Interview
Jason ("The shhcotsman") Roberts
Jason Roberts was one of Western Australia's top players in the late nineties. The self taught "Serve and Volleyer / Brave heart" has had his share of wins over top WA players. He has won Pro Tournaments there and in other parts of the world whilst earning himself an ATP world ranking. Before being caught in the downward spiralling abyss of semi-pro-ball, he tossed aside his pro aspirations able to at least say, "I gave it a good run" and now seeks his fortune in tennis coaching in Munich Germany. He has recently scored his biggest win by becoming coach at the prestige's Ifitos club, (The club that produced Michael Stich). The Tennis Coach/Old adversary caught up with him in Munich to ask him about tennis and life.
| TTC. | How did you get into tennis? |
| JR. | My sisters' girlfriends' brother challenged me to a game when I was 12.
I was certain I would win and had my hide spanked, however I became addicted to the sport. |
| TTC. | Was the switch from player to coach difficult? |
| JR. | It has positive and negative aspects. The realisation of not being able to become Pro was difficult to accept. Being based somewhere, instead of week in week out travel is great. Now I miss the lifestyle of training and having a good time etc. |
| TTC. | Why Germany, and were there any hurdles getting started? |
| JR. | I played a lot of club tennis here and received a very good job offer at TC Kempten. There were no hurdles at all mate! |
| TTC. | Would you advise young teaching pro's to look to Europe? |
| JR. | Sure why not, they are extremely professional well set up. If you're Good, you'll get a lot of hours and the pays better. |
| TTC. | What do the Spanish know that we don't know? |
| JR. | The Spanish have genetically advantages that enable them to move their wrists and elbows in the swing much faster and looser than us, enabling an amazing amount of spin production. (Ive seen a Spanish player touch the back of his middle finger on the to of his forearm, freaks man!)
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| TTC. | What are the things you miss and don't miss about OZ? |
| JR. | I miss everything and nothing; I'm on my last stretch here. I'm longing to be back. I started surfing a couple of years ago and would love to continue. I don't miss the tennis system!
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| TTC. | What level of players are you working with? |
| JR. | The best juniors in Munich including some of the best in Germany. One guy I've got is German Champ and he's … hot!
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| TTC. | What is your coaching Philosophy? |
| JR. | First of all, motivation and discipline. The kids have to want to play and work hard and then we develop technical perfection so they can hit every shot. (My kids play huge buddy but they're … loose cannons looking for targets!) |
| TTC. | What are your long-term goals? |
| JR. | Not to get totally out of tennis but eventually starting something else to enable myself more free time to pursue my other passions outside tennis like surfing, golf and a couple a beers.
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| TTC. | Is there life after Tennis? |
| JR. | Sure, I feel like a young kid at the moment still learning. If you're creative enough there are many things outside of tennis to enjoy.
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