Sesil Karatantcheva: Some Mistake Me for Kournikova

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | March 18, 2004, Thursday // 00:00
Sesil Karatantcheva: Some Mistake Me for Kournikova Sesil: My Dad is everything to me – except a mother! Photo by Gergana Kostadinova (Novinite.com)

Sesil Karatantcheva, aged 14, is believed to be Bulgaria's most promising tennis player at the moment. She recently made a splash at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, by beating Wimbledon semifinalist Alexandra Stevenson and Spanish Federation Cupper Magui Serna. Journalists were quick to point baby-faced, longhaired blonde Sesil as "the new Anna Kournikova," but were also stunned by her bald, straightforward personality.

Sesil seems to have inherited her hot temper from dad Radosslav Karatantchev - also an athlete, and former MP. Now he is the young woman's manager and main sponsor, and has started a crusade against the Bulgarian Tennis Federation. Karatantchev insists that the Federation is not showing any support for talented Sesil, and called for all of the organization's members to resign.


Sesil Karatantcheva spoke to Novinite.com Editor Petya Bondokova.


Q: Are there people that manage your public appearances?

A: No, I don't seek advice from anybody. At press conferences in California I just spoke out what was on my mind. I guess journalists liked me exactly for the fact that I act in a way I think is right, and I say what I think. I am just being myself, and that probably left them impressed.

Otherwise my dad is my sponsor, my manager, masseur, and psychologist - everything except a mother!

Q: Some compared you to Anna Kournikova - is that flattering you?

A: Once they even mistook me for Kournikova while I was doing my practice. I am okay with that, although the fist time they compared me to her I thought, "Am I really such a bad player?" Now I know what they mean is I'm just as pretty. This is a compliment, but really no big deal.

Q: How much time do you spend practicing each day?

A: I spend much time both for tennis practice and for general physical training. I am talking about being quick, having a good body, with bulk muscles, etc. I pay much attention to all of that. In the US they care much about fitness workout.

I think being quick is one of my advantages, and everyone notices this while I'm playing.

Every day, I spend six or seven hours practicing.

Q: What are your other strong points as an athlete?

A: My backhand has always been an advantage. My forehand is at a good level, but I still have to do a lot of practicing. Really everything takes a lot of exercising!

Q: Have you already gotten sponsorship offers from leading sports gear producers?

A: Yes, we are holding negotiations with Nike managers at the moment. Everything goes on well; some clauses in the contract are now being specified.

I also received an offer from Adidas, but Nike is my favorite label, and I would be happy to advertise their products.

Q: Do you spend most of your time in Bulgaria, or in the US?

Most of the time I am in the US, that's where I'm studying.

Q: What do you like to do while in Bulgaria, and what in the US?

A: There isn't really any difference - I spend my time practicing wherever I am.

Q: And what about the time when you're not practicing?

A: If you are asking me about boys - no, there aren't any! Hobbies... I like going out for a walk, listening music, and also reading. But a book needs to be really interesting to get my attention. Several years ago painting was my favorite hobby.

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