My philosophy about the game, for instance, is that you have players out there who really do different things.

But that in and of itself this past year was not a factor in what I did for the national team every time I stepped out there, or in training, or when I stepped out there in the WUSA.

To be the key player in creating and scoring goals, that's what I take pride in, and the thing I know how to do best.

I've known since I went to the national team when I was very young that I was a different bird.

I'm just looking as always for something that's stimulating and I hope to find a good story that's a challenge, whether it's big or small. Or that it finds me. I don't have like a career plan. Maybe I should, but I don't.

I used to be a freelance journalist, so I had to write fast, but I always found writing nonfiction constraining. I like the freedom of fiction, where I get to invent everything, and tidy, conclusive endings are within my control.

As a child, I was lucky to have the support of my parents because starting a tennis career is a very expensive adventure.

I consider myself a laborer, building my career brick over brick under the sun.