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Sep/19

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Biofile Marcos Giron Interview

Status: ATP no. 126 (career high). Won 2014 NCAA singles title for UCLA.

Ht : 5-11 Wt: 160

DOB: July 24, 1993 In: Thousand Oaks, CA

First Tennis Memory: At the courts of Cal-Lutheran University with my sister (Gabriela) and Scott Christie. He’s my childhood coach when I was seven to sixteen. Playing on those courts and the clinic and just having fun.

Tennis Inspirations: Growing up, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras were my inspirations. Just loved the way that they competed, they were both very different. My coach used to say, You’re gonna play baseline like Andre and serve and volley like Pete. I still have a lot of way to go for that [smiles].

Last Book Read: Probably Open by Andre Agassi. It’s been a while.

Current Car: I drive a Subaru Impreza, dark gray, 2009. It’s got 150,000 miles on it and runs like a charm.

First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: Was the Bryan Brothers when I was 12-13 at Oxnard Tennis Center. They grew up in Camarillo, which is next to Oxnard.

Greatest Career Moment: There’s a few different ones. Looking back…one was winning NCAAs was a huge one. Playing in US Open for the first time against (John) Isner was amazing. And then also making third round at Indian Wells court 4 beating (Alex) de Minaur, with the packed stands, was pretty incredible.

Favorite Tournament: Probably Indian Wells right now. I played junior French, Wimbledon and US Open, never went to Australia. I hear that’s amazing. Probably Indian Wells as of now.

Best You Ever Felt On Court: There’s a lot of times in practice you play unbelievable. I’d say probably the same Indian Wells, going and being able to play the way I did under pressure was the best moment. Against de Minaur in second and third set. There was one that was a battle – against (Miomir) Kecmanovic in qualies was just an absolute war. There’s a lot of other ones like (when at UCLA) battling and beating Emilio Gomez in the deciding match against USC 76 in the third. There’s a lot of good ones.

Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: Basketball. Lakers fan.

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: Growing up, Kobe (Bryant). Lebron James now. Lionel Messi. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers.

Funny Tennis Memory: I played junior US Open – made semis of Kalamazoo that year. I lost to Jack Sock. I was warming (Andy) Roddick up before he was supposed to play Jack (at US Open on Ashe) and he asked me how the match went. And my coach said, He lost 6 and 4 but he was broken three times in the first. And Roddick was like, Come on man, you didn’t deserve to win that. And it was kind of funny, having one of your idols growing up tells you, you didn’t deserve to win the match because you got broke three times [smiles].

Strangest Match: Actually funny…two years ago playing Sarasota, I was playing (Facundo) Arguello, he started cramping first game of the third set. And I started cramping second game of the third set. So that was one of the funny ones looking back.

Funniest Players Encountered: (Frances) Tiafoe is always fun. Tommy Paul. (Gael) Monfils.

Closest Tennis Friends: All the UCLA guys I’m really close with. Bjorn Fratangelo growing up.

Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: I love competing. I love how there’s always something you can improve. And no matter how good you are, there’s always something you can do better. I like the challenge, it’s fun. And I enjoy the hard work that comes along with it.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies and cream.

People Qualities Most Admired: People that are relatable. And also people who have ambition and drive towards something. And are really passionate about what they do.

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17 comments

  • Andrew Miller · September 11, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    Giron is good, good game. Surprised at his inconsistency. His backhand was solid but Tommy Paul kept hitting to it and it kept misfiring. So the technique is good, it doesn’t hold up under pressure.

    Another surprise that isn’t surprising…that the players don’t read. They’d learn so much. Rublev and Tsitsipas are reading.

    If Scoop hands Tsitsipas and Rublev books, all bets are off. But give one to Giron!

