‘I want to win a Grand Slam’

World number 16  Marcos Baghdatis  has always looked a crowd favourite since the moment he broke onto the world stage. His run to the final of the Australian Open in January 2006 cemented his fame, but even before that the Cypriot was well known, as much for his flair, both sporting and sartorial,  as for his evident personal likability. He spoke to  Satya Siddharth Rath  about his approach to the 2008 season

You had a dream start to your career. We are talking particularly about your 2006 exploits. What went wrong thereafter?

Reaching the Australian Open 2006 was the best ever moment in my life. In fact, it was the best month — even the best 15 days — of my life.

It changed a lot of things for me and I suddenly became famous overnight. Every time I go on court, everyone wants to see me. It’s not easy, but I realised that I had to improve my overall game and become more consistent.

I am still young and have a long way to go. I worked very hard last year and this year my motto is to try and  become more consistent and win as many games as possible.

After that stirring fight against Andre Agassi at the 2006 US Open, you were even touted as the heir apparent to the great American. Why couldn’t you match the expectations?

It is a great honour and I feel humbled to be compared to a legend like Agassi. But I think I still have a long way to go. 

With regards to that match, it was certainly a tough match. I felt so bad, because every time I made a mistake they clapped, and at other times people were booing me.

They cheered all the time for Andre. I was happy for Andre but I was even happier that I lost. For Andre it was a great end for him to beat a guy in the top 10.

He is more than a legend. He gave so much to this game and I hope we have more champions like him, and more people like him, in tennis.

Was it a case of too much, too early? In other words, was the sudden hype a bit too much to handle?

No, I don’t think so. I prepared myself very well last year and I think it paid off in Australia. I will wait until I win a Grand Slam before I start thinking I have arrived.

It’s a great emotion and a great dream, and I think if you ask any player they would say the same thing, that they want to win a Grand Slam.

I tried to work a lot this winter on my movement on the court, moving into the net and to the ball better. Just trying to move faster and last longer in the point. They’re the main things I’m working on.

And I think with the experience of last year and another good (off-season) program this year, I will maybe play better.

So many new talents have cropped up in men’s tennis in the last couple of years. Don’t you think the Tour is becoming tougher and tougher?

Yes, the tour is getting tougher and competitive every year. Anyone in the top 50 who is playing good and consistent tennis can surprise a top-ranked player. Competition is
always good and I look forward to these challenges.

Injuries have played a big role in your slide in the rankings. Are you totally
fit now?

Yes, I am now. With so much tennis being played all through the year, injuries have become part and parcel of our life. But I am  feeling great and looking forward to some great tennis in 2008.

You disappointed Mumbai fans by pulling out of the Kingfisher Open. How do you rate your chances in Chennai?

I know, but unfortunately I was not feeling 100% fit and hence I did not want to aggravate my injury. I am really looking forward to coming to India and playing at Chennai.

I played as a qualifier in 2005 and my experience there was really fantastic. The Chennai Open has become extremely popular on the Tour.

The field is also very competitive and I am looking forward to playing against the likes of Nadal, Moya and Youzhny amongst others. I also enjoy playing on hard court, as it’s one of my favourite surfaces.

The crowd here is very friendly and people are very warm. I would definitely want to start my new year in style and play some entertaining tennis, making everyone happy. I am confident that I can give my best.

You come across as a wonderfully  ebullient character, who cares about nothing except enjoying his game. Do you still play tennis the same way?

Yes. My main motto is to enjoy the game when I am on court. I like to give everything and put in my best performance. I want to make everyone around me happy, my fans, my friends and family when they watch my matches.

Business has to come alongside pleasure, and that’s my style. But I know my limits and I try not to overdo it as that can affect your game.

Your take on Roger Federer. Do you think he’s the greatest tennis player ever?

Roger is a greatest player of our times. The best thing about him is that just when you feel you are playing excellent tennis and have him cornered, he produces some amazing tennis that can catch you off-guard.

Patrick Rafter is one of your favourite players. He was also one of the last exponents of the serve-and-volley game, which is becoming a rarity now as most players today prefer the baseline game. Which style do you prefer?

I would like to have an overall game with an ideal combination of both. Yes, you tend to play a lot of baseline game as the game is becoming more and more aggressive but it’s always good to have the serve-and-volley weapon to close points and that is something which I am working on constantly.

What has the game taught you? What is the biggest lesson life has taught you?

The game has brought me instant fame but I know this is just the beginning and one cannot get carried away. I have become physically and mentally fit and I know that if I am patient and consistent throughout the game, results will come my way automatically, and I can fulfil my dream of winning a Grand Slam title soon.

Have you analysed your game? Which are the areas you can improve upon?

I think I am lot more physically fit now. I have worked really hard to improve my mental and physical fitness and I feel a lot better now. I am constantly working on my overall game. I am also focusing on my serve and making it stronger.

One of the critical aspects that I have been working on is making better use of the court and just trying to move faster and last longer in the point.

Among the current lot, after Federer and Nadal, who do you think are the ones to look out for? Where do you place yourself in that group?

I would not like to compare. They are greats in their own right. I know I am getting there but I have a long way to go and I would rather concentrate on my game.

You have quite a big female following. How do you relax after a tough match?
Do you enjoy partying?

It feels nice to have fans that support you and cheer you. I like to be with myself and try to spend a lot of time with family and friends. Yes, I like to go partying once in a while.

Which other games do you follow, apart from tennis? Your favourite players/clubs?
I enjoy watching and playing football. My favourite football team is Apollo in Cyprus.

How would like to be remembered as?

Someone who plays good and entertaining tennis and makes everyone happy when he
is on court.

Had you not been a tennis player, you would have been...

I guess I would have been a football player since I enjoy playing it so much.

Finally, have we already seen the best of Marcos Baghdatis? Or is there much more to come?

You just have to wait and watch. I sincerely believe, my best is yet to come. My main
goal is to win a Grand Slam, playing well the whole two weeks so I can live the
emotions again that I did in the Australian Open.

I want to win them. I want to work hard every day. If you want to reach goals, then you have to work. I know I need to work on a lot of things like my serve and footwork
on the court. I don’t really care about my rankings.

That’s the most important thing for me — to give to the people that I love, my family,
by winning tournaments, winning matches in a Grand Slam and going far, as far as winning a Grand Slam.