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].”

DOB: October 16, 1992 In: Annandale, Virginia

Early Tennis Memory: “That would be hitting at my local courts with my mom. I’d go out maybe three times a week; I’d just enjoy hitting the ball. I remember I’d be out there an hour-and-a-half and enjoying whacking the ball around.”

Tennis Inspirations: “Probably Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Just really enjoy watching them compete and how they handle themselves on the court. I think they’re great role models and sportsmen to represent the sport of tennis.”

Nicknames: “Usually Mitch, The Machine, Robo Frank — those are the three.”

Favorite Movies: “Probably Batman: The Dark Knight and Old School.”

Last Book Read: “Right now I’m reading Rafa. I actually like it a lot. Really interesting. I’d recommend it for anyone to read.”

Current Car: “I don’t have a car. My sister and I share a Camry.”

Greatest Sports Moment (so far): “That’s a tough one… probably getting to compete at all four of the majors in juniors. Getting the chance to see what it’s like to experience the highest level of the sport, not only as a junior but from a professional standpoint.”

Most Painful Moment: “I went to the [2010] Australian Open for juniors and lost in the third round 8-6 in the third set, to the guy who ended up winning (Tiago Fernandes of Brazil). To have that 26-hour flight back to think about the match, that was obviously a tough one to drop.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “I would say probably Denis Kudla is one, I mean, he’s a really tough competitor. Second I would say…maybe Jack Sock. I think he competes well. I’ve seen him come back from a lot of tough matches.”

Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Definitely football, to watch and play.”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I remember being in Mexico [at the 2008 Yucatan World Cup] and I was playing well, I made a good run to the quarterfinal. I played the No. 1 seed in my first-ever night match. And I really got beat easily by this guy in front of like a thousand people. It was quick. It was on TV. It was pretty embarrassing for me. (Who was the opponent?) Guillaume Rufin. He’s 170 [in the world] now. So maybe he was a good player.”

Best You Ever Felt On Court: “I was playing Evan King in the finals in Carson (2009), and we were both playing well. I felt I could not miss a ball. I felt amazing, really enjoyed that match. That’s the one that sticks out in my mind the most.”

Favorite Players To Watch: “Federer, Nadal. I like watching Murray, I think he constructs the game very well. He plays different than everyone else. He really slows the match down. I probably have a little of that in me, so I really enjoy watching him play. (Women’s player?) It probably was Justine Henin. I felt she played a real all-court game, constantly out there fighting for points. I felt she worked really hard to get her success.”

Strangest Match: “I was in Brazil [at the 2009 Banana Bowl]. My first-ever match on red clay. I was down 6-1 5-1 and 40-15 against this Austrian dirtballer [Tristan-Samuel Weissborn]. I came back and found a way to win. That was the strangest match, just to have everything turn like that. (How did you turn it around?) He was crushing me in the stadium. He had two match points. On the first he tried to hit a winner that missed. Then he tried to kind of toy with me and I ended up passing him. I thought, Okay, there’s no way I’m losing, he’s not even locked in here. I ended up playing really solid. Just got like really locked-in mentally and physically, willing to be out there as long as it took.”

Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “I really enjoy the sport itself. It has kind of a mystique to it. I just always enjoy hitting the ball, how the players move and compete. There’s a lot of stuff going on with the players. Yet they’re so focused and tunnel-visioned in on the match.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “In general, I like to see toughness… The willingness to learn. I like people who are willing to experience what’s around them, to see what’s out there. People who try to care and help each other. That’s what we’re here for.”

Scoop Malinowski created the Biofile interview in 1992. He is the author of “Marcelo Rios: The Man We Barely Knew” which is now available at Amazon.com.

First Tennis Memory: “My first victory in my junior days when I played under 12 in my first tournament. In Croatia.”

Tennis Inspirations: “Is of course my inspiration is the good players. When I was young my inspiration was Goran Ivanisevic, watching him, his matches. And wishing to play someday. And it was like the biggest inspiration.”

Nicknames: “Some players call me Dodo. Just some of the players. Normally I don’t have a nickname.”

Last Book Read: “Oooh, that was a couple of years ago. Normally I like to read sports books. It was Brad Gilbert about tennis (Winning Ugly).”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “I don’t know…actually I like chocolate.”

