Ask me anything about being a professional tennis player

[cc0509]

Originally Posted by beast of mallorca

Let me put this in the open Filip. Are you a Fed fan or a Rafa fan ? Who do you like better ?
"]you don't really have to answer. just throwing it out there[/color]

Filip already said that it is hard to argue against Federer as the greatest even though he was a Sampras fan! I believe he also said he met Federer at this year's Wimbledon dinner and that he was very talkative and kind.
Not sure if he mentioned anything about Nadal or meeting him.

[beast of mallorca]

Originally Posted by cc0509

Filip already said that it is hard to argue against Federer as the greatest even though he was a Sampras fan! I believe he also said he met Federer at this year's Wimbledon dinner and that he was very talkative and kind.
Not sure if he mentioned anything about Nadal or meeting him.

I wasn't asking him who is the greatest. I was asking him who does he like better ?
ie ...I know Sampras is better, but i like Agassi more as a player. Not really important. Just asking.

[diddlysquat]

Filip, at what age or when did you decide or knew you wanted to become a pro? After winning under-12? Or under-14? Or was Tennis Canada approached you that you thought you may have a chance?
Thanks again for your feedback, I'm sure I'm not only new fan you got now!

[stringertom]

Filip,

I'm sure a lot of your pro matches are the first time you're facing an opponent. Is there a type of game that's easier to figure out on the first go-around? Lots of MLB hitters take a while to adjust to pitchers from the opposing league. I'm wondering if you have a similar "break-in" say against a "spinny" finesse pro as opposed to a power hitter.

I'm also curious how each surface affects your adjustments. You mentioned early winter '13 will include 4 events on Har-Tru clay. Have you got any playing time in on the green dirt? If not, it's a bit different at each site but generally faster than traditional red clay. Come early if you can and get adjusted.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by beast of mallorca

I wasn't asking him who is the greatest. I was asking him who does he like better ?
ie ...I know Sampras is better, but i like Agassi more as a player. Not really important. Just asking.

Haha I like both guys pretty equally.

[beast of mallorca]

Originally Posted by fpeliwo

Haha I like both guys pretty equally.

Great answer man. Now, you have both sides here in TW happy ! And everybody here in TW is rooting for you. Hope, you can qualify for an ATP 250 tournament here iN the US soon, so we can watch and cheer for you.
I already met your countryman Raonic this year at the SAP open. Nice guy.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by diddlysquat

Filip, at what age or when did you decide or knew you wanted to become a pro? After winning under-12? Or under-14? Or was Tennis Canada approached you that you thought you may have a chance?
Thanks again for your feedback, I'm sure I'm not only new fan you got now!

I always wanted to go pro, ever since I was a young child. I don't know when I was 100% sure that it was going to be my career path, but it was at an early age, for sure.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by stringertom

Filip,

I'm sure a lot of your pro matches are the first time you're facing an opponent. Is there a type of game that's easier to figure out on the first go-around? Lots of MLB hitters take a while to adjust to pitchers from the opposing league. I'm wondering if you have a similar "break-in" say against a "spinny" finesse pro as opposed to a power hitter.

I'm also curious how each surface affects your adjustments. You mentioned early winter '13 will include 4 events on Har-Tru clay. Have you got any playing time in on the green dirt? If not, it's a bit different at each site but generally faster than traditional red clay. Come early if you can and get adjusted.

Well it's tough to say, I guess it depends on how I feel on any given day. I find that guys who play pretty predictable are the easiest to adjust to.

We have Har-Tru at the NTC in Canada, and we probably train on that more than on hardcourts, actually, so it won't be too difficult to prepare.

[BHiC]

I have one question for you; what is your mindset when you are walking onto the court? What is going through your head right before a match?

[stringertom]

Originally Posted by fpeliwo

Well it's tough to say, I guess it depends on how I feel on any given day. I find that guys who play pretty predictable are the easiest to adjust to.

We have Har-Tru at the NTC in Canada, and we probably train on that more than on hardcourts, actually, so it won't be too difficult to prepare.

Thanks! Glad to hear the green is not alien to you but I'm guessing your prep in Canada from now til January goes indoor, eh? Get here early for some hits outdoors. When you arrive at the sites, look for sprinkler heads around the courts...if there aren't any the club is built on a Hydro-grid system that irrigates the courts from the subsurface up. Those courts will generally play slower and lower. Above-ground sprinklers would indicate a dustier, top surface and faster condition and more "slide" to your footwork. It'll be easy to see when you arrive. Good luck!

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by BHiC

I have one question for you; what is your mindset when you are walking onto the court? What is going through your head right before a match?

I just try to get into a zone, listening to music, just to block out outside distractions.

[kaku]

If you could have a shot/ability (such as speed/movement) from each of the top 4 players which would you pick?

[TennisA]

Does who serving first/which side chosen have any large influence in any of your matches?
Do you have a specific strategy when you win/lose the coin toss, or do you usually choose just one choice everytime?

[diddlysquat]

Thanks Filip.

Another question, on a day when you have practice before a match and during practice you can't seem to find your rhythm and just feeling it, how to you prepare mentally to turn it around? Do you take a break and concentrate on something else? Or just keep practicing until you get it right? Talk to someone about it?

[GoodVibrations]

What your opinion on all of the discussion as to whether players like Murray and Djoko "tanked"?

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by GoodVibrations

What your opinion on all of the discussion as to whether players like Murray and Djoko "tanked"?

I think it's stupid. Those guys don't tank. Maybe they didn't play their best, but none of them are going to tank in a masters event, or in any event for that matter.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by diddlysquat

Thanks Filip.

Another question, on a day when you have practice before a match and during practice you can't seem to find your rhythm and just feeling it, how to you prepare mentally to turn it around? Do you take a break and concentrate on something else? Or just keep practicing until you get it right? Talk to someone about it?

I don't always turn it around. Sometimes you just need to find a way to win when you don't have any rhythm, and aren't playing your best. Eventually it will come back if you focus on the right things. If you just practice at it, or keep winning and play through it, then it will come.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by kaku

If you could have a shot/ability (such as speed/movement) from each of the top 4 players which would you pick?

Djokovic movement, backhand, Federer serve and forehand.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by TennisA

Does who serving first/which side chosen have any large influence in any of your matches?
Do you have a specific strategy when you win/lose the coin toss, or do you usually choose just one choice everytime?

Not really. I usually choose to receive.

[thejackal]

Filip talking about what he does during downtime at tournaments, and other tidbits about Cancun:

http://indecentxposure.com/grind/4de...2f4875fb22b88e