I like to compete. I want to win, no matter what it is. Every year I enter the U.S. Open (1) and dream of winning it, and then I think, “Timeout, idiot. You’re not that good.”
It’ll be a heatlands golf course in Connecticut. (2) I don’t know if you’re familiar with Australian golf courses, but heatland means it’s a links course without being on the water.
The bunkering there is special. You know it’s there but you don’t see it. The strategy on the course is you take a risk and get some reward or you can play it safe. There will be 140 of them.
I don’t play tennis.
I don’t enjoy it, No. 1.
No. 2, my back hurts.
No point in playing.
I just watch the major finals. I used to watch to scout my opponents, but since I don’t play, there’s no need to watch.
I had my turn,now it was time to move on to something else. Why would I get angry about it? I played ’til I was 34.
It was a nice recognition. (3) It wasn’t much of a surprise. In other sports, you see guys get emotional about being elected to a hall of fame because they weren’t sure they were getting in, but in tennis, you pretty much know who’s getting in.
It might’ve looked that way on the outside, (4) but on the inside, I was like everybody else. I got a lot of joy in the victories and was upset with the losses. But you can’t show emotion. That’s when you’re in trouble.
I would never choose a greatest match because there are a lot of things that go into that. The greatest match might be in the second round in Nevada, but it was because I was able to do what I wanted.
The first of each of them. (5) The French was the first ever. The Australian was unexpected because I was getting pummelled by McEnroe that year.
The U.S. Open, I was a set point down trailing 5-2, and John came in and I passed him and I felt I was in control after that.
My heroes were Rod Laver and Jan Kodes. I enjoyed watching Wayne Gretzky and Larry Bird play. And Lance Armstrong is a stud.
I was on the board of the Whalers. I would love to see the NHL come back to Hartford. Having the Rangers’ franchise there now (6) was–how should I put it?–not exactly ideal. The only thing worse than a Rangers franchise is a Boston Bruins franchise.
I went to Game 7 of their series against the Baby Penguins because my daughter loves hockey, and I called up for tickets, and they said, “Where do you want to sit?” That’s not good.
I think it’s great to have money to do things you might not be able to do otherwise, especially for your kids.
I would pay money to watch Roger Federer play tennis. That’s the only reason I watched the Wimbledon finals was to see him play. He threw some shots most players don’t even think of. It’s a pleasure to watch him play.
Would have I liked to win? (7) Yes.
Do I wake up in the morning and say I wish I’d won? No. Never.
It was frustrating how difficult it was for me. (8) That’s why I think it’s something to be more proud of than that eight U.S. Open finals. The U.S. Open was nothing for me. All I had to do was be in shape and go out and play.
I don’t have time to watch men’s tennis.
(1): For golf.
(2): The course he’s building.
(3): Being inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.
(4): That he wasn’t emotional.
(5): The major tennis title that meant the most.
(6): The minor-league team.
(7): Wimbledon.
(8): On grass
