Le retour des «mononucléosés»

30 juin 2008

Roger Federer, Mario Ancic et Rainer Schüttler ont tous dû combattre la maladie. Aujourd'hui, les trois seront en lice pour une place en quart de finale

Souvenez-vous: en janvier dernier, Roger Federer paraissait affaibli, plus frêle. Le No 1 mondial sortait en demi-finale de l'Open d'Australie, dominé en trois sets par Novak Djokovic. On évoquait une intoxication alimentaire, on accusait un vilain morceau de poulet. Quelques inquiétantes défaites plus tard, le Bâlois révélait la vraie cause de ses malheurs: il avait été victime d'une mononucléose. Aujourd'hui, l'homme a récupéré. Il assure avoir recouvré l'entièreté de ses moyens, ce que sa présence en huitième de finale de Wimbledon ne fait que confirmer.

Federer n'est pas le seul joueur à avoir réussi à surmonter cette mésaventure et à assurer sa présence en deuxième semaine de Wimbledon. Avec l'Allemand Rainer Schüttler et le Croate Mario Ancic, il s'en trouve deux autres parmi les seize rescapés du tournoi masculin à partager cette particularité. Après avoir enduré une longue traversée du désert, les deux hommes savourent leur bonheur d'avoir retrouvé le haut niveau.

Les baisers de Mario Ancic

La mononucléose a tourmenté Ancic durant une bonne année. Le Croate a amorcé son retour ce printemps. Après avoir dégringolé au classement mondial, le demi-finaliste à Londres en 2004 est en train de retrouver tout son allant. Vendredi soir, il a laissé libre court à son bonheur en se mettant à genoux et en embrassant le court central après avoir transformé sa balle de match contre David Ferrer.

«J'avais manqué le tournoi l'an passé. Je faisais du tapis roulant, je passais du temps dans les salles de gym à tout entreprendre pour retrouver la forme. Alors, retrouver un grand stade et battre un joueur du top 5 ici est un grand moment pour moi», exulte l'ex-n° 7 à l'ATP. Ancic (24 ans) rêve maintenant de jouer un nouveau tour à Roger Federer en quart de finale, six ans après avoir infligé ici même au Suisse sa dernière défaite sur gazon.

Rainer Schüttler a persévéré

Rainer Schüttler (ATP 94) avait lui carrément perdu son tennis et il est d'autant plus surprenant qu'il l'ait retrouvé sur gazon. Ex-finaliste de l'Open d'Australie (en 2003) et n° 5 mondial, l'Allemand avait complètement perdu pied depuis et sa mononucléose avait fait empirer les choses durant huit longs mois. Trop pressé de revenir, il avait encore été davantage rongé par le doute. Avant d'arriver à Londres, Schüttler n'avait remporté qu'un seul match en Grand Chelem depuis 2006. A 32 ans, on ne sait pas si sa route se poursuivra en quart de finale, mais il a retrouvé le goût de la victoire et un nouvel élan. «A deux ou trois reprises,» explique le joueur allemand, «je me suis dit que cela n'avait peut-être plus aucun sens de continuer. Parfois, je m'arrêtais pendant deux ou trois jours, mais je retrouvais l'envie de m'entraîner et maintenant, je prends toujours autant de plaisir.» Comme quoi, il ne faut jamais cesser d'y croire.

SOURCE

An interview with Mario Ancic

M. Ancic Interview - 30 June
Monday, 30 June 2008
Mario Ancic def. Fernando Verdasco 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 13-11

Q. Looking at the statistic sheets for the match today.

MARIO ANCIC: Me, too.

Q. The line that says, "61% effectiveness at the net," is that going to be enough to beat Roger Federer?

MARIO ANCIC: To be honest with you, I haven't think one second about Roger Federer yet.

Q. So let's talk about the match you just played. Could you talk about this match.

MARIO ANCIC: Yes, like I said, I think the match by itself was unbelievable, was dramatic. I mean, the best way to say is it was dramatic.

First two sets I have to say, you know, it's not too many times that I really feel that somebody's playing unbelievable. I mean, whatever I tried, whatever I was trying to do, he was hitting me off the court.

From the returns, he was serving great. I mean, I was struggling a little bit with the returns throughout the whole match. I mean, he's a lefty. I return good, but when it's a different spin, the way he was putting he was placing the serve good. I was really struggling with that.

You know, like I said, I really felt after two sets, you know, there is nothing wrong I did and I'm two sets to love down. I just said to myself, Keep on fighting. Maybe something can open up like it can on grass. Doesn't matter actually which surface.

