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Kiefer Completes Fifth Marathon
31 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Former ATP top 5 player Nicolas Kiefer of Germany just completed his fifth Marathon.
Kiefer ran the Chicago Marathon this past weekend and finished the race with a time of 3:58.37.
“A huge milestone on my way to completing all six World Marathon Majors. Great race – fifth marathon, one more to go! A truly unforgettable experience. Thank you Chicago!”
46 year old Kiefer, who said he trained for thirteen weeks and ran over 300 training kilometers for Chicago, has now successfully run the Chicago Marathon, New York City Marathon, London Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, and Berlin Marathon. He will complete his quest to run in all six World Marathon Majors on April 15, 2024 in Boston.
Aside from running, Kiefer owns his own clothing attire company brand called Kiwi.
The former Australian Open semifinalist in 2006 and Olympic silver medalist in doubles in 2004, turned pro in 1995 and won six career ATP singles titles and three more in doubles. His best ranking was world no. 4 in January 2000.
The last match Kiefer played in the ATP was at Wimbledon 2010, a first round loss to then world no. 11 David Ferrer 64 62 63. He won a Futures doubles title in late 2010. His final official ATP match was in doubles at Aachen Challenger in October 2010, a 63 64 loss in the round of 16 to Jonathan Marray and Jaime Delgado.
Kiefer won 366 matches in his ATP career and competed against all the all time greats.
3-12 vs Roger Federer
0-5 vs Rafa Nadal
0-3 vs Novak Djokovic
1-3 vs. Pete Sampras
0-6 vs Andre Agassi
ATP · Australian Open · Chicago Marathon · Germany · Nicolas Kiefer · NYC Marathon · Wilson tennis
Sam · October 12, 2023 at 8:44 pm
I’ve never really understood why anyone would want to run a marathon. 🤷🏻♂️
Scoop Malinowski · October 12, 2023 at 8:59 pm
Sam, Running long distances is about keeping the body fit and trim and it’s good cardio. I used to run 3-5 miles a lot and one time did 12 miles. They talk about runner’s high but I never felt that and I surely logged hundreds if not thousands of miles running and jogging. The irony about Kiefer being a marathoner is I did a Biofile with him at US Open one year and he said his early tennis memory which I still remember, when he was a kid, he used to hide in the closet to avoid having to run with all the other junior kids at their tennis camp academy. So the lazy kid who hated running now loves running marathons and flies all over the world to do it.
Scoop Malinowski · October 13, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Guess who is Mary Lou Retton’s favorite tennis player? https://mrbiofile.com/2023/10/13/biofile-mary-lou-retton-interview/
Sam · October 15, 2023 at 8:50 pm
Sam, Running long distances is about keeping the body fit and trim and it’s good cardio.
Actually, Scoop, that’s a myth. The human body was never designed to run long distances like that. Instead, it was designed to run short distances (sprints) in between other activity. For instance, as long as man has been on earth, has any “natural” activity, like hunting, farming, warfare, etc., ever required running such long distances on a regular basis? Nope. 😏 In fact, that kind of activity is very stressful on your body and—ultimately—not good for your heart either. 😮
I used to run 3-5 miles a lot
When I was in high school, I did that too. In fact, I was on both the cross-country and track teams. But I have to admit, I didn’t enjoy it. Back then, I believed all the hype about running being “healthy” for you, and it wasn’t until much later that I learned that’s really not true. On the other hand, walking is a very beneficial activity.
This article talks a bit about that:
https://www.powerofpositivity.com/scientists-say-running-isnt-that-great/
In an nutshell, physical activity is very important. Staying on the couch, of course, is terrible for you. But it turns out that it’s moderate exercise that’s best, not this crazy, super-intense stuff. 🤪
They talk about runner’s high but I never felt that
Interesting—I never did either. 🤔
he said his early tennis memory which I still remember, when he was a kid, he used to hide in the closet to avoid having to run with all the other junior kids at their tennis camp academy.
That is pretty funny. 😚
So the lazy kid who hated running now loves running marathons and flies all over the world to do it.
Well, I don’t really think that’s the reason most people run marathons, though. I believe it’s more about glory and prestige—you know, the same reason people try to climb Mount Everest or jump out of airplanes in parachutes. To go around bragging to everyone, “Hey, look what I did!!” 🥳
Sam · October 15, 2023 at 9:26 pm
Scoop, speaking of running, here’s another interesting article, which talks about the benefits of sprinting vs. running:
https://blog.worldcampus.psu.edu/a-20-minute-sprint-that-will-change-your-life-and-increase-it/
Sam · October 15, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Guess who is Mary Lou Retton’s favorite tennis player?
