Status: WTA ranking #84.
Ht: 6-1
DOB: December 16, 1990 In: Toronto, Ontario
First Tennis Memory: “We had a provincial tennis tournament it was one of the first big tournaments that I won. It was a round robin. I managed to win somehow.”
Tennis Inspirations: “Hmm. Not sure. I don’t really have idols, I appreciate tennis players as great athletes. My dad (Joe) motivated me. My brother (Steven). And I think it was also myself who motivated myself to play just because I love the sport.”
Nicknames: “Becca, Becky, some people call me by my last name. My best friend calls me Rebs.”
Last Book Read: “Oh my gosh. What was it…The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.”
Current Car: “I have a bike. I don’t have a license either.”
First Job: “Nope. Just tennis.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Usually I try to get away from everybody a little bit. Focus. Think of how I want to play. Think about how my game is, not the opponent’s. Try to get a good feeling, positive energy.”
Greatest Tennis Moment (so far): “It’s probably a tie between playing Venus Williams (67 36) at Arthur Ashe Stadium (2010). And then playing Schiavone (lost 9-7 in third set) on Margaret Court Arena (2011). To compare myself with them point by point was pretty cool.”
Most Painful Moment: “Last season, during the summer I didn’t really play very well, didn’t really have the results I expected. It was about a two month stretch in Europe, being away from home, didn’t have the best time.”
Favorite Tournaments: “I guess I should say Midland [smiles]. I always loved playing in Canada, they have a great event in Quebec City. The tournament in Montreal and Toronto. I also have good memories playing at the Vancouver tournament too.”
First Famous Tennis Player You Met: “I wasn’t really into tennis when I was younger. I guess the first time I walked in the WTA locker room in Montreal in 2006, seeing Sharapova, the Williams sisters, the whole crew. I was a little bit in awe.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “All the Canadian girls I’m quite fond of. And I enjoy to be around the Americans too. I really like all the girls honestly.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Funniest one…that’s tricky. I heard Madison Brengle say some pretty funny stuff to herself. She comes up with hilarious stuff. One time I was watching her in Boston at the Challenger and she got what she thought was a bad line call. And she said, If that ball was out, I’m skinny [smiles].”
Toughest Competitors: “Everyone’s a tough competitor now. Especially at the top, everyone has the drive to compete. And we have a lot of young juniors coming up with an eye on the prize. Pretty much everyone is a tough competitor.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I haven’t had one. Where you whiff on a ball isn’t that good. I think I did that against Venus a couple of times because her serve is so big. And that was on TV [smiles].”
Strangest Match: “In Vancouver. Herons nest around the court. They’re an endangered species, so you can’t move them. I was playing a match and my opponent was about to serve when a dead rat dropped from the sky right in front of her. And she ran off the court screaming. She came back. But it wasn’t very pleasant for her. I’m glad that didn’t happen to me.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “It wasn’t really funny, but this comes to mind. When I first started to play. Age 12. My dad invited me to play with his friends. One guy didn’t show up so we grabbed a guy who was there, he was about 20 years old. He was on the deuce side. And I hit a return down the line and he reached to get his racquet on it. But it hit his frame and deflected and hit him in the eye, popped a blood vessel and his eye went all red. He left and we never heard from him again.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Hockey. 100% hockey. I love it. If I could play hockey I would do that. And I would be a goalie even though I have no skills. I went skating recently, for the first time in about ten years and even the grandmas and grandpas were whizzing by me.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Big Canucks fan. The goalie are Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider. The Sedin brothers are amazing. Alexandre Burrows, Ryan Kesler. I can’t forget Sidney Crosby from Pittsburgh. He’s like the Canadian idol, very talented.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I like when people are genuine, truthful, loyal and kind. As long as one has good intentions and a good heart, I usually like them.”
www.thebiofile.com
Marino is motivated by her love of the sport
dan markowitz · February 11, 2011 at 1:30 am
Very nice, Scoop. You’ve made me a fan of Marino. I saw her play Venus in the US Open and she is impressive. Love the rat story and the Brengle line about being skinny. That’s funny. And you know you and I definitely like that she doesn’t drive a car, only rides her bike. Good stuff. A bio-file at its best.
Scoop Malinowski · February 11, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Exactly Red, I was quite surprised such a young player could give such an excellent Biofile, so many funny/amusing answers and also the class of a champion at the same time, all in one quick Q&A. The guy from Nova Scotia at the courts at Flamingo Park said she is the real deal with a conviction that when I saw in Josh’s email that Marino is in the draw for his Midland tournament, I jumped at the chance and thanks to Josh he hooked it up.
Dan Markowitz · February 11, 2011 at 4:45 pm
What is Josh doing running a Challenger in Michigan? Does he live there now?
Scoop Malinowski · February 11, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Josh is the press aide for the event, I’m pretty sure he did it last year also. He goes up for the week I believe. Does a very good job at it too, I know a few of the media guys think very highly of him.
Dan Markowitz · February 12, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Josh is a good man, very knowledgeable about tennis, suspect we’ll see him in Delray Beach.
Andrew Miller · February 19, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Marino is good! She reminds me a bit of Davenport, as Venus Williams made Marino look a little bit slow-footed out there.