Status: ATP # 69. Winner of one ATP singles title – Stuttgart 2009. Has career wins over Verdasco, Baghdatis, Nalbandian, Ferrer, Bjorkman, Haas. Highest rank was #31 in Nov. ’09.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 175
DOB: February 12, 1987 In: Pau, France
Tennis Inspirations: “My hero is Pete Sampras. I was so thrilled because I play San Jose and Pete Sampras made an exhibition. So I ask him to speak with him and I take a picture with him. I see him and I can speak with him. It was a very good moment for me.”
First Tennis Memory: “I think when I play my first tournament, I was so happy because when I take the trophy it was my first one. I keep this and this is always in my room. I was so happy (age 7).”
Hobbies/Interests: “I love football. I play football when I was four years to 14. It was difficult for me to choose between tennis and football. (Position?) Attack. #9.”
Nickname: “Jim.”
Last Book Read: “I don’t like to read, so. I think the last one is when I was young in school.”
Favorite Movie: “Meet Joe Black.”
Musical Tastes: “I listen to everything in music. I like one singer in France – Christophe Mae.”
Current Car: “When I won Stuttgart last year, my present was Mercedes D350 Coupe. I win this car so I love this car.”
Favorite Meal: “I think I love the good steak.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I think it was when I was a junior, when I win Wimbledon. And in 2008 in Roland Garros I beat Nalbandian in five sets. And I make a very good tournament. I go up in top 100. So I think it’s my two best moments.”
Most Painful Moment: “I think it’s after my junior – during six months I win only one or two matches. So it was a difficult moment for me.”
Favorite Tournament: “It’s Wimbledon. I love Wimbledon, the atmosphere, conditions, everything.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “I don’t have so many friends in tennis. I have my friends in my city and in tennis – it’s okay – I have friends but it’s not good friends [smiles].”
Funniest Player Encountered: “I don’t know. On the court, I think Gael Monfils is good [smiles].”
Toughest Competitors Encountered: “I think Nadal is very tough to play against.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Federer – I love his game. I love his attitude. Before it was Safin.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “I don’t remember.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “No.”
Which Match Were You At Your Very Best: “My best match – I think it was against Nalbandian in Roland Garros. Because I was two sets down and I win in five sets. It was my first five sets (win) and my first top 10 (win). After two sets down I say I have nothing to lose. I take so many risks, I go to the net every time. After, I take confidence. I don’t know, it was like a dream. I hit the ball and every time it’s inside. Court 2. I love this court. It’s small.”
Strangest Match: “I think it’s against Monfils in junior Wimbledon semi final. We stopped six times because it’s raining. It was very tough because we get on the court, we play one game or some points, then we come back to the locker room. And we stopped six times in the same day, so, very strange.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “In general, the respect. And when somebody says something, they make it true.”
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