Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: World #3 ATP ranked tennis player. Former #1 player has won thirteen French Opens, and 20 Grand Slams overall.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 188
DOB: June 3, 1986 In: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain.
Tennis Inspiration: “When I was 10-12-years old I start playing well and maybe at that moment I started thinking I can be a pro. You never know how tough it is to be a professional player. So just I try my best and I finally did it.
Current Motivation: “For me it’s very easy. I always have one person in front of me, better than me in everything. So when I look at Roger in front of me all the time – better forehand, better backhand, better serve. I believe that’s the truth.”
Childhood Heroes: “I don’t have any idols, any heroes, nothing, no. But having a player like Moya in Mallorca was very important for me. I have the opportunity to practice with him a lot of times. That’s helped me a lot. And having a model closer to you is easier. So that’s important for me.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I like fishing. Not actual fishing — I like the peace and quiet of being at sea. It’s different. I like (to) stay with my friends. Go to beach. Go to cinema. Futbol. Play golf.”
Nicknames: Rafa, The Raging Bull.
Favorite Movies: Gladiator, Titanic.
Musical Tastes: “Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Shakira, David Bisbal — Spanish singer I listen to a lot. Mana — Mexican.”
Early Tennis Memory: “Four hours — practice one or two times a week.”
Favorite Meal: “Olives, steak, pasta, fish.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Frosted Flakes in hot chocolate.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Play with incredible motivation. A little bit nervous, but good.”
First Job: “Tennis.”
First Car: “Kia Sportage.”
Current Car: “Kia. Aston Martin DBS.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “The three most important moments in my career probably was first Roland Garros – well maybe the first Davis Cup – first Roland Garros, and first Wimbledon. And later Olympics (2008).”
Most Painful Moment: “I don’t know. When I stay injured three months (stress fracture in left ankle joint in 2004). Missed Monte Carlo, Rome, Hamburg, Paris (Roland Garros), Wimbledon.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “I have all the Spanish players. And I have good relations with all players. Carlos Moya. I know him for so long. I know him very well. He’s very sharp. He’s a great person even outside the game of tennis. A great guy. One of the best players in the world. I get along very well with Carlos.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “I don’t know.”
Toughest Competitors: “All the players, they is playing good. And I think the best player now is Federer. But all players good.”
Favorite Tournament(s): “I like many of them. I cannot name one.”
Childhood Dream: “I like a lot the futbol, the soccer. But I like my first dream is any one day I can do the No. 1 in tennis.”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Ronaldo. Thierry Henry. Frank Lampard. Zidane. Ronaldino. FC Barcelona is a club I have supported for a long time. (Basketball?) Pau Gasol — he’s playing in Los Angeles. (Tennis?) Federer — he plays very nice. He can do all the shots. I like him. And Hewitt. Because I like the mentality. Fred Couples. I met him, he was very nice.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “In Mallorca.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “Hmmm. I don’t know because I have a lot moments funny and a lot of moments good.”
What Would You Be If Not A Tennis Player: “For me, it’s futbol, here (it’s called) soccer. Before tennis I started three-years-old. I have to stop because my family gave me (rule) that I have to study. So I have to study. So tennis and soccer. It’s impossible at that age (to do both). So finally I decide tennis.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “For me is good. The good persons.”
Scoop’s has done over 2,000 Biofile interviews since 1992. His first book “Heavyweight Armageddon: The Tyson-Lewis Championship Battle” was read by John McEnroe who commented, “Scoop, I really liked your book,” before a World Team Tennis match at Randall’s Island in New York City in July 2009.
