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Rainer Schuettler

186K views 3K replies 126 participants last post by  alfonsojose 
#1 ·
My boy needs one :D

Keep going in Cincinnati :bounce: Great fight to beat Nieminen in a third-set TB today :) :) :)
 
#303 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Rainer won .. :rolls: :rolls:

And he looks .. orgasmic :drool: .. on that blue shirt
 
#307 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Rainer lost 4-6 6-4 6-7(4) to Fish :sad: :sad:

awww, what a cute picture :D
hm, but don't know if we can blame her for the loss, but the drink *g* :p

ah no, let's blame the netcord that wasn't on Rainer's side and caused that stupid double fault whereas Fish's 2nd serve bounced in before :(

but he was so close :rolleyes:
 
#308 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

My favourite pic from this tournament



Germany's Rainer Schuettler acknowledges the audience's applause after defeating compatriot Nicolas Kiefer in a quarterfinal of the Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament in Halle, western Germany, on Friday, June 11, 2004. Schuettler defeated Kiefer 6-3, 7-6 (2). (AP Photo/Andreas Fruecht)
 
#309 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Lee, I think that will have to be my next avatar!
BTW, like your sig too!
 
#310 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Neely said:
congrats, Rainer!!
that was a good result today against Johansson! :yeah:


I was just speptic because Johansson had a very fucking strong performance during his Memphis run.
90% serve percentage and 90% 1st serve points won, only two points dropped on own serve in a set was a very common stats for Joachim

but glad that Rainer found a way to disarm his serve and/or that Johansson didn't serve that strong today :) :clap2:
fucking strong? :confused: :eek:
Calm down dear!
 
#311 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Tough loss to Mrdy. Let's hope his good grass court seasopn continues :drool:
 
#312 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

sam said:
fucking strong? :confused: :eek:
Calm down dear!
he was really so damn strong in Memphis, it was frightening... his service games were pure dominance, that was awesome fucking strong what he played there! :eek:
 
#314 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Courtesy of TennisHack (she's the one taking the pic of Rainer and Fish in Cincy last year)

From the February 17, 2004 print issue of Tennis Week

Fire and Nice
Rainer Schuettler is as surprising off the court as he is successful on it
by Brad Falkner

During matches, Rainer Schuettler is a fiery fist-pumping perfectionist. Off court, he's an almost painfully shy, soft-spoken, good-natured, humorous guy. It's one of the many paradoxes about Germany's No. 1, who improved his year-end ATP Entry ranking for the ninth consecutive season, a record streak among active players.

When shirtless on the practice court, it is clear that Schuettler, 27, is blessed with the kind of physique that you normally find only in shrink-wrapped packages (eg, G.I. Joe, Stretch Armstrong and Superman). But perhaps the most remarkable thing about him is how grounded hehas remained, despite his steady rise to the top, including, in 2003, his first Grand Slam final, his first Tennis Masters Cup appearance, a year-end No. 6 ranking and nearly $2 million in prize money. "I've known Rainer since 1998, and he has not changed even with all of the success that he's had in the world of tennis," declares Andre Antic, editor/writer for Tennis Magazine in Germany.

"Rainer is not the person you see out on the court. Yes, he is a perfectionist, but what really matters is his heart and loyalty to those who surround him," says Dirk Hordorff, who has been Schuettler's manager, coach, confidant and friend since his days as a junior player. Hordorff' sense of humor, knowledge of tennis and fatherly wisdom have plotted the course of Schuettler's success for the past 11 years.

Brad Falkner's conversation with the 2003 Australian Open runner-up began at the 2004 Qatar Exxon Mobil Open.

How has life changed from the days of being a no-name player to being ranked No. 6 in the world?
My coach, physiotherapist, and my friends are the same from before. I've tried to stay in the same environment. What is more difficult is the other people around me have changed. They give more attention to me. Before nobody cared, and now there are so many people that want something. The people around me have changed -- not so much me.

For example my coach, Dirk, we have been working together for 11 years; there's no reason why he should change or I should change. Because we travel the whole year together, so we know each other pretty well.

