Throughout his 20-year pro career Fabrice Santoro has been a master magician on court capable of taking even the most accomplished players out of their comfort zones with his array of spins and slices. The 36-year-old Santoro showed his slick racquet skills for stretches before Juan Carlos Ferrero made the magic man disappear. The 24th-seeded Spaniard sent Santoro packing in his final Grand Slam tournament, posting a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, victory. It was Santoro’s 69th career Grand Slam tournament apperance, most of any man in the Open Era, and his last as he announced his plan to retire at the conclusion of the season. Playing with two hands off both forehand and backhand, Santoro has remained a unique and vital player. He captured his second straight Newport title in July of 2008 to join Andre Agassi as only the second 35-year-old man to win an ATP title since 1990. Santoro was the eighth oldest ATP champion since 1980. Only Jimmy Connors (four times), Jaime Fillol (twice) and Mark Cox (once) have ever won ATP singles titles at an older age. “When you start a career at 16 years old, never, ever can you imagine you’ll play a tournament 20 years later. I played my first French Open in 1989,” Santoro said. “I have the same passion for the game as five, 10, 15 years ago.” Santoro has written a book, “My Two Hands” and could return to the game as a coach in the future. Scoop Malinowski caught up with Santoro after his 18th and final Flushimg Meadows appearance for this interview.

Tennis Week: What was your first memory of tennis?

Fabrice Santoro: “When McEnroe was up two sets and 3-1 in the third in the French Open final 1984.”

Tennis Week: Were you rooting for McEnroe?

Fabrice Santoro: “Oh yeah. Sorry for Ivan [smiles]. But I was 200 percent behind John.”

Tennis Week: Has there been a secret to your success?

Fabrice Santoro: “Yeah, I fell in love with tennis when I was a kid. I have the real passion, I really love the sport. And that’s probably the secret, to stay alive for so many years.”

 Tennis Week: What match did you play your very best, your finest tennis?

Fabrice Santoro: “After so many wins and loses on the Tour it’s tough for me to choose a match. But because I am in New York I will say that when I lost to Federer in 2005. My ovation here in New York was a magic moment for me. (Fabrice received a standing ovation at the end of the night match on Ashe Stadium, and Federer said he was one of his favorite opponents to play because he was so unique.).”

 Tennis Week: What inspired you to write your forthcoming autobiography (“My Two Hands”)?

Fabrice Santoro: “I always heard, You’re different, you play different. The way you think about tennis is different. So I just want to explain that. If I’m really different on that.”

Tennis Week: Is anyone helping you write it?

Fabrice Santoro: “A lady who is completely out of tennis helped me because I would need two years to do it myself.”

Tennis Week: Is your tennis writing style different and unique like your playing style?

Fabrice Santoro: “You will tell me when you read it [smiles]. I hope.”

Tennis Week: Will it be published also in English because I know several tennis journalists who are very interested to read this book?

Fabrice Santoro: “Possibly. Maybe. It’s not my decision.”

Tennis Week: And is there a possibility you might decide to play Australia for the four decades all time record? (Fabrice would be the first male tennis player to play in a grand slam tournament in four different decades — he played his first one at Roland Garros in 1989.)

Fabrice Santoro: “Before the French Open I never thought the four decade because nobody ever mentioned it to me. At the moment, no, there is no way. I mean, no, I am not thinking about it.”