Russian tennis star Nadia Petrova will be hoping for home support next time she challenges at Indian Wells.
Petrova, who saw her campaign at this year's BNP Paribas Open end Tuesday at the hands of compatriot Maria Kirilenko, hopes to be listed as an American in 2013 after applying for US citizenship.
The 29-year-old Petrova, who was born in Moscow, owns a home in Miami and intends to settle in Florida permanently.
"I like the lifestyle. I like the weather. It's just a perfect place for tennis," the world No. 33 told Tennis.com. "Everything's so easy. You just come, you need to go to the pharmacy, drug store, it's 24 hours open. Everything is here just for the people, you know."
She added, "I just feel very comfortable here, relaxed atmosphere, and I don't have to stress. I don't have that crazy traffic like it is in Russia. I don't have those cold winters."
Petrova, who holds 10 career titles and has twice reached the semifinals of the French Open, represented Russia in the Fed Cup as recently as last month. It was her 10th appearance for her native country in the competition since 2001, RIA Novosti reported.