Current Car: “I have Audi A4. We get it here actually after winning some matches. I decide the first time in my life to get a car. (What color?) Red. My father like red [smiles].”

Greatest Sports Moment: “It’s of course first time when I became Top 100. That happened last year in Astana, Kazakhstan, after winning the Challenger (d. Kunitsyn). First time I came to Top 100, it was always my first dream. And greatest moment for my career. (Greater than winning first ATP title?) Actually the ATP tournament is second place. Of course I was always dreaming to be Top 100 and winning Zagreb was second.”

Most Painful Moment: “It was lots of painful moments in my career. But the worst was when I didn’t have money to travel to the tournaments. So it was so tough for me to see the other players, how they are playing. I didn’t have a chance because I’m coming from Croatia and it’s not easy to find the sponsors. If you don’t, say, have a rich family it’s tough. I think that was the worst moment. You see other players are playing and you have no chance to even go to the tournaments. I know now it’s the past for me. And now I’m trying to enjoy. (What year was that?) That was especially in juniors, two years I skip it. I didn’t, I actually (play) just the few tournaments close to my home. It was tough for me.”

Favorite Tournaments: “Actually for me it’s Wimbledon. I played 2010. It’s different from the others. Now it’s Wimbledon, but this year I will play more bigger tournaments.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “The first time I got a wildcard in Umag. The black cat came in the court. I think this is actually not a good sign [smiles]. And I finished very fast. I think it was 6-1 6-3. It was a little bit funny. All the stories was around that cat. (Who did you lose to?) I lost to [Pablo] Cuevas.”

At Best: “I played in Zagreb, the match against [Ivan] Ljubicic and the match in the final I played very well. And Australian, my victory againstJuan Carlos Ferrero. I beat him in five sets. I think I played very well. And against [Tommy] Robredo in Stockholm. I really played good in Zagreb against [Michael] Berrer in the final.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “I still don’t know that many players, especially the guys at the top. But I can say for me I’m very good friends with Marin Cilic. We are coming from same village. We are doing a lot of jokes. For me he’s the most funny. We can do somethings to make some funny things especially in Davis Cup. We are together at some tournaments and we are doing things to get good motivation because I think it’s very important to be relaxed for the tournament. And off the court to think about some other things.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “If I look at the tennis way I like people who are relaxed out of the court but in the court I like always to, for example, practice with the guys who are focused. I’m not really happy when I have to hit with somebody who for example, hitting and talking to the coach. If we work we work. Then if we have fun, I have fun. In general, I like relaxed people but when it’s something serious, to be serious.”

Artist LeRoy Neiman has traveled the globe to paint, sketch and draw. His creations have showcased nature, humanity or any subject that arrest his attention, including sport and tennis.

“Tennis is pure,” says the artist in his studio on a sunny summer day, less than a block from Central Park in New York City. “The players come out quietly. They warm up. They have the player introductions which is very dignified. And then they start to play. There is no big to-do before it starts. That’s a tradition and they’re holding to it. I like the fact that Sampras wore all white all the time. I like to see my fencers in white, my doctors in white and my tennis players in white [laughs]. In other sports, they’ve made it so you have other experiences at the event. I think it’s gone too far. Tennis is still pure. I don’t think tennis needs any improvement or showbiz.”

The St. Paul, Minnesota-born Neiman says he first was introduced to tennis after World War II and art school in Chicago. “My interest in tennis came after I came out of the Army. After I had the war behind me, I felt I could do anything I wanted, an, ‘I served my country kind of thing.’ I started to play and found out I wasn’t all that bad. Then, playing tennis became social. After (my association with) Playboy started, I played tennis with Playmates, the Bunnies and the girls at the office.”

One champion tennis player in particular was a special source of inspiration. “I didn’t paint or draw tennis until I saw one man play – Pancho Gonzalez. When I saw him, I wanted to draw. He was the best moving player I had ever seen, until Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Sampras and Federer distinguished themselves as being the very picture of a tennis player. I remember the excitement that McEnroe and Connors gave but I don’t remember their form as being all that aesthetic. Now Venus Williams is a new, aesthetically powerful athlete on the court. I drew Chrissie, Billie Jean and Martina. Venus is the first woman who I feel has that grace and beauty. Because in tennis you have to have grace and power. You might have good form and all the different swings but very few have the grace as they move about.”

