It’s no secret that I’m a Xavier Malisse fan.
I started following Malisse rather late in his career, when I saw him unexpectedly make the final of Legg Mason in 2010. It was my first non-US Open tournament, he was the first player I saw practicing, and he was trailing in this first round match to Santiago Giraldo when I sat down and started cheering. He won the match, then made the final.
Throughout the last few years, I’ve found a lot of other reasons to be a fan than just circumstance. He’s struggled through injury on-court and tough times off-court (his mom passed away in the fall of 2010), and yet he just keeps coming back. When his game is on, it’s a showcase of power, precision, and variety. I’ve seen him laugh his way to an Indian Wells doubles title with with Alexandr Dolgopolov, openly contemplate retirement after a rough clay season, and sob into his towel and point to the sky in tribute after defeating Fernando Verdasco to make the second week of Wimbledon. He’s become friends with his fan (and my friend) Melissa, who started a fan site for him back in the late ’90s and now operates a Twitter account for him. Stringers have called him one of the nicest guys on tour, volunteers have bragged about his manners, and media members and fans have told stories about his kindness … when he’s winning, that is.
And then, courtesy of fabulous Grandstand blogger Ricky Dimon, there’s this:
Malisse is in rare form out here, folks
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) March 24, 2013
Malisse: "how the fuck is this racket strung at 31 kilos?"
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) March 24, 2013
Malisse: "you should be able to hit the ball over the net at 31 kilos."
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) March 24, 2013
Malisse: "it is so fun to be out here right now. This is fun tennis."
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) March 24, 2013
Malisse: "it's impossible to hit a good serve on this side of the court."
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “how does a flat ball at 31 kilos still go long?”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “this is so annoying. What a fun match.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse to cameraman in between serves: “can you stop moving around? Thanks man.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “why are we even out here?”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “the stringer went out last night.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse pauses before serving: “sorry guys. Sorry for this fuckin’ wind.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “every time I try to serve this fucking shit happens.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “what is going on with my sucky returns?”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse on dumping a baseline overhead in the bottom of the net: “that’s a good decision.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse after shanking a double-fault: “I’m not doing it on purpose.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “how do you string it that fucking bad? It’s fresh off the fucking machine.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Malisse: “I hate this fucking game. I’m going to punch someone in the face.”
— Ricky Dimon (@RD_Tennistalk) March 24, 2013
Xavier Malisse, proving that being over 30 and on the ATP tour isn’t as easy as everybody makes it out to be… twitpic.com/ce33wn
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) March 24, 2013
Malisse lost to Kei Nishikori in the third round of Miami 6-2, 7-5. But he won the hearts of so many others with his charm.
Xavier is truly one of the most amazing human beings. I love him and would back him up, whether it be on court or off, always and forever!
Proud to be an X-man fan! Shared a special moment with him at the US Open 2012. He is the best! Wish I could tell him how proud I am. I will have to wait till the US Open or hopefully Cincinati!
Must be hormones
Hi Guys,
I like Malisse too. Sorry Nishikori beat him yesterday.
Kei Nishikori is the only Japan’s hope in tennis and I hope you will like his play style as well. Since Memphis Kei injured the stomach muscle, he is still 80% healed.
Kei’s opponent is Ferrer at the 4th round. It will be tough. What do you predict their game?
I like The Changeover’s articles with interesting analysis. If you write about Nishikori’s tennis, I’d like to introduce it to Japanese tennis fans. We like to hear outside objective “honest” views about him.
X-man won today in his doubles! Today, my heart is happy not broken like it was yesterday!