EVERY TIME DANIEL Nestor returns to his hometown of Toronto to play at the Rogers Cup it is a memorable experience.
This year will be no different as Nestor tries to regain the title he held back in 2008 when the tournament checks into the National Tennis Centre at York University, Aug. 7 to 15. Coming off of a shocking early round loss at this year’s Wimbledon Championship, Nestor is looking to get his game back on track leading up to the U.S. Open this fall.
You went into this last Wimbledon as two-time defending champs but went down to a couple of young unseeded Brits. What happened?
That was definitely a difficult one to swallow. We were two-time defending champions, but it was just a situation where we were playing two people who were serving huge and just going for it. We thought, if we could just hang with them, they’d drop off, but honestly they maintained it.
How important is it for you to contribute to the growth of the sport and mentor young athletes at home?
It is important for sure, and I’m more than happy to do it. But our best chance at producing a top singles player is to produce one on our own who is consistently playing on TV a lot and beating the top guys.We need that kind of motivation. Doubles will always be secondary, and there is just not as much exposure.
And how are you feeling coming into Toronto for the Rogers Cup?
Obviously, we’re coming in off a loss, and we go to Washington the week before.We need to get some matches in before the U.S. Open, get on a roll. All the tournaments are important, but for me there are none more important than Toronto.
You’re 37, how do you manage to keep up with these young guys?
Well, I think obviously you have to be in shape to keep up. My style is probably better suited to playing doubles. I don’t have a problem with pace. In singles, it is more about footwork, in doubles I only have to cover half the court so it is that much easier.
What has been your biggest win?
The Olympics was huge, of course, because of the stature of the event. And beating the Woodies (Aussies Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde) in the final made it that much more special. They were the best in the world, and that was their last match.