Shanghai: Some players only get better with age and the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek is out to prove he has the fire to “trouble” the more established order on the ATP World Tour.
“First of all, all this [success] has something to do with the hard work I’m putting in the whole year. Sometimes it doesn’t go the way you want it and you have some tough losses, but I always fight until the last moment and I never give up. I’m always waiting for my chance,” Stepanek said of his run to the quarter-finals at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.
En route to the last eight stage, the Czech, who turns 34 next month, accounted for former world number one Lleyton Hewitt and other established players such as No 11 Richard Gasquet and eighth seed John Isner to become the oldest player in the quarter-finals, where he lost to Andy Murray.
Even though he’s done well in the singles, Stepanek has fared better in the doubles, booking his place at the season finale in London with partner Leander Paes earlier this week, before going on to win the doubles final here yesterday.
But he is not surprised with his success rate. “Behind all the wins, you first have to look for hard work and that’s what I’m putting in. I’m addicted to tennis. I’m trying to stay healthy and fit as much as I can. I have some experience throughout the years and I have a great team around me, which keeps me healthy and fit. That’s why I can play both singles and doubles,” Stepanek said. “I’m very happy the way I’m successful in both.”
Packed calendar
Normally players his age do not keep as busy, but the Czech player still has the Barclays ATP Men’s Tour Final and the Davis Cup final against Spain at the O2 Arena in Prague immediately after that.
And he has no plans of relenting. “I hope I will give them [other players] trouble when I am on the court. So far, I’m focused on my things, on my tennis and once I’ll be done, then I can pass the message to the others,” he said.
“But until I’m going to be actively playing, I want to keep doing that as long as I can, as long as I know that I can be a trouble for the guys playing on the highest level. If I will feel that my body doesn’t have it anymore or my mind is too tired, then I will just quit. I’m not going to be the one pushing it just because of playing — I have to have the fire, I have to have fun.
“I live for tennis 24/7, like I think everybody else does. Without it, it’s impossible to be on such a level and I’m very pleased that it’s going this way.”
