TheBiofile.com » Michael Chang

Interview with La Tercera about my Marcelo Rios book

Scoop Malinowski — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:25:57 +0000

My Interview with Sebastian Carrizo of La Tercera which was published in one of Chile’s most respected daily newspapers La Tercera on Dec. 5…

Here is the actual two-page layout…

http://papeldigital.info/lt/?2011120401#107

Sebastian Carrizo: When your interest in Marcelo Ríos was born? Why?

Scoop Malinowski: “1995 U.S. Open first-round match vs. Thomas Enqvist. Though he lost in the fifth set tiebreaker, Rios played tennis like a wizard and looked an inner city gang member at the same time. It was a fascinating spectacle.”

Sebastian Carrizo: What feature of his playing highlights Ríos?

Scoop Malinowski: “He’s a magician, a maverick and an artist when at his best.”

Sebastian Carrizo: What part of Ríos’ life draws your attention? Some special event, a phrase, a conflict?

Scoop Malinowski: “How he entered the world of tennis and conquered it with his own way. His style and character brought something new and different to tennis. He refused to conform to tennis and forced tennis to conform to him. Also maybe I see a part of myself in Rios.”

Sebastian Carrizo: Who are the most prominent interviewees in your book?

Scoop Malinowski: “Many. Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal. Brad Gilbert. Marat Safin. Peter Lundgren. Mats Wilander. Luke Jensen. Michael Joyce. Nick Bollettieri. Michael Chang. Jan Michael Gambill. But some of the most revealing anecdotes came from the most unexpected sources. However, I’m disappointed to say that this past U.S. Open I had the chance to ask Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and John McEnroe about Rios as they were near my person however I passed on the opportunity.”

Sebastian Carrizo: What trait of Rios is repeated among the testimonies?

Scoop Malinowski: “Misunderstood. Genius. Talented. Contradictory. Strong character. Crazy!”

Sebastian Carrizo: What did Roger Federer say about Ríos?

Scoop Malinowski: “I spoke with Roger Federer a few times briefly. The first time I ever talked to him was in 1999 and for his favorite players to watch, he mentioned Rios, remarking that he had a different style game. Then more recently he said how he is an admirer of Rios.”

Sebastian Carrizo: Who were the most critical with Ríos? What did he/she say?

Scoop Malinowski: “Ilie Nastase called Rios the ‘worst prick’ he ever met. Somebody later told me that Nastase had once approached Rios in the locker room at the French Open and asked for an autograph by him for a niece or nephew. Apparently Rios rejected Nastase’s request which upset the Romanian legend.”

Sebastian Carrizo: When will be the book available in Chile? When will it be translated into Spanish?

Scoop Malinowski: “The English version is available now at amazon.com. I hope to translate it to Spanish and make it available next year.”

Sebastian Carrizo: Have you had any contact with Rios since the publication of the book? What did he say?

Scoop Malinowski: “I have not had any contact with Rios since 1999 when we did a short interview which appeared in the American publication Tennis Magazine.

Sebastian Carrizo: Which is the place of Ríos in tennis history?

Scoop Malinowski: “He was the best player in the world. The critics can say he underachieved or he never won a Grand Slam but they can’t deny that Rios was the ATP #1 player for six weeks in 1998.”

Sebastian Carrizo: Who where the most difficult-to-reach interviewee?

Scoop Malinowski: “Larry Stefanki. I tried to get him to talk numerous times, approaching him in person at 2010 US Open, on phone, email, and then again one last time in Key Biscayne this year, in person again. But he refused to talk about Rios. I sensed he still has some bitterness for Rios.”

Sebastian Carrizo: What did Guillermo Vilas told you about Marcelo Ríos? There is some like a battle between Rios and Vilas, because Rios told one time that he was more succesful than the Argentinean because he reach #1 and Vilas didn’t.

Scoop Malinowski: “I spoke with Vilas at the US Open. He has much respect for Rios’ career and strong personality type. I still remember his exact words about people trying to converse with Rios, “You don’t give candy to a lion.”

Sebastian Carrizo: What did Nick Bolletieri told about Marcelo? Marcelo’s daughter, Constanza, is now training at Bolletieri’s camp. She have also played some youth tournaments defending both Costa Rica and Chile.

