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Ht: 6-10 Wt: 230 pounds.

DOB: February 28, 1979 in Zagreb, Croatia.

Hobbies/Interests: â€œYou know, it is difficult to have like a real hobby because like every week we are on the road and professional tennis takes a lot of time. But I like basketball, movies and music. (How about boxing?) Oh yeah, actually, because when I was younger, when I was 16, I was a little bit practicing it. So yeah, I also like it. (How did you do?) It was only amateur, I was never actually in the ring but I liked it. And because of my long arms, the trainer who had this local club was really, really interested in me changing sports [smiles], to change from tennis to boxing. But it didnâ€™t happen.â€

Nicknames: â€œIvobek. And also Karlo. (They also call you Dr. Ivo.) Yeah, Dr. Ivo, yeah. I heard that also.â€

Favorite Movies: â€œThe Shawshank Redemption and Kill Bill I & II.â€

Favorite TV Shows: â€œItâ€™s a lot of them. I like comedies mostly.â€

Childhood Heroes: â€œIt was probably (Boris) Becker and (Toni) Kukoc, basketball star.â€

Musical Tastes: â€œI can listen to everything, cool music, from hip-hop, rap, to rock â€˜n roll. (Name some names.) Pearl Jam I like. Snoop [smiles].â€

First Tennis Memory: â€œWhen I was young my dad (Vlado) said that I was gonna be in some sports. And he said that it would be tennis because itâ€™s no injuries. So he was dragging me to the tennis court. And I was like, No, no, no. I donâ€™t want to go [smiles]. But after, I like it. So I stayed with it.â€

Pre-Match Feeling: â€œTry to stay relaxed and not have a lot of pressure on me. And try to have fun.â€

First Job: â€œJob [smiles]? Tennis.â€

First Car: â€œOpel (silver).â€

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: â€œChocolate.â€

Favorite Meal: â€œI like lamb when itâ€™s like really nicely cooked.â€

Last Book Read: â€œYou got me there [laughs]. Last bookâ€¦I have to thinkâ€¦Coelhoâ€¦(Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist?) Yeah.â€

Greatest Sports Moment: â€œEvery day that I win is unbelievable feeling. And every day if I lose itâ€™s unbelievable shit feeling [smiles]. So, it depends. If you lose, it is here [puts hand low], if you win, it is here [puts hand high].â€

Most Painful Moment: â€œWell, tennis is not something that can really hurt me if I lose, so I cannot say right now.â€

Favorite Tournament: â€œI like to play Washington is really nice. (Why?) Because I like this area, itâ€™s really nice. Wimbledon and New York.â€

Closest ATP Friends: â€œThere is [Victor] Hanescu, [Jan] Hernych, (just at this moment Tommy Haas walks by and says, â€˜Me.â€™ Ivo smiles and says â€˜Not you.â€™), [Teimuraz] Gabashvili now. Because I went on road trip with him from Indianapolis (to) here in the car. (Youâ€™re friends now?) Yes, we are friends now [smiles].â€

Funniest Players Encountered: â€œIvanisevic had to be one of them. Zovko â€” you donâ€™t know him. (Lovro Zovko?) Yes, Lovro Zovko.â€

Toughest Competitors: â€œProbably it was Roger and Roddick I think.â€

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: â€œI cannot think of it right now.â€

People Qualities Most Admired: â€œHonesty and unselfishness.â€

Childhood Dream: â€œGrand Slam winner.â€

Funny Tennis Memory: â€œThe other day this lady said, â€˜Oh my God, you are so tall, you can be a rower (like boat rower).â€™ So, I donâ€™t know, it was unusual comment [smiles].â€

Family: Wife, Alsi; daughter, Jada Valentina.

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