My Masters 1000: Sam Querrey

Sam Querrey often visited the BNP Paribas Open with his family growing up, so it comes as no surprise that the Californian favours the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in March.

After three Masters 1000 quarter-final appearances – 2007 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, 2008 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and 2012 Rolex Paris Masters – the American could reach his first semi-final, should he beat Milos Raonic on Friday in Indian Wells.

This week, he reflected on his Masters 1000 journey, which includes teaming up with John Isner for the 2011 Internazionali BNL d’Italia doubles crown.

What is your favourite Masters 1000 tournament and why?
I love all of the Masters 1000 tournaments, but Indian Wells is probably my favourite as I grew up in California and all of my friends and family can come down here and watch. It’s a great venue and an amazing atmosphere. I do enjoy the golf when I’m here, but I haven’t played as much in the past couple of years. I definitely want to get back into it and this is the place to do so.

Which Masters 1000 would you most like to win?
The Masters 1000 I’d most like to win is Indian Wells.

Which is your favourite Masters 1000 centre court to play on?
It has to be Indian Wells!

What is your favourite Masters 1000 memory?
One time at the Miami tournament I got to do batting practice with the Marlins and at Cincinnati I got to do batting practice with the Reds. I’m a big baseball fan, so the opportunity to do that was really fun.

Do you recall when and where you made your Masters 1000 debut?
Yes, it was in Indian Wells! I played Bobby Reynolds in the first round and won, then I lost then No. 6-ranked James Blake in the second round. I won the first set 6-1, then in my head I thought, ‘I’ll be ranked No. 1 in no time.’ He then came back and won easily.

What has been your best Masters 1000 win?
It has to be against Novak Djokovic in Paris [the 2012 Rolex Paris Masters, 0-6 7-6(5), 6-4] a few years ago. It was my first victory over him and to do it at a Masters 1000 was pretty special.

What has been your toughest match at a Masters 1000?
I played Dominic Thiem in Rome last year [one of the ATP World Tour best matches of 2017] and I had a couple of match points in the third set [3-6, 6-3, 7-6(7)]. It was tough, because it was so close against a great clay-court opponent. It would have been a great win, but he snuck by me. He is an incredible player.

What is the toughest part about Masters 1000 tournaments?
You can play against a player in the Top 40 in the first match. That’s tough. You have to win six matches, if you’re not seeded, against Top 50 players and against guys in the Top 10 eventually. That’s why they are so difficult to win!