Baghdatis

16 Australian Tennis Magazine | April 2007 john anthony The Magic of Being Marcos More than a year after lighting up the tennis world with his run to the Australian Open final, Marcos Baghdatis is only giving fans more reasons to love him. But those who want to be part of Marcos’ magical journey had better jump on board quickly – it might not stretch as long as they expect. VIVIENNE CHRISTIE talks to the young Cypriot and discovers why. T hey don’t call him the “Smiling Cypriot” for nothing. Barely an hour has passed since Marcos Baghdatis surrendered his second round Australian Open match to Gael Monfils, ending the dream of repeating the magical ride of the previous year, which only ended at the hands of the masterful Roger Federer in the final. But still, mixed among the sighs of disappointment and shocked post-match game face, is a trace of the Cypriot’s trademark grin. Given that he’d spoken only days before about the huge burden of expectation, the expression might hint at resignation, or perhaps even relief. Most likely, however, the smile is another sign of the magic ingredient that Baghdatis’ possesses in spades – perspective. “I think my strength is my mentality and the way I look at things,” the fan favorite told Australian Tennis Magazine in the weeks preceding Australian Open 2007. “That’s my strength. For me, losing a match is nothing. I don’t mind. Really, I think there are more important things in life than to lose a match. I just try all the time to give my best, to fight and just go out of the court with my head high.” True to his word about not taking the inevitable reality of losses to heart, Baghdatis stayed on for a few days after that Melbourne exit, taking time to enjoy his favorite city and winning a couple of rounds of doubles with his Greek friend, Konstantinos Economidis. When he returned to singles competition in Zagreb the following week, he progressed all the way to the final, where he upset defending champion and local favorite Ivan Ljubicic to claim his second ATP singles title (the first was in Beijing last September). At his next event in Marseille, Baghdatis again reached the final – this time losing to Frenchman Gilles Simon, but cementing his position as a top 20 player in the process. For Baghdatis, such results spark the hope that this year, his third full year as a professional player, will be marked by greater consistency. For while 2006 featured some of the best moments “I’m just trying to be who I am, The real Marcos, and trying not to impress people.” of his life so far, it also featured some of the worst. “There was tough emotions,” he says now of his breakthrough year. “In this past year I had good emotions and I had tough emotions too.” Baghdatis happily points out that technically, he’s a much more complete player than the one who lit up Melbourne Park some 16 months ago, naming fitness, footwork and his groundstrokes as areas he has greatly improved in his game. But despite those attention-grabbing wins over top name players (Andy Roddick, David Nalbandian and Ivan Ljubicic at the Australian Open; Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon), he’s discovered that building the self-belief for regular wins over such top name players is an area that needs constant attention. He was reminded of that fact most recently at the Dubai Duty Free Open, when a tough first round match saw him pitted against World No. 2 and defending champion Rafael Nadal. The Cypriot won the first set and held a break in the second, but after surrendering the match in three sets, he lamented that against players like Federer and Nadal, his confidence can at times waver. “I really doubt my losses are due to the tennis I am capable of playing. These guys are not too far from me, but I need to start believing in myself a lot more,” he admitted. And nowhere was that confidence factor made clearer to him than at the 2006 US Open, scene of one of the most poignant occasions in the game for years. Playing the retiring Andre Agassi, one of his childhood heroes, in the second round, Baghdatis dropped the first two sets but displayed some customary fight and flamboyance to level the match by winning the following two sets. The fifth set turned out to be one of the most spectacular and memorable in recent tennis history, with the two showmen exchanging explosive groundstrokes and summoning all their passion to fight for victory. With the packed Arthur Ashe stadium electrified by the drama, it was the emotional Baghdatis who was Australian Tennis Magazine | April 2007 17 jamie squire, getty images eventually overwhelmed, with cramps late in the match part of the reason for the 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5 loss. Knowing he’d been part of what John McEnroe described as “one of the greatest matches (he’d) ever seen” did little to atone for Baghdatis’ bitter disappointment. “Losing to Andre was not so easy. After that it took me a while to find my way,” he concedes. Still, there