I got the break, and I think from there on the match started. I think I was better player in the fourth set. He went down a little bit, which of course it's easier to play when everything is rolling. That's actually what I wanted, you know, to maybe get the break up so he can maybe start thinking a little bit in the match.

And then the fifth set, I mean, it was a fight. 13 11, I mean, of course it could probably go either way. But, you know, I felt a little bit I was having more chances. I felt that, you know, I was the one who was all the time putting the pressure on his serve.

Actually, I was serving for the match 7 6. Even that I felt he hit three great returns. But, you know, like I said, in the fifth set my percentage dropped. I didn't see it yet here, but I think my percentage of the serve dropped but I played better.

I got a little bit better rhythms on the returns. Like I said, a little bit I felt more comfortable, and I felt each game I have a little bit more chances to break him than he could break me.

Q. Was the leg bothering you?

MARIO ANCIC: Yes, it was. It was. It was throughout the fifth set. But, you know, it's one of these things that you don't think about.

Q. Could you give us an impression of what Wimbledon does for you. It has an effect on certain players. Clearly I think it has an effect on you and your game. An impression of what it means to come here and play well?

MARIO ANCIC: Like I always said, Wimbledon means so much to me. Actually it feels maybe even a little bit more because I missed it last year and I didn't know you know, like when I remember last year where I was, and this year, straightaway for me I feel like a winner.

You know, doesn't matter what happens at the end of the week. I really feel, you know, for me this is the tournament I grew up with. This is the tournament I always felt great and always great memories.

Q. At some point you're going to have to turn your attention to the quarterfinals. Judging yourself by the way you served and volleyed today, are you satisfied with that? Is that going to be good enough?

MARIO ANCIC: I don't know. I don't know is it gonna be good enough. I mean, I think I served better, if that was your question, I think I served a little bit better against Ferrer than today.

But like I said, I think most important for me at this moment, I play plenty of time with him. The only thing I'm focused is getting this afternoon and today as smarter as I can and treat my leg as best as I can and be well prepared for Wednesday.

Q. It's so unusual for a tennis player to go to law school. Could you tell us a little bit about that. Certainly in all the hours of studying law there must have been one thing that has helped you with your play on the tennis court.

MARIO ANCIC: I don't know. I mean, of course for me I think as soon as you're a top player or sportsman you have one university done. I mean, you worked your whole life and you are good at something.

But also, on the other hand, I wanted to have something else except tennis. Law was something that I felt can give me a lot of possibilities later after my career. At this point when I'm finishing, I'm really happy that that was my decision to go for law school.

Also, to be honest, it helped me so much last year. In this year when I didn't play tennis, I think it just help me to stay mentally strong, to be positive, because I think it would be much tougher if I didn't have it so I would sit whole day, you know, at home and hit myself, you know, hit my head through the wall all day. You know, nothing to do.

Maybe watch tennis, and you get even more crazy. Why I'm not there? I'm going to be stressed. I felt this was really something that, okay, now I don't have tennis, but I have something else equally maybe as important in my life.

Q. And your favorite part of the law?

MARIO ANCIC: I think civil law.

Q. When you beat Roger here six years ago, where did you think your game would be six years from then and where did you think Roger's would be six years from then? Where did you think you would be today with your games?

MARIO ANCIC: I think we are both six years better players. I mean, like I said, he was not Roger Federer at that time. Of course, I mean, I can sit here and talk stories about how great win and how I beat Roger Federer, but actually it wasn't Roger Federer as we know him today.

It was the up and coming, top 10 player who was at that moment struggling on Grand Slams. I think from year after when he won Wimbledon he explode, and today he's completely different player.

I mean, we played I think three or four times after that. He beat me. Of course it's unbelievable, because since then he hasn't lost on grass. But, you know, if it was not for that, I think people would pretty much forget about that win.

Q. We all know the story of the illness, what have you. When you were suffering, maybe at your lowest moments, do you imagine something in tennis that will inspire you to come back? I'm hoping you're going to say Centre Court. Is there something you really focus on to help your recovery?

MARIO ANCIC: Well, it's not a cliché, but it was really to play again on Centre Court in Wimbledon. It was something that I really felt passionate about. I said that is for me like for a footballer to play on Wembley. It's Yankee Stadium for baseball, Madison Square Garden in basketball, New York Knicks to play there.

I mean, it's almost like a holy place. That was really something what is inspiring me. I mean, of course the goal was try to come there, because I know then I am playing big matches. I mean, I felt what it means to play late in the tournaments, late in the Grand Slams, winning tournaments, and my goal was to come back to play these big matches.

