Already boasting wins against Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, it is no surprise the fast-improving Borna Coric is considered one of the future stars of the ATP. But did you know that if he wasn’t a tennis player he would quite like to be a boxer? Borna answers our 20 Questions.
What is the greatest benefit of being famous?
I’m not sure if I’m actually famous yet. In my city I’m quite famous but it’s not that big a deal. I’m not trying to use that, actually.
What quality do you most like in other people?
When you respect each other. Loyalty and honesty.
What annoys or frustrates you the most?
When my forehand is not working in my training sessions.
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What do you most like about yourself?
My loyalty. And I’m actually really proud of how I treat other people.
What do you dislike in yourself?
A couple of things for sure. Sometimes I can be very negative and I should just enjoy a little bit more. Sometimes I get too low. I get frustrated, but it’s normal and I’m sure it’s going to come in time. When I was younger I was even more so I’m getting there. It’s on the court especially but also off the court. Some situations I get very stressed.
What has been your best moment on a tennis court?
Beating Rafael Nadal in Basel (2014 quarterfinals).
What has been your worst moment on a tennis court?
I don’t have so many bad memories. I’m still very young and didn’t miss anything, but I’m sure I’m going to have the opportunities more.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when you started your career?
Believe in yourself. That’s the most important thing.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
I think it’s actually the same, to believe in yourself. I think it’s a very big thing. You need to be aware of that, even when things are not going your way. And the second thing is to enjoy playing tennis.
What would be your perfect day?
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere with my girlfriend.
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Do you have any superstitions?
A lot of them, too much. Same toilets before the match as I used at the start of the tournament. Always taking the same racquet out first. There are others I don’t want to get into. I’m trying to remove them.
What has been your most extravagant purchase?
I think it would be my car. I like my car. It’s nothing special. It’s a Golf Seven but I like it. It’s very useful.
What living person do you most admire?
I admire a couple of boxers, a couple of tennis players, so I don’t want to say only one. But there are some I can take inspiration from.
What is your greatest fear?
Flights. That’s tough for a tennis player but it is part of the life. I think that’s it. I’m not really a scared person.
What is your most treasured possession?
My tennis life.
If you weren’t a tennis player, what would you like to be?
A boxer, all day long.
Where is the best place you’ve been?
The Maldives. I went there in the off season in 2015. I thought I deserved it after I had a good year so I treated myself.
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Where would you most like to go that you haven’t been to yet?
Bora Bora.
Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest?
Mike Tyson.
How would you like to be remembered?
It’s a very long way yet so I’m not sure. I’m trying to be myself. I’m trying to be honest. I’m trying to be loyal. I just try to be very normal. And of course I want to be a great tennis player.
Barry Wood has reported on the game for over 35 years, attending his first Australian Open at Kooyong before going on to interview almost every top player as well as many others for numerous publications. This feature originally appeared in Australian Tennis Magazine.
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