were many things to be taken from such a huge occasion – and despite half-jokingly admitting he was “too pissed off” to watch Agassi’s final match at Flushing Meadows, Marcos had enough perspective to appreciate them. “It was a great experience to play against Andre, even to lose,” he says. “Losing doesn’t mean that you cannot have a lot of emotions. I had a lot of emotions even seeing Andre. I mean speaking to Andre after the match was just amazing. I don’t know what to say. Not a lot of people have that chance and I’m just lucky to be there at that moment and to share things with Andre. That was an amazing emotion for me.” The biggest gain was being placed in the same category as his hero – especially when it came from the man himself. After surviving the emotional marathon, Agassi commented that with the class, character and sportsmanship his young opponent displayed he felt he was not only “leaving the game in very good hands” but that Baghdatis might even fill some of the void that his own departure was creating. The Cypriot was simply humbled. “I don’t know what to say. That’s a nice compliment, I can say. That’s the way I am. I mean he has his personality and I have mine. Maybe we are a bit alike,” he reflects. If Baghdatis sounds somewhat reluctant to embrace the role As his earnings approach the $US 2 million mark, the Cypriot is most grateful for the support he can give his family. 18 Australian Tennis Magazine | April 2007 afp, getty images While the game farewelled one hero in 2006, Baghdatis was warmly welcomed as a new one. for which Agassi has flagged him, it might be because the Cypriot is aware that replacing him as a favorite in the game is such a huge job. “Whatever you say about Andre is more. You say that he’s a legend and he’s more than a legend. He won the four Grand Slams – that’s amazing. Not a lot of people could do that. He gave so much to the sport. So much love, with his charisma, with his attitude, with his personality. I mean he’s giving a lot even today, to charity and to people.” But those who know Baghdatis even a little understand that the younger champion is already matching his hero in many ways – not just in his game, but also in his character. With an attitude that making the most of his talent is not just for himself but also for those close to him and his many supporters, there is no doubt Baghdatis’ will continue to touch many lives as his career progresses. Knowing that his many supporters deserved to be part of his journey is one reason why the Cypriot has already released a biography detailing his life so far – even with the knowledge that the best part of his story is almost certainly still to come. “It’s a bit of my story, to tell especially the people that I love, to thank them for their support and to give a part of my life to my fans,” he explains of the biography, which is currently only available in Cyprus. “It’s just to thank the people that I love, my family, to give a piece of my life to my fans and the people that were there for me during my career that were interested to know me more. To find out who is Marcos.” As the first player from his country to make a breakthrough in the high-stakes world of the ATP Tour, any gains that Marcos’ makes are going to be hugely inspirational to his many afp, getty images supporters – particularly at home in Cyprus. With this in mind, the history-making champion is deliberately vague about his short-term goals. “I don’t have objectives with the rankings,” he explains. “I just want to give to my family by winning Grand Slams by having emotions on the court. That’s the way I can give to my family and friends, to all the people that love me and my fans.” Baghdatis also understands, however, that the more he wins the more pressure there will be on him, not only from the growing number of fans, sponsors and media who continually want more, but also from the other players itching to assert their dominance. This harsh reality quickly became clear after his stunning run at Australian Open 2006, after which he did not truly shine again until his semi-final run at Wimbledon. “It changed a lot. (I’m) more famous now. That’s for sure. They know your game. It’s a bit tougher,” he concedes. The Cypriot acknowledges that learning to overcome such pressure is a huge part of his evolution as a player. “It’s not easy,” he points out. “For sure it’s tough but that’s the game. Without pressure you cannot play. That’s the way my life is today and I have to accept it and improve with the pressure, try to win with the pressure and try to even play better with the pressure.” A key for Baghdatis in successfully coping with the demands of being one of the world’s most watched players is not being too hard on himself. So even though he understands his responsibilities as a role model, he also knows that he can only carry them out successfully by putting his own needs first. “I’m just trying to do what I want to do,” he says. “If people like it they