Q. Roger has said before and reconfirmed to us today that he underestimated you back in 2002 and it was his own fault. Does the fact that you beat him six years ago on grass, and you're one of the few guys that knows what it feels like to beat him on grass, is that going to help you not to overestimate him, not to give him too much respect?

MARIO ANCIC: Well, I mean, we play quarters two years ago. I think he played a brilliant match. For me, I go on the court and I don't play the name; I try to play the best as I can play that day.

I mean, that was same case two years ago, but it was just on the other side of the net was somebody who play better than me that day.

But what I'm really focus is I don't play the game; I just focus to try to get on the top of my game. Whoever I have to play in the quarters, doesn't matter is it Roger Federer. I mean, is eight guys still left in the tournament, and against seven of them you have to play top to have a chance to win.

Doesn't matter is it Roger or somebody else, that is my goal.

Q. 13-11 in the fifth. Where do you stand on whether it should be a tiebreak to end it in the fifth or whether we should continue playing out like this?

MARIO ANCIC: Well, I think it was pretty entertaining for the crowd. No, I think the system is good. I don't have anything against it.

Site Officiel
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2008-06-30/200806301214845002722.html

An interview with Mario Ancic

M. Ancic Interview - 2 July
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
R. Federer def. Mario Ancic 6-1, 7-5, 6-4

Q. What was the difference of this match and the other time?

MARIO ANCIC: He was still a winner. Doesn't matter. It wasn't too many differences. You know, he makes you play the hardest as you can, and on the other hand you can't give him anything. There's not one point you get for free. I mean, that is the toughest to balance. You have to play hard. You have to go for your shots. You have to play difficult. And, on the other hand, you're not allowed to miss if you want to win. I think I was doing -- I'm so proud of myself how I was doing that second and third set, going really aggressive, pushing myself to play like that. But I think maybe the overall of the whole match we can see in the first game in the third set where I felt I'm playing maybe the best tennis, and still had to fight so, so much to win that game.

Q. At fifteen minutes, can you describe a little bit that game? That game was actually almost the length of the first set.

MARIO ANCIC: I think that just shows what I was saying, how well I played, how difficult it is. Like I said, there's no one point. I was serving 130 miles. You get on your feet, getting deep volleys. I mean, I had to play every point. Every point had to be perfectly done. Like I said, I think that just shows. I never saw him serving better. Every time against me, I think this is the best he ever served.

Q. Can you speak a bit about what makes his serve so difficult? Because he's not so tall and the serve is not the fastest, but why is it so difficult for the returner?

MARIO ANCIC: Well, I mean, I don't agree with you that it's not the fastest. I mean, it's not -- maybe he didn't break the record, but it's around 130 he can smack it. He has unbelievable precise, and it's very tough to read his serve because he's mixing it so well. Today he was serving really, really well - not only the first serve, even with the second he was going a lot. You know, had a great speed and really pushing me, not giving me any chance to hit and come, which of course going into this match I was hoping I can have these opportunities to do that.

Q. When you come into today's match, I realize you played him very recently on clay in Paris. But coming into this match here, do you have in your mind memories, thoughts at all about your victory over him here?

MARIO ANCIC: No. I mean, I lost couple times against him. Of course I won it here, but it's a very distant memory. I take it always as a new match. Doesn't matter how was last week. Even if we play tomorrow, doesn't really matter. I try to go out there and, like I said, yesterday or two days ago, try to come up to my level. I think second and third set I did. He was just the better player. I mean, I can talk here, talk stories, but he was just a better player. The better player went through.

Q. You've been through a tough time physically. I think I heard you said, My dream was to play again on Centre Court a Federer match. Was it as good as you had in mind?

MARIO ANCIC: Yeah. I mean, I enjoy every moment. Not today, but the whole Wimbledon here. It was for me a great two weeks. Now I'm going to take a lot of positive things. I show again how good I can play. I beat, again, top players, which is great for confidence. And I think today was overall very good match. Of course, you want to, you know, hopefully win these matches, but I still take -- I can still take a lot of positives from this experience, from 2008 Wimbledon.

Q. Is this 2008 Wimbledon like a landmark now again, your comeback?

MARIO ANCIC: I mean, definitely. Like I said, I got a lot of confidence when you beat these players which I beat. But also, I mean, ranking-wise it's a big step for me. Like I said, it's now take lot of positive things from here and keep on going. I mean, I know where I want to be and I know that I still want to continue.

