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Apr/15

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Biofile: The Jared Donaldson Interview

jdonald

Status: ATP #168.

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 160

DOB: October 9, 1996 (age: 18) Born in: Providence, Rhode Island.

First Tennis Memory: “Would be when I was four years old, we belonged to a country club in Rhode Island. And we’d go over to the pool when we were young, every day in the summer. And I remember walking over to the tennis courts and playing tennis for like five hours a day when I was younger. I don’t know why. Just wandered over there, and they gave me a racquet and I just played till, literally, my mom (Rebecca) said it was time to go home. We’d get there at like twelve and we’d leave at like six. And I was there all day playing tennis. That’s my first memory of tennis [smiles]. So, balls being fed at me from the service line, me hitting like two-hand forehands.”

Tennis Inspirations: “Djokovic and Federer.”

Last Book Read: “Was Forgotten Warrior.”

First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: “Geez…honestly…it might actually be Taylor (his coach, former ATP top 20 player Dent). Because when I was five or six, I went to the Newport (ATP) tournament. And I think Taylor had won it the year before. And he was doing an autograph signing. And I waited on a huge, long line for maybe a half hour. I got my ball signed and I’d taken a picture with him. So there’s a picture of Taylor at Newport and me as like a little five year old kid.”

Greatest Sports Moment (so far): “The most emotional I got after a match…after I got my first ATP point in Venezuela. I beat the one seed. That was the most emotional I ever got. I would say that.”

Most Painful Moment: “Oh goodness…maybe…the most disappointed maybe I’ve ever been was when I lost in my first ATP main draw to (Rajeev) Ram. That’s maybe the most disappointed I’ve ever been after a match.”

Favorite Tournaments: “Indian Wells is a lot of fun. Obviously, US Open. And I really like Delray (Beach).”

Funniest Players Encountered: “I don’t really know that many…Federer. Just on the practice court (in Dubai) he was serious but a lot of fun. He worked hard but we had a good time on court. It was really enjoyable to be out there with him. (Was there a particular memory that illustrates Federer’s humor?) I think it was one of the first days practicing with Federer. He was serving. And obviously I was going to serve with him, out of the basket, next to him. And, just to be polite I guess you could say, I was like, ‘Do you mind if I serve?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, we do mind.’ And I kinda thought he was joking. But I went, ‘Oh, okay.’ And he said, ‘No, I’m joking [smiles].'”

Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “These are tough questions [smiles]…basketball.”

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “Muhammad Ali. Bill Russell. And I’d say Tom Brady.”

Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “Because it gives me some competition, which is what I really like. I’m pretty competitive in everything I do. So it gives me a real drive in life, and gives me motivation. That’s why I like it.”

Strange Match: “I was playing a junior event in Turkey. The wind was blowing so ridiculous. I mean like 30-40 mile per hour winds but coming at a cross angle. And so there were four courts all together – and I walk pretty slow on the court anyways – so after every point the balls would roll all the way down to the end court. I mean, back to the back fence. I walk really slow, like in no rush, and it would take maybe ten minutes in between points. Every point you had to go down to get the balls from four courts down. So that might be the strangest thing I ever encountered. (Do you remember if you won?) I won in a third set tiebreak. (Taylor Dent adds: “After like six hours.”) Yeah, seriously.”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I have a lot [smiles]. Maybe the most embarrassed I’d ever been was after some matches I behaved, maybe after the Smyczek match in Tiburon. I got a little frustrated you could say and, emotionally, it really affected me.”

Fiercest Competitors Encountered: “Federer. Taylor.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I like people who are easy going. Can joke around, make fun of. Just be really light but also can be serious at times. Those are people I like. They have a good balance. They’re funny but they’re not just too laid back. They’re just well-rounded I would say.”

33 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 27, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    One of my favorite Biofiles of the year and decade. JD is a natural good interview, funny, insightful, revealing, straight shooting. It’s rare that such a young professional athlete could give such a quality Biofile.

  • Dan Markowitz · April 29, 2015 at 7:01 am

    Tiafoe looked good last night, taking out #92 Bagnis. The kid is dynamic and he looks like he’s in great shape. I’m liking what I’m seeing of Tiafoe. He looks like a warrior. He even had a racquet-throwing last night in third set that was like a javelin throw. I do think his forehand though could be a little iffy.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 29, 2015 at 7:36 am

    I saw part of the end of the second set of the Tiafoe show, and he is a performer with the emotional displays, fun to watch, 45 55, he hung in there, thought he was going to lose after blowing that 0-40 lead on Bagnis serve. This kid Tiafoe has something special Dan.

  • Dan Markowitz · April 29, 2015 at 7:40 am

    I agree. I like his poise and his fire. And he’s got a mean kicker serve.

  • Andrew Miller · April 29, 2015 at 8:46 am

    Tiafoe has a great serve and loves mixing it up.
    Donaldsons rise up the rankings is awesome, he is one good summer away from the top 100. Amazing.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 29, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    Huge win to beat a top 100 Argentine on clay by Tiafoe. Also Tommy Paul beat top 100 Bemelemans last week. USA tennis is looking strong.