Somewhat unexpectedly, the artist sees some violence in what has been called ‘the sport of grace.’ “Tennis is a blood sport. The violence is contained in that one area. But the spectators are comfortable. They have great respect for the game and the players. And the players deserve it. You don’t hear tennis players getting heckled like athletes in other sports sometimes are. But the nature of the game itself is very violent [laughs]! The idea is to just destroy. Rafael Nadal can’t punch his opponent but he certainly can give it to him [laughs]. A good forehand shot is the same as a clean punch. Players break bones and cut themselves sometimes because getting the ball means so much to them.”

Neiman’s last time attending a live professional match was at the U.S. Open where he watched Pete Sampras play Richard Krajicek in Ashe Stadium. “When Pete comes out for that first game, he bounces up and down like a fighter in his corner. He looks like a fighter when he’s at play. He’s got that warm-up bounce that Sugar Ray Robinson had. The pre-match ritual he goes through is like the referee’s instructions in the center of the ring. Pete makes certain evaluations at that time.”

Playing doubles with Ken Rosewall, Bud Collins, befriending Pancho Gonzalez, sketching courtside at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open…there have been many special moments in tennis for Neiman. But the greatest? “Drawing Pancho Gonzalez during his prime at Madison Square Garden in about 1960,” Neiman says. “Pancho Gonzalez was my man. He would come to the chair between games, take off his shoe, change his corn plasters. He did more on that chair than anybody ever did [laughs]. He was always grouchy. I was right there with him, on the court, drawing. And this camera man comes up. He had the lens about a yard from Pancho’s face. When Pancho got through wiping his face, he threw the towel over the camera and walked on the court [laughs]. That was a highlight. I became very good friends with Pancho when he was the tennis pro at Caesars Palace in his later years.”

And a worst tennis moment? “There’s no worst tennis moment. But I always felt bad when McEnroe would lose. Because he put on such a performance. McEnroe was such a great athlete. Now he’s a voice. I’d say Sinatra was very powerful, had a lot of distractions about his private life, his movie acting, all the things he did. But he was a musician first. And whatever way he behaved, McEnroe was an athlete first.”

One time in Miami, the sounds of the tennis court made by a former #1 player served as an unrequested wake-up call. “One morning at the Racquet Club in Miami – I had been out to the wee hours – I was awakened in the early hours because I kept hearing the crack of the ball and [imitates[ Uhhhhh. Down below my window were the courts and right down there [laughs] Uhhhhh! Jimmy Connors is down there. Uhhhhh [laughs]! So I got up and I go down there. Jimmy, I can’t sleep! You hitting the ball – I can’t sleep. And he says, Let’s go hit a few. So I did. I hit with Jimmy Connors. But he lost interest very soon.”

Status: #7 seed has reached the finals of 2010 Roland Garros – will meet Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s final. Has won five career ATP singles titles.

DOB: August 14, 1984 in Tibro, Sweden.

Tennis Inspirations: “When I was younger I liked to watch a lot of tennis, I watch a lot of matches. But I didn’t really have a hero. Of course I liked the Swedes. But I think I liked more the game.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I like to watch sports on TV. Especially I like to watch table tennis – my dad used to play. And I like the sport, it’s a fun game. Also ice hockey and soccer.”

Nicknames: “No, not that I know [smiles]. (According to some Robin is called, Soderking and Sod).”

Favorite Movies: “My favorites are Gladiator and Scarface [smiles].”

Favorite TV Shows: “No, I’m traveling a lot. I cannot watch that many TV shows. I liked to watch TV shows when I was younger back home in Sweden.”

Musical Tastes: “I like a lot of music. Almost everything. Like to listen to music, so almost everything.”

Early Tennis Memory: “My first memory from tennis is actually when I was in Sweden and I went to, I think it was Gothenborg and I watched Sweden play the U.S. in Davis Cup. That’s maybe my first memory from tennis. And it was very fun and I enjoyed it a lot. Yeah I was there. I didn’t even really remember who was playing but I enjoyed it a lot. The big arena, the big crowd, I was running around there collecting autographs. So it was really a nice memory. (Which autographs did you get?) I think I have Edberg and Larsson at home. And I also think I have one from Sampras as well.”

