Status: #16 seed has reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals and will meet Juan Martin Del Potro.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 180
DOB: September 29, 1988 In: Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Who is your tennis inspiration? “Of course Goran Ivanisevic, he was a national hero when I was growing up. He also helped me a lot during when he was finishing his career, and when I was just 14-15, just coming up. He was a really big help for my tennis.”
Your first tennis memory? “When I was in Germany, I went to Germany when I was seven. There I played with my cousin, her name is Tanja. And she was also one of the first ones to teach me how to play, as she was playing before. So she encouraged me to start. I enjoy to play tennis from that time.”
What are your favorite movies? “Action and comedy. I like Braveheart, Deja Vu and Lord of The Rings.”
The last book you read? “It was Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist.”
Your musical tastes? “Croatian music, R&B, hip-hop, some pop, AC/DC and Linkin Park.”
Favorite web sites? “Mostly sport web sites in Croatia.”
Favorite meal and ice cream flavor? “Mom’s kitchen [smiles], meat and potatoes. Chocolate ice cream.”
What has been your greatest sports moment so far? “Participating at the (Beijing) Olympics for the first time (d. Monaco in three sets then lost to Gonzalez 4-6 2-6 in R32). Also defeating the United States in the Davis Cup in Croatia (July 2009). Reaching the second week of Wimbledon and U.S. Open.”
Your most painful tennis moment? “Haven’t met that so far [smiles].”
Did you have an embarrassing tennis memory? “Tough moment was when I played first time in Croatia Davis Cup with Nalbandian (2006). That was pretty rough. In front of the full stadium. So I lost pretty badly.”
Did you get revenge on Nalbandian? “Not yet, haven’t played yet [smiles].”
Your favorite tournaments? “I like Queens a lot. And I like also Zagreb and Umag in Croatia.”
Closest friends from the ATP Tour? “I like to hang out with Mischa Zverev, Robin Haase, those are the guys I know from juniors. Of course, Croatian guys – Ancic, Karanusic, Karlovic, all those guys.”
Funniest ATP players? “Well, Ljubicic is funny off the court. The foreigners – I’m not sure. Didn’t get to know them too friendly yet.”
Who are your favorite tennis players to watch now? “Federer, a lot.”
What are the people qualities you admire most? “Honest. Like friendship. People who appreciate other people.”
Topics: Atp Tour, Beijing Olympics, Chocolate Ice Cream, Davis Cup, Favorite Web Sites, Goran Ivanisevic, Greatest Sports, Juan Martin Del Potro, Marin Cilic, Meat And Potatoes, Mostar Bosnia, Musical Tastes, Nalbandian, National Hero, Open Quarterfinals, Paulo Coehlo, Robin Haase, Sport Web, Sports Moment, Zverev
Biofile with Marin Cilic | 