Six questions with some leading women in tennis backstage at the BNP Paribas Open

Xochitl Pena
Palm Springs Desert Sun
Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States at the WTA Photo Shoot ahead of the 2018 BNP Paribas Open WTA Premier Mandatory tennis tournament

With so many top women tennis players in town for the BNP Paribas Open, the Women's Tennis Association is taking advantage and getting its members all glammed up for a photo shoot. 

A pop-up tent outside the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is where all the hair, make-up and camera action is taking place. 

The Desert Sun was invited to see some behind-the-scenes action and in the process got to sit down with four WTA members and ask them some fun questions.

Here are their responses: 

Bethanie Mattek-Sands

(USA, 26th in doubles)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, a US pro tennis player ranked 26 in doubles, points to her husband Justin's tattoo of her name. (March 3, 2018)

How was getting glammed up: "I love photo shoots. They’re fun. Off the court I’m a big make-up and fashion and hair (fan) ... it's fun to kind of doll up and do makeup and get your make-up done by the professionals."

Favorite TV show: “Game of Thrones”  but planning to watch “The Fall,”  “Stranger Things” and “Black Mirror.”

Favorite sport besides tennis: Loves watching NFL and is a big Green Bay Packers fan. Likes to play squash, ping pong and badminton. 

Cat or dog person: Dog. Has a 140 pound Boerboel, aka a South African Mastif, named Ruger.

Most romantic thing a person has done for you: Husband Justin has her name tattooed on his forearm. 

Who is your tennis idol: Growing up it was Monica Seles.

Andrea Sestini Hlavackova

(Czech Republic, 6th in doubles)

Andrea Sestini Hlavackova of the Czech Republic at the WTA Photo Shoot ahead of the 2018 BNP Paribas Open WTA Premier Mandatory tennis tournament

How was getting glammed up: "It's always fun to do something extra. I remember doing this photo shoot in 2015. It was a bit different a little bit more challenging than this time. I really enjoyed this. It was more natural and nice and professional. I really like it." 

Favorite TV show: “Friends”

Favorite sport besides tennis: She likes to snowboard and figure skate.

Cat or dog person: Dog. She has two Jack Russell Terriers.

Most romantic thing a person has done for you: When her husband proposed to her in London alongside a river.

Who is your tennis idol: Kim Clijsters and Rafael Nadal.  

Anett Kontaveit

(Estonia, 28th in singles)

Anett Kontaveit of Estonia reacts after winning a point against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

How was getting glammed up: "It was really fun. It’s always nice to get your make-up done and feeling really girly. It’s really nice."

Favorite TV show: “Game of Thrones”

Favorite sport besides tennis: Watching volleyball.  

Are you a dog or a cat person: Dog. Has a chocolate Labrador named Milo.

Most romantic thing a person has done for you: She got a giant teddy bear for Valentine’s Day.

Who is your tennis idol: Victoria Azarenka.

Catherine 'CiCi' Bellis

(USA, 45th in singles)

Catherine Bellis of the United States at the WTA Photo Shoot ahead of the 2018 BNP Paribas Open WTA Premier Mandatory tennis tournament

How was getting glammed up: "It was real fun. It’s so much fun. It’s definitely something different than playing tennis. So it’s a different kind of fun thing to do I’d say."

Favorite TV show: “Breaking Bad” which she's currently watching.

Favorite sport besides tennis: Loves watching basketball, specifically the Golden State Warriors.

Are you a dog or a cat person:  Dog. She doesn’t have one, but wants one.

Most romantic thing a person has done for you: She got a rose gold ring with diamonds and wore it at the photo shoot. 

Who is your tennis idol: Kim Clijsters.

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