Pre-Match Feeling: “I’m often a little bit nervous before the match. Because I think you have to be a little bit nervous to perform your best. But I got used to it. You know, you play a lot of matches. When I was – a couple of years ago – I’d get very angry and sad after I lost the match. But now maybe one hour after match I start focusing on the next tournament. You know, that’s what you have to do.”

Favorite Meal: “I like spaghetti with meatballs.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”

Current Car: “BMW (silver).”

Greatest Sports Moment: “For me…first ATP title in Lyon (defeated Xavier Malisse in 2004). And when I won the Swedish championships for juniors when I was 11. That was a great feeling. I think I won the final 4 and 4. And I was very happy after that match. It was the first time I played the Swedish championships and I won it so I was very happy.”

Most Painful Moment: “It’s actually when I lost 7-6 against Fish in the final in the Stockholm Open (2003).”

Closest ATP Friends: “It’s the Swedish players. I’m a good friend with all the Swedes. We all like to hang out together and they’re all nice guys.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “Funniest…ooooh, that’s a tough one. Safin, he’s funny. He’s always relaxed, I think he has a laid back attitude and he’s not taking too seriously. He’s very funny guy.”

Toughest Competitors: “Everyone. I played Srichaphan two times and he killed me both times. Before he became injured he was a really good player.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “Don’t remember. I’m not sure.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “People that are nice. Especially in tennis, as I said about Safin. He’s not taking it too seriously. But he, of course, people likes to win and practice hard but then they’re not taking it too seriously. It’s not life and death.”

Read more about tennis at Scoop’s new site: www.tennis-prose.com

(This article was originally published at Tennisweek.com on June 20, 2006.)

“No two men can be half an hour together, but one shall acquire an evident superiority over the other.”  — Samuel Johnson

“To be the best in the world you have to get blood on your hands.” — Philip H. Anselmo

What is Roger Federer feeling now? Has he been wounded psychologically? Could all these defeats at the hands of the mighty Rafael Nadal be inflicting some kind of permanent damage? The Spaniard has won six out of seven from Federer and actually it could have very easily been a perfect seven had he not blown a two sets and a break lead in the Key Biscayne final last year.

Odd things happen sometimes when the great champion loses his confidence. Bjorn Borg lost the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals to John McEnroe in 1981 and his psyche suffered so much by those those failures that he suddenly left the game at age 26. Lennox Lewis was losing a viciously violent fight to Vitali Klitschko in 2003, but luckily won when the referee controversially stopped it after round six because of Klitschko’s cuts. Lewis, who had earlier stated a goal of three more fights, never fought again, turning down offers of $20 million for a rematch. It was evident Lewis was unsure if he was the best anymore.

In individual sports, when the great champion questions himself in his own mind — Am I still the best? — it is the beginning of the end. All of the contenders sense the vulnerability and begin to plot their moves. We have witnessed the demises of many champion boxers and tennis players, such as Marvin Hagler, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams and Mike Tyson, to name a few.

Nadal seems supremely confident he will dethrone Federer, and the process apparently is underway before our eyes.

“He is the best player in the world. The most complete player I have seen in my life,” Nadal says. “But he can’t keep playing like this forever.”"

It’s debatable right now if Federer is actually even the best player in the world — he’s not even the best player on the court when he stares across the net at the clay-court conquistador who has had his number so often it’s the tennis equivalent of speed dial.

When he enters into a tournament now, the people are buzzing about Nadal. Roger may have the ranking points, but Nadal clearly is his superior. Just as it took one man, Buster Douglas, to overthrow Tyson as the king, maybe Nadal is the man who will befall Federer. As unbelievable as it sounds, Nadal may ruin the spectacular reign of Federer.

I believe Nadal may have destroyed the career of Guillermo Coria. We know Coria was devastated by that weird loss to Gaston Gaudio in the 2004 French Open final. It is suspected Coria’s possible use of injury gamesmanship during that match backfired and may have cost him the Grand Slam victory. But last year, Coria was still a major force on clay, until he lost that five-hour, fifth set tiebreak marathon to Nadal in Rome, ultimately enduring a heart-breaking 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) defeat.

