Began playing tennis at age five with his parents and used to come to the courts with them…Has one younger brother, Andreas (23)...Father, Wilhelm, works in business sales and mother, Renata is a housewife…Was among the Top 10 in Germany until age 16 and then finished No. 1 in Germany in the 18s before turning pro...Did not play many international junior tournaments � only Grand Slams were Wimbledon (1st RD) and US Open (3rd RD) in 1999…In 2002, spent four-five days a month for eight months in the German army, which reduced his playing schedule to two tourn. a month (normal time for German citizens is 10 months but athletes are given special consideration)…Favorite surfaces are hard and clay courts and considers his forehand and serve as strengths… Idol growing up was countryman Boris Becker.