Q. Having just played Federer, for the next match, Federer versus Safin, who would you put your money on?

MARIO ANCIC: Well, I still think from the beginning of this tournament Federer is number one contender. I don't think it changes anything.

Q. Can you compare the Federer of today to the Federer you played here and beat in 2002?

MARIO ANCIC: I have to repeat. I think I a million times I said this, but I will say again. I mean, he was obviously struggling at that time with the Grand Slam record. Was very bad. He was serving and volleying at that time. Now he's staying back. I think 2003, at least for me, 2003 victory in Wimbledon just help him to be this player he is now. Because it looks like, you know, he had always a lot of talent, a lot of touch, but that just gave him confidence that he can be, you know, this consistent and this good.

Q. Do you think you did not have the level of fitness, having played such an extended match two days ago?

MARIO ANCIC: Well, of course, I would like that I finish, you know, in three and it wasn't long match. But sometimes -- you know, it was very great victory for me. I think a little bit in the beginning that was, you know, a little bit minus, because in the beginning I was a little bit heavy. Didn't start that sharp as normal, and that cost me first games, basically the first set. But then I think from there on it didn't really matter.

Site Officiel
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2008-07-02/200807021215022816968.html

JO - Tennis - Forfait d'Ancic

05/08/2008 14:34

Mario Ancic, médaillé de bronze en double à Athènes, a déclaré forfait pour le tournoi de tennis des JO de Pékin, pour raison de santé. «Mario est malade et ne pourra pas disputer le tournoi olympique, mais cela ne perturbera pas les autres joueurs. Nous alignons toujours une très forte équipe», a indiqué à Xinhua Marina Mihelic, directeur exécutif de la Fédération croate de tennis. Ancic sera remplacé par Marin Cilic aux côtés d'Ivan Ljubicic et d'Ivo Karlovic, 18e joueur mondial et récent vainqueur de Roger Federer à Cincinnati.

L'Equipe.fr

Tennis - US Open - Ancic renonce

06/08/2008 14:45

Victime d'une mononucléose, Mario Ancic a déclaré forfait pour l'US Open. Déjà absent à Cincinnati et après avoir renoncé à participer aux Jeux, le Croate ne sera pas sur les courts américains le 25 août prochain.

L'Equipe.fr

Ancic forfait

10/10 15h34 - Tennis, ATP, Stockholm

Mario Ancic a déclaré forfait avant son quart de finale du tournoi de Stockholm contre Kei Nishikori.

Kei Nishikori n’a pas eu à trop se fatiguer pour se qualifier pour les demi-finales du tournoi de Stockholm. Le Japonais, bénéficiaire d’une wild card, a en effet profité du forfait du Croate Mario Ancic , son adversaire programmé en quarts de finale. Dans le dernier carré, Nishikori affrontera le vainqueur du match entre Soderling et Schuettler.

www.sport24.com

Australie (H) - Ancic sort Karlovic

22/01/2009 07:28

Le "derby" croate qui opposait jeudi Mario Ancic à Ivo Karlovic, tête de série n°25, au deuxième tour est revenu au premier nommé après un combat en cinq sets (5-7, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3).

www.lequipe.fr

Ancic facile

6/02 21h35 - Tennis, ATP, Zagreb

Le Croate Mario Ancic a facilement dominé son compatriote Ivan Dodig (6/1 6/3).

La belle aventure d’Ivan Dodig, issu des qualifications, s’est arrêtée vendredi à Zagreb. Le Croate n’a rien pu faire contre son compatriote Mario Ancic (6/1 6/3). La tête de série n°7 retrouvera Jan Hernych en demies.

www.sport24.com

Zagreb : Ancic retrouve Cilic

Rédaction Sport365 - samedi 07 février 2009 - 22h21

Grâce à sa victoire sur le Tchèque Jan Hernych samedi soir (6-7, 6-3, 7-6), Mario Ancic a rejoint son compatriote Marin Cilic en finale du tournoi de Zagreb. Une finale 100 % croate qui ravira les supporters.

www.sport365.fr

Rotterdam: Ancic soigne son entrée

11/02/2009 - 12:41

Mario Ancic s'est hissé mardi au deuxième tour du tournoi de Rotterdam en prenant le meilleur sur l'Allemand Rainer Schuettler (7-5, 6-2). Le Croate, finaliste à Zagreb la semaine passée, aura rendez-vous au tour suivant avec le vainqueur du match Simon-Kohlschreiber se jouant en ce moment même.

www.sports.fr