A Glimpse Into Vasek Pospisil’s Personal Life Off The Court

Vasek Pospisil shares his top tips for a forehand serve, his love for the Lumineers before a match and his unfortunate lack of skills in the kitchen. Sorry, ladies — Vasek can only make you a nice cup of tea.

What was the best part about growing up in Vernon, British Columbia?
The best part about growing up in Vernon was taking family trips to the forest every winter to cut down our own Christmas tree like the Griswolds. My childhood memories are amazing. Summers were long and hot, with so much to do for a kid, and winters were nice and snowy so I used to build forts, snowmen, and was just able to be a kid and have fun. I really miss those days. I will I could be a kid forever.

What languages do you speak? 
I speak three languages: English, French and Czech. I started learning Czech and English simultaneously, since we spoke Czech at home, and of course English because of where I grew up. When I was 5 years old, my parents put me into French immersion, so I was learning the three languages at once.

When did you learn to play the guitar?
I started playing the guitar in 2014. I love music in general, and singing, and always wanted to know how to play an instrument; to be able to play and sing songs on my own. I just started looking up videos on YouTube, and learning to play one song at a time and some basics, and it just evolved from there. I still have a lot of room for improvement but I’d say I have the basics covered! I even started writing my own songs last summer.

What is your favourite genre of music?
A combination of indie, rock, and alternative but I honestly appreciate all kinds of music. Anything with a nice melody and I’m in! I’ll even listen to some jazz or classical music if I hear it on the radio.

What do you listen to before a match?
I’ll listen to anything! I have no specific pre-game music. At the moment I’m been listening to the new Lumineers album.

What’s your favourite comfort food?
My favourite home-cooked comfort meal is a good grilled salmon with rice and vegetables. I used to be happy with anything unhealthy but these days, I really enjoy a good healthy meal.

What’s your favourite food to cook?
I have to confess that I don’t cook, sorry girls. If it’s any consolation, it’s because I just don’t have any time. I like to think that if I had more time on my hands that I would enjoy cooking.

If you don’t cook, what’s in your kitchen?
My essential kitchen tool is a tea kettle. Since I travel so much, I eat a lot of oatmeal and often make my own breakfast in my hotel rooms. I need a kettle to boil the water and for tea. I drink a lot of tea.

Okay, so where is your favourite place to eat then?
My favourite food destination outside of Canada has to be Paris. Les Français just really know what they’re doing. It just seems that any random street restaurant in Paris (or France, in general) serves delicious food.

One more food question: What’s your favourite junk food?
I have to say The Burger’s Priest. I had a burger there last year for the first time and it was amazing. Even though I try to avoid “junk” food most of time, I will definitely try to visit a The Burger’s Priest every time I go to Toronto.

vasek-pospisil

Where do you like to go on vacation?
When its time to vacation, I will usually divide my trip into two parts. The first part would be a nice beach or resort getaway, and the second part would be to spend time with my family, wherever they are. I always get two weeks off at the end of the year to vacation so, the first week I head south and then the second week has lately been spent in Vancouver.

What else do you like to do outside when you’re not playing tennis?
I get very little time to do other activities outside of tennis but when I do I love to play soccer, go hiking, fishing, and cycling. Anything in the wilderness is intriguing to me. I love bonfires and roasting marshmallows and food on a stick. I guess that’s not considered a sport though, is it? It should be.

Can you share your number one trick for nailing a forehand serve?
My number one trick for nailing a serve is “trust”. Whatever the situation is, I try to eliminate doubt by directing my mind towards what I want to happen with the serve, and just let it go. If I want to ace my opponent, I attract that ace with a very clear idea of it in my mind. Oh, and snap your wrist.

Great, and what’s your number one trick for a good backhand?
Ask me for tips on the serve and forehand and I’ll write you a book but this is all I can say about the backhand: Bend the knees and make sure your body goes towards where you are hitting the ball. Keep the contact point in-front of your body.

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