The personalities behind the faces

The media conference room, not the canteen, was my favorite place to hang out during the week-long WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai because I was able to glimpse what 12 of the world's best players are like off the court.

I don't think any of the women had enough energy to play a character in front of the cameras, given they were coming off grueling matches and only had time for a shower and a brief rest before facing reporters.

In one memorable interview, Petra Kvitova stopped in mid-sentence while answering a question and exclaimed, "Oh boy, I'm tired!"