  • Gaurang · April 30, 2015 at 5:22 am

    The rise of Tiafoe has been very remarkable. He is at 340 now, and after a win tomorrow in the quarters (he is playing a guy ranked lower than him, so should win), he will go to 319. He was ranked 816, four and a half weeks ago. So he would have jumped 500 spots in 5 weeks!!

    At the end of Jan he was at 1142, with a ranking of 319 or better coming monday, he would have jumped 800 spots in 3 months.

    This may not be common at all. Especially for somebody who is just 17yr3months old….

    Jared Donaldson is also playing well.

    I also liked the game of Bjorn Fratangelo. I saw him play only one set — when he scored a bagel against Donaldson in a third set last week. He really has the game. I think he is headed to top 100 as well, has already sneaked to 149 in live ratings.

  • Scoop Malinowski · April 30, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    Fratangelo has snuck up on us. He won FO junior title then struggled, decided to skip college and go pro, struggled more. Now all of the sudden he is winning matches in Challengers and beating some good players. I remember seeing him at Sarasota Open two and three years ago and he looked lost, losing early, hanging around practicing and watching matches. Then the struggles continued. Big credit for him to rise from floor.

  • Andrew Miller · April 30, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Confidence tank. Fill er up!

  • Thomas Tung · April 30, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    James McGee of US Open Irish fame beat Tiafoe (tough day in the office for Tiafoe? He didn’t get one ace in 3 sets), only to lose to Hyeon Chung of S.Korea, only 18 years old and in the top 100 (at #88 right now). Not too shabby at all, but can Chung build on it? Haven’t seen him play, so I know nothing of his game …

  • Andrew Miller · May 1, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    Cheung is #88! This is as fast a surge up the rankings as Coric and faster than Kyrgios. The loss to Quinzi in 2003 jr wimbledon mustve lit a fire under Cheung. Losses arent baad…how a player responds to defeats is THE KEY!

  • Gaurang · May 2, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    Tiafoe is a set and a break up inTalahassee final right now. He will probably win it; in which case he would reach a ranking of around 250( rise of 570 spots in 5 weeks from 819, these were his first 3 challenger tournaments) .

    I really like his game. He has all the shots: serve, return, great forehand, drop shot, etc I have seen him a good volley or two as well. He is the most promising young US player I think!! He is headed to top 20.

    He is the new Coric (or Kyrgios).

  • Dan markowitz · May 2, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    I agree, Gaurang, the kid is dynamic and fun to watch. Plus he can obviously play on clay.

  • Andrew Miller · May 3, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    Notable results: Gasquet d. Kyrgios, wins Estoril in Portugal ; Pliskova wins 4th WTA title of 2015 ; Tiafoe wins French Open wildcard!
    ———-
    TIAFOE WINS FRENCH OPEN WILDCARD. Barely after turning pro, Tiafoe out-competed all U.S. players eligible for the French Open wildcard, which the USTA awards on a merit basis.

    “The USTA said Tiafoe assured himself of finishing with the best results among American men at three events played on green clay on the Challenger tour by reaching the final at Tallahassee, Florida, with a victory Friday.”

    This is not “handed” to a player – the player has to show the best results over three events prior to the French Open – last year Ginepri won this.

    Mad props to TIAFOE and also to Karo Pliskova – the Czech women keep on keeping on in the post-Steps era. Four titles THIS YEAR for Pliskova.

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 4, 2015 at 1:30 am

    Solid game TT, steady smart, big strong guy, about 6 ft, can hit winners from difficult spots. Uncanny ability to raise his game under pressure. I became a believer the first match I saw him play, when he beat tough vet Granollers 60 46 64 in Miami. Amazing win. This kid’s got it. Wear Le Coq Sportif attire and adidas clothes. And some kind of prescription glasses shades. Kind of frizzy hair. Very impressed.

  • Dan markowitz · May 4, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    Donaldson is actually back in Rhode Island today to do a ceremonial ribbon cutting of the new revised Hall of Fame which opens May 20 th. Lleyton Hewitt the defending champ is going to have to miss Neeport because of Davis Cup. Tommy Hass is scheduled to play. Taylor Dent, Donaldson’s coach, won Newport in 2004.

    How about the 5 American men in the Masrid draw this week, the most for a European Masters clay event since Rone 2004. Ozzie, QBall and SteveJo all won today.

  • Andrew Miller · May 4, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Ha ! The u.s. fellas are feeling the need to do better before donaldson tiafoe kozlov and more steal their lunch! Competition. Welcome to the next great era in u.s. tennis…competing against kyrgios tomic and.coric and.cheung for titles. The future is in good hands. These guys are coming after the top thirty.

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 4, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    The USA tennis empire is on the verge of a reawakening. Jack Sock winning Wimbledon doubles last year was a big catalyst.

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 4, 2015 at 10:02 pm

    Poor Gulbis. He lost another heartbreaker today in Madrid, 57 in the third to Goffin. He blew the last two games. Guy has completely forgotten how to win a singles match. Confidence tank now beginning to rust out and crack. Confidence tank begging for ANY kind of win, be it mixed dubs or a challenger.