Coria has never been the same since that moment and his career has tumbled into crisis. Perhaps Coria has come to believe in his own mind he will never be able to overcome Nadal, and that he foolishly squandered his one and only chance to win Roland Garros. And thus, without the fuel of hope to inspire him, he is a lost man on the court. A man without hope is a man…

You have to wonder at this point if Federer possesses the confidence, passion and the strength to defy this rampaging Spanish bull. We know Nadal has hopes. We know Nadal believes and is now aiming to show he can win on the grass at Wimbledon and that he can attain number one. And if the young phenomenon truly believes he can achieve those accomplishments, Mr. Federer may soon have plenty more problems to deal with. It’s all been so marvelously clever the way Nadal has treated the subject of Federer. With nothing but gracious respect the 20-year-old only speaks kind words of his adversary.

“Everyone knows I like Roger,” he says. From Nadal, there is never any criticism, truculence or even a hint of any malice towards Roger. Federer, on the other hand, has shown glimpses of irritation at Nadal. This year he accused Nadal’s coach, uncle Toni Nadal, of illegally coaching from his box. He called Nadal’s game “one-dimensional” before this year’s defeat at Monte Carlo.

Last year at the French Open, Federer seemed slightly annoyed when reporters told him that Nadal said there was “no favorite” to win Roland Garros. “That’s an interesting way to put pressure on people,” said Federer. “It’s clever. He’s not stupid. I think there are a number of favorites here, and he knows well who they are.”

In the aftermath of Nadal’s victory over Federer in the French Open final, the Swiss stylist issued a subtle slight at Nadal by calling him “a grinder” immediately after the match.

Let’s be blunt now, Nadal has pushed Federer around for 14 months and so far the Swiss gentleman has had no answers, no effective counterattacks. The ruthless bullying on the court just continues on. It’s an intriguing clash of wills between the two strongest tennis players on earth today, a compelling drama with many chapters to read in the future. What ideas will Federer devise on how to halt this domination at the hands of Nadal? What can Roger do to circumvent his failings in the psychological warfare department? Is Nadal much smarter than his young age would suggest? Is he actually more intelligent than Federer is on court, using that higher tennis IQ to be able to outplay him five consecutive matches? Has Federer been intimidated by the intensity and fury of his powerful rival?

The greatness of Roger Federer has been tested, it has been questioned. The answers must come soon. Another possibility in this fascinating battle is that there is ample hope for Federer. Assuming, of course, that Nadal has not broken his spirit, Roger may actually become stronger from these defeats. Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was unexpectedly knocked out twice in his career. Imagine being knocked out with one punch in front of the world. Imagine the difficulty of trying to regain confidence to absorb a punch. Then you have to recover your status while discouraging all the eager attackers. In an awesome display of courage and perseverance, Lewis actually came back a better, smarter and more complete fighter and is now regarded as one of the best in history.

The same agony was suffered by Federer’s personal friend, the 1996 Olympic gold medallist Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine (the two met last year at an award show in Europe and became friends, Klitschko told me). Klitschko was the heir apparent to Lewis, until he was devastatingly knocked out twice by Corrie Sanders in 2003 and Lamon Brewster in 2004. But Klitschko maintained that, despite the horror of those humiliating losses, he never lost confidence in himself. He figured out why he lost, fixed the errors and resumed his lifelong ambition. And Klitschko has succeeded to this point, by impressively defeating the hardest knockout puncher in the world last September, Samuel Peter of Nigeria, and Chris Byrd this past April to win the IBF Heavyweight title. Klitschko, age 30, considers his failures in the ring to be valuable learning experiences and actually believes he needed them to make him a complete fighter.

“I needed to experience losing to become a champion,” said Klitschko. “I never lost my confidence. I am complete fighter right now. Experience — you cannot buy in the shop. You have to gain it with your own skin and your own body with your own mind and through the time. Experience which people are making and they have to learn from those experiences. And they have to get better.”

Klitschko, written off by most of the experts as lacking resilience and a strong jaw just a few years ago, proved his heart and mind were much stronger than anyone imagined. And he now appears poised to dominate the heavyweight division for several years.

No one knows how Federer will come back from his setbacks, maybe not even Roger Federer himself.

The decision is his to make. Or is it Rafael Nadal’s? 