Hordorff: "What has changed is that an American magazine is now making an interview with you in Doha. When he won this tournament in '99, no US journalist wanted to do an interview."(Laughter)


How do you handle being a celebrity?
I don't mind it. I don't want to change my life to be in the spotlight. I don't want to be involved in any scandal. I want to have my private life. I had a long-time girlfriend. After we broke up, I started to play better. It sounds kind of mean, but now I have more time to focus only on my tennis. After Australia [in 2003] I thought, "Now I have the chance of my life to get Top 10." That's what I did, and now I'm more successful. The point is that when I don't have a girlfriend, I don't have to feel bad or worry about her if my whole day and night is consumed with tennis. I don't have to compromise. I can focus everything on tennis. If I did meet somebody and fall in love, its not like I wouldn't do it. If I fall in love with somebody and it just happens, there is nothing I can do about it, and I would not force myself to avoid this. For now, I'm happy to just concentrate on my tennis. If you're well known and you go somewhere, there are some women who are crazy about tennis.


How would you classify yourself as a play; is there any particular playing style that you fit into?
I play aggressive from the baseline. Maybe my serve is not as strong as I would like it to be. The rest of my game is improving and improving. Even my serve is getting better and better, but its not exactly how I want it to be. I don't think that I have a real weakness. I think that I'm pretty fast. I don't think that I'm the fastest, but that's my strength, that I reach a lot of balls. I have an all-around game. I don't think that I am a counter-puncher because I try to play aggressively from the baseline. I don't try to win my points by the mistakes of my opponents. I don't think that you can be Top 10 these days without weapons. If its not a slow surface, I will try to work my way into the net.


You went 3-0 this past year against world No. 1 Andy Roddick. How do you explain your success playing against him?
One of my strengths is my return of serve. So I like to play against big servers. His game is set up on his serve and huge forehand. In the last matches we played, I was able to return his serve, and I was able to stay in the point and rally, which is my strength. His game plays into my strengths. I always play good against players who like to attach and play aggressive.


There were some less than positive comments made from some of the non-US players at the 2003 Tennis Masters Cup in Houston, where you got to the semis. Can you talk about how you felt?
When you read the first day in the newspapers that the tournament owner doesn't care about the other players, just about Agassi and Roddick, it's a little strange. I mean, they are the best eight players in the world, and I think that he (Jim McIngvale) should show respect for all of the players. That's my opinion; I think he should be fair to everybody. If we are complaining about something we don't like, I think he should listen.


con'd
 
#315 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Are you willing to give Mattress Mac the benefit of the doubt or another chance to make certain changes?
If I get to go back [this] year, I'm sure that the negative things will be better. For example, I'm sure he realized that the court could have been better. Every year there is a new chance. Even if he favors Agassi and Roddick, it just seemed a little bit strange to see that in the press.


Do you notice a difference when you play tournaments in the US?
Of course it's different when you are playing in a different country. Because tennis is not that popular in the States, it's different than in many other countries. In other countries, if you are like 20 or 30 [in the rankings], they know you and recognize you. In the States if you are in the Top 10 or are an American, the they know you. The attention is different. Your country (US) is so big and you have so many other popular sports, this response is normal. In the States, I have more space. For me it's quieter, which is nice.


You live in Switzerland?
I've lived there for five year. One of my best friends on the tour, Ivo Heuberger, is Swiss. So this makes for ideal practice conditions. I live in Altstaetten, the German part.


Growing up as a kid in Germany, were you more of a Michael stich or Boris Becker man?
Obviously Becker is more popular in Germany bcause he was the first to win Wimbledon. So the guy who wins the firstone is always the biggest. They have different personalities. Michael is more quiet. Boris always like to have the attenton. One of my greatest memories was watching Becker win that first Wimbledon.


Speaking of Becker, what type of relationship do you two have?
To be honest, I don't know Boris very well. He was the Davis Cup coach for one year, but I don't know him very well. We are not in touch. I don't know if he's a nice guy or not.


What are your thoughts about Germany doing well in the Davis Cup?
We have a good team if everyone is healthy. The last couple of years we never played with our best team. If we had been healthy, then we would have a great team. To play for Germany is very special. One of my goals is to do really well in the Davis Cup. I think if we had a doubles specialist team like the US and Australia, it could really help our team. Doubles has always been the weak point of our team.


What is your relationship like with Tommy Haas?
We have a very close and good relationship. We shared a room at the last Olympics, in Sydney. At the end of last year, I took a holiday to Miami and Tommy came down from Bradenton and we went to a party together. I hope that Tommy comes back soon to the tour. This would really help our Davis Cup team; it would give us more of a chance to reach our goals.


