By Scoop Malinowski
Status: ATP no. 94
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 165
DOB: Feb 21, 1984 In: Bolzano, Italy
First Tennis Memory: As a kid I remember I was always going to play football. Actually, there were tennis courts nearby where I always saw somebody playing there. And every day I stopped there to watch them. So I think that’s why I started to play.
Tennis Inspirations: Actually, nobody from my family was playing so I was actually the first one playing from my family. No one to look up to. My idol growing up was Yevgeny Kafelnikov, especially because of his backhand. He had a very nice backhand and I was always struggling when I grew up. I was always looking up to him.
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: It was Ivan Ljubicic. I was like fourteen maybe. He was the first who I was practicing with. Because we went to Monaco and he was practicing there – he had an Italian coach Ricardo Piatti – my coach was a good friend of him. So I think he was the first one I met.
Greatest Career Moment: I think winning a title is always something special. And of course the win against (Roger) Federer at the Australian Open 2014. That was a great memory for me, sorry, 2015 [smiles]. And maybe one of my first Davis Cups when I beat (Juan Carlos) Ferrero on clay in Italy from two sets to love down. And I was like 22 so it was for sure a great memory.
Strangest Match: Actually, once I forgot to turn off my phone and it started ringing during a point. And I was complaining. I was like, What the f*** is going on with the phone?! And it was my phone in the bag [smiles]. So it was a little bit embarrassing. (Did this happen on ATP Tour?) Challenger. I don’t remember if it was Italy or in Germany.
Funniest Player(s) Encountered: Yeah, maybe (Fabio) Fognini [smiles].
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: Yeah, of course it’s a one on one sport. You always have to be 100% to compete. And it’s always every match is a different challenge and every week different places so we’re learning a lot. So I really enjoy it. But I’m getting a little bit older so it’s getting tougher to travel. Of course, being in different places and meeting new people, especially on the court and having every day big challenges – something I’m always looking forward to.
Last Book Read: I’m still reading one – it’s how to handle a good relationship. I was married this year so I’m reading a lot of books about relationships.
Current Car: Audi A5.
People Qualities Most Admired: They have to be honest. And very easy to talk to. Easy going. I always like to talk about different things. Yeah, I think that’s the most important thing.
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Hartt · October 3, 2016 at 10:28 am
I always enjoy the Biofiles, especially when it is a player we don’t hear a lot about.
There was some discussion about which tennis players actually read, so appreciate you asking the question. And good for him to read about relationships!
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2016 at 9:39 pm
Thank you Hartt – Seppi is a pretty sharp guy as it comes across – I never interviewed one unintelligent player since I was a rookie in 92 – No player can earn an ATP point and be a knucklehead – to be good at tennis requires extraordinary intelligence – Pouille has everything and I can see big BIG wins in his future – yes the biggest type of win possible – just has that look like he belongs there and he believes he can do it and he has the arsenal to do it –
Thomas Tung · October 3, 2016 at 9:45 pm
That was under the radar — didn’t know that Seppi got hitched. Congratulations to him and his wife!
Andreas is always a tricky, difficult player to deal with. Earlier in his career he went big after the ball, but not too long afterwards, he made his game much more about feel and tactics, and I think that helped to prolong his career. He moves really well for a guy who’s 6-3. I think he weighs a lot more than 165 lbs, though — more like 190+. I’ve seen Seppi play in person a number of times and he’s a big strapping guy.
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Thomas thought you’d be especially impressed that one of Seppi’s heroes was your guy Kafelnikov – Seppi is pretty thin he could be that light – enjoyed that Seppi win over Roger in Australia also that five setter he won vs Hewitt also on Laver –
catherine bell · October 4, 2016 at 3:19 am
Very off topic (but new thread)
In the top five WTA and ATP mugshots all the women are smiling but the men are not.
Is this significant ?
I think we should be told 🙂
Hartt · October 4, 2016 at 7:56 am
The men’s pics actually look like mugshots! I always wondered why they were such awful photos – maybe the guys think they should look mean.
Hartt · October 4, 2016 at 8:08 am
Yes, agree that tennis players seem like a very bright bunch. And so many speak at least 2 languages. On the language front I’m very impressed with the European players who have to do press conferences and interviews in English.
Scoop Malinowski · October 4, 2016 at 8:09 am
I saw the photog ask and take the photo once for a player at the US Open locker room – they do it kind of spontaneous: Hey we need a new picture for the media guide – Looks like the WTA players are better prepared-
catherine bell · October 4, 2016 at 9:53 am
Hartt – I agree, they want the men to look mean – and also perhaps the women to look friendly and/or glamorous 🙂
Apparently Simona has braided her hair so they’ll need a new pic – new hair to go with new game, new attitude after Kvitova wipeout ? 🙂 🙂
Languages – most Europeans, esp from Central Europe, speak at least 2 languages and also English which is Lingua Franca of the tour. But they may only be literate in mother tongue. English is a relatively easy language to speak. Not to read and write.
Hartt · October 4, 2016 at 11:08 am
Yes, English is an awful language to write in particular – the spelling is so weird.
I have watched some of the European players, such as Halep, work on their English, and improve dramatically.
Most Canadian players speak 2 or 3 languages. Some, such as Raonic, grow up speaking the language of their immigrant parents. Those from Quebec usually speak both French and English. Or are like Pospisil, who learned French in school (and I think speaks Czech as well).
catherine bell · October 4, 2016 at 12:08 pm
I wonder if the WTA encourages players to improve their English so they can sound coherent in interviews – if so then those ghastly press conferences might have a worthwhile aspect to them.
Simona and other Romanians have to speak English to a good standard – very few people speak Romanian unlike French, German, Italian, Spanish – same with Slav players.
Of course the nation worst in linguistic skills is Britain – we’ve naturally expected others to learn our language when we can’t be bothered to learn theirs 🙂
Spelling – at one time I taught dyslexic students, both native English speaking and ESOL – what a nightmare.
Scoop Malinowski · October 4, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Zverev turns the tables on Thiem and wins in three sets. Was 0-3 vs Thiem perviously and lost the first set today 64 but then rebounded to win the next two 61 63. Zverev is skyrocketing to the top ten. Thiem and Goffin have kind of hit a wall this year. Maybe too many matches this year have depleted their fuel tanks.
Hartt · October 4, 2016 at 3:36 pm
I taped the Seppi vs. Murray match and just finished watching it. Murray won 6-2, 7-5. Although Seppi played better in the 2nd set it was still a disappointing effort from him. He had a 1st serve % of 48% and 33 UFEs. He lost on match point with a DF. Murray played reasonably well but he did not have a tough situation.
Hartt · October 4, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Regarding Zverev vs. Thiem, I think Thiem is still more comfortable on clay, but agree his crazy schedule has probably left him depleted. I like both players a lot, so was pleased no matter who won. But I hope Thiem can hold on to hid Race to London spot.
Scoop Malinowski · October 4, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Hartt: Andy does everything better than Seppi and he’s stronger – not a favorable match up for Seppi –
Scoop Malinowski · October 4, 2016 at 6:21 pm
Hartt: Thiem has played more matches this year than he ever has before so you have to think his batteries are on low – Zverev is a rising force and he surely had revenge as an extra incentive – this could be a future ATP rivalry with 20-30 clashes by the time all is said and done – Right now Thiem lead 4-1 –