PERSONAL

Began playing tennis at age nine with his older brother Glen...Grew up in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia and now trains at the Long Island City East River Club...Enjoys golf and going to the beach...In December 2000, got kicked in the left eye from a friend's hand stand...Underwent two surgeries and was sidelined for four months...Qualified for his first career ATP tournament in Scottsdale in March 2003 and lost to James Blake in the first round..."I was so happy and a lot of hard work has paid off. That's why you play the Futures and Challengers. It's been a long time coming and hopefully not the last time," he said.