like it and if they don’t then it’s not my fault. I’m just Baghdatis is vague about goals but concedes he’d love to retain a top ten ranking. Improved footwork, fitness and agility make the 21-year-old a more complete player than the one who lit up Australian Open 2006. trying to be who I am. The real Marcos and trying not to impress people … I just want to feel good with me and not do things that people want me to do.” This down-to-earth perspective means that regardless of being one of Cyprus’ most feted celebrities and almost as celebrated in his second home of Paris, Baghdatis will still take the time to appreciate the activities that any 21-year-old enjoys – including soccer, Playstation and relaxing with his family and friends at every opportunity. “I got used to (the attention),” he says of the huge fanfare that followed his 2006 success. “Even after the Australian Open and stuff in Cyprus, I’m a human being. I can go out and have a drink. I can go out and get drunk! I’m allowed to do that. I have nothing against that. “I would like to do everything that a 21-year-old kid wants to do. To have fun, enjoy my life. If somebody wants to take photographs out there, they can take photographs. I’m allowed to do what I want to do. I have nothing to show them and I have nothing against that.” If fame has changed him, Marcos insists, it’s only in a good way. “It gave me more maturity, it made me realise things … As a person, I still know where I come from. I will never forget who I come from. I know where my family comes from. That keeps my feet on the ground.” Part of that refreshing perspective comes from knowing that the early sacrifices both Baghdatis and those around him made so that he could develop his game in Paris have paid off. “I left Cyprus. I made sacrifices, my parents did. The family I lived with in Paris did some sacrifices to give me love and show me love and help me. The Academy in Paris helped me a lot. All the coaches helped me a lot. That’s why I’m here today. That’s Australian Tennis Magazine | April 2007 19 mark nolan, getty images The smiling Cypriot is determined to enjoy every moment of what might be a limited time on the tour. afp, getty images why I’m a good player today, I’m healthy. I’m playing good. So I’m happy about my life, I cannot be sad.” One of Baghdatis’ biggest rewards is knowing his success has improved the life of his family at home in Limassol, Cyprus, where father Christos and Mum Andry own a clothing store. “Life (now) is easier for my family economically, I can say that for sure,” he reflects. But if there’s a downside to being the first player from Cyprus to make a mark as a professional player it’s that he now has so little time to spend with the people he loves so much. “It’s tough, sometimes I don’t have time for my family or my friends. But that’s the way life is.” At least the way life is for now. Baghdatis’ playing days could be shorter than most people would expect, with the Cypriot admitting that he’s not sure whether he will remain on tour after the Beijing Olympics in 2008. “The objective for me is to see what I do after Beijing, after the Olympics and then I’ll see what I want to do after (that).” It should come as no surprise that Baghdatis’ dreams focus not on winning a Grand Slam title, but on bringing glory to his country with a medal-winning performance. “I just want to see the flag of my country up there with the national anthem. It’s a dream. It’s a dream for me, for the whole of Cyprus. I would prefer that.” Marcos’ plans of providing even more inspiration to his countrymen and women don’t end there. He is already looking ahead to developing a professional tournament in Cyprus after his playing career has ended, with a view to making the game even more popular in the small European nation. On-court flair has only added to the rapidly growing fan base. In the meantime, Baghdatis is doing his bit by rewarding his fans and those close to him with as many wins as possible, and showing that even in the high-stakes individual world of tennis, you can not only be selfless, but happy too. l Marcos Baghdatis Fast Facts Born: Limassol, Cyprus, 17th June, 1985 Lives: Limassol, Cyprus/Paris, France Height: 182cm Weight: 80kg ATP Titles: 2 singles (China – 2006; Zagreb – 2007) Career Prize Money: $US1,708,056 Current ATP Singles Ranking: 17 Career High ATP Singles Ranking: 8 (21st August 2006) Coach: Guillaume Peyre Family: Father Christos and mother Andry own a clothing store in Cyprus. Older brothers Marinos and Petros represented Cyprus in Davis Cup. Also has a younger sister, Zena. matthew stockman, getty images Did you know? Marcos, a huge fan of Cyprus’ Apollo team, dreamed of being a professional soccer player before he dreamed of success in tennis. Now he plays socially in a team in Paris. “I try to have fun but I also get some physical training in there,” he says. “Playing football is a fun part of my physical training.” 20 Australian Tennis Magazine | April 2007