I found this interview in the India Times, published today, in preparation for the Chennai Open on January 4, 2019. The other Player Forums have a thread for Interviews, News and Articles, so I thought this would be a good way to initiate it:
Nadal's nemesis, and much more
Ruhi Batra, TNN 1 December 2009, 01:20am IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...nemesis-and-much-more/articleshow/5286165.cms
One of tennis' success stories of 2009, Robin Soderling's rise looks meteoric from afar. But for the Swede, who started the year ranked 17th and won just nine matches in his first 10 tournaments, 2009 has been all about consistency and quality.
He snapped Rafael Nadal's seemingly endless winning streak at the French Open and as a last-minute inclusion at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, beat two of the best players in the world before losing to US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in a semifinal that saw breathtaking tennis.
In this exclusive interview, Soderling shares his views on tennis, his life and 2009. Excerpts:
Nadal's nemesis, and much more
Ruhi Batra, TNN 1 December 2009, 01:20am IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...nemesis-and-much-more/articleshow/5286165.cms
One of tennis' success stories of 2009, Robin Soderling's rise looks meteoric from afar. But for the Swede, who started the year ranked 17th and won just nine matches in his first 10 tournaments, 2009 has been all about consistency and quality.
He snapped Rafael Nadal's seemingly endless winning streak at the French Open and as a last-minute inclusion at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, beat two of the best players in the world before losing to US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in a semifinal that saw breathtaking tennis.
In this exclusive interview, Soderling shares his views on tennis, his life and 2009. Excerpts:
When you look back at 2009 - beating Rafael Nadal at the French Open, your first Grand Slam final, making the top 10 - what thoughts cross your mind?
It's been a great year for me. I'm very happy to be in the top 10, it's been my goal for a long time, and now I'm there, it's an amazing feeling.
It's been a great year for me. I'm very happy to be in the top 10, it's been my goal for a long time, and now I'm there, it's an amazing feeling.
What is your most vivid memory of that 4th-round match against Nadal?
The tie-break in the fourth set when I was up 6-1 was a good feeling.
The tie-break in the fourth set when I was up 6-1 was a good feeling.
Have you seen that tie again on TV?
No, I haven't.
No, I haven't.
Do you worry that you will forever be remembered as the man who beat Nadal at Roland Garros?
I don't care much but it won't be like that forever. I hope that picture will be erased by other good things.
I don't care much but it won't be like that forever. I hope that picture will be erased by other good things.
What are your biggest strengths? Do you think people now consider you a serious threat after the French Open?
I am fairly strong with a big serve and a good forehand. I believe that players have considered me as a threat even before the French Open, I'm just more consistent now.
I am fairly strong with a big serve and a good forehand. I believe that players have considered me as a threat even before the French Open, I'm just more consistent now.
How difficult is life on the Tour? Andre Agassi talks about how he used to hate tennis and the life that went with it. Marat Safin said he just couldn't take the hotels and flights and training.
I believe everyone feels that way from time to time. You always want what you don't have. But ultimately I love this life. I am sure I will miss it once it's gone.
I believe everyone feels that way from time to time. You always want what you don't have. But ultimately I love this life. I am sure I will miss it once it's gone.
Agassi's book, Open, has been much in the news. One of the revelations concerns recreational drugs. Do you think that the pressures of being in the limelight takes its toll ?
It is definitely hard to handle all the pressure every week, but it's part of the job. It might just not be for everyone.
It is definitely hard to handle all the pressure every week, but it's part of the job. It might just not be for everyone.
Who is Robin Soderling when he's not playing tennis?
I am very easygoing. When I don't play tennis I like to relax and hang out with my friends. My girlfriend would say my biggest hobby away from tennis is to clean, I'm a bit of a neat freak.
I am very easygoing. When I don't play tennis I like to relax and hang out with my friends. My girlfriend would say my biggest hobby away from tennis is to clean, I'm a bit of a neat freak.
Do you have many friends on the ATP Tour? Who do you hang out with?
There are a lot of nice guys on the tour, but I mostly hang out with my girlfriend, my coach and other Swedes.
There are a lot of nice guys on the tour, but I mostly hang out with my girlfriend, my coach and other Swedes.
Do you think it's become impossible now to have a long career?
I wouldn't say it's impossible, but perhaps a bit more challenging. It's very important to work hard physically to prevent injury.
I wouldn't say it's impossible, but perhaps a bit more challenging. It's very important to work hard physically to prevent injury.
You will be coming to India for the first time, for the Chennai Open (in January). What have you heard about the event and India?
I've only heard very good things about this tournament so I'm sure it will be a great place for me to start the 2010 season. I'm looking forward to playing some good tennis at the Chennai Open 2010 and eating some great food.
I've only heard very good things about this tournament so I'm sure it will be a great place for me to start the 2010 season. I'm looking forward to playing some good tennis at the Chennai Open 2010 and eating some great food.
Who were the people or players that you admired while growing up?
I never really admired any specific tennis player, but I used to like watching Stefan Edberg play.
I never really admired any specific tennis player, but I used to like watching Stefan Edberg play.
Sweden has such a rich tennis heritage. But today you're the only Swede in the top 100...
Sweden is a small country, and to have had so many great players is sensational. As in all sports, success breeds success. I hope I will inspire a few kids to work hard.
Sweden is a small country, and to have had so many great players is sensational. As in all sports, success breeds success. I hope I will inspire a few kids to work hard.
What do you think you can do well apart from playing tennis?
I am very athletic, so I'm fairly good at most sports. I don't know if I'm a good cook, but I'm great at ordering food, same same.
I am very athletic, so I'm fairly good at most sports. I don't know if I'm a good cook, but I'm great at ordering food, same same.
What are the five things that you do not travel without?
My girlfriend, my laptop, my cell phone, Kent music and voltaren (anti-inflammatory drug).
My girlfriend, my laptop, my cell phone, Kent music and voltaren (anti-inflammatory drug).