Several high profile ATP stars have been selected by International Tennis Federation to pose with photos of themselves when they were children and also state their sporting heroes in the federation’s new book titled “Aspire, Inspire: Celebrating tennis at Olympics 2012.” The world’s top three players – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were of course chosen to be part of this campaign.
Djokovic revealed that Alberto Tomba of Italy, a three-time gold medalist in skiing, is his inspiration while Federer, said that Swiss Olympian Marc Rosset is his hero while Rafael Nadal said that the Spanish Olympic team at the 1992 Barcelona Games is his choice.
“I believe this book shows the impact the Olympics has had on the lives of the current generation of tennis players, and how proud they are to represent their countries in the Olympic and Paralympic Tennis Events,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.
“The book also highlights the mutual respect between tennis players and athletes from other sports, with the Games providing a unique opportunity for all athletes to come together,” he added.
Here are the choices of the ATP players who became part of the book:
Tomas Berdych: Czech men’s ice hockey team (ice hockey)
Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan: The Dream Team (1992 U.S. men’s basketball team)
Marin Cilic: Goran Ivanisevic (tennis)
Juan Martin del Potro: Javier Sotomayor (high jump)
Novak Djokovic: Alberto Tomba (skiing)
Roger Federer: Marc Rosset (tennis)
David Ferrer: Jordi Arrese (tennis)
Mardy Fish: Dan O’Brien and Dave Johnson (decathlon)
Jurgen Melzer: Carl Lewis (athletics)
Max Mirnyi: Vladimir Salnikov (swimming)
Juan Monaco: Manu Ginobili (basketball)
Gael Monfils: Michael Johnson (athletics)
Andy Murray: Michael Johnson (athletics)
Rafael Nadal: Spanish Olympic Team at 1992 Barcelona
Kei Nishikori: Roger Federer (tennis)
Milos Raonic: Pete Sampras (tennis)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Michael Johnson (athletics)
Stanislas Wawrinka: Kobe Bryant (basketball)
