In the second of a series of diary pieces until Wimbledon 2010, British tennis star ELENA BALTACHA reveals her passion for Twitter and discusses life on the women's tennis tour.
I've been in the United States for about three weeks now. I've played Stanford and LA.
I lost in the first round in both matches - despite having match points in each. I ended up losing in three sets, they were pretty close.
So it's ! been a bit disappointing, but I knew coming out here that there was a possibility I might not win any matches.
It's disappointing when you come to within one point of winning, but at least I've got myself into that position. It would've been nice to have come through with two wins.
I'm still out here, hopefully, for another three tournaments. And there's the big one, the US Open.
I'm looking to improve all aspects of my game. Coming off such a good grass season I was very confident.
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I had a little bit of a break after Wimbledon and I'm still in that kind of transitional stage - getting into the hard season and competing.
It's always very difficult to get going again. I'm really chuffed to be out here and hopefully my game will get better every week.
I'm 107th in the world rankings and I don't have a specific number in mind that I want to climb to - as long as I keep claiming points ! and improving.
Obviously, I want to break into the top 100 and that's still my main goal. After that, I just want to keep improving and moving forward.
Someone suggested I join Twitter and I did just that three weeks ago. I was going to do it before Wimbledon, but because it was so hectic I thought I would delay signing up.
I'm glad I did, it's really good fun. You can follow me on @elenabaltacha. I've been tweeting quite a lot; anyone who goes on there can see what I've been up to.
From the tennis circuit, I'm following Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and the Williams sisters. It's interesting to see where they are and how they're feeling.
All the players seem to be r! eally go od on it. But I also try to reply to the people who are following me and sending me messages.
I enjoy it and it gives me something to do. I don't take it too seriously; it's just good banter.
Serena is probably my favourite Williams sister on Twitter. She comes out with some really funny stuff. Both sisters have a really good sense of humour, but Serena does tweet more.
Usually I will reply to other users' questions - depending on what those questions are!
| ! I miss going into the kitchen and cooking something rather than being stuck in a hotel room |
It's so nice to know that they're there supporting me. A lot of them are saying 'come on' and 'good luck' and 'we believe in you'. It's really sweet.
While I'm out here I enjoy reading books, using my email and ringing home and stuff. I'm not sure when my next match will be. I'll fly to Cincinnati on Wednesday to sign in for Friday, and hopefully play Saturday.
At the momen! t, I'm seven out of qualifying; the tournaments are so strong.! My entr y ranking is 107. It's so popular because this will be the only tournament being played in America at the time.
Hopefully I'll get in. If I don't I'll probably just stay out there and practise. It'll be good to be part of that environment and I'll get some good quality hits.
And then it's the same at Toronto. Again, if I don't get in then I'll practise. And after that it's the big one: the US Open.
That's really the one I want to prepare well for. My coach is going to be coming out on the 19th, so that'll be really good. I've been out here myself so it's been a bit difficult; not getting feedback from your coach.
Hopefully he can help with my preparation and get me ready for the US Open.
I miss going into the kitchen and cooking something rather than being stuck in a hotel room. But it helps having! blue skies every day.
The team of people I work with are unbelievable and they help me to keep my chin up. You go through phases when you play unbelievably well and then you have a bit of a stumble.
As long as I keep pushing forward and keep believing then something is definitely going to happen.
