SYDNEY, Australia - At 24, Andrea Hlavackova has five WTA doubles titles to her name, including last year's Brisbane International, which she won with fellow Czech Lucie Hradecka. Singles has proven a tougher nut to crack, but this week she's at a career-high No.99, and having won her first round match at the Australian Open on Monday, faces her first Top 10 test, Victoria Azarenka, in round two.

We caught up with Andrea during the Medibank International Sydney.

Tell us about your family.
AH: I grew up in Plzen, which is a famous beer city in the Czech Republic. My mom, Jana is a doctor and my dad, Jan, works in a brewery - it's a family tradition. My grandfather and great grandfather were both general directors there, but because it is now owned by a foreign company my dad can't be general director. Instead he's the master brewer, which is a very high position. My sister, Jana, is five years older. She used to play tennis and she helps me a lot because she knows the sport so well - although she works as a lawyer now. I adore them. They are my role models, each for a different reason.

How did you get into tennis?
AH: Plzen is quite a tennis city. My dad played, and then he brought my sister to the sport. When I was little I'd tag along, playing around.

When did you start to think you had the talent and desire to pursue tennis as a career?
AH: Actually I was always led by my parents to play well and enjoy it and to consider it as a profession. But I think the reason I'm already a bit older getting there is that I realized a little later that I really wanted to do it. I was around 16 or 17 when I decided this is what I really want to be.

Does that explain why you've had better results in doubles so far?
AH: Yes, because in doubles I relax and I enjoy it much more. I tend to put too much pressure on my singles. In doubles you rely on your partner a bit. It's teamwork, whereas in singles you don't have that. I also haven't had my private coach for very long, so there was no teamwork available to me in singles.

What is your coaching situation?
AH: When I started the WTA I had a coach from juniors, but the relationship was ending. Then I was playing ITF women's events and I was most of the time alone, which was not really going anywhere. I started to work with my current coach, Vaclav Zdrazila, in August 2009. I was No.230 in singles and it's so obvious he has really helped - you can see it on the rankings. He can't be with me every week of the year, but it's enough for me.

How do you describe your playing style?
AH: It's very… offensive! I try to kill the ball as fast as I can. Just go for it - that's what I like and that's what makes the fun for me.

Did you have a tennis idol, growing up?
AH: I'm not really into idols. But as I've gotten to know tennis and all the aspects, I really like the Williams sisters… their balanced approach, their attitude. And Kim Clijsters for her game. She's an incredible player.

Growing up, were you aware of your country's great tennis traditions?
AH: When I was in juniors I read Ivan Lendl's book, and he really motivated me. He didn't become my role model, but he opened my eyes in terms of everything it takes to be a tennis player. Martina Navratilova was still playing doubles when I started out, and I met her at the French Open last year, after she had the cancer. She's a tough, tough woman and I admire her a lot.

There are nine Czechs in the Top 100 at the moment… what's it like being a part of that group, and what do you attribute that depth to?
AH: I'm very happy there are so many Czech girls in the Top 100. We travel around and see each other a lot, and it helps us get through the season. I would say we push each other, and I guess we have good coaches in our country. We play very well technically, so there must be something in that. Of course, Fed Cup is big for Czechs, but I am only No.9 at the moment, so it is tough for me to get into the team!

Who has been your toughest opponent?
AH: I would say it's the player who beats me even if I play very well on the day. Because with my game, if I play bad… I don't want to say anybody can beat me, but it can be grim. So, a very tough match where I played well and she still beat me was Yanina Wickmayer. Another player who beat me and I really saw the difference was Vera Zvonareva, in the second round at Wimbledon. But I haven't had many chances to play the top, top level. On the level around me it's all about good days and bad days…for them and for me the same.

What has been your career highlight so far?
AH: Last year, when I qualified for Wimbledon. It was amazing. I had been given a wildcard into the qualies and had a good draw. I was under pressure, I was feeling the chance, but I still went on the court and did what I was supposed to do. I was actually happy the qualies were played at Roehampton, because I was more focused. It was easier to tell myself, 'This is your job. Do it.' I killed the match! It was the best. And my dad, my mom and my sister were there, which was great.

Favorite surface?
AH: Hardcourt, indoors.

Favorite tournament?
AH: I really like Australia, Brisbane especially was one of my best places. I really feel good in Europe and it's easy for me to come and go to tournaments. Wimbledon, of course, has great memories for me.

How far did you go in your studies?
AH: I finished high school, and then I started law school in Plzen. I've done two-and-a-half years out of five but then I had to pause it because of all the travelling. So right now I'm on hold, and actually this year I have to either re-pause it again or go and do something. It's a bit tough, but I really, really want to get a degree so I have to keep an eye on that.

Have you ever thought about what you'd have done, if not tennis?
AH: I've thought about it, of course, because I haven't been close to making real money from tennis for very long. Lately, I would say I would love to work for media, or in management. Something that puts me in touch with people and organizing stuff… I'm a bit of an organizing freak! And I love interior design, so even media in that way - a magazine or something like that.

Tell us about your own home. Do you go to a lot of trouble to create the right look?
AH: Yes! I've had my place for about two years and everybody who comes over loves it. I put a lot of effort into it and I think it looks really good. And even though I'm there only a few weeks a year and it's getting less and less, I still enjoy it. It's a new building, modern style. I like clean styles and no mess around me.

What qualities do you admire in other people?
AH: Well, I like everybody to be on time and organized. I like everything to be clear… also in the way of thinking. Just be honest and straight - I don't like people who play games. What you see should be what you get.

What do you like to do to relax?
AH: I love to spend time with my boyfriend. We've been together about a year. Lately I've been trying to surf, because of him, so I'm getting into water sports -  before I didn't even really like salt water! I've even been shark cage diving and skydiving and all these crazy things because of him. But I like it. I never would do it without someone pushing me, but after I did each one of those things I felt, like, OK, it's good to know what's out there.

So do you think your boyfriend is trying to bust you out of your neat-freak persona?
AH: Yes, he brings me to a lot of danger! Under-control danger, I would call it!

And is he tidy and organized enough for you?
AH: Yes. It surprised me big time how organized a man could be. Like, he's not a freak, but he's very good at this. So that deletes a lot of possibilities to fight.

So, oceans or mountains?
AH: Right now, definitely oceans. But I think if I'd met a skier one year ago, I suspect I'd be seriously into winter sports.

If you were stranded on a desert island but allowed one luxury, what would it be?
AH: Except food and drink? My MacBook. Because it brings me contact with people, and I have to be in touch.

Who would like to meet outside of tennis?
AH: I would like to talk to Rhianna one day and Jennifer Aniston is cool… but it's probably a bit cheesy to say her!

How did you spend the off-season?
AH: Actual time off I spent at home, with my family and friends. For preparation I went to Florida to practice hard, and the last week of preparation I spent in Hawaii. So, Christmas in Hawaii before coming to Brisbane. A lot of surfing.

What do you miss about home when you are travelling?
AH: Besides family, I really miss being in my own apartment in the evening, hanging around with my best friends, having a glass of something and a little chat. Talking on the phone isn't the same... sometimes when they get together I tell them just to pretend I'm there.

What are your goals at present?
AH: Last year I had the goal to finish in the Top 100 and I did it, but it was very close. This year, I would say Top 50. But that's not my last goal, so we will see. I would really like to start to work on something else during my tennis career… I'm really ambitious in other areas. It's not just tennis for me.