Mischa Zverev, On His Love Of Planes, How To Have A Successful Career

German Mischa Zverev accomplished a lifelong goal last month at the Nature Valley International in Eastbourne when he won his maiden ATP World Tour title. But winning a title every year won’t make Zverev’s tennis career a success, at least according to what he shared in this installment of “On The Line”, a question-and-answer series about life off the court.

What’s your biggest passion outside of sport and why?
Flying. I love airplanes. I love aviation. I love flying… I’m a pilot. I have a license. That’s my passion… [I fly] not very often because my license is only good in the U.S. so I can only fly when I’m here in the States. Last time I flew was I think August last year so it’s been awhile… In Tampa, I flew from home airport to home airport, stayed in the vicinity, did a couple landings, just flew around to get a feel for it again.

Anyone else in the plane?
No, when I don’t fly very often, first couple times I have to go by myself just to make sure everything’s good, and then start taking passengers.

Watch: Zverev Describes What Makes The Atlanta Tournament Unique

What do you fly?
A single-engine, four-seater, so a Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee, something like that… I don’t have my own plane; I just rent… I always loved aviation. I like driving cars, I like driving boats and I love flying, so everything that has to do with manoeuvring and piloting, I love all that… Since I was little, I saw those big machines flying, I was fascinated.

What was the last book you read?
Russian book with a lot of short stories. I always have a few books, I try to read in Russian, German and English.

The last concert or show you attended?
Last year for my birthday (August), we went to a play, Macbeth, in New York, and it was where you are part of the play. It was this unique experience where you’re in a building, four stories, and you walk around and the actors are all around you. Sometimes they walk straight at you. You have to get out of the way.

Favourite sport to watch besides tennis and why?
Basketball. I enjoy basketball. I’ve always loved basketball. First time I came to the U.S. [when I was 5], the first live sports I ever watched was basketball, the Miami Heat, and since then I’ve just been passionate about basketball. I do like watching fishing on TV, it’s very relaxing. It’s a good start for a Saturday morning or Sunday morning. That’s something I really enjoy.

Person, outside of significant other and your parents, whom you admire the most?
I think athletes like [Michael] Jordan and Roger Federer are the people I admire the most, for what they did on court and off the court.

My tennis career will be a success if I ________________.
Stop missing easy volleys.

After my tennis career, I want to _____________.
Fly more airplanes.