Caroline Wozniacki: 'tennis players are underpaid' I was very lucky to have parents who really wanted to help me out and without them I definitely wouldn't be where I am today. They've really helped me financially. I did have a few small pre-professional deals growing up. It's very expensive to be a professional tennis player with all the travel and the flights and the hotels and everything. When I was a junior, Adidas and Wilson and Yonex were kind enough to provide me with their products, so you can imagine how much of a thrill it was for me to receive free clothes as a 10-year-old girl. I have now been with them for such a long time that my loyalty to them continues to grow. I played my first professional tournament when I was 15, but I didn't play as a full professional on the tour until 2007, when I was 17. Yes, they were. For me the most important thing has always been to focus on playing tennis and to try to do as well on court as I can. So I'm eternally grateful to have such great parents who can help me out by managing the financial side of things so I can stay focused on my tennis. They're still definitely involved, so I still just try to focus on my tennis. I trust them completely so I let them handle the financial side. I can remember it well. My first prize money cheque was at a lower level International Tennis Federation tournament, where I lost in the first round. My cheque was for a grand total of $150 and I bought myself a designer handbag after that - that's usually how I like to treat myself after a big payday. I love having new things to wear when I am off the court. I think so, but I don't really think about it. I just play and I love what I do and it's just an added bonus that I can make a living from the sport that I love to play so much. I actually don't know. I don't really look at the contracts. I just play. I made nearly $4m in 2010. It makes all the hard work worthwhile. The most prize money I've earned in a single day would be when I reached the finals of the US Open in 2009. I took home $783,600. I like the positive thinking, but I still have a lot of work to do before I win my first grand slam so this is something I haven't even contemplated yet. I do hope that I can answer that question for you soon, however. Ha ha, no. I think tennis players are actually underpaid, but I might be a little biased. I like to think we are rewarded for the hard work we put in. I think men and women tennis players should be paid the same. I think we all work equally hard so it's great that they are starting to have equal prize money. From commercial endorsements. For example, I've been working with Compeed since last year, which began with a really fun commercial shoot in Los Angeles, and as I use their products a lot the endorsement is authentic. I spend about four hours a day on court, which causes a lot of wear and tear on my feet. While Adidas produces great shoes for me to play in, there are times when blisters are difficult to avoid; this is where the patch is so helpful. Ummm. I'm not sure. I guess you learn with time ... I think it's important to know that you might earn good money now but a tennis player's career is short, so it's important to just save so you can do what you like to do after you finish. I'm extremely conservative with my investments. I haven't, and don't intend on making any mistakes. There is a plan in structure, but right now everything is fine. I have people around to think a little bit for me as well but when I stop playing I hope to continue working with my corporate partners to endorse their brands. Another possibility would be television work; however, I sincerely hope to have a family and devote the majority of my time to raising my children. It definitely makes life easier in many ways and it provides me with flexibility and the ability to help others, but I think money by itself doesn't make you happy. The most important thing is friends, family and the people around you. That's what really makes you happy. I'm quite careful. I like to buy nice things for myself but I like to also be reasonable. I think I'm pretty careful. Lots of jewellery, some handbags, things like that. I do like to give myself a treat. It would be a tennis bracelet my grandma gave me before she passed away. Yes, there is a pension. Also, on the WTA tour, some money gets put aside every month to that too. I would probably want to be a teacher. I love working with kids and helping others, so I feel like a career in teaching would be perfect. I would suggest that you only take advice from those people who have a lot of experience and who you trust as well. Also, be extremely conservative with your investments. Lastly, save as much money as possible because the career of a professional athlete is a short one. Caroline Wozniacki has been working with Compeed to design and launch a new blister patch, which is cushioned and shaped for the heel, providing instant pain relief. Recommended retail price £5.99 for a pack of five, available nationwide