Scoop Malinowski: “Nick was a great interview as I’m sure you know. Nick shared many memorable anecdotes, one example was the time in Germany when Rios beat Agassi in the final of the Grand Slam Cup in Munich and won the million dollar prize. Nick said Rios, who could be frugal sometimes, tried to not pay him his coaching fee, because Rios reasoned that the Grand Slam Cup was not part of the regular ATP Tour. LOL. But ultimately Rios did pay Nick. The first time I was at the IMG Academy two years ago Constanza was there practicing and I took a few photos of her. She was very smooth and fluid and also a lefty. Nick said about her, “She’s excellent. No, no…she’s BETTER THAN EXCELLENT!” Nick clearly has high respect for young Constanza’s skills on the court.”

Sebastian Carrizo: What other anecdote/story do you remember about Marcelo and who told you?

Scoop Malinowski: “Mike Nakajima, an executive with Nike, was and still is a good friend of Rios. Mike told me about the night Marcelo became #1 in Miami, the whole group, Marcelo and friends went out for dinner at a steakhouse in Miami. Here’s the excerpt:

“1998 when he became #1 in Key Biscayne. I’m going out to have dinner with a group of people, with Marcelo, to a steakhouse in Miami. I was sitting with Chris Chandler, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback – I believe Larry Stefanki’s sister is Chris Chandler’s wife. We’re on one end, playing 80’s one hit wonder songs. In the middle of the table was Rios with his group. One guy was there at the restaurant, draped with a Chilean flag. Every ten minutes the guy would stand up and would chant that, Chile-Chile-Chile! Okay, we know you’re from Chile. In the middle of the dinner, Rios gets up to go to use the bathroom. And the guy gets up and follows him. Then Rios comes back to our table. And says to Chris, You gotta help. I punched this guy. He cold-cocked him. We go into the bathroom and the guy is out cold. Chris Chandler said, You don’t need my help [smiles].”

Biofile with Michael Chang

Scoop Malinowski — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:29:45 +0000

Status: 1989 French Open champion. Winner of 34 career ATP singles titles. Highest ATP ranking of #2 in 1996. Inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008.

Ht: 5-10 Wt: 165

DOB: February 22, 1972 In: Hoboken, N.J.

First Tennis Memory: “Probably hitting against the basement wall when I was young. With my mom (Betty), my dad (Joe) and my

brother (Carl).”

Favorite Sports Outside Tennis: “I enjoy fishing and golf a lot.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “Now it’d be tough to compete against Djokovic [smiles]. I think most of the players know that he likes to do imitations. I’d say it’s pretty funny when he does it. So I think most of the guys know he does it just for fun.”

Strangest Match: “I think one of the matches that was a little out of the ordinary was my match with Lendl (then world #1 at 1989 French Open – 46 46 63 63 63), with the cramps and stuff like that. So nothing too out of the ordinary.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the French Open. I think it was God’s purpose for me to be able to win the French Open the way it was won because I was able to put a smile on Chinese people’s faces around the world while the events of Tianaman Square were going on.”

Most Painful Moment: “Maybe the Lendl match [laughs].”

Favorite Tournament(s): “I have too many favorites. All for different reasons.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “I played on Court 1, which was the grandstand back in the day. And I remember I had gone up to the net and I did a split-step. And my pants ripped. And I had to actually go and ask the chair umpire if I could go back to the locker room to get my – another pair of shorts. I never had that happen to me. That’s the only time I had that happen to me. And he was laughing when I told him that. (Remember the opponent?) I don’t remember the opponent. All I remember is that.”

Best You Ever Felt On Court: “It’s tough to say. I had a lot of good matches. Some matches I won, some matches I lost. It’s tough to compete with the matches that I played at the French Open – I was just really playing well. I felt like I was just blessed those couple of weeks. I had a lot of great matches at the U.S. Open which was a lot of fun to be a part of. But I think, all in all, I feel very blessed to have had the chance to play for 16-plus years out on Tour (1987-2003) and it’s nice obviously to go out there and win and stuff like that. But it’s, you know, for me, if I’ve gone out there and I touched a life, somewhere along the road, it’s been well worth it.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I think it’s nice when you see people that give their best. And at the same time, have a good sense of respect for people. And humility. Even when they’re on top.”

