On The Line: Adrian Menendez-Maceiras

Adrian Menendez-Maceiras entered the inaugural New York Open having played just 15 tour-level matches at the age of 32. That is less than two per cent of matches in his career. 

But New York has been a successful location for the Spaniard, who claimed his first Grand Slam match victory last year at Flushing Meadows. And on Tuesday, Menendez-Maceiras saved five match points against home favourite Steve Johnson, the No. 7 seed, to claim his fourth tour-level win. After the match, he spoke to ATPWorldTour.com about his passions and his future.

What’s your biggest passion outside of tennis and why?
Many things but many that I cannot do, because I like risky sports. It’s difficult because I’m a professional player and I can’t ski or go to the mountains and climb, these things. But maybe when I finish my career.

What was the last book you read?
I read novels a lot and biographies about sportsmen and motivational books, I like them.

What is your favourite book?
One of my favourite biographies was about one of my idols when I was young, Andre Agassi. He was a great player from the baseline and I love his game so I liked his book.

Last concert or show you attended?
I don’t have time to go to concerts. One of my dreams for these two months, with my physio, we like Above and Beyond a lot and I know they’re coming over to the United States. But I don’t know if I’ll have time to go and see them.

Favourite sport to watch besides tennis?
I like football a lot. Soccer. I follow it a lot. I have family in Madrid and sometimes I have time to go there to see the Champions League and I enjoy it a lot.

Favourite Club?
Real Madrid.

Outside of your family, whom do you admire most?
My coach in Marbella, Eric Scherer. He’s not here unfortunately but I’m working with him a lot. He’s my age. He’s a great friend and I think we’re working a lot to have a match like today. I was fighting a lot and working a lot for many years with him and finally I got it.

My tennis career will be a success if ___________
Last year I got my first win at a Grand Slam here in the US Open. For me it was unbelievable, so many years and finally to get a win in a big event. For sure now it’s fighting to get into the Top 100 [of the ATP Rankings].

After my tennis career, I want to ___________
I love kids and I love my sport so that’s why I’m still fighting, playing here and travelling so much away from my family and my girlfriend. I love my sport and for sure in the future I want to teach the kids.