KARL CORBETT in KNOXVILLE
Michael Mmoh
Last September, following a ten match winning streak, which included Challenger titles in Columbus and Tiburon in back to back weeks, Michael Mmoh cracked the ATP Top 100, checking in at world number 96.
Mmoh would win six of the twelve ATP matches he played in 2018 and he reached the third round of the Miami Masters 1000 and the Quarterfinals of the ATP 250 in Brisbane. In both events, Mmoh successfully won all of his qualifying matches in straight sets. The run in Miami included a win over then world number 15 Roberto Bautista Agut.
This year, the 21 year-old American arrives in Knoxville with just three ATP matches under his belt due to being sidelined by injury from January through May. Mmoh reached the third round in Knoxville last year but was not able to take the court for his match due to injury. Six weeks ago in Cary, NC, Mmoh reached the Final, losing in three sets to veteran Italian Andreas Seppi.
Michael Mmoh is hoping that this week he will be able to replicate the success he had in Knoxville in 2016, when he won the title and dropped just one set in the process.
Following his opening round win on Monday in Knoxville, Tennis Acumen had the opportunity to speak in more detail with Michael Mmoh:
TA: Karl Corbett from Tennis Acumen, here at the 2019 Knoxville Challenger tournament. It's Monday, November 4th and we are having a chat with Michael Mmoh. Is it Michael, or do people call you Mike?
MM: People just call me Mmoh. Michael is probably a more formal name, for me. That's OK, though, rather than Mike.
TA: OK, good. Let me ask: What inspired you to get into tennis, in the beginning?
MM: So, my dad was actually a top 100 player. He played for Nigeria. And then, obviously, having him as a mentor, it kind of made sense for me to get into tennis. So, that's part of the reason I got into tennis, at first.
TA: That's the kind of thing people love to know. When did you first pick up a racket?
MM: I picked up a racket when I was three. Yeah, I was super young. Obviously, it was because of my dad.
TA: Well, you've got some of that DNA. You know, the raw potential, right?
MM: That’s right.
Michael Mmoh in action in Knoxville Photo: Karl Corbett
TA: So, coming up, which players did you admire? Who did you want to play like?
MM: Andy Roddick was always one of my idols growing up. I loved his charisma. I love the way he went about everything. I also loved his game and his competitiveness. So definitely, he was my favorite player growing up. If Andy lost in a tournament I, wouldn't even watch the tournament anymore. So, he was my inspiration.
TA: Love that. Now, you've had a chance to do some traveling, what are some of your favorite places to travel, the cities that you love?
MM: I went to Japan for a junior tennis tournament when I was 16. I was in Osaka. I loved the culture there. Basically, I love everything about Japan. I fell in the love with the food, with how nice and respectful everybody is. I love my experience there, for sure. And then, my Mom is actually half Australian, so going down to Melbourne pretty cool. I have a lot of family in Australia. So, I always love going to Melbourne as well. Definitely, those two spots have a special place in my heart, that's for sure.
TA: Yeah, absolutely. I can see why. Michael, If you were not playing tennis, what would you be doing?
MM: That's a good question. Maybe another sport. I definitely think that, if I had grown up in the States, I would have at least tried football or basketball. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, there's not much of that. It's just about all soccer, and I wasn't as into soccer as I was the game of tennis. But, definitely, if I grew up in the States, I might have been into football, Otherwise, I have no idea, in terms of the regular world. Outside of sports, I don't know what I would do. - {NOTE: Michael Mmoh was born in Saudi Arabia}
TA: I understand that. If you love it, if that's the thing, it can be the only thing. You're right. What about life after tennis? Do you think about that at all?
MM: Oh, yes, definitely, I have thought about that, several times. Right now, I'm trying to stay focused on this career. But I think it'd be pretty cool to be an agent, to be honest. I always remember, when I was young, the thought of doing that job kind of stuck to me. It resonated with me, for some reason. And, obviously, it's similar to what I do today. I feel like I'm already in the field, I have some experience. That could be a potential thing in the future.
TA: And broadcasting. Have you ever done a guest spot or anything?
MM: Live TV? Nothing like that, yet. I've done interviews after matches, sure, talking about my tennis. Being a commentator seems like another matter. Something I've never done, but It would be a cool experience. I'd definitely be all for that.
TA: I'll put the word out, Michael. (laughs). Tell me about your brothers and sisters.
MM: Yes, of course. I have two half-sisters and one half-brother. I have to tell you, one of my sisters just had her first newborn, just yesterday. So, I'm now an uncle.
TA: That melts your heart. That is beautiful. Any of them playing tennis? I mean, your brother and sisters, not the newborn.
MM: (laughs) My older sister used to play a bit of tennis and she was actually really good. She could have had scholarships to any Division One school, but she really didn't like tennis. She didn't have passion in the sport. But she was super talented. She could have been somebody, if she wanted to go for it. What she's doing right now is what she's truly happy doing, so......
TA: I'm happy for her. Yeah. That's the thing. So, what's more important to you: winning, or avoiding a loss? Where are you on that spectrum?
MM: That’s a tough one. I would definitely say, right now, I'm in the development stage. So, the most important thing right now is building my game, to continue to improve every single day. I just want to see that my game is getting better and better. That's my main objective. That's my main focus. But, going along with the development, losing, sometimes, can inhibit that. It can restrict your development. So, I would definitely say, losing is worse, then... Avoiding the loss is more important than winning.
TA: You're very articulate my friend. Thank you. Appreciate it. We'll see you in the next round.
MM: Definitely. All right. Thank you.
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