I've noticed over the last couple of years that some women are crazy about the players and that the guys with the best rankings seem to do pretty well with the ladies. Have you noticed this?
The women get more beautiful with every tournament you win, and it's pretty funny (laughing). In a lot of sports its like that. It's strange. You're right, it's very strange. It depends what lifestyle you want. If you want to go for it, yes . . . I'mnot the guy who goes to the tournaments and every tournament I have a different girl. Of course there are guys who do that; I'm just not one of them. While you're traveling, it's not a problem, but it's a personal thing. It depends on you, if you want to take the opportunity or not. Obviously if you're alone and you go somewhere, there are also some women who are crazy about tennis. It's in every sport. In the States, they are crazy about basketball players. You see the story that happens to Boris Becker with the Russian girl. I think it's everybody's personal decision. You should know what you want to do and the risk about it.


How did you feal with the instant international fame that last year's Australian Open final gave you?
I have so many good memories from Australia, I will never forget it! For me it was a dream to play in the final of a Grand Slam, especially against Agassi. But I always played well there. I made it to the last 16, I think twice.

For me, it's (fame) okay because I was not that young. I think it's more difficult if you are 18 or 19 or 20. Then there is a bigger chance that the fame, the money, girls could change a person. They might get a big head and become cocky. For me it was different because I did not get into the Top 10 until last year. So it happened to me in my mid- to late 20s and I was more mature than some players who become famous when they are teenagers.


It has been a difficult start to the new season. How are you feeling about it?
I've had three pretty disappointing weeks now. I started in Doha, Sydney, and now the Australian Open. In each of those matches I had my chances, but I didn't win a match. So it's been a pretty tough month for me. I'm still quite relaxed, but unhappy about my start to the new season, especially at the Australian Open, being up two sets and having a break point at 5-all in the third. But my game is improving and my serve is much better than last year. I'm still very hopeful for the rest of the year.



Brad Faulkner is a regular contributor to Tennis Week and TennisWeek.com.
 
#316 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Thanks a lot for posting that, Lee. Interesting interview. I don't agree 100% with the "painfully shy" bit, though. When Rainer plays in Germany, he's always pretty good with the media. For example, when he lost against Fish on Saturday, he went directly from the court to the tv analysts and was happy to go through the match main points with them, even cracked a couple of jokes with them. But it's true that he has a very low media profile, even in Germany. Tommy Haas is the media's favourite by a long shot
 
#317 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

:sad: :sad: Rainer 1st round trouble continues. He just can't put 2 good tournaments together this year.

The brighter side is, hopefully he plays better in Wimbleton and please don't draw a hometown big server in opening round. *sigh*
 
#318 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Space Cadet said:
Thanks a lot for posting that, Lee. Interesting interview. I don't agree 100% with the "painfully shy" bit, though. When Rainer plays in Germany, he's always pretty good with the media. For example, when he lost against Fish on Saturday, he went directly from the court to the tv analysts and was happy to go through the match main points with them, even cracked a couple of jokes with them. But it's true that he has a very low media profile, even in Germany. Tommy Haas is the media's favourite by a long shot
Space Cadet, remember that's from US media ;) And the writer did say 'almost'. Remembered the pic where he was kissed by Miss Gerry Weber this year, :lol:
 
#319 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Rainer started so good in his match today, but in the third set he waisted many breakpoints in a very close game and after that he lost his nerves completely :mad: At least he has some rest before Wimbledon ;)

And thanks Lee for posting that great interview!
 
#320 · (Edited)
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Thank you very much for posting that nice interview Lee!!!!
What a pity that Rainer lost today. It looked so good for him but then he lost his nerves again... :sad:
 
#324 ·
Re: The Rainer Schuettler Cheering Thread

Lee said:
My favourite pic from this tournament



Germany's Rainer Schuettler acknowledges the audience's applause after defeating compatriot Nicolas Kiefer in a quarterfinal of the Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament in Halle, western Germany, on Friday, June 11, 2004. Schuettler defeated Kiefer 6-3, 7-6 (2). (AP Photo/Andreas Fruecht)
aaw thats a cute pic :worship:

well he has robin soderling in the 1st round of wimbie :sad: going to be tricky i feel :(
 
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