Current Activities: Attends Talbot School of Theology. Operates the Chang Family Foundation and Christian Sports League ministry. Speaks to various people groups, universities, businesses, churches, conferences. Plays senior tennis tour events.

Family: Wife, Amber.

Residence: Orange County, CA.

(Color pencil drawing of Michael Chang by Scoop Malinowski in 1989)

Biofile with Taylor Dent

Scoop Malinowski — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:09:06 +0000

Status: Retired ATP tennis player. Winner of four ATP singles titles. Won 2006 Hopman Cup in Perth Australia for America with Lisa Raymond.

Ht: 6-1 1/2 Wt: 200

DOB: Aprill 24, 1981 In: Newport Beach, CA

First Tennis Memory: “In tears after losing my first set in the final of a tournament. I was ten. (Against who?) Curtis Elmore. I won the first set 6-2, lost the second set 6-3 and, that age, you get a ten-minute break in between sets and I was in tears. It was the final set. I lost.”

Tennis Inspiration: “Actually what started me was probably Chang. When my dad was coaching Chang, Michael Chang.”

Last Book Read: “Last book I read was The Secret Of The Slight Edge by Bob Mowatt.”

Current Car: “Is a Scion XB (white). I almost killed myself in a Porsche Turbo and I realized that cars and speed and me don’t mix. So I go for the most efficient, cheapest car I can find.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “It’s tough to beat winning titles. I’d say winning Newport (2002) holds the biggest place in my heart because it’s my first.”

Most Painful Moment: “Any time you lose is painful. But there’s one I played Andy Roddick in the second round of the Australian Open. And I just couldn’t hit a ball in the court. I’d played on big stages many, many times. I wasn’t nervous or tight. It was just one of those days. Unfortunately, I have those days where I couldn’t serve in the court, couldn’t hit a ball in the court. And he beat me like 2-0-1 or something like that. That was painful.”

Which Match Do You Feel You Were At Your Best: “Probably Andy Roddick. Beat him 1 and 4 in the final of Memphis. I returned unbelievable.”

Closest Tennis Friends: “You know, I’m pretty solitary but I hand with whoever’s around. I’m pretty easy to get along with. Dave Martin is a doubles player, we’re pretty good buddies. Alex Bogomolov. Any of the American guys really.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “Fish is kind of funny, he’s more annoying than funny [smiles]. James (Blake) is pretty funny. Everybody’s got to have a sense of humor out here. So everybody can have a laugh.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “I was playing a doubles match against Ginepri and Merklein and my partner was Alex Bogomolov. We were playing I-formation. Alex just hit a bunny of a serve in. And I popped up and Ginepri just tried to take my head off. Just kind of smiling as he’s doing it. I had some gas that day, so I reflexed the volley. And I grunted and as I grunted, a big fart came out. The point continued and everybody on the court’s laughing. Everybody in the stands is laughing. And after we lost the point – What are you guy’s laughing at? But it was obvious. (Where was it?) That was the Houston tournament when it was Mattress Mac’s place.”

Toughest Competitors: “I mean, the list goes on. Andy Roddick won’t give you anything. Lleyton Hewitt doesn’t give you anything. I think the times I played with Nalbandian it’s been rough. Agassi obviously. You can’t not be a competitor and be good.”

Favorite Players To Watch: “Can’t help but to love to watch Federer. I actually really enjoy watching Nalbandian play. (Why him?) Nalbandian just seems like he just doesn’t miss much, can move the ball around the court where ever he wants to. When he’s playing well he just makes the other players run so much. So it’s pretty fun to watch. Davydenko can be fun sometimes too.”

Favorite Tournament: “Outside of the grand slams, because they’re obviously the big deals, it’s a very unique atmosphere in Newport. The fans get to be very close to the players, so this is fun. I’m an American guy so I love the American swing, every single one of them is nice to play at. ”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Integrity. A pet peeve of mine is when people are inconsiderate and thoughtless.”