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Talking about my Marcelo Rios book with La Tercera
6 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
My Interview with Sebastian Carrizo of La Tercera which was published in one of Chile’s most respected daily newspapers La Tercera on Dec. 5…
Here is the actual two-page layout…
http://papeldigital.info/lt/?2011120401#107
Sebastian Carrizo: When your interest in Marcelo RÃos was born? Why?
Scoop Malinowski: “1995 U.S. Open first-round match vs. Thomas Enqvist. Though he lost in the fifth set tiebreaker, Rios played tennis like a wizard and looked an inner city gang member at the same time. It was a fascinating spectacle.”
Sebastian Carrizo: What feature of his playing highlights RÃos?
Scoop Malinowski: “He’s a magician, a maverick and an artist when at his best.”
Sebastian Carrizo: What part of RÃos’ life draws your attention? Some special event, a phrase, a conflict?
Scoop Malinowski: “How he entered the world of tennis and conquered it with his own way. His style and character brought something new and different to tennis. He refused to conform to tennis and forced tennis to conform to him. Also maybe I see a part of myself in Rios.”
Sebastian Carrizo: Who are the most prominent interviewees in your book?
Scoop Malinowski: “Many. Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal. Brad Gilbert. Marat Safin. Peter Lundgren. Mats Wilander. Luke Jensen. Michael Joyce. Nick Bollettieri. Michael Chang. Jan Michael Gambill. But some of the most revealing anecdotes came from the most unexpected sources. However, I’m disappointed to say that this past U.S. Open I had the chance to ask Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and John McEnroe about Rios as they were near my person however I passed on the opportunity.”
Sebastian Carrizo: What trait of Rios is repeated among the testimonies?
Scoop Malinowski: “Misunderstood. Genius. Talented. Contradictory. Strong character. Crazy!”
Sebastian Carrizo: What did Roger Federer say about RÃos?
Scoop Malinowski: “I spoke with Roger Federer a few times briefly. The first time I ever talked to him was in 1999 and for his favorite players to watch, he mentioned Rios, remarking that he had a different style game. Then more recently he said how he is an admirer of Rios.”
Sebastian Carrizo: Who were the most critical with RÃos? What did he/she say?
Scoop Malinowski: “Ilie Nastase called Rios the ‘worst prick’ he ever met. Somebody later told me that Nastase had once approached Rios in the locker room at the French Open and asked for an autograph by him for a niece or nephew. Apparently Rios rejected Nastase’s request which upset the Romanian legend.”
Sebastian Carrizo: When will be the book available in Chile? When will it be translated into Spanish?
Scoop Malinowski: “The English version is available now at amazon.com. I hope to translate it to Spanish and make it available next year.”
Sebastian Carrizo: Have you had any contact with Rios since the publication of the book? What did he say?
Scoop Malinowski: “I have not had any contact with Rios since 1999 when we did a short interview which appeared in the American publication Tennis Magazine.
Sebastian Carrizo: Which is the place of RÃos in tennis history?
Scoop Malinowski: “He was the best player in the world. The critics can say he underachieved or he never won a Grand Slam but they can’t deny that Rios was the ATP #1 player for six weeks in 1998.”
Sebastian Carrizo: Who where the most difficult-to-reach interviewee?
Scoop Malinowski: “Larry Stefanki. I tried to get him to talk numerous times, approaching him in person at 2010 US Open, on phone, email, and then again one last time in Key Biscayne this year, in person again. But he refused to talk about Rios. I sensed he still has some bitterness for Rios.”
Sebastian Carrizo: What did Guillermo Vilas told you about Marcelo RÃos? There is some like a battle between Rios and Vilas, because Rios told one time that he was more succesful than the Argentinean because he reach #1 and Vilas didn’t.
Scoop Malinowski: “I spoke with Vilas at the US Open. He has much respect for Rios’ career and strong personality type. I still remember his exact words about people trying to converse with Rios, “You don’t give candy to a lion.”
Sebastian Carrizo: What did Nick Bolletieri told about Marcelo? Marcelo’s daughter, Constanza, is now training at Bolletieri’s camp. She have also played some youth tournaments defending both Costa Rica and Chile.
Scoop Malinowski: “Nick was a great interview as I’m sure you know. Nick shared many memorable anecdotes, one example was the time in Germany when Rios beat Agassi in the final of the Grand Slam Cup in Munich and won the million dollar prize. Nick said Rios, who could be frugal sometimes, tried to not pay him his coaching fee, because Rios reasoned that the Grand Slam Cup was not part of the regular ATP Tour. LOL. But ultimately Rios did pay Nick. The first time I was at the IMG Academy two years ago Constanza was there practicing and I took a few photos of her. She was very smooth and fluid and also a lefty. Nick said about her, “She’s excellent. No, no…she’s BETTER THAN EXCELLENT!” Nick clearly has high respect for young Constanza’s skills on the court.”
Sebastian Carrizo: What other anecdote/story do you remember about Marcelo and who told you?
Scoop Malinowski: “Mike Nakajima, an executive with Nike, was and still is a good friend of Rios. Mike told me about the night Marcelo became #1 in Miami, the whole group, Marcelo and friends went out for dinner at a steakhouse in Miami. Here’s the excerpt:
“1998 when he became #1 in Key Biscayne. I’m going out to have dinner with a group of people, with Marcelo, to a steakhouse in Miami. I was sitting with Chris Chandler, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback – I believe Larry Stefanki’s sister is Chris Chandler’s wife. We’re on one end, playing 80’s one hit wonder songs. In the middle of the table was Rios with his group. One guy was there at the restaurant, draped with a Chilean flag. Every ten minutes the guy would stand up and would chant that, Chile-Chile-Chile! Okay, we know you’re from Chile. In the middle of the dinner, Rios gets up to go to use the bathroom. And the guy gets up and follows him. Then Rios comes back to our table. And says to Chris, You gotta help. I punched this guy. He cold-cocked him. We go into the bathroom and the guy is out cold. Chris Chandler said, You don’t need my help [smiles].”
Marcelo Rios should not be forgotten
Steve · December 13, 2011 at 6:28 pm
I have a match, I think it’s an exhibition, where Rios is playing Goran. I think he had finally met someone crazier than himself.
Dan Markowitz · December 13, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Scoop, You’ve got to get this book translated. I think your bigger audience is in South America. Are there any Spanish-speakers on this web-site versed in translation?
Scoop Malinowski · December 13, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Details Steve, we need details!
Scoop Malinowski · December 13, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Workin’ on it Dan, just a matter of time. Our London correspondent Ben Jacobs speaks and translates Spanish, I will ask him.
Dan Markowitz · December 14, 2011 at 3:29 am
That’s perfect.
Steve · December 22, 2011 at 1:25 am
It was a senior tour event in Paris. It was called the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions. Rios won 7-5, 6-3. They definitely get along and joked with each other about coming back to the regular tour during the post match. Also, when Goran complained about a call the way only Goran does Rios couldn’t help but chuckle. I did notice while re-watching some of it that Rios’ take back on the back hand looks a little like Borg’s take back. I also love Rios’ service motion.