(Postscript: Since this article was written in 2006, Federer and Nadal have met 13 times, with Nadal winning seven, Federer six. Nadal became the ATP #1 ranked player in August 2008, then Federer regained the top spot last summer. Overall, Nadal leads the career head-to-head, 13-7. Federer won their last match in Madrid on clay in 2009, 64 64. Federer is still #1, Nadal is #3 now (Djokovic is #2) but Nadal is surging – he has won two straight Masters Series events on clay in Monte Carlo and Rome.)

Favorite Movies: Gladiator, Titanic.

Musical Tastes: “Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Shakira, David Bisbal — Spanish singer I listen to a lot. Mana — Mexican.”

Early Tennis Memory: “Four hours — practice one or two times a week.”

Favorite Meal: “Olives, steak, pasta, fish.”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Frosted Flakes in hot chocolate.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Pre-Match Feeling: “Play with incredible motivation. A little bit nervous, but good.”

First Job: “Tennis.”

First Car: “Kia Sportage.”

Current Car: “Kia. Aston Martin DBS.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “The three most important moments in my career probably was first Roland Garros – well maybe the first Davis Cup – first Roland Garros, and first Wimbledon. And later Olympics (2008).”

Most Painful Moment: “I don’t know. When I stay injured three months (stress fracture in left ankle joint in 2004). Missed Monte Carlo, Rome, Hamburg, Paris (Roland Garros), Wimbledon.”

Closest Tennis Friends: “I have all the Spanish players. And I have good relations with all players. Carlos Moya. I know him for so long. I know him very well. He’s very sharp. He’s a great person even outside the game of tennis. A great guy. One of the best players in the world. I get along very well with Carlos.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “I don’t know.”

Toughest Competitors: “All the players, they is playing good. And I think the best player now is Federer. But all players good.”

Favorite Tournament(s): “I like many of them. I cannot name one.”

Playing perhaps the finest match of his career, a spectacularly precise Andrew Murray pummeled defending Australian Open champ Rafael Nadal for three sets and scored an impressive technical knockout. At 0-3 down in set three, Nadal retired from the contest citing a knee injury.

From the first point this hotly-anticipated night match between the two tennis titans in Rod Laver Arena stunned observers with dazzling shotmaking and furious action. It more than lived up to all expectations. TV commentator Justin Gimelstob said, “this feels like a heavyweight championship fight.” Indeed it may have been.

It was a dramatic duel between two high class champions at contrasting points in their careers. Murray attempting to win his first Grand Slam after two years of frustration and Nadal frantically trying to maintain his status as a kingpin.

The Mighty Spaniard has won six career Slams but came up short in Paris and New York last year. He also missed Wimbledon but did help Spain win the Davis Cup. Against Murray, Nadal appeared threatened, like a man who knew his fate but would fight it till the end. He wore an uneasy expression of ferocious intensity through the first set, often talking to himself and snarling animatedly, sometimes even baring his teeth at Murray, like a wild animal, before service returns.

Nadal was defeated by Murray in Rotterdam a year ago and seemed to sense the crucial importance of trying to subdue Murray now. The big bull of Mallorca was sharp early. He played some miraculous shots and went up a break. But Murray never wavered. The Scot broke back to level the first set at 2-2, but then quickly fell down 0-40 on his next service game.

This was the key point of the battle. Murray utilized his big, new serve and scored three successful serve and volleys to take the pivotal game.  The whole flow of the match changed. Murray knew he just mastered an important test. Nadal felt the urge to force the issue and became more offensive than he typically likes to be.

“Every point is a mini-war out there,” noted Gimelstob. “It’s out of respect for Murray’s game that he’s pushing his game to it’s most aggressive limits.”

While Nadal seemed to portray the role of the feisty warrior, Murray stayed calm and poised throughout this classic duel. Murray’s magnanimous demeanor conjured the image of the experienced hunter/predator, calmly stalking and chasing down his desperate target. Nadal and his Australian Open trophy were the prey to be captured.

After winning the first set 6-3, Murray continued his relentless assault. Nadal engaged in some fantastic toe-to-toe exchanges, but his expression did not carry the same snarl now. The two champions punched it out all the way to a second set tiebreak. Just like in the previous set, Murray asserted his dominance when he needed to and took a 6-1 lead. “Murray, once again, in the big moments, is the aggressor,” noted Gimelstob.

