By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Chairman of the Board and President of USTA. Former ATP player ranked no. 64. Scored career wins vs Fernando Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Tommy Robredo, Michael Chang, Vince Spadea, and also a doubles win with Andy Roddick vs the Bryan Brothers in Washington DC.
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 180
Born On: July 19, 1979 In: Camden, New Jersey
Childhood Heroes: “I guess, personally, I looked up to Michael Chang. He was a guy I played like and respected. He was the main guy for me – as far as my role model goes. (Ever tell him?) Yeah, he knows that. I mean, I’ve played against him. He’s a great guy.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I read a lot. Love to go biking when I go back home. It’s hard. I don’t have much time for hobbies anymore [laughs]. Tennis obviously is my life.”
Favorite Movies: “Old School, American Beauty, In The Bedroom…that’s all I can think of right now.”
Musical Tastes: “Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mroz, Josh Kelly, all the acoustic types, guys with guitars, good lyrics.”
Favorite TV Shows: “I’d say 24. Used to be Seinfeld. I like American Idol. Some of the reality TV shows are pretty fun.”
Early Tennis Memory: “I would say back in those days I was so small. I started playing tennis tournaments when I was four or five. So neon colors were ‘in’ there and I had big glasses and a bandana and I was obviously really short. Had a lot of neon clothes.”
Favorite Meal: “Pasta and chicken.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Raisin Bran.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Nervous but relaxed. I got a college degree (from Virginia – with a double major in finance and business management) …so if I don’t make it in the tennis world, it’s not the end of the world. So…excited. Excited to play.”
First Job: “Professional tennis player.”
First Car: “1988 white Acura Legend.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “A lot of things make me laugh. I mean, my best friends out here are Andy Roddick, and some of these guys are pretty wild, pretty fun. So we’ve got some pretty crazy stories. But nothing for the press to hear [laughs].”
Greatest Sports Moment: “For me? Beating Juan Carlos Ferrero (6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in second round) at the Indian Wells Masters Series event, I’d say.”
Most Painful Moment: “Losing 6-0, 6-0 in the first round at the qualifying, U.S. Open (2001). To Noam Behr of Israel. My first ATP level event and I got a wildcard into qualifying and lost 6-0, 6-0. (How long to get over that loss?) Ten weeks to get over.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Andy Roddick, Jan Michael Gambill, Robby Ginepri, Cecil Mamiit, the Bryan twins.”
Funniest Players: “Mardy Fish – he’s not afraid to make jokes. He loves to make fun of people, loves to make fun of himself. Just great, great sense of humor. So he’s not afraid to say a joke, even if it’s not funny, we’ll make fun of him for it [laughs]. So he’s pretty bold like that. Ginepri is just subtle. He’s very quiet, very goes about his business. But he gives you jabs and funny comments as he walks by. I mean, I’ve grown up with him since Atlanta. You talk about my good friends, he’s one of my best friends out here. He’s awesome. Robert Kendrick’s pretty fun. Crazy, funny guy to be around. Something about some of these guys – just not afraid to poke fun at themselves. And also make fun of you at the right time, so I like it.”
Toughest Competitors: “I would say the ones I played were Hewitt, Agassi and Roddick. Relentless. Really, when you’re out there and it’s just you, you can be overwhelmed by the surroundings as much as their intensity. Which is amazing to be overwhelmed by something intangible like intensity and competitive fire.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “New Zealand.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Loyalty. And I’d say kindness, in general. And I’d say maybe a little bit of faith. But there’s not much out here on the Tour [smiles]. So loyalty’s big for me.”
Childhood Dream: “I’m living my childhood dream right now. I’ve always wanted to be a pro tennis player. And it’s something I’ve done since I’m two or three. Being in the locker room, hanging out with all the guys, hanging out with people I used to watch on TV…I mean, that’s a life for me right there. I love it.”
Andre Agassi · Andy Roddick · BNP Paribas Open · Brian Vahaly · Michael Chang · US Open · USTA
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