Ht: 6-10 Wt: 230 pounds.
DOB: February 28, 1979 in Zagreb, Croatia.
Hobbies/Interests: You know, it is difficult to have like a real hobby because like every week we are on the road and professional tennis takes a lot of time. But I like basketball, movies and music. (How about boxing?) Oh yeah, actually, because when I was younger, when I was 16, I was a little bit practicing it. So yeah, I also like it. (How did you do?) It was only amateur, I was never actually in the ring but I liked it. And because of my long arms, the trainer who had this local club was really, really interested in me changing sports [smiles], to change from tennis to boxing. But it didn’t happen.
Nicknames: Ivobek. And also Karlo. (They also call you Dr. Ivo.) Yeah, Dr. Ivo, yeah. I heard that also.
Favorite Movies: The Shawshank Redemption and Kill Bill I & II.
Favorite TV Shows: It’s a lot of them. I like comedies mostly.
Childhood Heroes: It was probably (Boris) Becker and (Toni) Kukoc, basketball star.â
Musical Tastes: I can listen to everything, cool music, from hip-hop, rap, to rock n roll. (Name some names.) Pearl Jam I like. Snoop [smiles].
First Tennis Memory: When I was young my dad (Vlado) said that I was gonna be in some sports. And he said that it would be tennis because it’s no injuries. So he was dragging me to the tennis court. And I was like, No, no, no. I don’t want to go [smiles]. But after, I like it. So I stayed with it.
Pre-Match Feeling: Try to stay relaxed and not have a lot of pressure on me. And try to have fun.
First Job: Job [smiles]? Tennis.
First Car: Opel (silver).â
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate.
Favorite Meal: I like lamb when it’s like really nicely cooked.
Last Book Read: You got me there [laughs]. Last book…I have to think …Coelho¦(Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist?) Yeah.
Greatest Sports Moment: Every day that I win is unbelievable feeling. And every day if I lose it’s unbelievable shit feeling [smiles]. So, it depends. If you lose, it is here [puts hand low], if you win, it is here [puts hand high].
Most Painful Moment: Well, tennis is not something that can really hurt me if I lose, so I cannot say right now.
Favorite Tournament: I like to play Washington is really nice. (Why?) Because I like this area, it’s really nice. Wimbledon and New York.
Closest ATP Friends: There is [Victor] Hanescu, [Jan] Hernych, (just at this moment Tommy Haas walks by and says, ‘Me.’ Ivo smiles and says ‘Not you.’), [Teimuraz] Gabashvili now. Because I went on road trip with him from Indianapolis (to) here in the car. (You’re friends now?) Yes, we are friends now [smiles].
Funniest Players Encountered: Ivanisevic had to be one of them. Zovko – you don’t know him. (Lovro Zovko?) Yes, Lovro Zovko.
Toughest Competitors: Probably it was Roger and Roddick I think.
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: I cannot think of it right now.
People Qualities Most Admired: Honesty and unselfishness.
Childhood Dream: Grand Slam winner.
Funny Tennis Memory: The other day this lady said, Oh my God, you are so tall, you can be a rower (like boat rower).So, I don’t know, it was unusual comment [smiles].
Family: Wife, Alsi; daughter, Jada Valentina.
ATP · Croatia · Dr Ivo · Ivo Karlovic · US Open