It was evident now: Nadal’s power and intensity were no match for the majesty of Murray on this night. Nadal seemed to know it too. He called for the court doctor at 0-1, 15-all in the third set. Nadal told the doctor that the right knee pain started in the previous set, though there were no clear signs of an injury or limp. After the brief respite, Nadal the warrior decided to enter the fray once again, to try to work his magic and turn the tables as he has so many times in his extraordinary career. There would be one last, desperate surge to save his status as the defending champ and world #2.

But it was not to be. Murray won the next two games and on the way to sit at the changeover at 3-0, Nadal decided to inform his conqueror that he was retiring from the battle. Murray contained his reaction and moments later told interviewer Jim Courier that “Nadal is my favorite player to watch on the tour, the energy he brings to the court.”

Looking like a champion who fully understands that he has unfinished business to take care of on this court, the stoic Murray added, “I got through a few tough moments in the beginning. I played really well tonight.” Next it will be the Croatian Marin Cilic who upset him in New York last September. “He beat me at the U.S. Open. I’m looking for some revenge there,” he said with a smile.

The defending champion is now out of the tournament and there are still two more matches to be contested. But in the psychological aspect of the tournament, where many historic battles are won before the physical, the title might have actually changed hands. In every way, Murray looked like a man who is ready to win his first Grand Slam major win. He handled the pressure and nerves with elegant maturity and pugilistic spirit. It was a performance so impressive that the vanquished former champion would not discredit it in any way.

“Well, I think for sure he has a big chance. I think is a very good chance for him,” the always classy Nadal said. “First thing, he’s playing really well. And second thing, he’s already in semifinals. So (he)is only two matches away. Every Grand Slam is special and every Grand Slam is important to win. For Andy, I think he deserve to win his first Grand Slam, and he gonna do it.”

Photo Credit:  Andy Chung

Visit the new tennis site www.10sballs.com

Height: 6-1 Weight: 188

DOB: June 3, 1986 In: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain.

Inspiration: “”For me it’s very easy. I always have one person in front of me, better than me in everything. So when I look at Roger in front of me all the time – better forehand, better backhand, better serve. I believe that’s the truth.”

Childhood Heroes: “I don’t know, I don’t have.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I like fishing. Not actual fishing — I like the peace and quiet of being at sea. It’s different. I like (to) stay with my friends. Go to beach. Go to cinema. Soccer. Play golf.”

Nicknames: Rafa, The Raging Bull.

Favorite Movies: Gladiator, Titanic.

Musical Tastes: “Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, David Brisbal — Spanish singer I listen to a lot. Mana — he’s Mexican.”

Early Tennis Memory: “Four hours — practice one or two times a week.”

Favorite Meal: “Olives, steak, pasta, fish.”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Frosted Flakes in hot chocolate.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Pre-Match Feeling: “I play with incredible motivation. A little bit nervous, but good.”

First Job: “Tennis.”

First Car: “Kia Sportage.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “The three most important moments in my career probably was first Roland Garros – well maybe the first Davis Cup – first Roland Garros, and first Wimbledon. And later Olympics.”

Most Painful Moment: “I don’t know. When I stay injured three months (stress fracture in left ankle joint in 2004). Missed Monte Carlo, Rome, Hamburg, Paris (Roland Garros), Wimbledon.”

Closest Tennis Friends: “I have all the Spanish players. And I have good relations with all players. Carlos Moya. I know him for so long. I know him very well. He’s very sharp. He’s a great person even outside the game of tennis. A great guy. One of the best players in the world. I get along very well with Carlos.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “I don’t know.”

Toughest Competitors: “All the players, they is playing good. And I think the best player now is Federer. But all players good. Hewitt. Blake.”

Favorite Tournament(s): “I like many of them. I cannot name one.”

Childhood Dream: “I like a lot the futbol, the soccer. But I like my first dream is any one day I can do the No. 1 in tennis.”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Ronaldo. Thierry Henry. Frank Lampard. Zidane. Ronaldino. FC Barcelona is a club I have supported for a long time. (Basketball?) Pau Gasol — he’s playing in Memphis. (Tennis?) Federer — he plays very nice. He can do all the shots. I like him. And Hewitt. Because I like the mentality.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “In Mallorca.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “Hmmm. I don’t know because I have a lot moments funny and a lot of moments good.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “For me is good. The good persons.”