Status: ATP rank is #90. His career high ranking was #26 in July 2009. Has won one ATP singles title (Gstaad) and two doubles titles. Holds career wins over Nadal, Robredo, Massu, Schuettler, Youzhny, Chela, W. Ferreira, Monaco, Spadea, Nalbandian.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 195
DOB: July 21, 1981 In: Bucharest, Romania
First Tennis Memory: “I was very young. My mother asked me if I want to try to play tennis. And I said, Yeah, I will go for it. And I met my first coach and it was something new.”
Tennis Inspirations: “Pete Sampras is a person who inspired me in my life. And I followed his career and I think he is a great, great champion.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Quarterfinals French Open (2005).”
Most Painful Moment: “I don’t know [smiles].”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Ivo Karlovic, Robin Haase, Frantisek Cernak.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Llodra. He’s always the joker.”
Toughest Competitors Encountered: “Nadal.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “I think soccer.”
Which Match Were You At Your Best: “I think in 2005 when I played Nalbandian at French Open in the fourth round. I think it was one of my best matches.”
Embarrassing Football Memory: “Sometimes when you have tough matches, when you don’t play your best.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “When Llodra killed a bird in Australia, he hit a forehand and it killed the bird.”
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “Because it’s a great game, I think you have to be confident, physically, mentally strong to win matches.”
Favorite Tournaments: “Monte Carlo, Gstaad.”
Current Car: “Audi.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Coffee.”
Last Book Read: “I don’t know, I don’t remember.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Federer is nice to watch. Nalbandian. And Djokovic also.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. And saying the truth all the time.”
Hanescu still getting the job done
Tom Michael · January 5, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I met him last year at the US Open grounds on the last day of qualifiers. He took a picture with a friend of mine after I asked if he would. He did not hesitate for a second. He told me he was going to play Llodra in the 1st round, and I knew it was going to be a tough match, and so did he. He sadly lost in five sets. Before he left the US Open, he made our day. Totally nice fellow. I hope he plays as long he loves to compete.
Scoop Malinowski · January 6, 2012 at 12:36 am
Very nice guy Tom. I actually did the Biofile with him after the loss to Llodra. Tough loss. I had submitted a request to get him in Miami after he lost in 3 sets to Bogomolov but didn’t bother to pursue as I knew he was probably ticked off. I saw him in the media center, he was kinda down after losing to Llodra but he was polite and did the Biofile without any negativity. A true pro.
Dan Markowitz · January 6, 2012 at 1:58 am
Guy’s got a warped sense of humor, though. You ask him what his funniest tennis memory is and he says when a bird was killed by Llodra hitting a forehand! That’s funny! Can’t say I’m a Hanescu fan after hearing that.