By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Member of Spain’s Davis Cup winning team in 2008 and 2009.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 187
DOB: September 20, 1981 in Toledo, Spain.
Tennis Inspirations: My father. And Stefan Edberg. Because of him, I like the way he played, behaved but I like the way he was very quiet and very gentleman on court. I also like the way he played.
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: I like cinema. I love soccer. I love to watch the games when we are at home in Madrid. When I come back to Spain, I don’t have like so much time after practice and everything during the day. So the only thing I do is go to cinema, go to soccer games or go to dinner with friends.
Favorite Movie: Braveheart I like a lot. This is the only one I think.
Musical Tastes: I like Julio Iglesias. Laura Boccini Italian singer. And I like many music styles like disco, dance, everything.
Early Tennis Memory: When my father (Feliciano) went with me on the court when I was five years old, me and my brother (Victor). I don’t remember any special moment, it was just my father, brother and me. My father bought me a tennis racquet when I was five at Christmas. That’s why I play tennis now, because of him.
Favorite Meal: Pasta, tomato.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Haagen Dazs.
First Job: I don’t have.
First Car: Porsche (black).
Funny Tennis Memory: I remember one – my father threw a racquet over my head when I missed a forehand from the other side of the net [laughs].
Pre-Match Feeling: Like a little nervous when you have to go on the court, especially in the stomach.
Greatest Sports Moment: Greatest moment – to win the Davis Cup (2008, 2009). And to be in the quarterfinals in Wimbledon (d. Safin, Ancic in 2005).
Most Painful Moment: When I had a wrist injury in 2000 I think, or 1999, I don’t remember.
Favorite Tournament: Madrid.
Closest Tennis Friends: Nadal, [Fernando] Verdasco – I know him for many years. My father was his coach.
Funniest Players Encountered: Verdasco is very funny. [Alex] Corretja. [Marat] Safin is funny [smiles]. I think he was funny on the court. He’s such a good player and such a good personality on the court and I think the people love him.
Toughest Competitors: Federer, Agassi, Nadal – I think those three.
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: To play Davis Cup for the first time I think I was really nervous. (How did you do?) I played doubles (lost with Corretja), it was in the final against Australia. (Spain lost 3-1 in Melbourne in 2003).
People Qualities Most Admired: To be generous I think. Honest.
Scoop’s latest book Facing Serena Williams/Facing Steffi Graf Double book is available at www.lulu.com for $9.99!
