JIMMY CHAOUSIS
Interviews
1. How did you meet Lleyton and how long have you known him?
I first met Lleyton in our early junior days. We used to play the same tournaments in Adelaide and were involved in the same tennis squads. We became pretty good friends, but from the time Lleyton turned professional, it's been a lot harder to keep in touch, as he does so much travelling around the world.
2. Obviously, Lleyton has seen many benefits in taking you on for next year. What is your tennis/coaching background experience?
I have been playing since I was nine and was on the circuit for four years. Unfortunately for me, things didn't work out the way I had hoped, so I decided to pursue coaching. I started out coaching where I played my junior tennis at the Colonel Light West Tennis Club. I was fortunate enough to then be asked to coach a player from Russia, who was in the Top 200 in the world. I also coached an American junior player, who was ranked three in the world for juniors.
3. What will be your specific role as Lleyton's assistant coach for next year?
Well, the first thing that I have to clarify is that my role is probably more of an assistant, rather than an assistant coach. I know that, at the moment, Lleyton is very happy with Roger [Rasheed] as his coach, so I'm just going to join in on what they have been working on. I am sure that there will be times where I will be helping Roger out, which may include hitting with Lleyton and helping out with the fitness side of things. I think the main thing is that the three of us get along great with one another, as I think that that is an important foundation to have if you want to taste success. I start travelling with Lleyton and Roger as of the Hopman Cup, so hopefully I can be of some assistance wherever I can.
4. Apart from the Slams and Davis Cup, has Lleyton decided which tournaments he's going to play in 2004?
Yeah, Lleyton has a rough idea which tournaments he will play in 2004, but it all depends on how he is holding up physically and mentally throughout the year. I think you will find that he is going to play a few more tournaments than he did this year.
5. What are his goals for 2004?
His goals are, as normal, to do well in Grand Slams and Davis Cup matches. I'm sure that you will see him do what he can to become one of the top ranked players in the world again.
6. I know he is an avid golfer, what else does Lleyton enjoy doing in his rare amounts of free time?
Lleyton enjoys what most people his age enjoy. Just lately a group of us have got right into ten pin bowling. You think that the Davis Cup is intense? You should see us guys bowl! It's a lot of fun. I can also tell you that Lleyton is a huge fan of the Adelaide Crows Football Club [an Australian football team]. We will definitely be travelling with a footy in 2004. Go the Crows!
7. Everyone knows the Australian Open is the one tournament that Lleyton would absolutely love to win. Do you believe he can do it in 2004?
That's a tough one, isn't it? The men have such a strong field at the moment that any player can beat anyone on any given day. There would have to be at least ten players that have a real chance of winning the tournament. There's no doubt that, if Lleyton can produce his best tennis at the right stages of the tournament, he's going to be hard to beat. Let's hope that 2004 is his year.