David Goffin: The Biofile

© Getty ImagesDavid Goffin has moved up more than 100 rankings spots in 2012.

Belgian David Goffin has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2012, highlighted by a fourth round run as a lucky loser at Roland Garros. The 21 year old, who currently stands at a career-high No. 45 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, talks with Scoop Malinowski for this Biofile...

First Tennis Memory: "I was six years old when I played my first tournament and I was so excited to play my first official tournament in Belgium. I did not do so good but it was my first official tournament. I didn't have a ranking when I was six. But I loved that day, I played a lot of tournaments after."
 
Tennis Inspirations: "My father (Michael) was a professor. I got in tennis because of him. And my brother (Simon) was also playing good. And I was watching a lot of Pete Sampras when I was young. That's why I began to play tennis."
 
Last Book Read: "I don't read a lot, it was probably a book from school but I don't remember the name."
 
Current Car: "Alfa Romeo MiTo (gray)."
 
First Famous Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered: "I think it was in Paris, Bercy Masters. I was there to watch Christophe Rochus. I think he was playing Karol Kucera in qualies. I think it was the first match that I saw."
 
Greatest Sports Moment: "French Open, of course, against Federer. It was the fourth round. On the big court. It was great. (Did Federer say anything to you after?) Yes, there was a little speech on the court and it was very friendly. It was a great match and I had a hug with him. It was great."
 
Most Painful Moment: "Just had an injury in my abs for four or five months. It was not easy. I was doing bad. It was a painful moment. After Australian Open last year."
 
Favorite Tournament: "Wimbledon."
 
Closest Tennis Friends: "Steve Darcis and Oli Rochus, all the Belgian guys."
 
Funniest Player Encountered: "Tursunov. I've played against him in Malaysia. And he wanted to play...there was a video game, like football games, FIFA. And he wanted to always play that FIFA, directly after the match. 'Come on, I want to play, I want to play [smiles].'"
 
Strangest Match: "Not a weird match...at the end last year I was playing six matches and I won five times 7-6 in the third. I don't know why but every time I was in the third set it was 7-6 and I won five in a row, 7-6 in the third."
 
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: "Golf."
 
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: "Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods and maybe Usain Bolt. In tennis, Federer and Oli Rochus. He (Rochus) has a lot of talent, beautiful game, beautiful backhand. It's nice to see a lot of rallies and slice. Good player to watch. And he's a fighter also."
 
Nickname: "Goff."
 
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Vanilla and chocolate."
 
Best You Ever Felt On Court: "In Futures, when I was so excited to go on the Tour. I was playing Futures $10,000, it was my first match or second match against a seeded player ranked around 500 and I won 2 and 2. But my opponent was so big and he served like John Isner and I was returning all the balls and he didn't know what happened. It was exciting."
 
People Qualities Most Admired: "To respect. And generosity."

Courtesy of Scoop Malinowski, tennis-prose.com