Getting Acquainted With… Andrea Petkovic

© Getty ImagesAndrea Petkovic had double duty Thursday.

Andrea Petkovic played twice today and advanced in both the women’s singles and doubles draws, in doubles with Serbian player Ana Ivanovic. The German turned pro in 2006 and has one singles title to her name, but her enthusiasm and highest ever world ranking put her on the map for the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open. The No. 23 player’s tennis history is well chronicled, so we caught up with her after her wins to learn more about the life of “Petko” for Miami fans.
 
What are your thoughts on this year’s tournament?
I haven’t played so many times here, I think it’s just my second main draw here. But, I always play well here. Last year, I beat Pennetta, which I think was my first Top 10 win, or second Top 10 win, so I have good memories of the Sony Ericsson Open, and I love Miami, so that basically makes a good mixture.
 
Best moment of the year?
Well, definitely the Australian Open quarter-finals. But actually, from emotion-wise, today winning doubles with Ana Ivanovic — I was more happy about that than about my singles win, because I haven’t won the doubles in a year. And I’m not that bad of a doubles player, I just don’t win! And so today, I was so happy and Ana also.
 
Where did the Petko dance come from?
It started off as a bet with my coach, at the US Open, because I was playing really bad before. He told me, ‘okay, if you win we have to do something special.’ And when I won, he looked at me, expecting something special, and that was the first thing that came to my mind: dancing.
 
Who is your favorite person to follow on Twitter?
From the tennis players, I would say Janko Tipsarevic.
 
Djokovic played tennis on the wings of a plane. Would you ever consider doing something like that?
Well, I’m not afraid of heights, so I would try. I’m always somebody to try new things!
 
What is your biggest strength, and your biggest weakness?
In general, probably my biggest strength is that I’m quite communicative, and that’s also my biggest weakness, because I spend my day sometimes just talking, and I don’t have left energy for practising. So, I’m trying not to talk too much. Also in interviews I try to stick to the point. (She laughs.)
 
What is the funniest interview you’ve ever had?
That was last week, at Indian Wells, with James LaRosa. He was filming and asking me questions while I did the stretching, and then my coach started stretching him, which I think he didn’t do before, because he was like “ah, ah, ah,” and in between asking funny questions, so I really enjoyed that interview.
 
Favorites?
Tournament: My favorite tournament is Stuttgart, because it’s the only tournament that’s left in Germany, and I really love playing at home.
Country: Portugal. I spent my vacation there in November.
Meal: Well, probably I would say McDonald’s, but I stopped eating sweets, since two weeks, and I’m disciplined, and I haven’t eaten anything, but right now I would pick any kind of chocolate or ice cream. I love the chocolate brownie here with ice cream.
What are your nicknames? Petko, Petkorazzi