Status: Has won four ATP singles titles. Won 2006 Hopman Cup in Perth Australia for America with partner Lisa Raymond.
Ht: 6-1 1/2 Wt: 200
DOB: Aprill 24, 1981 In: Newport Beach, CA
First Tennis Memory: “In tears after losing my first set in the final of a tournament. I was ten. (Against who?) Curtis Elmore. I won the first set 6-2, lost the second set 6-3 and, that age, you get a ten-minute break in between sets and I was in tears. It was the final set. I lost.â€Â
Tennis Inspiration: “Actually what started me was probably Chang. When my dad was coaching Chang, Michael Chang.â€Â
Last Book Read: “Last book I read was The Secret Of The Slight Edge by Bob Mowatt.â€Â
Current Car: “Is a Scion XB (white). I almost killed myself in a Porsche Turbo and I realized that cars and speed and me don’t mix. So I go for the most efficient, cheapest car I can find.â€Â
Greatest Sports Moment: “It’s tough to beat winning titles. I’d say winning Newport (2002) holds the biggest place in my heart because it’s my first.â€Â
Most Painful Moment: “Any time you lose is painful. But there’s one I played Andy Roddick in the second round of the Australian Open. And I just couldn’t hit a ball in the court. I’d played on big stages many, many times. I wasn’t nervous or tight. It was just one of those days. Unfortunately, I have those days where I couldn’t serve in the court, couldn’t hit a ball in the court. And he beat me like 2-0-1 or something like that. That was painful.â€Â
Which Match Do You Feel You Were At Your Best: “Probably Andy Roddick. Beat him 1 and 4 in the final of Memphis. I returned unbelievable.â€Â
Closest Tennis Friends: “You know, I’m pretty solitary but I hand with whoever’s around. I’m pretty easy to get along with. Dave Martin is a doubles player, we’re pretty good buddies. Alex Bogomolov. Any of the American guys really.â€Â
Funniest Players Encountered: “Fish is kind of funny, he’s more annoying than funny [smiles]. James (Blake) is pretty funny. Everybody’s got to have a sense of humor out here. So everybody can have a laugh.â€Â
Funny Tennis Memory: “I was playing a doubles match against Ginepri and Merklein and my partner was Alex Bogomolov. We were playing I-formation. Alex just hit a bunny of a serve in. And I popped up and Ginepri just tried to take my head off. Just kind of smiling as he’s doing it. I had some gas that day, so I reflexed the volley. And I grunted and as I grunted, a big fart came out. The point continued and everybody on the court’s laughing. Everybody in the stands is laughing. And after we lost the point – What are you guy’s laughing at? But it was obvious. (Where was it?) That was the Houston tournament when it was Mattress Mac’s place.â€Â
Toughest Competitors: “I mean, the list goes on. Andy Roddick won’t give you anything. Lleyton Hewitt doesn’t give you anything. I think the times I played with Nalbandian it’s been rough. Agassi obviously. You can’t not be a competitor and be good.â€Â
Favorite Players To Watch: “Can’t help but to love to watch Federer. I actually really enjoy watching Nalbandian play. (Why him?) Nalbandian just seems like he just doesn’t miss much, can move the ball around the court where ever he wants to. When he’s playing well he just makes the other players run so much. So it’s pretty fun to watch. Davydenko can be fun sometimes too.â€Â
Favorite Tournament: “Outside of the grand slams, because they’re obviously the big deals, it’s a very unique atmosphere in Newport. The fans get to be very close to the players, so this is fun. I’m an American guy so I love the American swing, every single one of them is nice to play at. â€Â
People Qualities Most Admired: “Integrity. A pet peeve of mine is when people are inconsiderate and thoughtless.â€Â
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Richard Pagliaro · July 7, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Scoop:
Well done. Always loved Taylor Dent’s game and that match at the US Open last year was jut a classic effort from him. Interesting that he says Nalbandian is a favorite to watch. I also like watching Nalbandian too – just figured Dent would prefer like a Rafter or Becker or Sampras serve-volleyer type.
Billie Jean King once told me Dent’s dad, Phil, is one of the best serving coaches in the world. Always wondered why more women players don’t work with his dad, at least part-time, since he does have a reputation as a great serving technician. Tennis should be more like baseball and use coaching specialists for each area of the game. reading the Pete Sampras/Peter Bodo book, that is in fact what Pete Fisher did with Sampras: Robert Lansdorp worked with him on strokes, he had a footwork coach, etc.
Dan Markowitz · July 8, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Just got back from Newport where Taylor Dent lost in the stadium on the first day to Go Soeda. Can you say, “Bad loss?” Two days later Soeda, who’s not a grass court player, lost to Brian Dabul. So not a good loss for Dent. He’s awfully big now, not fat, but big and I’d say that will make it very difficult for him to win on the hard courts where you have to build points much more than on the grass, obviously.
Interesting, Dent says he’s a loner, because after the match I saw him crossing Memorial Blvd in Newport, by himself with his big racket bag on his shoulder and he didn’t look too happy. Also, while he was playing his match, I saw his little kid in a stroller, and he had some of the biggest legs I’ve ever seen on a kid 6-months old.