By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Won Wimbledon in 2013. Winner of eight WTA singles titles. Highest ranking was no. 7 in the world in 2012. Also won three WTA doubles titles.
Ht: 5-6 3/4 Wt: 139
DOB: October 2, 1984 In: Le Puy en Velay, France
Hobbies/Interests: “I love to shop. Love to paint. I love to do some cooking, especially the French cuisine. And I love to do some jet skis on vacation. (Oil painting?) Yes. (What kind of subjects?) I did one painting for this young lady here (WTA Director, Communications Amy Binder) – a butterfly. And usually I’m painting a lake. I’m very lucky to live in Geneva right on the lake in the Alps. Otherwise I do a natural painting. I like to paint the butterflies, yes.”
Tennis Inspiration: “Pete Sampras. And Monica Seles. Legend of the game forever. My hero. My tennis idol. Forever my inspiration!”
Favorite Movie: “Love Actually.”
Musical Tastes: “The music from David Guetta the deejay. If you go to Ibiza you will know that [laughs].”
Current Car: “The Mercedes SLR (silver).”
Last Book Read: “DaVinci Code – a while ago. I’m not reading a lot.”
Favorite Artist: “Picasso.”
Favorite Meal: “Sushi.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
First Tennis Memory: “The first time that I win — it was the first that I played tennis. Five years and a half. I play a tournament against some girls three years older than me and I won the tournament. I remember the final – I was so stressed in the morning. I threw up, everything, I couldn’t keep anything in my stomach. And I go on the court and I won 60 60. After that I was much better. The first time when I play tennis, I pick up a racquet, I never miss a ball. I hit 50 forehands in a row, 50 backhands in a row. I never miss a ball. All over the net. My dad (Walter) was like, Oh, maybe it’s your destiny to play tennis [laughs].”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Usually when I’m too stressed it’s not good. When I’m relaxed I’m fine.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning Wimbledon.”
Most Painful Moment: “Don’t have any. I mean, if I lose, I lose. It’s fun.”
Favorite Tournament: “Wimbledon.”
Closest Tennis Friend(s): “Shahar Peer.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “Roger Federer. He’s so nice all the time. He just – you’re going into the player’s lounge or you see him, he’s waiting, he’ll just say hello to you, ask you how you feel every time. He’s just so nice.”
Toughest Competitors Encountered: “Maria Sharapova. She fight on every point. I know her since the juniors. We play each other when we were really young and she was always the same. She’s a hard fighter.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “When I play Serena Williams in Miami quarterfinal. First time I play against her and she serves a second serve, she almost lobbed me. She put so much kick she almost lobbed me! I was running backwards to play the ball. It was so funny. I was so embarrassed [laughs].”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Michael Jordan.”
Favorite Tennis Players To Watch: “Roger.”
Last Vacation: “It was a long time ago – Paris. One week.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Respect.”
Marion Bartoli · Monica Seles · Pete Sampras · Serena Williams · Wimbledon
