By Scoop Malinowski
Status: ATP player. Winner of three ATP singles titles (Chennai and Delray Beach twice) and eight doubles titles. Won 2004 Roland Garros doubles title (w. O. Rochus). Reached a career high ranking of #19 in August 2002.
DOB: July 19, 1980 In: Kortrijk, Belgium
Early Tennis Memory: “In under 14’s world championships in Japan, we got second. That was my first big thing in tennis.”
Tennis Inspirations: “Mats Wilander. The calm, the light guy. Just playing, doing his own thing. Always been my favorite.”
Nicknames: The X Man, X, The Belgian Chocolate, Poofy.
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Play a little soccer. Watch soccer. Play golf. Cinema.”
Greatest Sports Moment(s): “Match against Agassi at U.S. Open. Semifinal at Wimbledon (2002). And Roland Garros doubles final at Roland Garros.”
Most Painful Moment: “In what way? After the match or during? (Whatever comes to mind.) After Davis Cup against Federer, we were both dead (X won 46, 63, 75, 76 in 1999). I threw up. I couldn’t do anything for three days. It was about 102 degrees then inside the arena (in Brussels) with 4,000 people. We played for three hours and 45 minutes – just rallies, rallies. It was on clay so a lot of rallies. That was tough. And also the week after, I got dehydrated.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I made some bad decisions on and off the court. And I didn’t handle things well. The most embarrassing…being defaulted in Key Biscayne (vs. David Ferrer).”
Which Match(es) Were You At Your Very Best: “I had one match at the U.S. Open on Armstrong against (Tim) Henman. I played one of the best matches I’ve played. Of course I missed shots – you can’t make it all – but I was just feeling it and it was an awesome match and also the crowd was into it. I think that was just one match that sticks out. Because it was so much fun and (I) just played some unbelievable tennis.”
Favorite Movies: “Braveheart.”
Musical Tastes: “Any good song. Some good dance music.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “I don’t do anything before a match. I play cards. Just relax. Try to relax. I don’t have any stress. No stress before the match. I just go out there and have fun.”
Racquet You Play With: “Prince.”
Shoes You Play In: “Lotto.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “Mose Navarra, my former coach. I never knew a guy as crazy as him. We’d go out a lot, I know how he acts, and every time we’d go out, my stomach hurt from laughing [smiles]. His remarks around people, not bad, just funny.”
Toughest Competitor Encountered: “Federer. Before you are playing you feel you’re 4-love behind. He plays the game really quickly. So you have no breath.”
Childhood Dream: “Soccer. I was going good in soccer. But you have to make a decision, so. I still play soccer a lot. Every time I can I’ll be there. I made a good choice about tennis but soccer will always be in the back of my head.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “Playing against my older brother (Olivier) and throwing racquets at each other (age 8, Olivier was 11). He used to beat me all the time [smiles].”
Favorite Tournament(s): “I think all the slams have something special. I think any slam gets you really pumped up and it’s fun to play.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I like the person to like to be a good person. To help other people. And not always in their own interests. Just thinking about other people.”
Scoop’s second tennis book “Facing Federer: Symposium of a Champion” will be published and available at amazon next month.
"My stomach hurt from laughing."
Scoop Malinowski · August 22, 2013 at 10:42 pm
This is for you Kelsey ) Nice to meet you last night at US Open,
Kelsey · August 23, 2013 at 12:32 am
Thanks, Mark! I LOVED IT!!!!!
Doogie · August 23, 2013 at 8:03 am
Pity u did not ask him if he really retire after this season??
Last I heard he will but if his rankings is still high enough to enter ATP events he will perhaps go on.
U have any news regarding this?
Scoop Malinowski · August 23, 2013 at 8:21 am
Doogie, I really don’t like to ask any athlete about when they are going to hang it up, it’s a sensitive issue for them. I just pretty much assume most every player will battle on as long as they possibly can. I believe Malisse loves to play and wants to play and he will really work hard with serious determination to try to get on a roll to lift his ranking. I don’t see X as the kind of guy to fade away without a fight.
Scoop Malinowski · August 23, 2013 at 8:25 am
Kelsey, He’s a pretty interesting guy, always a good interview, for anything. I also have a hard copy from a magazine, will dig that out and send it to you after Open. Keep in touch.
Kelsey · August 23, 2013 at 9:25 am
Thank you, Mark! I can’t wait for more. You are the best. Keep in touch.
loreley · August 23, 2013 at 5:28 pm
Nice interview. But you forgot to ask him what book he reads. That’s always the most interesting question.
loreley · August 25, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Malisse told that he’ll retire after AO14: http://sport.be.msn.com/nl/tennis/article.html?Article_ID=653963
Scoop Malinowski · August 25, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Might be tough task for X to make main draw there. Thanks Loreley.