Q & A with Mark Woodforde

Australian tennis great, Mark Woodforde, retired following the 2000 Davis Cup Final. Born & raised in Adelaide he now enjoys the good life in California with his wife, kid, a fridge full of beer & a BBQ. Could it get much better than that?

We spoke to Pecka about his career.

Name Mark Woodforde

High School

Marion High School in Adelaide, a very reputable public school I might say!

Who was your sporting hero when you were growing up?

Tough one - I never focused on any one person, I loved all sports really, followed the footy on the weekends, filled in my tips for the races, went & played my tennis, watched the sports shows on Sunday, watched the golf in the afternoons. Whoever was doing well I supported.

What was your highest ATP rankings for singles & doubles?

My highest singles ranking was #19, reached in April 1996, stayed in the top 50 from 1992 till mid 1999.

Highest doubles ranking was #1, reached in Nov 1992 and flirted with the top spot till I stopped playing in Dec 2000 where I walked away with the #1 position still in my grasp!!

What are you up to these days?

Well, I'm being a good husband to my wife, Erin, by letting her spend all the money I made whilst on Tour - she never spends at all actually!

Being a Dad to Elyse & the coming birth of baby #2 and working on bringing down my golf handicap.

Oh yeah, I do work for Ch.9 at the Grand Slams commentating.

If you could be part of a sporting team which one would it be?

I would love to be part of a large team sport where each of you have a certain amount of responsibility to play in the team victory. Like Carlton footy team.

Career Highlights?

Damn, hate this question.

Winning Wimbledon for the first time, winning the Gold Medal in Atlanta 1996, winning the Davis Cup in 1999.

Biggest Disappointment?

Not having a bigger serve, not winning more Slams.

When did you really think you had made it?

I thought I had "made it" when I started collecting my prize money in cash the first year I was in the main draws - all the cash blew me away, I was on top of the world although it didn't last too long.

More so when other players began watching my results or the training I did, realised they were thinking ‘he is a threat’.

Who was your toughest opponent?

For me, it was Matts Wilander. My strengths did not penetrate his weaknesses enough to get close to beating him, he was the one top player I never beat.

Towards the end I dreaded playing Todd because I felt it interfered with our doubles play - if I was winning an encounter he would "spit the dummy" and I disliked watching that and if I ended up beating him then he was so pissed off it made it uncomfortable later in the doubles. After a while I figured it was no big deal to win or lose to him but it was hard.

Of the players you played with who do you most admire?

It would have to be Lleyton. To be able to do what he has at a young age is scintillating. Rafter for the athleticism he displayed. Scud for the sheer power.

Which one person helped you career the most?

Barry Phillips-Moore was an incredible influence, taught me about the sport in a Zen like manner and I have never forgotten that.

Loudest crowd you played in?

Geez, those bastards in Barcelona were a tough mob - Davis Cup final 2000 - as was the French in 1999.

What is a typical Saturday night for you these days?

At the moment you would find me at home with the baby. On the road it would be with friends eating at a decent restaurant with an excellent bottle of red wine.

Favourite Restaurant?

Trader Vics in London, Rosa Mexicana in NYC, Waterfront in Sydney, Cafe Di Stasio in Melbourne.

Favourite Bars?

The bars attached to any W Hotel are pretty cool.

What song will get you on the dance floor?

I try to avoid showing my dance capabilities, it tends to be a little too much of the "ol hip thrusts" with the clicking of my fingers in time with the tunes!! Not a good look.

You have seen a few, so what was your favourite Fanatics party?

I have some special memories of the parties held in Brisbane at the Adrenalin Bar we all visited. I got to work as barman, offering freebies to all the supporters of those D.Cup ties and eventually spraying everyone with water from behind my haven of the bar itself.

If you were having a BBQ and you could invite five people who would they be?

-Madonna cos we all could listen to her bitch about being the worlds best recording artist & maybe hear her sing a few hits!
-Princess Di cos I'd have someone to stare at and hopefully hear how she brought some commonality to "toffee living".
-Todd, as long as he brought his stash of Grange with him!!
-My wife Erin, we could chat about the table talk later on and she'd need to drive me home.
-Uhhhmmm - Alison Moyet cos after hearing Madonna sing one song we'd all realise how bad she is live and Alison's soulful voice would add sooo much to Pecka's gathering that the night would be a real success.

Thanks Pecka, a great career for a great bloke.