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 11, 2019 at 12:41 pm

    Giron is a wall of a player, great fighter, excellent competitor, had to endure some hardships and injuries. But he’s at a career high ranking now. I saw him win the first set off Nishioka at US Open 64 then lost the next three sets by the same score. He’s right there. Good follow up result to final in New Haven. I saw his matches in Sarasota, lost in semis to Sandgren, excellent battle. So he’s right there with the Sandgrens and Pauls. Like to see him keep working on serve and volley, it will round out and refine his athleticism. I gave Tsitsipas Facing McEnroe! I should give Rublev Facing Safin. Hey it’s tough to want to read another book after Open, fine read.

  • Andrew Miller · September 11, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    Giron vs Backboard or ball machine. He needs it. Paul was ripping the Giron backhand to shreds despite Giron backhand being quite a nice one.

    Credit Paul for all the work put in. .his backhand held up beautifully in the Giron match. Only issue is he doesn’t hit enough winners off that wing. But he’s capable of it.

    I’m becoming a believer in Paul. I like Giron, just want him to make sure that when he does battle, his backhand won’t let him down.

  • Andrew Miller · September 11, 2019 at 1:16 pm

    Can Bajin pull a Medvedev in coaching? The man is a one man self promoting machine. I have rarely seen a lowish profile coach take up so much airtime anywhere. He is featured on Tennis dot Com in a special on coaching.

    A promoting machine. Wants a contender! And some cash.

  • Andrew Miller · September 11, 2019 at 1:26 pm

    Ok Bajiin is good to listen to. He’s gone from racquet stringer to top coach.

  • Hartt · September 11, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    Yes, it is a tragedy that these tennis players don’t read books. I just finished Sharapova’s autobiography, “Unstoppable,” and although I don’t like her I did enjoy the book, and feel that I understand her a bit better now. Speaking of reading, Maria’s mother got her to read the Russian classics. Karen Khachanov is another pro who reads serious literature.

  • catherine · September 11, 2019 at 2:06 pm

    Somehow I can’t see Bajin cutting it as a coach with Kiki.

  • catherine · September 11, 2019 at 2:11 pm

    Hartt – lots of people don’t read very much, I’m sorry to say. Not just tennis players. I’m not sure young people read at all, not books, what with their phones etc.

    Bianca reads self-help books. Coco likes picture books about dogs.

  • Hartt · September 11, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    I am very relieved to hear that Coco likes picture books about dogs!

  • catherine · September 12, 2019 at 2:09 am

    Hartt – FAA training at Patrick’s place ? Where’s Felix’s coach ? Is there a French connection ?

  • Hartt · September 12, 2019 at 6:44 am

    Catherine, I’d seen the photos of FAA training there. I imagine it is just a convenient place to train. the youngster has a residence in Monte Carlo.

  • catherine · September 12, 2019 at 8:10 am

    I’m a little surprised a player as young as Felix already has a place in Monte Carlo, presumably for tax reasons. Has Denis moved there too ?

  • Hartt · September 12, 2019 at 8:16 am

    Denis is in another tax haven, the Bahamas.

    Given the prices in Monte Carlo Felix must have a closet.

    Poor Bianca will have to pay hefty taxes on her USO prize $, but she is very close to her parents, so I don’t expect she will be moving soon.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 12, 2019 at 8:28 am

    As we expected, Mouratoglou has lured Felix to his academy.

  • jg · September 12, 2019 at 10:32 am

    Tiafoe needs a couple of weeks at Nadal’s academy with some real coaching, Martina N says he has too much going on with his game, has to simplify it a bit.

    What’s this with Clijsters coming out of retirement in 2020, she has 3 kids and I can see her dominating Serena from the start, looks like she is doing some serious training, I saw boxing.

  • catherine · September 12, 2019 at 11:24 am

    Clijsters ? I saw her at the opening of No 1 W’don court this summer – she didn’t look in any fit state to be playing Serena, let alone Bianca. Someone’s leg is being pulled I think 🙂

  • catherine · September 12, 2019 at 11:35 am

    Sorry jg – you’re right.

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