Vincent Spadea

By Allyson Turner

Ranked No. 25 in the world, Vincent Spadea is quickly becoming a threat on the ATP tour. After beating Andre Agassi in this year's Australian Open, Spadea advanced to his first Grand Slam semifinals.

Most recently, Spadea upset 10th-ranked Mark Philippoussis in the Italian Open. Spadea also upset world No. 1, Yevgeny Kafelnikov at this year's Lipton Championships in Key Biscayne.

Spadea, a Chicago native, trains in Boca Raton, Fla. and has earned $1,511,126 in prize money since turning pro in 1993. Spadea will face Mark Woodforde in the first round of the French Open.

 

In 1988, Vincent Spadea won six national titles at age 14. (Allsport)

Are you looking forward to Roland Garros?
Definitely looking forward to it. I've always played well there.

What are your expectations for the French Open?
I think I have the best chance this year to do better and make the best result I've ever had. I've only made the second round, which doesn't say much but I think I've shown the ability that I'm a strong player in that field. I'm not gonna be expected to do a whole lot but I have a dark-horse quality that would not amazingly surprise people.

Do you prefer to play under pressure or would you rather come out of nowhere and win a Grand Slam?
I like it both ways. It's always great to be the favorite and to know that you're expected to win. Until you get to that point, you're happy that you at least come to the court with your tools and you have the tools that will enable to you get to the later stages. Either way, you know in your mind what you're capable of and not capable of doing.

What is the best part about the life of a professional athlete?
The fact that this is your job, you can travel and there's never a dull moment.

What is the worst part?
Sometimes the constant cycle of the same thing and when you lose.

Whom do you most admire in tennis, past or present?
Stan Smith. He showed his ability to become a champion and yet still be a quality person off the court. He tried to be the best person he could be.

What surface do you prefer to play?
Hard court because that's the closest thing to my house.

In an ideal world, which Grand Slam would you most like to win and against whom?
I'd like to be in the finals of the U.S. Open. I'd like to be in the finals of all the tournaments. I'd like to play a guy like John McEnroe.

Which player would you choose as your doubles partner, past or present?
Rod Laver because he's supposed to be unbelievable at the net and I have a good return.

Before a match, what do you always do?
I drink a ton of water. Sometimes I go out to the food court of the tournament and get a soft pretzel. A jumbo pretzel without salt. Then I'll take a walk and get back in the locker room and refocus my ideas.

What is your pet peeve?
When I have to get up early for a flight and the check-in baggage line is long and I have to sit there in a funk.

When flying cross country, if you could, who would you choose to sit next to?
Going, it would be Katie Holmes from Dawson's Creek. On the return flight, it would be Jim Carrey or Adam Sandler.