Ivo Karlovic is the oldest player in the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings at 38, and the Croatian turns 39 in two weeks. The 6'11" right-hander is still winning, too, defeating 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Jared Donaldson in straight sets at the inaugural New York Open to earn his 350th tour-level victory. The father of two is pursuing his ninth ATP World Tour title on Long Island this week.
Karlovic spoke to ATPWorldTour.com after the match about his passions, what he wants to do in the future and more.
What’s your biggest passion outside of sport and why?
Right now I’m a family man. I have two kids so every opportunity I have I just like to be home with them because I’m travelling a lot. It is everything. If it’s watching cartoons or to play with toys, anything.
What was the last book you read?
I don’t really read a lot of books. I read a lot of articles online and stuff like that. But I should definitely start reading more books.
Historic world leader you admire the most and why?
It would probably be somebody like Nelson Mandela.
Last concert or show you attended?
It was here in New York, it was Mamma Mia and the Lion King.
Favourite sport to watch besides tennis?
NBA. In the last 11 years I’ve lived in South Florida so it would have to be the Miami Heat.
My tennis career will be a success if ___________
It is already a success because I was never supposed to be here. Tennis is an expensive sport and how I came through in the tennis world, I don’t think anybody else did. So it’s already an unbelievable success.
After my tennis career, I want to ___________
I definitely want to stay in tennis because this is what I know, this is what I’ve been doing all my life. So to begin something else in which I’d be completely inexperienced… I have a lot of hobbies, but I will definitely stay in tennis. I don’t know what I’ll do yet, but this is what in the next year or so I’m going to try to figure out.