Masters of Vision

Interview

For the love of the game:

It’s easy for me to step out on the court. Practice, playing matches, it’s all the same to me. It’s just always been a something I enjoyed. 99 percent of the time my motivation is simple: I just think I’m lucky to be able to play this game.

With an ode to hard work:

Even during the winter, it’s a lot of tennis. There’s a lot of physical training, a lot of everything tennis, just working on my game before starting a new year. I’ll practice for several hours in the morning, then again in the afternoon. And when I’m not practicing, I’m working in the gym to improve my game in other ways. A good day for me is simply working on my game in every way possible.

Chasing championships:

The 2001 final of the Australian Open was a great moment for me. Just being in the final match, playing against one of the all-time greats. It was two weeks of unbelievable and fantastic memories for the rest of my life. But perhaps even greater on a personal level: winning at Marseille. And not just because I won. The tournament was very close to my hometown. To be able to play so well, so close to where it all began, in front of so many people I know was amazing.

With a simple principle:

I’m not the guy with the most fantastic talent out there. But I’m very strong mentally — I believe I can be good. And that’s important — to remember and always know that I’m a fighter on the court.