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By Blair Henley / Tuesday, January 14, 2014
David Ferrer and John Isner joined Tennis Now for a fun Q
& A before kicking off their 2014 Australian Open
campaigns. Find out what they had to say!
Photo Credit: Getty / AP
MELBOUNE, Australia — John Isner and David Ferrer are somewhat
of an odd couple. Separated by a foot in height, the
olive-skinned Spaniard and the all-American college grad sat
side by side, furiously signing autographs for excited fans at
the Prince hub.
On the eve of the 2014 Australian Open, Ferrer seemed happy and
relaxed – a far cry from the on-court intensity fans are so
used to seeing. He would win his first-round match in straight
sets. Isner appeared a bit run down, having just flown in to
Melbourne following his tournament win in Auckland. He would
retire with a lingering ankle injury in his first round match
against Martin Klizan. After concluding duties
for their mutual sponsor, the 3rd and the 13th seeds at the
Australian Open spent some time with Tennis Now.
David Ferrer:
This is your 12th Australian Open. Do you have a
routine when you’re here?
Not special, but of course, I like the city. I like the
Japanese Nobu at Crown Towers, but I try to change every night.
But I like the people. Maybe it’s the best Grand Slam with the
facilities and the players.
With the third seed at a Slam comes respect, but in
some ways, you still fly somewhat under the radar. Do you like
it that way?
It’s just one number (smiles). You know, we start the season,
and I am only focused on my next match. It’s going to be
Monday, so I don’t want to think any more than that. Just my
opponent.
Do you like the heat, I hope?
Yes! Now it’s okay. The weather is not too hot, but I think
Monday and Tuesday is going to get more hot. But it’s for
everybody. I will be okay (smiles).
You have been known to get a little fiery on the court.
Do you think about whether to let that emotion out or hold it
in?
Ehhh (laughs). No, I am fine. I always do my best to fight
every point. It’s my game, it’s part of my game. It depends on
the moment, but sometimes [I get emotional]. Sure!
John Isner:
How did you celebrate your Auckland win?
I flew here. Auckland is not that close to Melbourne. It’s
still a bit of a hike. I wanted to get in [Saturday] night and
not really travel [on Sunday]. I’m certainly happy with what
went down there, but I had get here and focus.
You tend to live and die by your serve, but how much
time do you spend practicing it?
I certainly practice it, but I’m not hitting four buckets a day
of serves.
That’s a great way to blow out your
shoulder.
Yeah, exactly. When I’m not playing a match, I’m preserving my
shoulder a little bit. I guess you have to treat yourself in
some ways like a pitcher. Especially me, someone who relies on
the serve so much.
As of a couple of weeks ago, you’re the only American
man in the top 50 for the first time ever. Are you feeling
lonely up there?
I thought Sam was? Or is he not anymore?
Nope. Now are you feeling lonely?
Oh gosh, I didn’t know about that. I would certainly like some
of my friends to be high ranked. It’s only a matter of time for
them, actually. Sam, in particular, has had a lot of injuries
and a lot of things, so he’s a lot better than his ranking. I
think a lot of Americans are better than their ranking, so it’s
only a matter of time before these guys climb up.
How much food does a 6-foot-9 human need to consume in
a day?
Yeah, I eat a lot. I try to eat healthy, but I need to eat a
lot.
Do you carry a little sack of food around?
I wouldn’t say a sack, but I eat a lot of nuts. I always have a
lot of nuts in my room. I always snack on healthy things.
Do you have any superstitions?
Not really. I’m sort of OCD, whether it’s in my house or hotel
room. Everything has to be put away; I can’t stand clutter.
It’s not really a superstition, but I guess on the court, I
like to bounce the ball between my legs. That’s my thing.
Do you ever feel like you fit the “clueless American”
stereotype?
Me? Yes, I do (laughs). I’m sort of a fish out of water when
I’m not in America sometimes.
Can you recall a time in your international travels
where you had no idea what you were doing?
Oh gosh, that’s all the time. I walk around in Rome, and if I
don’t have someone with me, I will get lost. I have to be
really dialed in and focused or else I’ll wander off and be in
the middle of nowhere.
What do you miss most when you’re
traveling?
I would say the sports on TV, but here in Australia, you can
watch the NFL playoffs just as easy as you can there.
Novak Djokovic passed out chocolate in the media room
Sunday. Any plans to compete? Maybe bribe the American media to
stop asking about the state of American tennis?
Oh gosh. I didn’t know he did that, but not many people can
write too many things bad about that guy, whereas anyone else,
there are a few things you can pick on. For me, I don’t care
what American journalists say, but I respect them. They have to
write their stories.
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