[1]For a professional athlete, Janko Tipsarevic’s love for classic literature is unusual. The Serbian tennis player has a quotation from Dostoyevsky tattooed in Japanese on his left arm.
He also has a Japanese tattoo on his right arm, which represents the first two letters of the names of his father, his mother, his brother, and himself.
The World No. 9, who is the top seed at the Chennai Open this year, talks about his other interests in life in a freewheeling chat with this newspaper.
Earliest sporting memory: As a kid, I was in love with karate and when I was six years old I picked up the tennis racquet for the first time.
Sports played while growing up: Karate, football and tennis.
What would you have done without tennis? Deejaying. I am a big fan of music.
Most memorable moments: Serbia’s Davis Cup triumph in 2010. We (the players) all shaved our heads to celebrate the victory in Belgrade.
Worst sporting moment: There were a few.
Sporting hero: Andre Agassi.
Favourite venue: Belgrade Arena — where we won the Davis Cup.
Questions most asked by the public: It starts with.. “you play tennis
with glasses..”
Greatest change you would like to see in tennis: HawkEye technology on all courts.
Sporting motto: You are not special because who you are, but because what you do.
Who would you most like to invite to dinner — and why? My family (I guess no explanation is needed).
The person you learnt most from: German coach Dirk Hordorff who is also my manager.
Favourite hobby: Snowboarding. Although it’s on hold at the moment.
How will you like to be remembered? As someone who was always fair and gave his best shot in whatever he did.
Other interests in your life: Music, snowboarding, books and world of warcraft.
Pet name: Daba.
What do you never leave home without? Mobile phone.
The craziest thing you have ever done: (smiles) Might go to jail if I tell you.
What’s your worst nightmare: Don’t really have them.
Favourite actor: Al Pacino.
Favourite actress: Meryl Streep.
What’s the one thing that frightens you most? Death.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/jankotipsarevicjpgcropdisplayjpg-002