Dinara Safina - Q&A With World No. 1 Female Tennis Pro

Dinara Safina Photo: Getty Images

You know her as the No. 1 player in the world on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. (She's also the top seed at this year's U.S. Open.) But what you may not know about Dinara Safina is that she loves watching "Desperate Housewives," she plays soccer, and she has only played her brother Marat, who's on the men's tour, for practice.

Yet the pressure Safina might face if she were to take on Marat for real pales in comparison to what she's facing at this year's U.S. Open. Although she first reached the No. 1 ranking in April 2009, she has yet to claim her first Grand Slam singles title. Can she do it at Flushing Meadows this year? That's a question everybody's asking.

Meanwhile, I had a brief opportunity to chat with Safina about her fitness program. Find out what this top-ranked player had to say -- and why she loves New York City.

That's Fit: How would you rank your fitness level right now?

Dinara Safina: I'm feeling good. I'm working very hard and think I'm in the best shape I've been in.

TF: What do you do to achieve your fitness level?

DS: Basically, I leave it to my trainer. And it depends on the day. Some days, I do only running, some days only strength. It just depends what my trainer wants me to do.

TF: What's the toughest part about maintaining such a high level of fitness?

DS: That depends on the training, and it's different every day. It can be really tough running one day but not so tough the next day. Right before a tournament, it can also be really easy, but when I'm preparing for a tournament, it can be really hard.

TF: What's your biggest physical strength?

DS: I'm very strong. I have big arms so I have lots of strength in my upper body, which many girls don't have.

TF: How about your biggest weakness? What are you working to improve?

DS: Because I'm a big girl, footwork is what I'm working to improve. Also, trying to stay loose.

TF: Talk a little bit about what you're doing to improve your mental game.

DS: I'm giving 100 percent every day. What else can I do? I do the best I can and just try to stay positive.

TF: Besides the U.S. Open, what do you love about New York City?

DS: The city is one of the most beautiful in the world so I love visiting it. I love the restaurants. The food is great and so is the shopping.

Interested in hearing from Monica Seles, a former No. 1 player? AOL Health features an interview with Seles.