Oh, Pete Sampras?? It almost sounds like she’s friends with him.
By the way, how old is this interview?
As for her two favorite singers (Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey), she doesn’t sound very adventurous. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · October 16, 2023 at 7:56 am
Sam, We did this inteview in the late 90s in NYC at a Wheaties press conference, Jim Brown, Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis were also there.
Scoop Malinowski · October 16, 2023 at 8:02 am
Excellent article Sam, thank you. Tennis is similarly fast twitch muscle movements over and over. I’ve always been a believer in short sprints over long slow jogging. It’s more suited to the flow of tennis.
Scoop Malinowski · October 16, 2023 at 8:10 am
🙂 that’s what it’s about, self promotion, “I ran the New York City marathon…” I have a tennis friend who is giving up on tennis, he had ATP points and played division 1 college tennis, now he never plays (just an average player now) but he is running marathons, NY, Boston, Berlin, and it seems more about promoting it on social media, than the actual benefits of running or runner’s high.
Sam · October 18, 2023 at 9:09 pm
Sam, We did this inteview in the late 90s in NYC at a Wheaties press conference, Jim Brown, Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis were also there.
I see, Scoop. Was Mary Lou pretty nice? She comes across that way.
And did you interview any of those others?
Sam · October 18, 2023 at 9:15 pm
Excellent article Sam, thank you.
No problem—glad if you found it helpful, Scoop.
Tennis is similarly fast twitch muscle movements over and over.
That’s what I was thinking.
I’ve always been a believer in short sprints over long slow jogging.
I definitely think it’s more enjoyable. I do some short sprints (nothing hard-core) a couple of times a week during walks. But the idea of jogging just doesn’t appeal to me at all anymore. I suppose pro sprinters are probably healthier than marathoners too.
It’s more suited to the flow of tennis.
Right. Do most tennis players do sprint training, I wonder?
Sam · October 18, 2023 at 9:21 pm
🙂 that’s what it’s about, self promotion, “I ran the New York City marathon…”
Isn’t that what everything is about these days?? 🤭 Ever heard of the ME in social media? 🪞
I have a tennis friend who is giving up on tennis, he had ATP points and played division 1 college tennis, now he never plays (just an average player now)
Why did he give up on tennis?
it seems more about promoting it on social media, than the actual benefits of running or runner’s high.
Yeah, not surprising, unfortunately. But I have to admit I admire the dedication it takes to run such a grueling race.
Scoop Malinowski · October 18, 2023 at 9:46 pm
Sam yes Mary Lou is a total sweetheart, nothing fake about her lovely wonderful human being. Yes I interviewed the other three also that day, all were fantastic biofiles and great guys too. All those Biofiles are posted at my http://www.mrbiofile.com site
Scoop Malinowski · October 18, 2023 at 9:48 pm
Sam, yes they all do some form of sprints, spider drills, 400 meters at the track which Courier used to do a lot of. Jogging is more of a cooldown thing after a match Courier did that, also some do treadmill or stationary bike after matches.
Scoop Malinowski · October 18, 2023 at 9:50 pm
He quit because he kept losing to me actually ) I’m a player who had no junior or college experience, a later starter. His ego couldn’t handle losing to an undistinguished player like me over and over and over. But I’m a tough player who can give far more experienced and accomplished players a good battle.
Sam · October 21, 2023 at 9:56 pm
Sam yes Mary Lou is a total sweetheart, nothing fake about her lovely wonderful human being.
Great to know, Scoop. And did you hear that she’s been fighting for her life the past couple of weeks with a rare form of pneumonia? 😢 They even had to set up an online fundraiser for her because she didn’t have insurance or something.
Yes I interviewed the other three also that day, all were fantastic biofiles and great guys too. All those Biofiles are posted at my http://www.mrbiofile.com site
You sure get around, don’t you? 😉
Sam · October 21, 2023 at 9:58 pm
Sam, yes they all do some form of sprints, spider drills, 400 meters at the track which Courier used to do a lot of.
On the whole, pro tennis players sound like a fit bunch. 💪
Sam · October 21, 2023 at 10:01 pm
He quit because he kept losing to me actually )
😆
I’m a player who had no junior or college experience, a later starter.
How old were you when you first started playing seriously?
But I’m a tough player who can give far more experienced and accomplished players a good battle.
It’s too bad you weren’t given an earlier start in the sport.
