I did this Biofile with ATP #141 (and rising fast) Brian Baker back in 2003 at the US Open so it’s a bit outdated but still a good read…
Tennis Heroes: “I think all the young Americans, I grew up idolizing Pete and Andre, for how they dominated the sport for so long.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Let’s see…Golf. I’m a sports oriented person. I like going out to movies. I like hanging out with friends. I like occasional video games [smiles].”
Nicknames: “Pretty much the only one is Bakes.”
Favorite Movies: “I liked Happy Gilmore, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Musical Tastes: “I’m an alternative rock guy, Chili Peppers, Blink 182.”
First Job: “Teaching tennis clinics at the local club, Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, when I was 14.”
First Car: “A 1984 Mercedes 190 E (blue).”
Early Tennis Memory: “First match stood out. I was six. First actual tournament match. City open or city closed. I was victorious. 61 61 [laughs]. I think it was 10 and under.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “Let’s think about it…I’d say falling on my face in Belgium. Going for a drop shot where my shoe came off. Skinned up pretty good. And I got clay all over myself. I came out of my shoe and sort of pretty awkward, non athletic looking fall. Face first dive. First time on red clay [laughs]. 2000 or 2001. (Win?) I won 6 in the third.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Try to get into a quiet spot, about ten or fifteen minutes before the match. And just think about, just go over my gameplan. Think about what I want to accomplish going out there. Not necessarily winning or losing. Obviously you want to win. But just doing the things that you could control.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I’d probably say, to date, it’s winning the Orange Bowl in December (2002). It’s probably my first really big win. I had some other big wins but I felt like I played really well at the end, when I came through. I didn’t play great the first week. Just got through some tough matches. And just played well in the final, 76 62 (vs. Montcourt from France).”
Most Painful Moment: “There’s a lot of them [laughs]. I’d say the most recent ones, probably the French Open final. Lost in the finals of French Open juniors. Three sets. And I thought I had some chances and didn’t take advantage of them (vs. Wawrinka of Switzerland).”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Rajeev Ram, Jonathan Stark, Phil Simmonds, to name a few.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Phil’s pretty funny. Trying to think on this level…I haven’t been around too much. I don’t know too many funny people…Mardy Fish. The locker room jokester. I remember in Croatia – Patrick invited me to be a hitting partner for Davis Cup – he was the only guy doing all the practical pranks and all that stuff, pulling people’s pants down when they’re not looking. He has a good sense of humor, funny guy.”
Toughest Competitors: “I think Andre is a pretty good competitor. Hewitt. Those are definitely the top two guys who aren’t going to give you anything. Gonna fight to the last point.”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Still Andre. Roddick coming up. Golf I’ll have to go with everyone else and say Tiger [smiles]. I’m jumping on the bandwagon. The Cardinals in baseball. I used to love Big Mac. It’s tough to see him retire. I’m still a Cardinals fan. Now Pujols is coming along, I like to watch him. (Any female athletes?) I’ll make it easy on myself, I’ll say Kournikova [laughs].”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I think honesty. Good personality. Just outgoing. Not afraid to be who you are.”
Last Halloween Costume: “Dracula when I was about 10.”
Harold · May 29, 2012 at 2:36 am
PMac on Baker, and sending a message to some others
McEnroe continued: “It should be a message to all those out there who complain when they don’t get a wild card, who complain when they don’t get help. This guy got nothing. He’s done it completely on his own. And a guy who was one of our best juniors. He just went out there and did it.â€
Scoop Malinowski · May 29, 2012 at 2:47 am
Harold! How the heck are you?! I remember in Feinstein’s Hard Courts book he said Andre was ticked off that LA didn’t give him a WC early in his career and he held that against them later when he pulled out one time with a supposed injury. SO even the big stars like their WCs. But totally agree, more young players should take the Baker approach and just work your tail off and go out and make it happen. Hope he can take out Simon, and keep this remarkable story going.
Gans · May 29, 2012 at 3:00 am
Hello Scoop and Dan:
It’s been very hectic in a good way. I am back. Had a chance to glance at some older posts.
Brian Baker’s story is quite remarkable. What a come back. I saw some of his shots against Malisse today. He was superb. I think he has a decent chance against Simon.
My son had a chance to hit with one of Brian’s coach yesterday. It was a great experience.
More later and let’s root for Brian. Cheers!
Harold · May 29, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Doing well Scoop, thanks…Just getting ready to watch this FO, play itself out…
Still stuck with Cablevision, so no TC, but TC’s website is streaming a bunch of courts
Scoop Malinowski · May 29, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Gans! Making a triumphant return! Thought we lost you to golf or NASCAR or something. The Baker story is one of the best comeback stories we’ll ever see, right up there with Capriati, Bogie, Muster, Blake. And even more special maybe, the six years away from tennis is just mind blowing. Let’s root for Baker is right, he can take down Simon or anyone now, he’s in a magical place right now tennis wise. Welcome back Gans,
Scoop Malinowski · May 29, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Harold the invisible tennis channel thanks to CV is a nightmare. Gonna check out those livestreams. Glad to hear you are fine, we should try and get together and hit our annual or semi annual dubs in Central Park or Riverside soon.
Andrew Miller · May 30, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Baker did well. Fifth set blowout by Simon. Kudos to Baker for fighting back after being down 2 sets.
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Looked like he hit that wall. You knew it would happen eventually. Baker has played so many tough matches lately. He has over 30 wins on the year, about the same as Fed, Nadal, Djokovic.
Andrew Miller · May 30, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Watched the Baker – Simon highlights. Forgot how good Simon is. For his part, Baker looked awesome. According to Pete Bodo, Baker’s backhand broke down in the fifth set and when Simon saw it happen he took control.
Scoop Malinowski · May 31, 2012 at 2:21 am
He’s played a lot of tennis this year and the last two weeks. It was bound to happen. Simon was on the ropes though, good win for Simon Says.