From her tennis, to her opinions and fashion, Bethanie Mattek-Sands made her voice heard on the WTA, and it had been one noticeably absent from the Tour in the past year. The American is currently working her way back up the ranks after a hip surgery forced her to sit out over half of the 2014. But as her singles results continue to build, Mattek-Sands has already found great success this year, taking the Australian Open doubles crown in her first tournament with partner Lucie Safarova. After speaking with Safarova earlier in the week, TTI sat down with the former World No. 30 after reaching to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix doubles finals.

After a longer injury lay-off between April and September of last year, Bethanie Mattek-Sands has had a very successful start to the season, and is looking to keep the good vibes going on the doubles circuit with new partner, Lucie Safarova. But as is so often the case, doubles results can’t help but transcend to singles, and things seem to be looking up for the 30-year-old from Minnesota there, as well. After coming through qualifying without dropping a set, the current World No. 164 made Top 10er Ekaterina Makarova work hard for the win but ultimately fell in two tight sets.

“Everyday I approach my practice, my training, even days off there is a purpose and I’m getting better every day and that’s my goal!”

A few days later, TTI sat down with Mattek-Sands after she and Safarova took out Stephanie Vogt and Petra Martic in the doubles semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, talking about everything from motivation during her time off, Fed Cup, the amazing food in Stuttgart, winning a major doubles title and much, much more:

UPDATE: If you’re wondering what we were talking about when it comes to “joining the other guys” – check out the round of “How Well Do You Know Your Doubles Partner?” she plays with Lucie Safarova! It’s a must watch.