10
Super Fan Spotlight: Kelsey Constantine on Xavier Malisse
2 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
In this new feature Tennis-prose.com talks to tennis fan Kelsey Constantine of Queens, NY about why she is an avid supporter of Belgium’s Xavier Malisse…
Q: How did you become a fan of tennis?
Kelsey Constantine: My mommy, daddy, and I watched the epic Wimbledon 2008 final between Rafa and
Roger. We have been crazy tennis fans ever since.
Q: Why do you love the sport?
Kelsey: Tennis is a very exciting sport to me. I could watch it all the time. It is
always nice to watch long, exciting points. It is nice to see how the different
styles of players match up. I get excited when the players get fired up. It is
a unique sport because you are out there all by yourself. It is nice to see
upsets and young players do well.
Q: When and why did you become a fan of Malisse?
Kelsey: I became an Xavier fan in 2010 during the tournament in Atlanta. I was quite
impressed and I loved his game. I liked how he doesn’t let his anger and
frustration effect him in the next points. I feel his anger is a sign of passion
and hunger. Most importantly, I liked that bun.
Q: Your greatest Malisse tennis moments?
Kelsey: I have many great moments of Xavier. I even love watching the matches from
many years ago. I loved when he won the Indian Wells 2011 doubles with Alexandr
Dolgopolov. I loved when he made the final in Chennai 2011. He made the round of
16 in Wimbledon in 2011 and 2012. He saved his points from the year before in
2012, which saved his career for one more year. He has always done well in Den
Bosch, but beating David Ferrer was the highlight.
Q: Your most painful or worst Malisse tennis moment?
Kelsey: This US Open was the most painful for me. I keep crying about that because
unless a miracle happens, it was his last US Open. Knowing I might not see him
in person again is very painful. I was hoping he would play well and win a few
rounds and maybe feel he could make it to one more US Open.
Q: A funny memory of Malisse?
Kelsey: My funniest memory of X-Man was when he said at the US Open 2012 vs John
Isner that all players get 20 seconds and Rafa gets 45.
Q: First memory of Malisse?
Kelsey: My first memory of X was watching him on tv. He was playing in Atlanta in
2010 vs Andy Roddick and they went three sets. I have been a diehard fan ever
since.
Q: Did you ever get the chance to meet Malisse?
Kelsey: I saw X-Man at the US Open 2011 when he was practicing in the park. I saw him
in 2012 during the qualifying days when he was watching his compatriot Maxime
Authom try to qualify. That year, I watched him play his doubles match with Mark
Knowles.
Q: Who are some of your other favorite players?
Kelsey: Some of my other favorite players are Caroline Wozniacki, Paul Capdeville,
Mikhail Youzhny, Jan Hernych, and all the Belgians.
Q: Any other players remind you of Malisse?
Kelsey: Alexander Dolgopolov reminds me of Xavier. First, because of the bun. He has
explosive power just like X and he grips it and rips it. They are both great
players with an extreme amount of talent.
Do you have a super favorite player? If so, let us know at mrbiofile@aol.com and you may be spotlighted in the future for our new “Super Fan Spotlight” series.
Scoop Malinowski · September 10, 2013 at 9:42 am
Funny and interesting read. Malisse has a very good sense of humor, with that Nadal 45 second remark lol. I remember another time earlier this year he got annoyed with a chair umpire’s overrule and mumbled something to him that he was just trying to get his face on TV. This was at Delray Beach this year. Thanks again Kelsey, good job.
Kelsey · September 10, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Thank you, Scoop.