The 2011 French Open mixed doubles champion and Orange County resident sits down with Breakers Insiders to discuss the 2016 Mylan World TeamTennis season, his favorite concert and experience on the hit game show Family Feud.
Hi Scott, welcome to the Breakers and thanks for sitting down with us for this Breakers Insiders interview. What excites you the most about playing for the Breakers in 2016?
I am excited to be able to play for my hometown team, at my home club, and for my personal coach, Rick Leach. The team had a very successful run in 2015, so I am looking forward to trying to help our team get over the hump and win the league this year.
What do you like best about playing Mylan WTT?
I love the team format. Coming from a background in college tennis, it is great to be a part of a team again. I have really enjoyed my teammates in my previous Mylan WTT seasons and, knowing Nicole, Alla, Stevie, and Dennis, I know we will have a great time and come together well.
What are your expectations for the Breakers this season?
Like I said above, I expect great success for us this season. We have a great group of players and a former world no. 1 as our coach, so why can’t we win the King Trophy? I expect to have great fan support for us as well and I am really looking forward to the season ahead.
What is a typical day in your life like?
When I am at home between tournaments, my life consists of running after my 3 year old son, Matthew. He loves to play sports and play with cars but doesn’t like to sleep late, so there are a lot of 6:00 am wakeups. When I am on the road I catch up on my sleep.
Aside from tennis, do you have a favorite sport?
I love the NFL (New York Jets) and baseball (New York Mets). I also love following Stanford football and basketball.
Favorite meal?
Pizza.
What’s the best concert you’ve been to and why?
Funnily enough, Taylor Swift! Last year, playing Mylan WTT for the Boston Lobsters, the General Manager of our team, Colleen Hopkins, was able to get tickets for all of us to go see her live at Gillette Stadium in Boston. It was amazing, a sold out show with 50,000 people.
Do you have a favorite or go to vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is my couch in my living room. After travelling for 30 weeks a year, nothing is better than being able to relax at home with my family.
If you could give a young kid with aspirations of playing professional tennis one piece of advice, what would it be?
The most important thing is to have fun! When you are so young, try not to focus on the wins and losses but try to improve every time you step on the court.
Aside from string and rackets, what do you keep in your racket bag?
I keep an few extra sets of clothes, wristbands, an elastic band for shoulder exercises, an extra set of contact lenses (just in case), and a lucky feather my wife, Marie gave to me many years ago.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
Back in 2010, I was on the Family Feud game show and our family lost in the sudden death round. That loss is way more devastating than any tennis loss I have ever had. The show still airs once in a while and I get random texts from people saying they saw me on the show and the sting of our loss comes back to me again.
Favorite moment of your tennis career?
My favorite moment of my career was winning the 2011 French Open mixed doubles title with Casey Dellacqua. We played so well throughout the tournament and were big underdogs in the finals but somehow we won and it was an amazing moment. My wife Marie, flew over from California for the finals, and for her to be there to see me win a grand slam was extra special. Also, winning the 2000 NCAA team title at Stanford was very special. To be a part of the great history of Stanford tennis and get our legendary coach, Dick Gould, his 17th NCAA title was very exciting.