Career graph