Adrian Mannarino

THE BIOFILE ADRIAN MANNARINO
by Scoop Malinowski | 11.06.2011

Adrian Mannarino reveals his most embarrassing tennis memory and why he loves tennis in this biofile.

First Tennis Memory: "I remember driving with my family to the court. My father was a teacher. My older brother played. I went with them."

Tennis Inspirations: "I think a lot of lefty players – [Marcelo] Rios, [Goran] Ivanisevic. From the French side - Henri Leconte."

Last Book Read: "A book from Michael Horn called ‘Latitude Zero’. He travelled all around the world from zero latitude (he circumnavigated the world along the equator in 17 months without any form of motorised transport)."

Current Car: "Fiat Ibiza (black)."

Favourite Meal: "Cous cous."

Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: "Raspberry.

Greatest Sports Moment: "I think it was last year in at the US Open, when I won my first match in the main draw (d. Riba in five sets); that was huge."

Most Painful Moment: "I would say all my losses this year were very painful."

Favourite Tournament: 'I would say Roland Garros."

Closest Tennis Friend: "Benoit Paire."

Toughest Competitors Encountered: "The toughest I played was [Fernando] Verdasco."

Funny Tennis Memory: "Tough to say. There's so many funny moments during the year...I need to use a joke. I cannot answer this."

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: "Maybe once I broke all my racquets and didn't have any racquets to finish the match. (As a junior?) It was pro. In France. (Against who?) I don't remember, it was so far away. I finished it with a broken racquet."

Strangest Match: "Actually, this year I played the tournament in Brisbane, we stopped during the third set tie-break because the lights went out. We had to wait something like 30 minutes to finish the match. It was 4-3 when we stopped. It was against Carsten Ball; I won 9-7."

Favourite Players To Watch: "I would say, if I need to sit for one match, it would be for Vincent Millot. Because he's a real good friend. And he's really funny to watch. When he's playing the match, if he has something to say, he's gonna say it pretty loud [smiles]. So everyone can enjoy this match."

Why Do You Love Tennis: "I think it's a really interesting sport. We move a lot on the court, we need to have good tactics, technique. I think that maybe the main reason that I love the sport is because I'm good at it [laughs]. I like to win. I'm a good competitor. Yep. Maybe that. The love of the win [smiles]."

People Qualities Most Admired: "I would say honesty, humour and patience."

Courtesy of Scoop Malinowski, tennis-prose.com