  • Andrew Miller · May 5, 2015 at 1:06 am

    Goffin is really excellent. As for Sock, yep-the mixed dibs win did it. He even.says so himself!

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 5, 2015 at 2:04 am

    Andrew, the Wimbledon doubles win last year with Pospisil in five sets vs. Bryans was the far more impressive achievement than the US Open mixed three years ago with Oudin. But both wins were important steps of the journey.

  • Gaurang · May 5, 2015 at 2:07 am

    Yes… looks like US tennis is on resurgence. The nice thing is — this has a self-reinforcing effect. The American players get more motivated when they see others having success, and thus the cycle keeps repeating. Earlier it was a death spiral (“oh… anyway everybody is failing….so how should I be different”), now its become a victory spiral.

    Many players on all levels are competing. The top 6 US players who are in the top 100 are doing well. And even the players 1xx and 2xx rankings are improving, and many look like will break into the top 100. There have been some disappointments like Ryan Harrison, Dennis Kudla, Bradley Klahn, and Rhyne Williams, but we cannot count them out yet. Fratangelo, Krajicek, Buchanan, Jung are also playing well, and could rise. The young guns – Donaldson, Novikov, Tiafoe, Kozlov, etc are putting pressure on the guys on the top to perform or else get passed by the next generation.

    All in all… there are multiple healthy levels of competition among the American players, and they all appear to be working positively at the moment.

    Lets see how many players different countries have in the top 300 (adding 1-100, 101-200, 201-300 ranges to get the total):

    France: 9 + 15 + 12 = 27
    Spain: 12 + 8 + 4 = 24
    USA: 6 + 9 + 9 = 24

    I think we are the 3rd… This is not a bad performance, though we need to push more players into top 100.

  • Gaurang · May 5, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    Interesting article…
    http://lastwordonsports.com/2015/05/03/madrid-rome-play-key-roles-roland-garros-seeding/

    Says Rafa is defending lots of points in the next 3 events (Madrid, Rome and RG, total 3600 points), and if he looses early in these tournaments, he could even be out of top 8, even top 10 in the worst case.

    Will be very weird to see Rafa out of top 10 seeds for Wimbledon.

    Personally, I think Rafa is still among the best 3 players in the world. He will probably do well in Madrid and Rome, and go on to win RG.

  • Dan Markowitz · May 5, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    Gaurang,

    I still have to see Rafa lose at the French, before the semis would be even more surprising, to think he isn’t one of the Top 3. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t pick Nadal against Murray, for example, on any other surface except maybe grass. And Nishikori is still up and down. Berdych can never beat Nadal. So yes, Nadal’s still Top 3 in my book, and really Top 2 because Fed can’t beat him on anything but grass probably either.

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 5, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    Rafa’s rankings tells the truth. He’s not the same player he was. But he can snap out of his funk at any time. Or the funk could snowball. I tend to favor the latter.

  • Dan Markowitz · May 5, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Nice win for Sock over Andujar who looked very good in Barcelona. I’m impressed by Sock. He seems to ride well with adversity. Apparently, Madison Keys and Sock were on a flight from JFK in NYC to Madrid that had to turn around and head back to NYC and took almost 24 hours to arrive in Madrid. But Sock made a jest about it on Facebook or Twitter, I get the two mixed up, and he seems to ride with the tide well. What a tournament for American men. Only Young, who went down to Dimitrov today, defaulting in the second set with back problems, has not advanced.

  • Gaurang · May 6, 2015 at 1:06 am

    Yes its amazing that 4 US players in the top 32 at a Clay Masters event.

    In the next round, Isner is likely going to win against Belluci (though it will be hard work). Johnson is unfortunately playing Rafa, so will likely loose.

    Sock playing Tsonga. If Tsonga plays his best, he will be impossible to defeat. But if he plays mediocre, then Sock can win if he can bring his A game.

    Querrey against Agut… I would expect Querrey to win this if he plays his best, but he has been unpredictable, so you never know.

    Lets see how many go through the next round!

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Sock surely can shock Tsonga, I see it as a winnable match. Great to see this red clay resurgence. Sock winning in Houston seems to have roused all the Americans to get going.

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2015 at 11:57 am

    Sock almost pulls it off, loses 76 in the third 7-4 in the breaker.

  • Gaurang · May 6, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    Yup sock just missed!

    By the way look at this Nick Kyrgios defeats Fed in a match of three tiebreaks. Nick won the last one at 13 or something. There’s nothing more left to prove for Nick. He just has to go and take his place in the top 7.

  • Harold · May 6, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    Watching Goffin in a third set battle with Nishy. Question fir the upstart American Tennis fan club.
    Do you think a kid like Kozlov will ever be as good as Goffin?

  • Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2015 at 10:47 pm

    Goffin did not burst on the scene instantly, he paid his dues. Now he’s on the verge of becoming a star player. Very close. Sure, Kozlov has big potential though he’s struggling right now.

  • Andrew Miller · May 9, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Kozlov has sweet anticipation and shot selection. Footwork too. He can get faster and stronger. Goffin fast is a stretch!

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