Scoop Malinowski · October 22, 2023 at 9:00 am
Yes the family asked for $50,000 and raised over $450,000. Yes I produce a lot of work )
Scoop Malinowski · October 22, 2023 at 9:01 am
Sam, tennis players are the fittest athletes on the planet IMO and tennis is the most difficult challenging sport there is.
Scoop Malinowski · October 22, 2023 at 9:04 am
I played my first league at 31 in Paramus NJ and won my first match vs a guy who said he was a practice partner for former wta pro Joanne Russell, I won 62 60. It was a 4.0 match. I played with a warped old spaulding junk racquet. Been at it over 20 years since. I’m not sure I had the patience and right character to dedicate all my energies to tennis as a kid though I loved the sport then just didn’t have the right family situation to make it happen, neither parent ever played tennis, etc. Also I preferred team sports then, being with friends.
Sam · October 24, 2023 at 8:32 pm
Yes the family asked for $50,000 and raised over $450,000.
I’ll be honest—I would never contribute to an Olympic gold medalist who should’ve had a ton of money already. 💰 But I’m glad she’s home from the hospital and hope she recovers fully.
Sam · October 24, 2023 at 8:41 pm
Scoop, yes, tennis does sound like a great sport to whip you into shape.
So you never picked up a racket in a serious way before age 31?? Wow, that is a late start!! 😏 Glad that it’s still been a fruitful endeavor for you. 🍑
Funny what you said about preferring team sports. I never really liked those—always preferred being a loner. 🤠
Scoop Malinowski · October 24, 2023 at 9:33 pm
Sam, I wanted to play tennis as a teen, inspired by Connors and Evert. Loved Connors. At 13 or so I got a Wilson t2000 racquet, Jimbo’s racquet, and I tried to play with a couple of friends, none of us were taught, we just tried to play. Then they had a tournament at the courts and me and a friend lost to two girls 6060 who know how to play and that was the end of tennis. After college, I started playing for fun, again no lessons, just for exercise at our Jersey shore house in the summer and then kept on playing other people I’d meet, one guy played HS tennis at the gym, and I could beat them, and another hockey teammate played HS tennis and I beat him. So I saw an ad in the newspaper to play in a league and I signed up and I won 8 of 9 matches and won the league! That was at 31. Been playing ever since.
Scoop Malinowski · October 24, 2023 at 9:34 pm
Sam, Retton was America’s Sweetheart, everybody loved her. Kind of like It’s A Wonderful Life film ending.
Sam · October 28, 2023 at 1:35 am
Then they had a tournament at the courts and me and a friend lost to two girls 6060 who know how to play and that was the end of tennis.
Well, when you let a girl beat you, I guess your ego takes a real serious beating. 😉
So I saw an ad in the newspaper to play in a league and I signed up and I won 8 of 9 matches and won the league! That was at 31. Been playing ever since.
That’s cool. Do you feel that your game has improved a lot since then?
Sam · October 28, 2023 at 1:36 am
Kind of like It’s A Wonderful Life film ending.
Actually, Scoop, that’s one movie I’ve never seen. 😆
Scoop Malinowski · October 28, 2023 at 8:48 am
Those two girls knew how to play, one played in college, I found her on facebook a few years ago ) She no longer plays, her body broke down. Me and my friend had no idea how to play tennis back then, we were trying to hit balls over a net kind of thing. Put it this way, I’ve won over 50 tournaments since. I’ve beaten Div 1 college players in finals of open tournaments ) My best win was probably 64 75 in the final of the West Milford Museum tournament open division against a guy who was a member of the Rider College Division 1 team at the time.
Sam · October 31, 2023 at 8:34 pm
Those two girls knew how to play, one played in college, I found her on facebook a few years ago ) She no longer plays, her body broke down.
That’s too bad about her injuries.
Me and my friend had no idea how to play tennis back then, we were trying to hit balls over a net kind of thing.
Oh, certainly—no shame in losing to two accomplished female players when you’re just beginning.
Put it this way, I’ve won over 50 tournaments since. I’ve beaten Div 1 college players in finals of open tournaments ) My best win was probably 64 75 in the final of the West Milford Museum tournament open division against a guy who was a member of the Rider College Division 1 team at the time.
Wow, pretty impressive, Scoop! 👏 Do you practice much?
Scoop Malinowski · October 31, 2023 at 9:10 pm
Yes I do hit and play four times a week about. Just finished playing three sets of doubles tonight )
Sam · November 4, 2023 at 9:56 pm
Great way to stay in shape, no doubt! 💪