For Nicole, glamour & social service go together

The Czech tennis star is actively involved in projects that aim to change the lives of people in Africa
 
In 2000, Julia Roberts played a real life character of Erin Brockovich, which portrays a story of a single mother, who almost single-handedly brings down a power company accused of polluting city’s water supply.
 
Czech Republic’s tennis star Nicole Vaidisova, who is a die-hard fan of Roberts, is doing something similar in real life — by getting involved with an NGO, which provides clean drinking water to kids in Africa.
 
Vaidisova came to know about PlayPumps International from artist Jay-Z, whose MTV documentary Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life showcased the plight of people in Africa and she straightaway decided to join the organisation.
 
“The documentary really touched me and I was shocked to see so many kids dying because of water scarcity. Every child should have an opportunity to choose what they have to do. But it was shocking to see kids not having basic facilities and walking miles in search of clean drinking water,” said Nicole.
 
She said, “I don’t get to travel much to the African countries because of my professional commitments, but I keep in touch with the organisation and get regular updates on how the project is going on.”
 
And the off-court activity doesn’t stop here. She is also involved with a campaign to promote reading among children. “I always carried a book with me since my early. So it was quite natural for me to get involved with this campaign. It’s a good way to educate kids instead them sitting in front of a computer and playing video games.”
 
The ‘Blonde Bomshell’, as she is known, burst onto the scene after claiming three WTA titles in a row at the end of 2005 and was straight away touted as the ‘Next Big Thing’ on the WTA tour. And she lived up to the expectations, reaching a career high ranking of seven last year before a string of injuries saw her miss the bulk of season this year.
 
And while Vaidisova is recuperating from the wrist injury, she is making full use of the time off court like catching with her old mates, watching movies, besides spending some time with her boyfriend Radek Stepanek.
 
“I can watch Pretty Woman anytime,”   she says about her favourite movie. “I don’t read romantic books. But I like watching romantic movies. My Best Friends Wedding is also among my favourites.”
 
While promotional campaigns have kept her busy over the last week, she is dying to watch the latest Bond flick Quantum of Solace. “Daniel Craig was good in Casino Royale, can’t wait to watch him,” she giggles.
 
The 19-year-old, like the Williams sisters, would like to follow a career in fashion. “Tennis will always remain a top priority. But being a fashion designer excites me. I’m currently involved with Reebok in designing my on-court attire. It has been a great experience. I may go to university to study fashion. I may take it up after it’s time to hang by boots,” she remarked.

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