As a tennis player, or any professional athlete, our career has a shelf life. I don't want to waste any opportunities, I don't want to look back on it when I'm 45 and think I could have done a lot more.

I didn't know I could even be a professional tennis player, honestly. All this is actually very, very unexpected.

A lot of times when I'm confident and relaxed on the court, I'm going to be a pretty tough out. But when I'm not so confident and not so relaxed, I tense up and my balls fall short and everything. It just sort of unravels.

In the past, I've played where I only just rely on my serve.

In a small town, it's either sports or a band with your buddies. I was always athletic. But in college, I was exposed to all this new music, and I was drawn to hip-hop and R&B.

It's true that being in an individual sport, you have to be a little bit selfish.

Mum and Dad used to always follow me and support me, taking me to Newcastle on a Sunday morning after getting up at 7 A.M. They have always supported my football but always told me how important school was.

To be an Olympic athlete is an honour, a privilege. They're so respected. This is my dream. I have to do this.