My tennis life began when one day my dad was bored and he took me out to play. My dad began playing tennis when I was born and loved it, so much so that he became a tennis coach, giving up his career as an engineer.

I was brought up in Tambov, a city five hours south of Moscow. It's not a big city and I enjoyed growing up there. Between the ages of five and nine, I also took up gymnastics. I was encouraged by my coach to become professional but I became injured and realised that it was a dangerous sport. I began to focus on tennis and my dad travelled with me everywhere in Russia for tournaments. I first went abroad for a tournament when I was 13. At 17 in Russia you finish school and most people go onto university or get jobs. My dad gave me the option of studying or tennis but he wasn't going to force a choice.

For me, tennis is addictive. I love the competition. It is an interesting sport, as it can be about the individual in singles and based on teamwork in doubles. I first came to Australia in 2002, when I was contesting the Australia Open and I really liked it. I had an Australian boyfriend and from then it got serious. I began to spend more time there in my off-seasons in December. I enjoyed the weather, the lifestyle and everyone was easy-going. I found Melbourne to be very multicultural and it was easy to move there, as there were no real adjustments. Everyone was friendly and it made me feel comfortable and always welcome. To qualify for citizenship, I had to spend some years living in Australia but in 2009 I received my citizenship.

Playing for Australia was something I really enjoyed. On tour, you are playing for yourself and I didn't play Fed Cup or represent Russia at the Olympics. But I always wanted to be a team player and play Fed Cup. I knew the girls from the team from the tour and they were welcoming. The Commonwealth Games was a great experience. The feeling of representing Australia on the podium and receiving a medal is something I won't want to forget. I hope to represent Australia at the London Olympics.

My sister, Arina, is also playing on the tour, so we try to go to as many of the same tournaments as we can. She is also applying for Australian citizenship. Preparing for the US Open has not been easy, as the weather has not been good, but I'm still excited.

As told to James Redmayne