What are your memories of the match? It was quite some time ago now, but what I thought after the match was that, if Andy worked hard and didn’t have any injuries, he could be among the best. I remember from the quality of his shots and his attitude that there was potential for something good. A lot of elements play a part in the evolution of a career, such as a player’s surroundings and whether or not they have injuries. But certainly at this point he had the ingredients.
Did you know much about him? I didn’t know anything about him before we played, apart from the fact he was British. He was very close to his family, his mum. She was very involved in his match and his career already, and that she couldn’t stop supporting him in his matches. That’s the overall thing I remember.
Are you impressed how he has done since? I am not surprised. I wouldn’t say I am ‘impressed’ at how well he’s done – I would think: OK, he matured a little bit later, but he could maybe have had an even richer career at this point.
How would you rate his chances this year? I would put him with Djokovic as the top two contenders. From his match against Novak on clay at the French Open, and the fact that he’s already won Queen’s, things are looking good, and I would put him with a slight advantage. So he would be my overall favourite.
Ten years on, what are you doing now? Unfortunately, with my injuries, I was never really able to heal, so now I continue to pursue my studies. I studied finance at university in California and am now working in that field.
