Tennis

When did you first see Jonas play tennis?

I first saw Jonas play live at Queens in 1994 in the final which he and Jan Apell won against Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge. Then I remember seeing him play against Stefan Edberg at the US Open (Jonas has a 1-0 win/loss record against Stefan!)

 Why did you support Jonas? What particular aspects of his game/personality did you like?

I have always admired Jonas’ fighting spirit. His game was exciting to watch in that it is quite varied: sometimes with baseline rallies, sometimes with netplay and I always liked the way that he showed his emotion when he won an important point. He has always been very approachable and friendly to those who have followed his career and for that I am very grateful.

When did you first meet him?

I think I first spoke to him at the Australian Open in 1995 and again at Queens in London that year where I asked about how I could apply for tickets to the Davis Cup semi-final between Sweden and USA in Las Vegas.

I had been following Swedish tennis for many years and wanted to go to a Davis Cup match. I went to the match and saw him there and reminded him of our conversation. After the match he came over to me and asked if I’d enjoyed the tennis. I was so impressed that he had taken the time to come over and ask, especially as Sweden had just lost the match.

A few years later I was being introduced to Jonas by a mutual friend at the French Open. He was meeting Jonas for a drink and invited me to come along. I remember that we stood outside the Players’ Lounge and he talked with us for about  half an hour, often stopping to sign autographs for passing fans. I was impressed by the fact that he wasn’t someone who avoided the fans.

What was your favourite match that you ever saw him play?

That’s a difficult one. There were some fantastic matches over the years. The dramatic ones in Davis Cup when playing for Sweden and not just an individual. One stands out against Gustavo Kuerten when Sweden were 1-2 down, but also the final in Gothenburg when he beat Michael Chang.

Have you learned more about Sweden and Swedish tennis players by being a fan of Jonas?

I’ve always appreciated Swedish tennis and the way the Swedes support each other.  It is something which has always made me want to support the Swedes – from Borg to Wilander, from Edberg to Jonas.  They are always friendly towards each other.  Above all, they are such good sports – always fair to their opponents and respectful.   It has been fantastic to travel to Sweden and watch tennis there, but it has also been nice to experience something of the Swedish culture and the country itself.  I’ve also very much enjoyed watching the Swedish Davis Cup matches.

 What is your most memorable Jonas moment?

Again there have been so many.  Being introduced to him by a mutual friend was very special.  I was impressed by the fact that he stood and talked to me for ages.  At the Davis Cup in 1995 in Las Vegas, he came over and thanked me for suporting him and asked if I’d enjoyed the match – all this after Sweden had just lost the match.  He didn’t have to do that and I was so impressed that he took the trouble to ask.  Seeing him win the French Open in 2005 and the Shanghai Masters in 2006 and being there, was very special.

Describe your best photograph of Jonas. When was it taken? And why is it so good?

I have so many photos of Jonas!  There are some great action shots.

The way Jonas celebrated a good shot always made a good photograph, especially when he did the ”brussel step”.  I suppose my favourite is the one of me with him after he won the French Open in 2005.

 If you could turn back time and change the results for one match that you wish that he had won, which match would that be and why? 

In singles, it would have to be the US Open semi final in 1997 against Rusedski.  That was a tough loss and it was his best chance of reaching a grand slam final.  In doubles it would have been the 2006 US Open final against Damm and Paes.  I was there!  He and Max Mirnyii were a set and 3-1 up, but lost the match in three sets.

If you could have one piece of Jonas’s equipment from the time he was playing tennis, what would you pick and why?

I really liked the yellow shirt he wore for Davis Cup at the end of his career.  It would be either that, or his Beijing 2008 shirt.

 Who is your new favourite player on the tour and why?

Roger Federer.  He is a class player, exciting to watch and plays serve and volley – just like Jonas:-)

Where did you first see Jonas play tennis? Where did you first meet him?

I remember meeting Jonas at the Miami event.  I think it was in 1996. I was walking around the practice courts and happened to see him in action.  I was on my way to a match on the grandstand, but kept watching Jonas practice instead.  I do recall that I was leaving the next day.  When I returned home and checked his biography, I realized that the first time I saw Jonas in action was on March 23rd — his birthday!  If only I had known…I would have wished him a Happy Birthday!  After that chance meeting with Jonas, I started following his career.

What particular aspects of his game/personality did you like?

To me, a player’s personality off the court is equally or even more important than how they perform on the court.  I was happy to see that Jonas was always giving of his time to his fans. His interactions were many and he posed for pictures and signed autographs with patience. I appreciated that he took the time to stop and mingle with his numerous fans!