Re: Gilles Simon
It's not very interesting, but since it was easy to translate for a change, here's a sort of translation. This issue of Grand Chelem is about how to raise a champion and how champions came to tennis, it explains the many questions about the childhood:
« In 2008, I would like to enter the top 20 »
With two titles this year, Gilles Simon confirmed his great rise. The Niçois reveals he aims even higher in a genuine interview with a champion who doesn’t cant.
- Let’s go back over your season which was very positive.
- Oh yes! More than positive. I won two ATP tournaments, one of them, the Open 13, being a recognized event with a good field. On top of that, I had some good results on all surfaces. Which was one of the goals for this year.
- You’ve reached your best ranking ever. Your goals for 2008?
- I’m ranked #29, so I’d like to enter the top 20, which is a big step to take. The goals are simple: more than 2 ATP titles ^^, a better ranking, improve my tennis. Like 2007, but even better!
- How old were you when you started with tennis?
- 6 years old, in a club, like any other child who starts a sport. I was doing many different things: football, golf, swimming. But tennis was my favorite sport.
- And why tennis more than the other ones?
- It came just like that, I think. Nobody was playing tennis in my family and I wasn’t pressed to play tennis. But I liked it. The duel, probably, one against one.
- You remember your first racket?
- The first one was a very basic one, bought in a supermarket. I remember that I won a championship when I was 9 years old and the first prize was a racket, a Pro Kennex. I was so happy! I won it three times a row. (laughter)
- Three times the same racket?
- Yes! But I was happy though. I was the only boy of my age having a new racket every year!
- Were there posters of players all over the walls of your room?
- Yes, it was full of tennis posters. My favorite player was Michael Chang. He wasn’t my idol, more like a model. I loved the way he played. A little guy, extremely nervous, who managed to “knock down” the tall ones. I found that great.
- Today, can you imagine being a tennis player without having a passion for tennis?
- No, and I’m categorical. Some players, like Davydenko, make no secret of their love for money. But I don’t think he would have reached such a high level if he wasn’t enjoying playing and improving. He’s been earning a lot of money for a while now and if he keeps training, it’s not just for the money. In France, some players have made brief appearances because they were talented, but they were not having a real passion for tennis. They disappeared quickly. Olivier Mutis is one of them. He had a natural talent when you put a racket into his hand, but he didn’t really love the game.
- When you’re not playing, do you watch tennis matches on TV?
- I rarely watch matches, but I follow the game very closely. We bet a lot with the other players. And since I’m a gambler, I love it when a match goes the way I predicted.
- Is there one player you like to watch just for the fun?
- I think some players play beautiful tennis, but I try to remain detached. If you have to play against a player you admire too much, you might play a good match, but you will probably lose. Tennis is like boxing for me. If you take 3 minutes off to watch the other guy because you’re so happy to face him, you won’t last long! (laughter)
- Were you already saying as a child you wanted to become a tennis player?
- Yes. That’s what I wanted to do. On the little introduction card at school, I wrote “tennis player”. Of course, the idea of playing in Roland-Garros seemed very far at the time. I thought I would never be able to beat my tennis teacher who was ranked 2/6. I tried to keep up with the other boys of my age I played against in tournaments.
- Have you ever hated your sport?
- No, because I’m rewarded for all my efforts. I could have hated it, it's true. As a teenager, when you see your friends partying while you have to go to bed early because you’re playing a tournament in the depths of the country on Sunday, it can be annoying. I had this attraction-repulsion feeling during a short time. But I moved on quickly. Maybe I would have hated tennis if I had never been able to pass the #300 mark.
- Do you have other passions outside of tennis?
- I love golf. But tennis is very time-consuming, so I don’t have much time left for golf. I also am a big fan of video games and RPG, like Final Fantasy. I always have my games console on tour. I play in my hotel room at night to switch off after the matches. Except when my girlfriend is there because she moans a little bit then. (laughter)
- You’re earning your living with your passion. Are you aware you’re very fortunate?
- Oh yes. It’s incredible. Not many people manage to earn their living by doing what they’ve ever dreamed of. Tennis is my life. And even if I stop in 10 years, I’ll have a second life afterwards. I will never regret this choice.
- So if your children tell you they want to become tennis players, you will encourage them?
- Yes, but I won’t force them either. It’s important a kid is having fun when doing a sport. If you lose that playful dimension, it becomes too tough. Tennis, football, painting, sculpture, they will do whatever they want as long as they get their kicks doing it, like I do with tennis.