Ronald, this is my first ever player interview for GEMTennis.com. I’m very excited that we have the opportunity to hear from you and your well being as well as your support to raise awareness for the people of Haiti. Your work is admirable.

Q: First I’d like to ask a couple of questions about your rise to tennis stardom. You’ve had a nineteen year career, who were some of the most influential people in your tennis career?

My brother Lionel was a key element as he was my coach for 7 years and helped me get to the top 50 in the world, my parents of course, and my wife Tonya a former model, who was essential to my successful comeback at 35 years of age, something that was very unique in the history of the game. She helped me achieve something that was seen by many people and tennis experts as impossible. In 1999, at 35 years of age, I became the first and oldest player since Jimmy Connors to finish the year in the top 100.

Q: When did you truly feel that you had the talent and work ethic to “make it” on tour? Was there a particular moment that let you know you had “it”?

At 15 years old I knew I had the ability to play because I was beating the National French junior champion in my age category regularly in practice matches. Finishing number 8 in the world in the juniors in 1982 was the cherry on the cake to push me to make it as a professional tennis player.

Ronald Agenor with family (from L to R, wife Tonya, Ronald, daughters Sascha and Chloe

Q: Of all the experiences you’ve had on the court which one or two are the most memorable and why?

The first one was my win at the Central American Games in Cuba, Havana, in 1982. I won the Gold Medal for Haiti and upon my return a huge crowd was waiting for me at the airport. I was 17 years old at the time. The second one was my first ATP Tour Title in Athens, Greece. I knew I could win a Tour title when I turned pro and I just did not know when it was going to happen. Also, beating world #7 Kent Carlsson from Sweden in the final was a major boost to my confidence as he had beaten 2-3 times prior to that match.

Q: During your playing days you were a very exciting player to watch. You were equally impressive last month in Delray Beach on the ATP Champions tour. What is about our sport that drives you to bring the very best out of yourself?

Passion for the game. I love playing tennis, especially when I’m competing on a stadium court. It is an exciting feeling. To entertain a crowd is also a big thrill.

Q: Currently, you’re at the Monte Carlo Masters tournament in Europe continuing your work to bring awareness to the Haitan people. What is the message that the people of the world need to hear from you about the situation in Haiti?

That the situation was very bad before [earthquake] and it is worse now. People feel bad about all those people that died from the earthquake but I keep saying this is a natural disaster, it can happen anywhere in the world. People need to understand that so many Haitians have died of hunger and that was not a natural disaster, instead it was man made. So I hope this time things will change for the better in Haiti.

Ronald, from the readers of GEM Tennis and from me personally we hope that you continue on your successful journey through life and we support your efforts in aiding Haiti.
Thank you.

- Parsa Samii, GEM Tennis

The following is a clip of Ronald’s interview for ATP World Tour Uncovered: