Full Name: David Prinosil 
Nickname: Prino
Height: 185 cm 
Weight: 82 kg 
Date of birth: March 9, 1973 
Coach--- Is it easier to travel without your father? 
I have a physical coach, Peter Pech. I'm still working with my father, Jiri, although doesn't travel on the Tour. I'm also working with Stefan Schafelhuber in Munich. I moved to Munich where I have an apartment. I practice with him and he comes to one or two tournaments. 
No, it's always tough because you try to have a relationship like a couch and a player, but yes he is ma father at the same time. Sometimes it's very tough but he knows me very well, and he knows what I need and that's why it's good for me when I'm at home and he is helping me. 
Plays: Right 
Home Town: Olomouc, Czech Republic 
my parents are Czech. I went to Germany when I was 14. Because my dad wasn't a communist we ran into some problems, so we moved to Germany. 
Current residence: Munich, Germany 
Languages spoken: German, English 
Marital status: single 

Tennis & Sports

Most inspirational player/athlete (past or present) --- Did you ever meet Ivan Lendl and did he give you any tips or words of encouragement? 
Ivan Lendl was the inspiration for me. He didn't have so much talent, but he was an unbelievable hard worker. 
From other sports, Michael Jordan, because of his athleticism and for what he did, including his comeback. 
I know Ivan because me father knows his parents and Ivan was once ballboy for my father. It was funny when Ivan came to me and said: "I have good memories of your father." 
I met him when he was playing, so he didn't give me any tips. I saw him recently so it was different, we were talking about how our lives were going. So now, maybe he can give me some tips about golf. 
When did you first become interested / show an interest in tennis? 
I started at 5 or 6 in the Czech Republic because my father was playing tennis and ice hockey. In winter I played ice hockey, which is the number one sport in the Czech Republic. In the summer my father would take me to the tennis courts, where i would hit all day against the wall. My father had to work, so he didn't hit that much with me, bit I hit with other guys. 
Most thrilling moment in sports?
I can remember watching Boris Becker playing Davis Cup. It was 16-14 the 5th set. Also the Davis Cup against USA when he was playing John McEnroe, and of course his first Wimbledon win. When he won his first Wimbledon, I was sitting there. 
Do you have an association with Boris now -- he has a management group? 
Yes, BBM, which I joined last year. Boris is more in the background, but when I'm home in Munich, we talk to each other. 
Was it tough moving from the Czech Republic to Germany at 14? 
Yes, of course it was. It was a different country and a different language. I was born in Czech and have a lot of friends in Czech, so it wasn't easy. I was very young but after a few months it became easier and because we came from a bad life in the East to a good life, that helped. 
How did you learn the German language? 
I went to school a few times and mostly I learned as i was playing tennis. I was in the juniors with two or three guys who were travelling all the time. If I made some mistakes they said: "Not like this, but like this." And that's how I learned it, really fast. 
How did your parents adapt?
They had more problems because they spent more than 40 years in the Czech Republic, so it was not so easy for them. But they made the move so my sister and I could have a better life. 
What was your most important victory? 
I think the breakthrough for me was my first tournament at Newport in 1995. I was in the German Federation before that and I didn't play so well. They had already said "You have a lot of talent but you are never going to win anything. " They kicked me out of the Federation, I won Newport and it was my breakthrough. I knew I could play at the higher level. 
How do you cope with defeat? 
As you get older, you get used to it. You need a day or two to get over it, but when you see what's happening in the world on CNN you forget it pretty quickly. There are more important things in your life than losing a match. 
What (thus far) has been the defining point in your career? 
It was the beginning of my career. When you start, you never know if you are going to make it or not. When I won my first satellite I said, "Okay". I think it was 1990 in Spain and I has started only two or three months before. At that time I thought I could be a really good player. 
What other sports are you interested / good at? 
Ice hockey, although I don't have much time for it. I am trying to play a little more golf. I also like to watch the NBA, but I don't have time to play it. 
Do you have any special training techniques? 
Not special, but I had to change my training a little bit because in December 99 I had an operation on my foot. I have had problems in the past with my back, so I changed some of the things I do. 
Do you have any special rituals /habits before, during or after a match? 
I don't step on the lines. In the past, when I won the first set, I would keep wearing the same shirt. 
 

Why I love Tennis 

I enjoy competing against another player. It's always two guys on the court and i like to mess with the other guys. To be on the court with the crowed and the atmosphere and to play other good guys, that's why I like tennis. 
 

Favourites 

Band: I like pop and rock, including Bon Jovi 
Movie (current): American Beauty 
Movie (all time): Dirty Dancing, although there are so many movies I could say.
Book: I like John Grisham Books
Foods: Italian 
Do you eat particular meals before the matches? 
I think I eat the same as most of the other players. 
Cars( old & new): I like Mercedes - I have one CLK 320 in Munich. I don't collect them though. 
Football (soccer) club: My club is Nuremberg. They play in the second division. 
What magazines do you read?
GQ & newspapers 

Outside Interests

Charity 
Yes. I do a few things at home with my friend of mine, who is a doctor. He had cancer, so I work to help cancer kids. 
Travel -- what are your favourite non-tennis destinations? 
There are a lot of cities that are interesting but I like to spend my time in paris. I like beach holidays in places like the Caribbean. 
Fashion (Special designer / types of clothing?) 
I like Hugo Boss and Gorgio Armani 
Do you play any music instruments? 
I tried to play guitar, but it didn't work out. 
Do you have any pets? 
I have a male German Shepherd named Mel. 
Hobbies: 
No, I don't collect anything. But my hobbies were ice hockey and in-line skating. I like to go out with my friends and to go to the movies. 
 
 

Surfing the Net / Day Trading 
Yes, I've just started trading stocks and surfing the internet. I recently bought a laptop. 

Background 

Family 
How many brothers / sisters? 
One older sister, who is 32. 
what is her career? 
She works for me. She is married with two kids. Her husband is working and she helps me with the stocks and travelling. 
Do you pay her well? 
Very well! 
How many nephews and nieces? 
Two nephews, aged two-and-a-half and nine. the nine year old is playing tennis at a club, but i think he is more interested in the video games. 
What do /did your parents do? 
My father was working with me up to a year ago. He is helping my sister to help me. He is playing club tennis for the seniors and just enjoying life a little bit. In the Czech Republic he was a sports complex manager. When we went to Germany he was working as a trainer/ coach for a club. I started playing tennis and I won the German Nationals after only three weeks in Germany. People heard he was coaching me and the club was interested to help him and help me also. So that's why he started coaching in the club. 
 

Sporting History 

Any family members with prominent background? 
My dad played first division in the Czech Republic for tennis and second division for ice hockey. 

Personal 

Who is the most inspirational person in your life? 
My father and my trainer Peter. 
If you weren't a tennis player what would you be? 
Probably an ice hockey player because I was pretty good at it. 
If a film was made about your life, who would play you? 
This is a tough one. I really don't know. Kevin Kostner, maybe. 
How do you deal with popularity? 
Normally, I don't have problems. 
What would your wife /girlfriend/best friend say what is your most annoying habit? 
If she saw my hotel room at tournaments, ma mother would be scared for sure! 
Outside of a big win, What is your "Ideal Day"? 
Sleep until 10 am, then get a good breakfast with some friends. Play golf or ice hockey. I have to move and be active even if I'm not playing tennis, so I have to play sport, go for a run, go to a movie or go shopping. 
Apart from Tennis, what do you like most about being a tennis player? 
That you are on your own and you make your own decisions. 
What do you like least about being a tennis player? 
I don't like travelling too much, particularly all the time you spend at the airport - it's too stressing for me. 
 

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