Kevin Kim: “King of the Challengers” No More 2/3 | Asian American Personalities

Kevin Kim
“King of the Challengers” No More

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Kevin Kim:
“King of the Challengers” No More

GS: What made him so good?
KK: He just hit the ball so hard. He hit the ball past me quite a bit.

GS: Describe a typical day on tour.
KK: It's pretty bland. Basically I wake up, eat, practice for two hours. Most guys practice twice, once in the morning, once in the afternoon.

GS: Do you ever go out and party?
KK: O yeah, yeah it happens. When I first started, I did. Just depends what city you're in. Say you're in Memphis or something, then you don't go out much. You know, it's not my crowd.

GS: Not much to do there?
KK: They have a nice bar scene, but it's not my crowd.

GS: What is your crowd?
KK: I mean, it's just a lot of southerners, and there's not too many Asians.

GS: Do you hang out with a lot of Asians?
KK: No, I don't but it's a very southern crowd. I like it here in L.A.

GS: You wouldn't consider moving out of L.A.?
KK: No.

GS: What do you consider your greatest strength as an athlete?
KK: Probably my speed.

GS: How did your parents feel about you turning pro so early?
KK: They were fine with it. They knew I had big tennis aspirations so my dad encouraged it. My mom was a little skeptical, gave me the option to stay in school, gave me the option to put off pro tennis.

GS: How do they feel now?
KK: They're a little relieved that I'm doing better and supporting myself. They're satisfied.

GS: As long as you don't go back to live with them?
KK: No, they don't mind me living with them, I have my own apartment, but I spend a lot of time where they live. They don't mind me being around.

GS: Are you an only child?
KK: No, I have one sister.

Kevin Kim hits a backhand return to Vince Spadea during a quarterfinal match in the ATP Tour event Friday, Feb. 4, 2005, in Delray Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Mitchell)

CONTINUED BELOW

GS: How old is she?
KK: 25. She wanted to be a writer but it didn't happen.

GS: What does she do?
KK: She's an accountant. She worked at Fairchild for a little while. It wasn't for her.

GS: Is she proud of her big brother?
KK: Yeah, I think so. She likes going to tournaments. She really enjoys it. I think she is.

GS: What are your goals for the next few years?
KK: I'd like to be in the top 50 this year and in the top 20 in the next two years.

GS: How long do you plan on playing for?
KK: I don't know just until my body gives up. I enjoy traveling, but it's not as fun as people think and once I lose a little bit of joy then I'll think about stopping.

GS: What was your major in college?
KK: I didn't have a major. I was only there a year.

GS: What were you interested in pursuing?
KK: Probably economics.

GS: Tell me a little bit about your childhood. What were your parents like growing up?
KK: I grew up in Orange County. My dad played tennis recreationally and that's how I got started. He saw some potential and started me off playing tennis. Pretty much my whole life has been surrounded by tennis. In high school I went to tennis academy in Florida for two years. From there on I went to college and turned pro.

GS: How old were you when you first beat your father at tennis?
KK: Probably at a very young age. No one's ever asked me that, good question. I want to say 12 or 10 but I can't really remember.

GS: Was he more embarrassed or proud?
KK: He expected it sooner or later. I think he was proud.

GS: When you were a kid how long were your daily practices?
KK: At that time probably like two or three hours after school and then I'd go home and just study for like three hours a day. PAGE 3

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“They were fine with it. They knew I had big tennis aspirations so my dad encouraged it. My mom was a little skeptical.”

Kevin Kim lunges for a backhand return during his third round match against Thomas Johansson of Sweden, 30th seed, at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Friday Jan. 21, 2005. Johansson won the match, 3-6, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

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