 Tennis ace Laura Robson recently beat her friend and fellow British teen star Heather Watson
This isn't the first time tennis ace Laura Robson has been on the shortlist for Young Sports Personality of the Year. She now competes regularly on the senior tennis tour and is youngest player in the women's top 200. Laura started to play tennis when she was six and began her junior career in May 2007. In 2008 she became the first British winner of the girls' singles at Wimbledon since 1984. Here are her answers to the questions posed by the School Reporters from Hamble College in Hampshire. And you can find out more about the other nine contenders for the Young Sports Personality of the Year prize here.
Q: How do you balance the usual life of a teenager with being a high achiever in sport? A: I try to fit in as much fun stuff as possible when I'm training; lately I've been doing a few hip-hop and salsa dance classes. It's been great fun and my fitness trainer thinks it is good for me too. Q: If you could have an Olympic or Paralympic ticket for 2012, which event would it be for and why? A: The event would be the men's 4x100m freestyle relay in swimming. It's always my favourite race to watch on TV, there's usually a close finish and it's amazing how fast those guys can swim. Q: Who has been the most important person to get you where you are today? A: I would definitely say my mum. She's always been there for everything to do with my tennis and I'm 100% sure I wouldn't be in the position that I am without her. Q: What is your worst habit? A: My worst habit is that I spend far too much time on my phone. I'm addicted!  Florence + The Machine are a favourite of Laura's |
Q: What music do you listen to when you train? A: I like listening to upbeat music when I'm training, it puts me in a good mood and gives me lots of energy! Florence + The Machine is my current favourite. Q: When did you first realise you wanted a career in your sport and why? A: I first realised when i was about seven or eight years old and I lost in a practice match to my brother. I couldn't handle the defeat so from then on I trained much more than him until I eventually beat him! Q: If you were not an athlete, what career would you like to pursue? A: If I wasn't a tennis player I would probably be a chef. I love cooking and baking and my mum is a really good cook so she's taught me a lot. Q: What has been the best - and the worst - moments of your sporting career so far? A: My personal best moment is still winning Junior Wimbledon. All my family and friends were in the crowd that day so it's going to be a tough moment to beat! I think the worst moments for me (and any other athlete) are injuries. It's really disappointing to not be able to play but injuries are something that come with what we do, so you have to deal with it the best you can. Q: What is your worst habit? A: I am embarrassed to say I bite my nails! Q: Who was your childhood idol and why? A: My childhood idol was Monica Seles. She was a fantastic player to watch and she overcame so much in her career.
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