By Scoop Malinowski
[Note: This Biofile interview was done in my rookie year as a reporter at the Hamlet Cup ATP tennis tournament which used to be played at Westbury on Long Island, the week before the U.S. Open ’92. While reading this interview, please excuse me for the lack of quality and shortage of content as I was still a star-struck interviewer back then (somehow I inexplicably failed to ask Lendl my signature question: his ‘greatest sports moment’)…. Big thanks to Mr. Lendl, at the time still a top 10 star but two years away from retirement, for actually playing along with the novice and salvaging my ineptness…
Childhood Heroes: “Rod Laver.”
Favorite Movies: “I don’t have time for movies.”
Best Book Read: “Don’t read books.”
Favorite TV Shows: “Sports.”
First Job: “Never had one.”
First Car: “Fiat (red).”
Funniest Person Encountered: “Sam Kinison.”
Favorite Meal: “Pasta.”
Closest Tennis Friend(s): “Christo Van Rensburg.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I admire everyone who has achieved something.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Hockey, golf, cycling.”
Favorite Place: “Home.”
Most Treasured Possession: “My dog Todd.”
Future Ambition: “To become a German Shepherd [smiles].”
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 175
DOB: March 7, 1960 In: Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Career Accomplishments: Winner of eight Grand Slam singles titles (three each of French and U.S. Open and two Australians); Number-one ranked player from 1985-89 including 156 uninterrupted weeks as the world’s best; Inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006; Earned $21,262417 in career prize money.
You can read more Biofiles like this at www.mrbiofile.com
adidas · Ivan Lendl · Roland Garros · US Open
Hartt · January 6, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Enjoyed this, especially his future ambition to become a German Shepherd. But another tennis player who does not read!
I recently read “Ivan Lendl, the man who made murray.” It’s interesting that they felt it necessary to showcase the link with Murray in the title because much of the book is a biography of Lendl. I read it pretty quickly, so have just ordered it from the library for a second look. Tennis players are fortunate that there are fans who do read to provide a market for the books about them. 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · January 7, 2017 at 8:35 am
Thanks Hartt – Lendl is a funny witty guy – I think he’s too fast paced to be a reader and he prefers learning through life experience than through books – But I do think Lendl would enjoy to read Facing mcenroe or even a Facing Lendl 🙂
Hartt · January 7, 2017 at 11:00 am
Of course he would be extremely happy to read a Facing Lendl!