About the pictures The cute pictures on this page were taken by Yuko Taguchi (assisted by me) during a break during Kimiko's practice session ahead of Nichirei Ladies'96. Yuko was the only photographer (with a proper camera) present on this occasion, so these pictures are rare.

About the boy Ryota is the son of Takeo Tanuma, the leading Kimiko Photographer. Tanuma has taken a large portion of the pictures of Kimiko appearing in tennis publications and popular magazines in Japan. (this time he just had a pocket camera!)

"This is the two-hand grip for a solid backhand..." [... psst... don't tell anybody, but this is my secret behing the rising shot; start low and early...]

"...and this is the forehand stroke, young players may also here use a two-hand grip...."

"...and if you want to make a nice drop-volley, hold the racket like this..."

"...could you also teach me how to serve..."