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Grand Slam tennis champion Mary Pierce has revealed the sport of boxing had a big influence on her junior tennis career.

Speaking to 5 live's boxing correspondent Mike Costello, Pierce says her father, who was also her coach, was heavily influenced by how he viewed the two sports.

"My father coaching me from 10 to 18 had me watch a lot of boxing, probably most of Mike Tyson's fights I can tell you about.

"He looked at boxing and tennis as very similar. You go out on the tennis court it's one against one, you go out in the ring and it's one against one. It's a fight and only person will come out the winner.

"He also looked at out hard they used to train and their physical shape. It was a big part of my growing up and my training."

This clip is from 5 live Sport, Sunday 31 May 2015.