Fun-seeking Rios Weary After Win, McEnroe Debuts Wednesday
Posted on August 16, 2006World senior No. 1 and self-described fun-seeker Marcelo Rios won his opening-round match Tuesday at the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions event in Graz-Seiersberg, dismissing French shotmaker Henri Leconte 7-5, 6-3, but says playing for a second straight week after his title at the Algarve in Portugal is taking its toll.
"I'm getting a little bit tired, having to recover from last week and playing again this week," said Rios who, to the disbelief of fans who witnessed his surly ATP career, says he is loosening up. "Everyone thinks that the scores are easy but actually the matches are tough. It's always fun to play Henri -- we had a good time. I'm trying to entertain a little bit more and to have a bit more fun than I used to."
Rios has won all three senior events he's participated in this year, and says his goal is to run through the season undefeated.
Goran Ivanisevic, who along with John McEnroe is seen as Rios' main opposition this week, was shocked in his opening match by homecountry Austrian Alex Antonitsch in a third-set tiebreak after losing the opening set.
"I don't know what to say. My performance today was poor, bad and sad," said Ivanisevic. "I will try to play well in the remaining matches, and especially on Friday. I want to see how good I can play against Marcelo. I'd like to try and perform well."
Defending champion Thomas Muster beat Magnus Larsson 7-6(8), 1-6, 10-8 (tiebreak) in the Swede's senior tour debut.
On court Wednesday are Rios vs. Antonitsch, Ivanisevic vs. Leconte, and McEnroe vs. Carl-Uwe Steeb.
WORLD SENIOR RANKINGS presented by Tennis-X.com
(Top 10 through Aug. 13, 2006)
1. Marcelo Rios (1200 pts.)
2. John McEnroe (885)
3. Sergi Bruguera (730)
4. Cedric Pioline (650)
5. Pat Cash (610)
6. Jim Courier (600)
7. Thomas Muster (500)
8T. Renzo Furlan (400)
8T. Richard Krajicek (400)
8T. Todd Martin (400)
The World Senior Rankings presented by Tennis-X.com is a cumulative ranking for senior tour players combining results from the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions in Europe, and the Outback Champions Series in the U.S.
"I'm getting a little bit tired, having to recover from last week and playing again this week," said Rios who, to the disbelief of fans who witnessed his surly ATP career, says he is loosening up. "Everyone thinks that the scores are easy but actually the matches are tough. It's always fun to play Henri -- we had a good time. I'm trying to entertain a little bit more and to have a bit more fun than I used to."
Rios has won all three senior events he's participated in this year, and says his goal is to run through the season undefeated.
Goran Ivanisevic, who along with John McEnroe is seen as Rios' main opposition this week, was shocked in his opening match by homecountry Austrian Alex Antonitsch in a third-set tiebreak after losing the opening set.
"I don't know what to say. My performance today was poor, bad and sad," said Ivanisevic. "I will try to play well in the remaining matches, and especially on Friday. I want to see how good I can play against Marcelo. I'd like to try and perform well."
Defending champion Thomas Muster beat Magnus Larsson 7-6(8), 1-6, 10-8 (tiebreak) in the Swede's senior tour debut.
On court Wednesday are Rios vs. Antonitsch, Ivanisevic vs. Leconte, and McEnroe vs. Carl-Uwe Steeb.
WORLD SENIOR RANKINGS presented by Tennis-X.com
(Top 10 through Aug. 13, 2006)
1. Marcelo Rios (1200 pts.)
2. John McEnroe (885)
3. Sergi Bruguera (730)
4. Cedric Pioline (650)
5. Pat Cash (610)
6. Jim Courier (600)
7. Thomas Muster (500)
8T. Renzo Furlan (400)
8T. Richard Krajicek (400)
8T. Todd Martin (400)
The World Senior Rankings presented by Tennis-X.com is a cumulative ranking for senior tour players combining results from the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions in Europe, and the Outback Champions Series in the U.S.